IT was sunshine all the way for show enthusiasts, Blair Duffton, from Huntly and Rebecca Stuart, from Insch, at New Deer Show last weekend when they swept up virtually all the inter-breed beef cattle championships in a remarkable tour de force.

But the duo had to give way when it came to the champion of champions title which was awarded by the judge, retired auctioneer, Philip Reid, to the inter-breed sheep champion, a two-crop Texel ewe from Willie Knox, and sons, Graeme and Andrew, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, which won the exact same award here last year.

“I had three inter-breed champions before me from the horse, cattle and sheep sections and any one of them would have been a worthy winner,” said Mr Reid. “The winning sheep was a very smart, nice ewe and I just fancied her from the start.”

A Caithness-bred North Country Cheviot gimmer from brothers, Stewart and Harry Sleigh, St John’s Wells, Fyvie, stood reserve for the supreme sheep title while the Haddo flock won the award for the best group of three sheep, with the reserve going to a trio of Charollais from sisters, Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Mintlaw.

Leading the beef inter-breeds was a three-year old Charolais cow bought by Mr Duffton in Northern Ireland for 8000gns and owned jointly with Gary Patterson, Upper Forgie, Keith, who led her to her breed and inter-breed successes.

Running the champion all the way to stand reserve was the Duffton-Stuart partnership’s cross cattle champion, Shaniqui, a Limousin cross yearling heifer, which has already won a string of championship awards at recent shows, including the inter-breed at Fettercairn and reserve inter-breed at Echt.

“We have 17 cattle here and it’s been a fantastic day for all the team who help me,” said a delighted Mr Duffton, who also carried off the awards for the best group of three beef animals and the best pair.

The only major honour to elude him was the reserve award for the best group which went to the Aberdeen-Angus trio from Graeme and Fiona Willox, Oldmeldrum.

Champion in the horse section was the Clydesdale leader, a seven-year-old gelding, Collessie Full Monty, from Jim Gibb, Clola, Mintlaw.

LEADINGawards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: D Johnstone, Ballindalloch). Champion – N Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with eight-year-old cow, Tonley Emiline K741, by Blelack Prince Consort and out of Tonley Ermiline A70; second at Echt. Reserve – K and M Howie, Cairnton, Lumphanan, with 16-month-old bull, Cairnton Blackbeard T420, by Haymount Walarlo M303; reserve at Echt, first at Fettercairn and third at the Highland. Bull – K and M Howie. Cow – N and M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford. Two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – G and F Willox, Oldmeldrum. Bull calf – AJR Farms, Logie, Ellon.

Charolais (Judge: S Barclay, Stirling). Champion – G Patterson, Aultside, Keith, and B Duffton, Huntly, with three-year-old cow, Battleford Lola, by Lochend Apache, out of Blelack USP; champion at Echt and second and member of inter-breed group of four at Highland. Bought in Northern Ireland for 8000gns. Reserve – K Mallarkey, Airdlin Mains, Ellon, with yearling heifer, Strathys Nessie, by 9500gns Maerdy Harry Potter; first outing. Bull, yearling – K Mallarkey. Cow – G Patterson and B Duffton. Two-year-old heifer – G Leggat, Mormond Prop, New Pitsligo.

Limousin (Judge: A McNab, Dingwall). Champion – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, two-year-old heifer, Ritchies Meyrl, by Sympa, out of Emslies Ieyrl; first at Limousin Grand Prix at Echt and Fettercairn, fourth at the Highland and inter-breed champion at Angus. Reserve – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly, Keith, with yearling heifer, Corsairtly Notable, by Ronick Inspector, out of Corsairtly Honesty; third at Limousin Grand Prix at Echt. Senior bull, two-year-old heifer – A Ritchie. Yearling bull – B Duffton, Huntly, and R Stuart, Insch. Cow, yearling heifer – R and K Davidson. Bull calf, heifer calf – G Patterson

Simmental (Judge: S Barclay, Stirling). Champion – JB Wilkie and Sons, Braigiewell, Echt, with three-year-old bull, Corskie Goldbar, by 45,000gns Bel Dhu Capercaillie, out of Corskie Dime; first at Echt, reserve senior champion at Stirling in October 2016 when bought for 7500gns. Reserve – B and G Wright, Lagavaich, Glenlivet, with yearling bull, Lagavaich Ironman, by Williams Eddie and out of Redhill Anita, third at the Stars of the Future at Stirling last November. First time shown this year. Senior bull – J B Wilkie and Sons. Yearling bull – Billy and Gary Wright. Cow and bull calf – Stuart Wilkie, Braigiewell, Echt

Highland (Judge: D McNaughton, Fife). Champion – C Finnie, Richmondhill, Peterhead, with five-year-old bull, Philip of Richmondhill, by Charolais of Richmondhill and out of last year’s female champion, Heather of Richmondhill, second at North of Scotland Highland Club Show and class winner as a calf. Reserve – V Thomson, Maud, with five-year-old cow, Eilidh 2 of Edgerston, by Alastair Buidhe of Upper Coarnabus, out of Eilidh of Lyntoun; second at Echt and Leys Castle. Bull – C Finnie. Cow, bull calf, yearling heifer – Veronica Thomson. Heifer calf – JS Fraser and Son, Tilbouries, Maryculter. Three-year-old heifer – Mr and Mrs Greaves, Hatton. Two-year-old heifer – S and A Brown, Aberdeen.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: V Watson, Grantown-on-Spey). Champion – SG Mair and Sons, Kinnermit, Turriff, with three-year-old cow, Millerston Augusta Julie, by Alvie Excalibur, out of Croston Park Lovely Oregano, first time shown this year, champion here last year. Reserve – J and L Fraser and Son, Tilbouries, Maryculter, with four-year-old bull, Fordie Harrison, by Glounlea Lightning out of Lowther Gracie, bred by Fiona Davidson (nee Wilson), Fordie, Torphins, and bought at May sale at Thainstone for 1900gns, first time shown. Senior bull – J and L Fraser and Son. Yearling bull, two-year-old heifer – A Watt, Birkenburn, Keith. Cow, heifer calf – SG Mair and Sons. Yearling heifer – J Adamson, New Deer.

Cross (Judge: A Taylor, Aboyne). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly, and Rebecca Stuart, Insch, with 20-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Shaniqua, by Logie Hamlet, out of Limousin cross cow, bred by Jennifer Hyslop, Girvan, and bought at the Scottish Winter Fair for £1500 last November. Reserve inter-breed at Echt, inter-breed champion at Fettercairn, second at the Highland and reserve cross cattle champion at Angus. Reserve – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart with two-year-old Limousin cross heifer, Baby Jane, by Calagate Irresistible, bred by John and Craig Robertson, Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry, and bought at Thainstone Spectacular last August for £1800. Cross cattle champion at Fettercairn. Two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer, two-year-old bullock, yearling bullock, bullock calf, heifer calf and YFC bullock – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart. Pair heifers, cow with calf – S Smith, Turriff. YFC heifer calf – Moir Livestock, Cairness, Fraserburgh.

Any other continental breed (Judge: D Johnstone, Ballindalloch). Champion – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with 10-year-old Blonde cow, Strathisla Dawn, by Druk Lance, out of Strathisla Ashley, reserve at Echt. Reserve – A Watt with two-year-old Blonde heifer, Strathisla Maddie, by Freefield Gopal, out of Freefield Holly, first at Echt. Bull, cow, two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – A Watt. Bull calf – G Anderson, Glassel, Banchory.

Carcase cattle (Judge: A Ingram, Huntly). Champion: D and V Buchan, Longside. Reserve – D and V Buchan. Light steer – A Douglas, Lonmay. Heavy steer, light heifer – D and V Buchan. Aberdeen-Angus bullock – J and B Muir, Honeyneuk, Maud

Young handlers sheep (Judge: A McNab, Dingwall) – Tara Adams and Rachael Davidson.

Zwartbles (Judge: R McKenzie, Tain). Champion – A Baird, Greystone Cottage, Dunblane, with one-crop ewe, Greystone Destiny, by Greystone Alan and out of Tardoes ewe; champion at Ayr, full sister of this year’s Royal Highland champion and champion herself last year at the Highland. Reserve – Faye Wilkie, Braigiewell, Echt, with home-bred gimmer, Whitestone Emerald, by Speyside Buzz, out of Chapelpark Briony; champion at Echt, second at the Highland and four times champion last year. Senior ram, senior ram lamb – D Miskelly, Kildrummy, Alford. Shearling ram – SJ Stewart, Drummuir, Keith. Ewe, senior ewe lamb– A Baird. Gimmer, junior ram, junior ewe – Faye Wilkie. Young handler (5-10) – S Miskelly. Young handler (11-16) – Lauren and Mags Milne, Huntly.

Beltex (Judge: A Wainwright, Fife). Champion – Zoey Rennie, Keith, tup. Reserve– Ross and Kirsty Williams, Huntly, with tup lamb. Senior tup, shearling tup – Zoey Rennie. Ewe – Faye Wilkie. Gimmer – J and J McLean, New Deer. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – Ross and Kirsty Williams

Texel (Judge: B Nicolson, Duns). Champion – W Knox and Sons, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, with two-crop ewe by Cowal Vogue, out of ewe by Strathbogie Smoky Blue, inter-breed champion here last year, second at the Highland and champion at Turriff 2016. Reserve – R Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, with ewe lamb by Greenstar Alfie, a tup bought at the breed sale in the Republic of Ireland last year for €17,000. Shearling tup – Jemma Green, Corskie, Garmouth. Ewe, tup lamb – Willie Knox and Sons. Gimmer, ewe lamb – R Wilson

Suffolk (Judge: J Wilson, Mintalw). Champion – C Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder, with gimmer. Reserve – G Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with one-crop ewe by Deveronside Doodlebug, out of ewe by Strathisla Stiffler; inter-breed at Echt, fourth at Highland and reserve inter-breed at Angus. Shearling tup, ewe – G Christie. Gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, pair – C Paterson

Any other breed MV Acc (Judge: B Buchan, New Aberdour) Champion – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Mintlaw, with a Charollais ewe lamb by Loanhead Single Malt, out of the Echt Show champion, Braemuir Pandora; reserve champion at Echt and second at the Highland. Reserve – Deborah Atkinson, Insch, with Blue Texel shearling tup. Senior tup, ewe – Pat Imlah, Newmachar. Shearling tup – Deborah Atkinson. Gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb – Eilidh and Erin Duncan

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: J Proctor, Huntly). Champion – M and M Seed, Auchry, with tup lamb by Robleston H1 and out of home-bred former show ewe by Cassington D1, first time out. Reserve – J Hunter, Wedderburn, Huntly, with ewe lamb. Senior tup, shearling tup, ewe, tup lamb – M and M Seed. Gimmer – CR and ES Millican, Rothienorman. Ewe lamb – J Hunter.

Any other breed non MV (Judge: Mrs Susan Johnstone, Ballindalloch). Champion – A Leek, Lonmay, with ewe. Reserve – Grant and Wright, Anstruther, with tup. Senior tup, gimmer – Grant and Wright. Shearling tup – A Milne, Banchory. Ewe, ewe lamb – A Leek. Tup lamb – R Aitken, Inverurie.

Small minority breeds (Judge: S Chapman, Dingwall Mart). Champion – N and Zoe Robson, Huntly, with gimmer. Reserve – N and Zoe Robson with shearling tup. Senior tup, shearling tup, ewe and gimmer – N and Zoe Robson. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – J Graham and Lois Thompson, Rothienorman.

Jacob (Judge: C Reid Keith). Champion – A Christie, Midtown of Glass, Huntly, with gimmer. Reserve – J Milton, Keith, with shearling tup. Senior tup, gimmer, ewe lamb – A Christie. Shearling tup, tup lamb – J Milton. Ewe – S Robertson, Tomintoul.

Cheviot (Judge: A Ross, Strichen). Champion – S and H Sleigh, St Johns Wells, Fyvie, with a gimmer bred by Will Campbell and bought at Quoybrae last August; first time shown. Reserve – S and H Sleigh with gimmer. Ram, ram lamb – H and K Kelman, Peterhead. Ewe, ewe lamb – Grant and Wright. Gimmer – S and H Sleigh.

Cross (Judge: S Lawrie, Brechin). Champion – Moir Livestock, Cairness, Fraserburgh, with continental cross ewe and pair of lambs. Reserve – Gabrielle (9) and Madalyn (6) Michie, Turriff, with pen of three cross gimmers by a native sire bred by their grand-father, Ian Anderson, Newton of Carnousie, Turriff. Three cross ewes, three native sire cross gimmers – Gabrielle and Madalyn Michie. Three Mule/Greyface gimmers – S and H Sleigh. Three continental cross gimmers – WG Paterson, Cuminestown. Three butchers’ lambs, continental cross ewe/gimmer with lambs – Moir Livestock. Three cross breeding ewe lambs – K Moir, Fraserburgh. Native cross ewe with lambs – A and Sarah Connon, Ellon.

Cross bred singles (Judge: S Lawrie, Brechin). Champion – F Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with Beltex cross Suffolk cross ewe lamb; third at Echt. Reserve – Gabrielle and Madalyn Michie with Suffolk cross gimmer bred by Ian Anderson; reserve at Echt. Single ewe – J Lowe and St McRobbie, Cuminestown. Gimmer – Gabrielle and Madalyn Michie. Ewe – F Christie.

Prime lambs (Judge: A Ross, Strichen). Champion – Moir Livestock, Cairness, Fraserburgh. Reserve – A Wilson, Maud. Continental (heavy) – Laura George, Huntly. Continental (light) – Moir Livestock. Native (heavy) – J and Belinda Muir. Native (light) – Louise and K Clark, Turriff.

Young handlers (Judge: Carole Ingram, Inverurie) Champion – Finn Christie.

Orphan lamb – Champion – Cara and Iona Mallarkey, Ellon.

Clydesdae (Judge: S Greenhill, St Andrews). Champion – J Gibb, Clola, Mintlaw, with seven-year-old gelding, Collessie Full Monty. Reserve – N Christie, Fintray, with filly, Anguston Alic. Mare with foal – Claire Stewart, Rothienorman. Filly – N Christie. Gelding – J Gibb. Mare, decorated horse – WRobertson, Cuminestown. Young handler – Sophie Mitchell, Cruden Bay.

Highland (Mrs P Watson, Huntly). Champion – Lynne McDonald, Tarland, with yearling, Islay Mist of Coynach. Reserve – Becky MacAngus, Maud, with mare, Balmoral Esther. Mare, foal – Sarah MacIntosh, Peterhead. Yeld mare – Becky MacAngus. Gelding, ridden pony – Fiona Menzies, Myreton, Insch. Yearling – Lynne McDonald. Two/three-year-old – G and Ann Towns, Turriff.

Shetland (Mrs Irene Spence, Alford). Champion – HP Sleigh and Sons, St Johns Wells, Fyvie, with three-year-old, Wells Craig. Reserve – Christine Forbes, Dufftown, with stallion, Lynemore Illusion. Stallion, mare and foal – Christine Forbes. Senior gelding – Emma Jamieson, King Edward. Junior gelding, yearling – HP Sleigh and Sons. Pony in saddle – Rosalind MacLean, Keith.

Miniature Shetland (Judge: Mrs Irene Spence, Alford). Champion – Aimie Hugill, Rickarton, with yeld mare, Kellas Whisper. Reserve – TJ and Mrs J Milne, Maud, with mare Holmhead Eleena. Stallion – NS Wilson, Alford; Two/three-year-old – Margaret Greaves, Kintore. Mare, foal – TJ and Mrs J Milne. Yearling – C Matthew and Lynne Jack, Alford. Yeld mare – Aimie Hugill. Coloured pony, group of three – Christine Forbes. Young handlers – Rosalind MacLean.