Both the temperature and the quality were high in the Charolais ring, at what turned out to be an extremely successful Royal Highland Show for the breed.
Allen Drysdale of the Glenericht herd in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, was tasked with judging a strong turnout on day one of the four-day event and he gave the overall title to the male champion, Falleninch Tommy, ensuring a third Highland Show championship for Andrew Hornall, Falleninch, Stirling.
Mr Drysdale commented that the overall quality was excellent throughout, especially in the junior sections, but he felt the bull that he selected as overall champion had that extra bit of presence: “He is a powerhouse of a bull, full of power and bone, with a great head and nose-end on him. He is a tremendous mover for such a large animal and carries his top very well while he travels.”
Tommy is by the French sire Magicien, while the dam, Falleninch Opal, one of 15 cows in the herd, is by the home-bred Falleninch Imperator. This December, 2022-born bull was shown by stockman Stevie Taylor, who went onto enjoy more success at the show, winning the coveted SAYFC Stockman of the Year award.
The reserve overall award went to the female champion, Rutherston Ugenie, a January, 2023-born heifer from Abbie Anderson, Easter Knox, Angus. Inter-breed champion at Angus Show earlier this month, Ugenie is a daughter of the 9500gns Balmyle Oscar, out of the Maerdy Grenadier-sired Rutherston Prosecco.
Mr Drysdale said: “She is extremely feminine, with a great head and again, carries her top very well on the move. She has everything a Charolais female should have and will make an excellent cow.”
Securing more accolades for the Falleninch team, the 14-month-old heifer, Falleninch Valentina, lifted the reserve female and overall junior awards. She’s by another home-bred sire, Falleninch Sesame, and out of the Barnsford Ferny daughter, Falleninch Renae.
Meanwhile, reserve male champion was the two-year-old bull Balthayock Utrecht, from the Walter family’s Perth-based herd. He is sired by their highly successful stock bull, the 24,000gns Harestone Ronaldinho, which is sire to several five-figure priced sons. This bull, however, out of Balthayock Nona, is being kept for use in the herd.
There were further celebrations at the beef inter-breed competition, on the Saturday, when Falleninch Tommy went onto secure the overall title, tapped out by judge, John Jeffrey, Kersknowe, Kelso, who was also impressed by the bull’s size and presence.
Furthermore, the junior inter-breed title went to Andrew Hornall’s heifer, Falleninch Valentina, topping off an excellent show for the Charolais breed.
Show results:
Judge: Allen Drysdale, Glenericht
Class 252: Female born on or between 1st April and 31st July 2024
1st 2724 Falleninch Valentina, Andrew Hornall
2nd 2725 Elgin Viv, RA Milne and Sons
3rd 2728 Solwayfirth Vimto, I and D Goldie
4th 2723 Cardean Vodka, Strathisla Farms
Class 253: Female born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st 2740 Silvermere Vanilla, M Hanson and D Irvine
2nd 2739 Panmure Vivienne, JM Cant and Partners
3rd 2744 Cardean Vogue, Strathisla Farms
4th 2736 Huttonend Veda, Mr SR Mitchell
Class 254: Female born on or between 22nd June and 31st December 2023
1st 2747 Newhouse Urdu, Brailes Livestock
2nd 2748 Glenernan Urosie, W and N Milne
3rd 2752 Elgin Ultra, RA Milne and Sons
4th 2751 Newlogie Uroyaleclipse, AJR Farms
Class 255 Female born on or between 1st January and 21st June 2023
1st 2759 Rutherston Ugenie, Abbie Anderson
2nd 2758 Silvermere Unique, M Hanson and D Irvine
3rd 2756 Utopia Unique, Blair M Dufton
4th 2761 Barnsford Ubiquite, T and S Gatherer
Class 256 Female born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2022
1st 2764 Forglen Tina, Mr EA Mutch
Class 257 Female in Milk or in calf, born on or before 31st December 2021
1st 2767 Newlogie Royaleclipse, AJR Farms
2nd 2766 Newlogie Pearl, AJR Farms
Class 258 Bull, born on or between 1st April and 30th June 2024
1st 2769 Inverlochy Vincent, John Irvine and Son
2nd 2775 Solwayfirth Viking, I and D Goldie
3rd 2768 Cardean Verbier, Strathisla Farms
4th 2774 Forglen Vodka Redbull, Mr EA Mutch
Class 259 Bull, born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st 2778 Lagavaich Vinnie, A and A Wright
2nd 2780 Falleninch Vidar, Andrew Hornall
3rd 2776 Solwayfirth Victory, I and D Goldie
4th 2786 Inverlochy Viper, John Irvine and Son
Class 260 Bull, born on or between 24th June and 31st December 2023
1st 2787 Elrick Uranium, John Irvine and Son
Class 261 Bull, born on or between 1st January and 21st June 2023
1st 2789 Balthayock Utrecht, Balthayock Farms
Class 262 Bull born on or before 31st December 2022
1st 2791 Falleninch Tommy, Andrew Hornall
SP1 Best Pair – Inverlochy, John Irvine and Son
SP2 Reserve Pair – Falleninch, Andrew Hornall
SP3 Best Female – 2759 Rutherston Ugenie, Abbie Anderson
SP4 Reserve Female – 2724 Falleninch Valentina – Andrew Hornall
SP5 Best Junior Female – 2724 Falleninch Valentina – Andrew Hornall
SP6 Reserve Junior Female – 2747 Newhouse Urdu, Brailes Livestock
SP7 Best Bull 2791 – Falleninch Tommy, Andrew Hornall
SP8 Reserve Bull – 2789 Balthayock Utrecht, Balthayock Farms
SP9 Best Junior Bull – 2778 Lagavaich Vinnie, A and A Wright
SP10 Reserve Junior Bull – 2769 Inverlochy Vincent, John Irvine and Son
SP11 Breeder of Best Bull – Andrew Hornall
SP12 Overall Champion – 2791 Falleninch Tommy, Andrew Hornall
SP13 and SP14 Reserve Overall Champion and Best Opposite Sex to the Champion – 2759 Rutherston Ugenie, Abbie Anderson
SP15 Overall Junior Champion 2724 – Falleninch Valentina, Andrew Hornall
SP16 Reserve Overall Junior Champion – 2778 Lagavaich Vinnie, A and A Wright
SP17 Best Bred by Exhibitor – 2791 Falleninch Tommy, Andrew Hornall
Categories: Highland Show, News, Shows