No sheepish choices: Meet the 2026 Lamb & Lamb Young Handler judges
The exciting judging panel for the 2026 Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships this year will feature two familiar faces to the sheep showing and auction circuits.
Tony Morning from Donegal will judge the lamb classes and Best Butcher Pair Championship this year as Sophie McAllister from Ballymena focuses her attention on the impressive Lamb Young Handler classes.
Tony Morning
Tony is well-known across the province for his auction business in Drumoghill, Donegal, which specialises in large-scale plant and machinery and tool auctions.
Over the last 45 years though, Tony has also used his head for business to grow his beef and sheep farm. Now with a strong flock of 250 Suffolk cross ewes and a herd of 100 beef and show cattle, his passion has developed into another efficient business enterprise.
What’s more, Tony is no stranger to the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships having bought 11 pairs of lambs and threre heifers, to include the Reserve Supreme Champion in the cattle classes, at the 2025 event.
Looking ahead to this year’s event, Tony emphasised his particular interest in show stock and is looking forward to judging the highly competitive lamb classes and crowning the 2026 Best Butcher Pair.
Sophie McAllister
Experience in the showing ring is something Lamb Young Handler judge Sophie McAllister from Kells has in spades. A keen member of Lisnamurrican Young Farmers Club, Sophie has competed and been successful in YFCU stock judging competitions at county and Northern Ireland level.
Her time spent on their family pedigree beef and sheep farm taught her not only the tricks of the trade, but also that show days are always a full family affair as their team work together towards those coveted rosettes. Sophie also owns her own flock of pedigree Dutch Spotted sheep which she has triumphed with in the local showing circuit.
Commenting on the upcoming Championships, Sophie said: “I am looking forward to judging the young handler classes as it’s a chance for the younger generation to show their enthusiasm, stockmanship and talent.”
To keep up to date with the latest news and running order for the day visit www.beefandlamb.org.uk or follow the Royal Ulster Premier Beef & Lamb Championships on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.