Balmoral Show


May 16, 2023 Balmoral Show 10th-13th May 2023

Success For Sandy at Balmoral

Judge: Murray Lyle

The show season kicked off with a strong showing for Charolais at Balmoral over the course of 10th-13th May. Judging the Charolais section this year was Murray Lyle of the Loganbar herd in Perthshire. A veteran of stockjudging, Murray has previously judged at prestigious shows as far afield as Toronto and Brazil as well as across Europe. Speaking of his experience at Balmoral this year, Murray said:

“Firstly, I’d just like to thank everyone for inviting me to come and judge today, it’s been a real pleasure. The standard of the cattle has, as ever, been exceptional. I think our Champions today, both male and female, are two real outstanding animals.”

Balmyle Sandy, exhibited by W D & J A Connolly – Supreme Champion, Overall Male Champion, Overall Beef Breed Champion of Champions, Interbreed Pairs Champion, Interbreed Team Champion

Taking the spotlight this year was 23-month-old Balmyle Sandy, bred by W P Bruce in Perthshire and exhibited by W D & J A Connolly of the Brigadoon herd in Co. Down. Sandy was sired by Maerdy Onedirection, and his dam Balmyle Nellie is by the French-born Maerdy Gouverneur. This exceptional bull amassed an impressive collection of titles, including Supreme Champion, Overall Male Champion, Overall Beef Breed Champion of Champions, as well as forming one half of the Interbreed Pairs Champions. Judge Murray Lyle said of the event’s Champion:

“He’s got style, he’s got length, and he’s also got good muscle for the breed – excellent locomotion, really well-bodied bull, just a pleasure to watch going round the ring. I think he’s going to be a top-class sire in the future.”

Loughriscouse Rosalva, exhibited by H & H Heron – Reserve Supreme Champion, Overall Female Champion, Group-of-Three Champion, Interbreed Pairs Champion

In reserve to Sandy for the Supreme Charolais Championship was 3-year-old Loughriscouse Rosalva, exhibited by H & H Heron along with her 3-month-old heifer calf at foot Loughriscouse Urania. Rosalva was born to Loughriscouse Nightingale, a daughter of Ballymather Jackpot, and her sire is the popular AI bull Harestone Hercules. In addition to her Reserve Supreme Champion title, Rosalva was also Overall Female Champion, part of the Charolais Group-of-Three Champion team, and joined Sandy as the other half of the Interbreed Pairs Champion team. Murray Lyle commented on Rosalva, saying:

“The female Champion was a 3-year-old cow, she’d held her condition remarkably well, and she had an exceptional young calf at foot, and she was – in my view – the outstanding animal in the female section. A really strong cow who is performing excellently”.

Stranagone Topdog, exhibited by R McWilliams – Junior Charolais Champion, Reserve Male Champion, Junior Male Champion, Male Interbreed Performance Champion, Junior Beef Breed Champion of Champions

The day’s Junior Charolais Champion was Stranagone Topdog, bred and exhibited by R McWilliams of Maghera, Co. Londonderry. This 11-month-old is packed with potential, with an impressive pedigree to match. His sire is Balmoral 2016’s Supreme Champion Stranagone Jones, and his dam Burnside Okidoki goes back to the popular Oldstone Egbert. In addition to the Junior Championship, Topdog’s accolades this year also include Reserve Male Champion, Junior Male Champion, Male Interbreed Performance Champion, and Junior Beef Breed Champion of Champions. Murray Lyle said of Topdog:

“We’ve got a young bull who’s got real potential here. I think the bull’s got not just muscle and excellent locomotion, he’s got an excellent head and walks around really well. I thought was a really outstanding young bull, with a big future in the show ring”

Stranagone Tia, exhibited by R McWilliams – Reserve Junior Charolais Champion, Junior Female Champion, Female Interbreed Performance Champion

In reserve to Topdog for the Junior Championship was 15-month-old Stranagone Tia, who also took the titles of Junior Female Champion and Female Interbreed Performance Champion. Tia is from the same stable as Topdog, bred and exhibited by R McWilliams of the Stranagone herd. She is also sired by Stranagone Jones, and her dam is Stranagone Jess, who is a daughter of Granaghan Hercules. Speaking of the Junior Female Champion, judge Murray Lyle said:

“The heifer here is a really well-fleshed heifer. She was Reserve today, but if it was another day I’m sure she’d go on and win many more shows. She’s got lovely flesh, a real head, real character and again excellent locomotion”

Dreamteam Superwoman, exhibited by K Norris – Reserve Female Champion, Intermediate Female Champion

The Intermediate Female Championship was secured by the day’s Reserve Female Champion: 2-year-old Dreamteam Superwoman from K Norris of Moville, Co. Donegal in Ireland. Superwoman was sired by the French AI bull Invincible, and her dam Bessiebell Incredible goes back to former Perth Supreme Champion Goldies Unbeatable.

Loughriscouse Savanna, exhibited by H & H Heron – Reserve Intermediate Female Champion

In reserve for the Intermediate Female Championship was 2-year-old Loughriscouse Savanna from H & H Heron. Like Rosalva, Savanna was also sired by Harestone Hercules, meanwhile her dam Goldies Lassie is by Blelack Digger. Savanna also joined Rosalva in forming part of the Charolais Group-of-Three Champion team.

Loughriscouse Tamara, exhibited by H & H Heron – Reserve Junior Female Champion

12-month-old Loughriscouse Tamara is another Harestone-Hercules-sired heifer from H & H Heron, and was the event’s Reserve Junior Female Champion. This sweet young heifer is out of Loughriscouse Ivory, who goes back to Brigadoon Fernando.

Hillview Tyler, exhibited by N Quinn – Reserve Junior Male Champion

The day’s Reserve Junior Male Champion was Hillview Tyler, a 9-month-old exhibited by N Quinn of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. Tyler boasts some notable names in his pedigree – he was sired by the Irish-born AI bull Noble Prince, and his dam Ballyreagh Eilsa is by the popular Fury Action.


All Results:

Class 561 – COW, born before 1 January 2020, in calf or in milk having had at least one calf
1st – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Pippa – s. Harestone Hercules

Class 562 – COW or HEIFER, in milk or in calf, born in 2020
1st – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules

Class 563 – HEIFER, born on or between 1 January & 30 June 2021
1st – K Norris – Dreamteam Superwoman – s. Invincible
2nd – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Savanna – s. Harestone Hercules
3rd – J Crawford – Coolnaslee Stella – s. Major
4th – W D & J A Connolly – Brigadoon Snowdrop – s. Newhouse Maxamus
5th – W D & J A Connolly – Brigadoon Serenity – s. Newhouse Maxamus
6th – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Savina – s. Thrunton Fairfax

Class 564 – HEIFER, born on or between 1 July & 31 December 2021
1st – G & N Hadnett – Sydenville Spice – s. Goldies Icon
2nd – N Quinn – Aquanchoua Stella – s. Doonally New
3rd – W D & J A Connolly – Brigadoon Selena – s. Newhouse Maxamus

Class 565 – HEIFER, born on or after 1 January 2022
1st – R McWilliams – Stranagone Tia – s. Stranagone Jones
2nd – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Tamara – s. Harestone Hercules
3rd – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Tashara – s. Gretnahouse Pouncer
4th – G & N Hadnett – Sydenville Truffle – s. Balthayock Gladiator
5th – G & N Hadnett – Sydenville Tallulah – s. Goldies Icon
6th – W D & J A Connolly – Brigadoon Tranquility – s. Newhouse Maxamus

Class 566 – BULL, born on or before 1 January 2022
1st – W D & J A Connolly – Balmyle Sandy – s. Maerdy Onedirection

Class 567 – BULL, born on or between 1 January & 31 March 2022
1st – W D & J A Connolly – Brigadoon Troy – s. Newhouse Maxamus

Class 568 – BULL, born on or after 1 April 2022
1st – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones
2nd – N Quinn – Hillview Tyler – s. Noble Prince
3rd – A McCammond – Cloughanduff Thiago – s. Mountain Landmark

Class 569 – GROUP OF THREE ANIMALS, bona fide the property of one exhibitor
1st – H & H Heron
2nd – W D & J A Connolly
3rd – G & N Hadnett


Championship Results:

Class S201 – THE ORAGE PERPETUAL CHALLENGE CUP – for the best Charolais cow or heifer
Presented by Mrs G Orage in memory of her late husband, W Norman Orage.
Champion – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules
Reserve – K Norris – Dreamteam Superwoman – s. Invincible

Class S202 – THE JOHN K CURRIE PERPETUAL CHALLENGE CUP – for the best Charolais heifer
Presented by J K Currie.
Champion – K Norris – Dreamteam Superwoman – s. Invincible
Reserve – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Savanna – s. Harestone Hercules

Class S203 – SPECIAL PRIZES, £100 & £50 – for the best and reserve best junior Charolais female
Presented by the British Charolais Cattle Society Ltd.
Champion – R McWilliams – Stranagone Tia – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Tamara – s. Harestone Hercules

Class S204 – THE H A CURRY PERPETUAL TROPHY – for the best junior Charolais bull
Presented by H A Curry.
Champion – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve – N Quinn – Hillview Tyler – s. Noble Prince

Class S205 – SPECIAL PRIZES, £100 & £50 – for the best and reserve best junior Charolais bull
Presented by the British Charolais Cattle Society Ltd.
Champion – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve – N Quinn – Hillview Tyler – s. Noble Prince

Class S206 – JUNIOR BREED CHAMPION, £30 & £20 – for the Champion & Reserve male or female born on or after 1 January 2022
Presented by ABP.
Champion – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones
Reserve – R McWilliams – Stranagone Tia – s. Stranagone Jones

Class S207 – THE BREEDERS PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY – for the best Charolais bull exhibited by a club member
Presented by the NI Charolais Club.
Champion – W D & J A Connolly – Balmyle Sandy – s. Maerdy Onedirection
Reserve – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones

Class S208 – THE BARDIN PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY – for the best Charolais animal exhibited by a club member
Presented to the NI Charolais Club by the Bardin Family of Nevers.
Champion – W D & J A Connolly – Balmyle Sandy – s. Maerdy Onedirection
Reserve – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules

Class S209 – THE BRIGADOON PERPETUAL CHALLENGE TROPHY – for the best homebred Charolais in Show exhibited by a club member
Presented by the Connolly Family.
Champion – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules
Reserve – R McWilliams – Stranagone Tia – s. Stranagone Jones

Class S210 – CHAMPION PRIZES, £100 & £50 – for the Champion and Reserve Champion Charolais
Presented by ABP.
Champion – W D & J A Connolly – Balmyle Sandy – s. Maerdy Onedirection
Reserve – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules

Class S211 – CHAMPION ROSETTE – for the Champion Charolais female
Presented by ABP.
Champion – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules
Reserve – K Norris – Dreamteam Superwoman – s. Invincible


Interbreed Results:

Class S290 – CHAMPION PRIZES £50 & £25 – for the Champion and Reserve Champion Interbreed Performance bull
Presented by MCV Competitions.
Champion – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones

Class S291 – CHAMPION PRIZES £50 & £25 – for the Champion and Reserve Champion Interbreed Performance heifer
Presented by MCV Competitions.
Champion – R McWilliams – Stranagone Tia – s. Stranagone Jones

Class 641 – EXHIBITOR BRED PAIRS, bona fide the property of one exhibitor
Reserve – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones & R McWilliams – Stranagone Tia – s. Stranagone Jones

Class S293 – SPECIAL PRIZES, £250 & £150- for the Champion and Reserve Champion beef breed continental pair.
Champions – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules & W D & J A Connolly – Balmyle Sandy – s. Maerdy Onedirection

Class S294 – SPECIAL PRIZE, £200 – for the overall junior beef Champion of Champions
Champion – R McWilliams – Stranagone Topdog – s. Stranagone Jones

Class S295 – PRESIDENT’S TROPHY & SPECIAL PRIZE, £300- for the overall beef breed Champion of Champions
Champion – W D & J A Connolly – Balmyle Sandy – s. Maerdy Onedirection

Class S299 – SPECIAL PRIZE £200- for the best team in the beef team competition continental breed
Reserves – H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Rosalva – s. Harestone Hercules, W D & J A Connolly – Balmyle Sandy – s. Maerdy Onedirection, H & H Heron – Loughriscouse Savanna – s. Harestone Hercules, K Norris – Dreamteam Superwoman – s. Invincible, & G & N Hadnett – Sydenville Spice – s. Goldies Icon


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