Aberdeen-Angus cattle from as far north as Orkney and Caithness, down to Dumfries in the south west, took to the show ring at the Black Beauty Bonanza, held at Thainstone Exchange, Aberdeen & Northern Marts Thainstone, Inverurie. This annual show of calves and yearlings is organised by the North East of Scotland Aberdeen-Angus Club.

Balfour Baillie, Sebay, Tankerness, Orkney, was judge on the day and tasked with selecting the winners from thirteen full classes of calves and yearlings. Balfour commented, “There was a tremendous show of animals forward, particularly among the females.”

In the heifer calf class, the champion was Ladyluck Karisma B264, an April 2025-born heifer from Nicola Howie’s Ladyluck herd, based near Dumfries. She is sired by Rulesmains Phillip X557 and out of Blelack Karisma X122. Tonley Annie B273, bred by Neil Wattie, Tonley, Alford, claimed the reserve champion position. Born in April 2025, she is sired by Blelack Hill Bruno Z034 and out of Tonley Annie Y952.

In the yearling heifer section, the champion was Galcantry Edwina A764, a February 2024-born heifer bred by David Walker of Galcantry, near Nairn. She is sired by Kilmaluag Lord Blackbeauty W288 and out of the home-bred Galcantry Edwina N685. Tonley Princess A142, born in April 2024 and bred by Neil Wattie, Tonley, Alford, secured the reserve award. She is sired by the home-bred bull Tonley Jester Eric S318 and out of Tonley Princess V601.

Blelack Hill Lord Hinckley B077, a bull calf born in February 2025 and bred by Messrs Calcott of Blelack Farm, near Aboyne, was named the bull calf champion. He is sired by Blelack Embassy X119 and out of Blelack Lady Heather W085. The reserve bull calf title went to Massies Phantom B014, an April 2025-born calf from Graeme Massie, sired by Blelack Hill Ego Y003 and out of Newfield Passion X180.

The yearling bull champion was Logie Prime Cut A614, a March 2024-born bull from AJR Farms, Ellon. He is sired by Blelack Ever Creole W042 and out of Logie Princess Carina U811. Reserve was Orbliston Jury Elite A318 from A M Shepherd’s Orbliston herd, an April 2024-born bull sired by Duncanziemere Edward X452 and out of Orbliston Jury Erica R105.

In the overall awards, Ladyluck Karisma B264 was named Champion Calf, while Galcantry Edwina A764 was chosen as Champion Yearling.

The Champion Pair of Calves was awarded to Balavilhouse Toplass B094 and Balavilhouse Evora B099, bred by Balavil House Aberdeen Angus. The reserve pair was from Ballindalloch Estate with Ballindalloch Gwen B744 and Ballindalloch Prime Minister B755. The Champion Pair of Yearlings title went to Newton Jill Erica A170 and Newton Jill Erica A175, from Ray Gardiner, Newton, Lyne of Skene. Reserve Yearling Pairs went to Alex Davies, Perkhill, with Perkhill Black Bessie A404 and Perkhill Black Midday A405.

North East of Scotland Aberdeen-Angus Club chairman Mark Wattie commented, “The Black Beauty Bonanza continues to be a spectacle, thanks to committed enthusiasts from the club and participants from further afield who are willing to bring out their young stock. The show has gone from strength to strength over the past 26 years and remains one of the premier shows of Aberdeen-Angus cattle.”

The North East of Scotland Aberdeen-Angus Club also recognised the judge on the day, Mr Balfour Baillie. Balfour is no stranger to the show ring, having won numerous championships with commercial cattle. He has built a strong herd of 20 Aberdeen-Angus cows and continues to achieve excellent results at the Orkney County Show.

Showmanship and Stockmanship competitions were judged by Ms Stephanie Dick. Stephanie took a keen interest in Aberdeen-Angus cattle after attending YDP workshops in her younger years and went on to win the YDP Final in 2015. She has since built a strong foundation of Angus females.

A special thanks was extended to all the exhibitors, stewards and sponsors on the day for their generous and continued support, in particular the main sponsor, Sellars Agricultural Limited.

Bonanza Prize List

Heifer calves:

Jan 2024-Feb 28, 2025

1^st Ballindalloch Home Farm’s, Ballindalloch Eclipse B745;

2^nd Hugh Thomson’s Tynet Bolero B191;

3^rd  Brotherton Estates, Brotherton Polestar B023.

Mar 4-Mar 22 2025

1^st C & E McCombie’s Auchincrieve Edwinasa B254;

2^nd  Neil Wattie’s Tonley Princess B254;

3^rd  Paul Allan’s Murdoch Allan Esmay B011.

Mar 25-Apr 9 2025

1^st  Nicola Howie’s Ladyluck Karisma B264;

2^nd C & E McCombie’s Auchincrieve Lady Ingot B299;

3^rd Balavil Estate’s Balavilhouse Evora B099.

Apr 10-Apr 18 2025

1^st  Phyllis Hepburn’s Burnside Barbara B160;

2^nd  Phyllis Hepburn’s Burnside Jewel Erica B158;

3^rd  C & E McCombie’s Auchincrieve Ethelle B327.

Apr 23-Jun 1 2025

1^st  Neil Wattie’s Tonley Annie B273;

2^nd  Ray Gardiner’s Newton Eyrie B192;

3^rd  H Sclater’s Deveron Jipsey B068.

Yearling heifers:

Jan 3-Mar 21, 2024

1^st  D Walker’s Galcantray Edwina A764;

2^nd  FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies Darcy A173;

3^rd  A and Phillipa Davie’s Perkhill Black Midday A405.

Apr 12-Sept 15, 2024

1^st  Neil Wattie’s Tonley Princess A142;

2^nd Ray Gardiner’s Newton Jill Erica A175;

3^rd  Neil Wattie’s Tonley Princess A209.

Bull calves:

Feb 4-Mar 16, 2025

1^st  AN Calcott and Son’s Blelack Hill Lord Hinkley B077;

2^nd  Mr & Mrs E MacGregor’s Raddery Ethan B326;

3^rd  Brotherton Estates Brotherton Black Bjorn B022.

Mar 19-Apr 2, 2025

1^st  Ballindalloch Home Farm’s Ballindalloch Prime Minister B755;

2^nd  C & E McCombie’s Auchincrieve Efron B274;

3^rd  H Sclater’s Deveron Jace Eric B038.

Apr 3-Apr 12 2025

1^st  Graeme Massie’s Massies Phantom B014;

2^nd  Karl Scott’s Foggie Elijah B377;

3^rd  Ballindalloch Home Farms’ Ballindalloch Fergus B759.

Apr 13-Jun 1 2025

1^st  Neil Wattie’s Tonley Mr BongoBingo B263;

2^nd C & E McCombie’s Auchincrieve Estipona B336;

3^rd  K & M Howie’s Cairnton Kansas 534 B534.

Yearling bulls:

Jan 28-Mar 26 2024

1^st  AJR Farms’ Logie Prime Cut A614;

2^nd  AJR Farms’ Logie Editor A556;

3^rd  JM Steel’s Westdrums Lord Hamlet A046.

Apr 1- Nov 23, 2024

1^st  Firm of AM Shepherd’s Orbliston Jury Elite A318;

2^nd  D & R Durno and Sons’ Glenlivet Prestige A532;

3^rd  D & R Durno and Sons’ Glenlivet Explorer A538.

Champion Heifer Calf – Ladyluck Karisma B264 & Reserve – Tonley Annie B273

Champion Yearling Heifer – Galcantray Edwina A764 & Reserve – Tonley Princess A142

Champion Bull Calf – Blelack Hill Lord Hinkley B077 & Reserve – Massies Phantom B014

Champion Yearling Bull – Logie Prime Cut A614 & Reserve – Orbliston Jury Elite A318

Overall Calf Champion – Ladyluck Karisma B264

Overall Yearling Champion – Galcantray Edwina A764

Champion Pair of Calves – Balavil House Aberdeen Angus & Reserve – Ballindalloch Estate

Champion Pair of Yearlings – Ray Gardiner, Newton & Reserve – Alex Davies, Perkhill

Chairman’s Endeavour Prize – Max Harrold

Junior and Intermediate Showmanship and Senior Stockmanship:

Junior

1^st  Jess Williams;

2^nd  Andrew Donald;

3^rd  Alec Cameron.

Intermediate

1^st  Max Harrold;

2^nd  Finlay Hunter;

3^rd  James Allardyce.

Senior

1^st  Andrew Reid;

2^nd  Cally Harper.