May 20, 2026 Balmoral Show 2026

A fantastic turnout of Charolais cattle at Balmoral Show was won by the impressive three-year-old bull Ballinlare Ultron, which later went onto lift the inter-breed reserve champion of champions honours.

Bred and exhibited by the Wilson family of Newry, Co Down, he is sired by their 2015 joint purchase, the 50,000gns Balthayock Justice, while his dam, Ballinlare Isis, is a daughter of Goldies Carnival. In a strong contest of Charolais, sponsored by ABP, Ultron had impressed judge Allen Drysdale, of the Glenericht herd, who said: “The top end of the classes were exceptional but I was particularly impressed with this bull – he’s very correct for such a large animal; very good on his feet and legs; long, clean and functional. Exactly what the breed’s needing.”

Reserve overall went to the female champion, Brigadoon Virginia, a two-year-old heifer from WD and JA Connolly, Ballynahinch, Co Down. Sired by the 15,000gns Newhouse Maxamus and out of the Goldies Icon daughter, Brigadoon Nevada, this heifer stood reserve junior champion at the show, last year.

The reserve female title went to Goldstar Adorable, a 14-month-old heifer from Barney O’Kane and Sons, Keadyview, Garvagh. Bred by Martin Ryan, this heifer is by the French sire Nevers and out of Cottage Maple, a daughter of Dovea Alcazar. She also won best junior animal on the day.

Reserve male and reserve overall junior was Carnview Ali, a yearling bull also shown by Barney O’Kane and Sons. Bred by James McGuigan, he is a son of the €15,000 Noble Prince, out of Carnview Siobhan, a Doonally New daughter. He had been junior male calf champion at the Swatragh Stars of the Future show last year.

In the inter-breed performance heifer championship, Brigadoon Angelica took the top spot for the Connolly family. At 13-months-old, she’s a daughter of the 28,000gns Balmyle Sandy and out of Brigadoon Marigold, another daughter of Goldies Icon.

Class results:

Class 571

Cow, born before 1st January 2023, in calf or in milk having had at least one calf

1^st 126 – Brigadoon Serenity – WD & JA Connolly

Class 572

Cow or Heifer, in milk or in calf, born in 2023

1^st Loughriscouse Urania – Harry Heron

Class 573

Heifer, in calf or calf at foot, born on or after 1st January 2024 and on or before 30th June 2024

1^st Brigadoon Virginia – WD & JA Connolly

2^nd Crossane4 Victorious – Richard Beattie Jnr

3^rd Brownhill Valhalla – Brownhill

4^th Lisnamoyle Valerie – Cara Millar

Class 574

Heifer, born on or after 1st July 2024 and on or before 31st December 2024

1^st Drummeer Violet – Edwin & Alan Morrison

2^nd Crossane4 VIP – Richard Beattie Jnr

3^rd Brigadoon Victoria – WD & JA Connolly

4^th Brigadoon Veneto – WD & JA Connolly

Class 575

Heifer, born on or after 1st January 2025

1^st Barney Goldstar Adorable – O’Kane & Sons

2^nd Brigadoon Angelica – WD & JA Connolly

3^rd Loughill Ava – James McIlroy

4th – Crestaglen Athena – Cara Millar

Class 576

Bull, born on or before 1st January 2025

1^st Ballinlare Ultron – Keith Wilson

2^nd Falleninch Sancerre – Harry Heron

3^rd Loughriscouse Valor – Harry Heron

4th – Carnview Vandamme – Barney O Kane & Sons

Class 577

Bull, born on or after 1st January 2025 and on or before 31st March 2025

1^st Brownhill Alwyn – Brownhill

2^nd Brigadoon Austin – WD & JA Connolly

Class 578

Bull, born on or after 1st April 2025

1^st Carnview Ali – O’Kane & Sons

2^nd Prime Arkle – John McGrath

3^rd Beattie Algar – Richard Beattie Jnr

4th – Brigadoon Atlanta – WD & JA Connolly

Group of Three

1^st O’Kane & Sons

2^nd WD & JA Connolly

3^rd Harry Heron

Championships and Special Awards:

Champion Charolais Female
Champion – Brigadoon Virginia – WD & JA Connolly
Reserve – Goldstar Adorable – Barney O’Kane & Sons

Champion Charolais bull

Champion – Ballinlare Ultron – Keith Wilson

Reserve – Carnview Ali – Barney O’Kane & Sons

Overall Charolais Championship
Champion – Ballinlare Ultron – Keith Wilson
Reserve Champion – Brigadoon Virginia – WD & JA Connolly

Brigadoon Perpetual Challenge Trophy
Best homebred Charolais exhibited by a club member

1st – Ballinlare Ultron – Keith Wilson
2nd – Brigadoon Virginia – WD & JA Connolly

The Bardin Perpetual Challenge Trophy
Best Charolais animal exhibited by a club member

1st – Ballinlare Ultron – Keith Wilson
2nd – Brigadoon Virginia – WD & JA Connolly

The Breeders Perpetual Challenge Trophy
Best Charolais bull exhibited by a club member.

1st – Ballinlare Ultron – Keith Wilson
2nd – Carnview Ali – Barney O’Kane & Sons

Junior Breed Championship
Champion – Goldstar Adorable – Barney O’Kane & Sons
Reserve – Carnview Ali – Barney O’Kane & Sons

Best Junior Charolais bull

Champion – Carnview Ali – Barney O’Kane & Sons
Reserve – Prime Arkle – John Mcgrath

Best Junior Charolais female

Champion – Goldstar Adorable – Barney O’Kane & Sons
Reserve – Brigadoon Angelica – WD & JA Connolly

John K Currie Perpetual Challenge Cup
Best Charolais heifer

1st – Brigadoon Virginia – WD & JA Connolly
2nd – Brigadoon Alencon – WD & JA Connolly

The Orage Perpetual Challenge Cup
Best Charolais cow or heifer

1st – Brigadoon Virginia – WD & JA Connolly
2nd – Goldstar Adorable – Barney O’Kane & Sons

Interbreed & Performance results:

Interbreed Performance Heifer Championship

Champion – Brigadoon Angelica – WD & JA Connolly

Beef Recorded Heifer, Continental Breed

1st – Brigadoon Angelica – WD & JA Connolly – Charolais
2nd – Brigadoon Alencon – WD & JA Connolly – Charolais
3rd – Ballyrickard April – Ian Davidson

Beef Recorded Bull, Continental Breed

1st – Brigadoon Austin – Wd & JA Connolly – Charolais
2nd – Brigadoon Atlanta – David Connolly – Charolais
3rd – Mullyknock Scorpio – Robert Forde
4th – Ballyrickard Ali – Ian Davidson

Champion of Champions

Reserve Overall Beef Champion of Champions – Ballinlare Ultron – Keith Wilson