A massive Irish-bred bull went one step better than his ‘silver’ here last for father and son team, John and Raymond Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul.

Kilbline 1 Instigator, a rising four-year-old, secured the overall championship having dominated much of the North-east show circuit last year, winning several breed titles and inter-breed honours at the Black Isle and Turriff. Securing a second supreme here for this 40-cow herd was an ET son of the French sire Oscar, bred from Kilbline Ursella. He was bought in Ireland for €7000 and is now heading home to work!

It was a great day too for Jim Muirhead and Alison Gray, when they achieved their best ever result here. The father and daughter duo run 30 cows in their Firhills herd, at Letham and not only lifted the female champion and reserve overall honours but also the prestigious exhibitor bred title with Firhills Lady. This 27-month-old heifer, which stood reserve inter-breed champion at Angus Show, is by Maerdy Grenadier and out of Ugie Heidi, which was bought as a calf at foot at the Ugie dispersal.

Following her all the way through to lift the blue and white sash amongst the females was the second prize winner in the class, Balthayock Lisa, a similarly aged heifer by Balbithan Vespasian out of Balthayock Gem. Champion at Alyth Show on her sole previous outing, this youngster from Major David Walter’s Balthayock herd, from Perth, was paraded by the stock team, Tracey and Davie Nicoll.

The equivalent amongst the males was presented to Jonathan Watson’s Tweeddale Matador, a 14-month-old son of Blelack Blackberet, out of Tweeddale Icemaiden, from Bowsden, Berwick upon Tweed.

LEADING awards:

Judge: C MacLean, Mortimers Farm, Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak, Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Supreme – J Irvine and Son’s bull, Kilbline I Instigator; reserve – DH Muirhead’s female, Firhills Lady.

Female – DH Muirhead’s female, Firhills Lady; reserve – Major D Walters heifer, Balthayock Lisa.

Male – J Irvine and Son’s Kilbline 1 Instigator; reserve – Redhead and Watson’s Tweeddale Matador.

Junior – D Knox’s female, Drumshane Mademoiselle; reserve – Redhead and Watson’s bull, Tweeddale Matador.

Bred – DH Muirhead’s female, Firhills Lady.

Pair – AB Hornall’s female, Falleninch Libby.

Female born April 1 to July 31, 2016 –1, A Stott (Tophill Maryette); 2, J Irvine and Son (Inverlochy Maddie); 3, R Aitken (Lourie Mabel).

Female born Jan 1 and Mar 31, 2016 – 1, D Knox (Drumshane Madmoiselle); 2, Mrs J Rix (Wissington Melody); 3, DH Muirhead (Firhills Maisie).

Female born June 24 to Dec 31, 2015 – 1, AB Hornall (Falleninch Lottie); 2, J Irvine and Son (Inverlochy Lulu); 3, DFWH and NR Walter (Balthayock Leonora).

Female born Jan 1 and June 23, 2015 – 1, DH Muirhead (Firhills Lady); 2, DFWH and NR Walter (Balthayock Lisa); 3, AB Hornall (Falleninch Leona).

Female born Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2014 – 1, A Morris (Olrig Jadore); 2, DFWH and NR Walter (Balthayock Jemima).

Female born before Dec 31, 2013 – 1, JH Christie and Son (Westcarse Emerald); 2, J Irvine and Son (Inverlochy Demi).

Bull born April 1 and June 30, 2014 – 1, Redhead and Watson (Tweeddale Matador); 2, J Irvine and Son (Inverlochy Magic); 3, RA Milne and Son (Elgin Master).

Bull born Jan 1 and Mar 31, 2014 – 1, DH Muirhead (Firhills Morgan); 2, J Rix (Wissington Mercedes); 3, R Aitken (Lourie Marvellous).

Bull born Dec 31, 2014 – 1, J Irvine and Son (Kilbline 1 Instigator).