It was a scorcher of a show for the Aberdeen-Angus Summer National at the Royal Three Counties Show, with the Foxhill team of Melanie and Michael Alford, Devon, enjoying a remarkable day in the ring. Their outstanding success made for an especially memorable occasion, with the show also coinciding with Michael Alford’s 60th birthday.
Their outstanding cow, Blelack Princess Carina X125, claimed the coveted Aberdeen-Angus Summer National Championship and the Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef Trophy, while Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140 secured the Reserve Summer National Championship. To round off a memorable day, Blelack Princess Carina X125 went on to be crowned the prestigious Interbreed Beef Supreme Champion and Native Breed Champion.
The annual fixture was expertly judged by Graeme Fraser of the Idvies Herd, Forfar, who had the challenging task of selecting his winners from a strong line-up of Aberdeen-Angus cattle at one of the highlights of the summer show season. The Society also extends its thanks to M&S for sponsoring the Aberdeen-Angus classes and helping to make another successful Summer National possible.
Summer National Champion Blelack Princess Carina X125, which also claimed the Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef Trophy, is sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Blelack Princess Carina U902. Born in May 2021, this impressive cow, shown with her heifer calf Princess Carina C204, also secured the titles of Senior Female Champion and Overall Female Champion.
Princess Carina C204 enjoyed success in her own right, winning the Heifer Calf born in 2026 class before going on to claim Champion Heifer Calf, Champion Calf and Reserve Junior Female Champion. Together, the pair completed an outstanding day by winning the Cridlan Trophy for the best cow and calf combined, along with the Native Beef Cow & Calf Championship and Overall Cow & Calf Championship.
The Alford family’s winning form continued into the male section, with Wensleydale Black Voltage Y140, bred by Chris Timm of the Wensleydale Herd, taking Male Champion, the Little Dean Silver Perpetual Challenge Trophy and Best Animal of Opposite Sex to the Champion. The bull is sired by Gretnahouse Blackboot V082 and out of Wensleydale Black Vision V148.
The Alford family’s success extended beyond the individual championships, with the Foxhill team also securing the Native Beef Group of Three Championship and the Interbreed Group of Three Championship, further demonstrating the quality of their team.
The family also secured Reserve Best Yearling Male and Reserve Junior Male Champion with Foxhill Prince Evolution B192, sired by Weeton Evolution R447 and out of Blelack Princess Carina X125. Reserve Senior Female Champion went to the 2024-born Foxhill Princess Caroline A265, sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Blelack Princess Caroline T867.
Rob Bishop of the Warrenho Herd enjoyed a highly successful day with the homebred Warrenho Miss Bellmaid A118. Born in October 2024, she is sired by Warrenho Lord Havana X893 and out of Warrenho Miss Bellmaid X910. She claimed Best Yearling Female, Champion Yearling, Junior Female Champion, Junior Champion and Reserve Female Champion.
His success continued in the male section with Warrenho Duchy A079, which secured Reserve Male Champion. Warrenho Duchy is also sired by Warrenho Lord Havana X893 and out of Warrenho Duchess V823. The Bishop family secured the Netherton Trophy for their homebred group of three animals, Warrenho Duchy A079, Warrenho Evora Z999, Warrenho Miss Bellmaid X910, and pairs winners with Warrenho Duchy A079 and Warrenho Evora Z999.
Best Yearling Male and Junior Male Champion went to Chris Reed of the Creed Herd, West Northamptonshire, with Creed Kracker B002. Sired by Yearsley Euro Ensign W380 and out of Rosemead Kim Y430, he went on to secure Reserve Best Yearling and Reserve Junior Champion.
Best Bull Calf honours went to Owen Tunney of the Morpheus Herd with Morpheus Premier Cru B200. Sired by HF Alcatraz 60F and out of Blelack Princess Caroline X095, he also secured Reserve Best Calf.
Further success followed for Temple Farm (Chedzoy) Ltd, with Temple Pharaoh B988 securing Reserve Bull Calf. Born in September 2025, he is sired by Retties Lazy Rascal R308 (ET) and out of Temple Princess Papparazzi Z931. The team also claimed Reserve Yearling Female with Temple Dynah B967, a January 2025-born heifer sired by Linton Gilbertines President S021 and out of Temple Dynah Y892.
Reserve Heifer Calf born in 2025 went to Aled Jones with Dendor Ester B236. Born in September 2025, she is sired by Blelack Lord Heartford T879 and out of Tonley Ester V661.
The weekend was rounded off with the Society’s 150 & Beyond Celebration Dinner, held in the Members’ Pavilion on Friday evening. Members and guests enjoyed a delicious roast beef dinner with Yorkshire puddings, featuring Aberdeen-Angus beef from the Alford family. Guest speaker Angus Stovold delivered an entertaining and insightful address, providing the perfect conclusion to a memorable day of Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Society celebrations.
