We’ve already brought you a snapshot of photographs from a great day at Balmoral on Wednesday where Alex Sanger was present to judge a magnificent show of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, and here is the full report of the event.

Talking of the show, Alex said: “It has been a fantastic show, and the quality of the animals is testament to the breeders in Northern Ireland. There were some strong classes, especially the junior heifers and junior bulls, and I had difficult decisions to make as there wasn’t a lot separating the top placed animals.”

Claiming the day’s supreme overall championship was the senior bull Carlhurlie Epic P021 from James Porter’s Old Glenort Herd at Gillhall Estate, Dromore, County Down. Exhibited by herd manager Ian Rea, this tremendous bull caught the Alex’s eye. “This is a big able bull and a very worthy winner, he has power, style, breed character, and meat in all the right places.” Almost three-years-old Carlhurlie Epic P021 was purchased at the Carlhurlie dispersal sale in Stirling at the beginning of December. Sired by Skail Dido K309, he is bred from Carlhurlie Epea H676.

Image: Carlhurlie Epic

Standing reserve in the championship line-up was the second placed senior bull Cheeklaw Emlyn P480, stock bull in the Matchett family’s 18-cow Birches Herd at Portadown. This three-year-old bull was bought privately, and was Aberdeen-Angus champion at Lurgan Show in 2016. He is sired by Cardona Proud Punch L752, and bred from Cheeklaw Emily K381. Alex added: ‘’This is another outstanding bull, slightly smaller than the champion, but well put together and a great example of the breed.”

Image: Cheeklaw Emlyn

Best of opposite sex to the champion was the senior cow Belhaven Zephyr L370 exhibited by Ian Colville from Newtownards. He founded the Glen Cowie Herd two years ago and is currently managing 23 breeding females. Born in May 2011, Belhaven Zephyr L370 is a daughter of Muirhall Double Edition E018. She joined the herd in February, having been purchased at Stirling for 8,300gns. Calved in April, she was accompanied by her twin daughters by GV Duke 18C.

Image: Belhaven Zephyr

Northern Ireland Aberdeen-Angus Club secretary Freddie Davidson from Banbridge had a great day at Balmoral Show. His yearling heifer Ember Princess Lil S144 led the 14-strong junior heifer class and later scooped the junior, exhibitor-bred and reserve female championship awards. Sired by former stock bull Birches Lord John M052 – junior Balmoral champion in 2013, she is bred from Drumcrow Princess Lil K436, and was a first prize winner at the NI club’s calf show at Dungannon in November.

Image: Ember Princess

Brian Johnston and Hylda Mills from Scarva were also celebrating, having won the award for the best yearling bull and the reserve junior and reserve exhibitor-bred championships. The March 2016 born Dartrey Elliott S467 is by Logie Lustre F473, and is bred from Croftburn Edwina H497.

Image: Dartrey Elliot

Results from the judging ring include:

Special Awards

Aberdeen Angus Perpetual Challenge Cup, for the supreme champion: James Porter, Carlhurlie Epic P021. Reserve: S and S Matchett, Cheeklaw Emlyn.

Marks and Spencer Award, for the junior champion: Freddie Davidson, Ember Princess Lil S144. Reserve: Brian Johnston and Hylda Mills, Dartrey Elliott S467.

WJ Carson Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup, for the exhibitor-bred champion: Freddie Davidson, Ember Princess Lil S144. Reserve: Brian Johnston and Hylda Mills, Dartrey Elliott S467.

JD Templeton Memorial Perpetual Challenge Trophy, for the best yearling bull: Brian Johnston and Hylda Smills, Dartrey Elliott S476. Reserve: James Porter, Old Glenort Black Bingo S283.

Drumlister Trophy, for the best of opposite sex to the champion: Iain Colville, Belhaven Zephyr L370. Reserve: Freddie Davidson, Ember Princess Lil S144.

Thompsons Crystal Awards, best pair of females: Brian Johnson and Hylda Mills, Dartrey Ella S456 and Coltrim Diana S421; Reserve: John and Ann Henning, Drumcorn Lady Ida S282 and Drumcorn Ergressa S304.

Class results

Cow, born on or before 31/12/13, in-calf or having produced a calf in the last twelve months – 1, Iain Colville, Belhaven Zephyr L370 by Muirhall Double Edition E018; 2, S and S Matchett, Birches Lady Holly N391 by Bunlahy Philip K248; 3, S and S Matchett, Cheeklaw Black Beauty N458 by Bunlahy Bilty G202.

Cow or heifer, in-milk or in-calf, born in 2014 – 1, James Alexander, Rawburn Evergreen P899 by Rawburn Blackhawk L261.

Heifer, born between 01/01/15 and 31/12/15 – 1, James Porter, Old Glenort Precious Pollot R955 by The Moss Quebec K027; 2, Alan Morrison, Drummeer Blackbird R853 by Blelack Evermore J231; 3, Neville and Ivan Forsythe, Coltrim Evana R292 by Kiltariff Lord Tornado M433.

Heifer, born on or after 01/01/16 – 1, Freddie Davdison, Ember Princess Lil S144 by Birches Lord John M052; 2, Iain Colville, Taugh Blane Blackbird Special S376 by Rawburn Boss Hogg N630; 3, Brian Johnston and Hylda Mills, Dartrey Ella S456 by Logie Lustre F473.

Bull, born prior to 01/01/16 – 1, James Porter, Carlhurlie Epic P021 by Skail Dido K309; 2, S and S Matchett, Cheeklaw Emlyn P480 by Cardona Proud Punch L752; 3, Kevin McOscar, Drumhill Lord Hatfield R532.

Bull, born on or after 01/01/16 – 1, Brian Johnston and Hylda Mills, Dartrey Elliott S467 by Logie Lustre F473; 2, James Porter, Old Glenort Black Bingo S283 by Cardona Fergus N892; 3, Iain Colville, Taugh Blane Victor S402 by The Moss Quebec K027.

Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, James Porter, Old Glenort Precious Pollot R955 and Carlhurlie Epic P021; 2, S and S Matchett, Cheeklaw Emlyn P480 and Birches Lady Holly N391; 3, Brian John and Hylda Mills, Dartrey Elliott S467 and Dartrey Ella S456.