A Scottish-bred Limousin heifer owned by a breeder from Kent, topped a bumper quality show of livestock at Braco, when taking the coveted overall champion of champions accolade.

Overall judge, Sandy Haggart, Madderty, found his supreme in Grahams Ruby, a 2½-year-old heifer shown by freelance stockmen, Richard and Carol Rettie, but owned by Mary Cormack who is setting up new herd.

"She's a beautiful heifer and correct in every way. She's got a lovely feminine head and great hind quarters – just a good sound, stretchy heifer," Mr Haggart told a near record breaking crowd.

Taking all the plaudits for Ms Cormack – who has also bought into pedigree Beef Shorthorns big style over the past year – was an in-calf heifer bought at the Red Ladies Limousin show and sale in Carlisle for 20,000gns from Robert Graham, in December. A daughter of the top breeding sire, Ampertaine Elgin, out of Grahams Melody, she also stood reserve at West Fife.

In the cattle inter-breed competition, judged by Alan Lambie, Auchterarder, she stood ahead of the commercial leader, Ava' Butt from local producer, Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Gilmerton, Crieff. His 23-month-old black Limousin bought at Carlisle last year from Newton of Logierait, was adding to an already hefty cabinet of silverware, with championship titles at Fife, Angus, West Fife already under her belt to add to last year's supreme at the Royal Highland Showcase.

Mr Wilson also won the inter-breed pair and group of three with commercial cattle.

Mr Lambie had a busy day's judging, selecting the top winners in the sheep section too, which saw the supreme awarded to the lead Beltex shown by Kirsty and Andrew Morton, Lochend, Denny. Their previously unshown home-bred shearling ram, Lochend Grassroots, is a son of Boothlow FI and destined for the breed show and sale at Carlisle, next month.

First time exhibitor, David Aiken, from Crookedstane, Elvanfoot, was also well rewarded for his trip north, when he landed the reserve sheep honours with the champion Cheviot, a gimmer bought privately as a ewe lamb. Bred by Steven Turnbull, she is by the £6000 Hownam Grange Xtra Special.

"The champion was a well muscled animal with a bit of style and very correct, but the Cheviot was also a tremendous sheep with a great head and front end," said Mr Lambie.

Commercial sheep from George Whyte, Lintibbert, Muthill, won the inter-breed group of three. This comprised two of the commercial champion pen of three lambs, Beltex crosses, and a Blue Texel, which had earlier been shown in the young handlers by son Struan.

Beltex were again in the money for the runner-up trophy, with a team from Ian Reid's Osprey flock, from Methven, taking the sash.

A miniature Shetland topped a strong equine section when taking the red, white and blue sash amongst the heavy horses. Alichbrae Cassius, from Comrie breeders, Stevie McKay and his daughter, Kirsty, was on his first outing of the year but backed by the best of bloodlines. A home-bred eight-year-old stallion, his sire is Kerswell Montgomerie, one of the first miniature Shetlands to win the supreme at the Royal Highland and a former champion here, is still going strong at 15 years of age.

Just pipped at the post was the Highland pony champion, Willie and Jennifer Allan's five-year-old yeld mare, Martell of Millfield, from Millfield, Freuchie. She is by Glenmuir Lochaber and was on her first outing of the year.

LEADING awards:

Continental cattle (Judge: H Campbell, Kettins). Champion, supreme beef and overall champion of champions – Ms M Cormack, Kent, with the 2½-year-old in-calf Limousin heifer, Grahams Ruby, brought out by freelance stockmen, Richard and Carol Rettie. A daughter of Ampertaine Elgin, bred from Grahams Melody, she was reserve at West Fife and placed at the Great Yorkshire and the Highland. Ruby was bought at the Red Ladies sale at Carlisle in December. Reserve – D Thomson, Cairnbog, Kilsyth, with the champion from Dunblane, Cairnbog Rosette ET, a two-year-old heifer bred from Foxhillfarm Mellie and sired by Goldies Just Great. Bull – W Lawson, Windsole, Auchterarder. Senior heifer – M Cormack. Junior heifer – D Thomson.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: H Campbell). Champion – Miss C Davidson and G Thomson, Crieff, with the 27-month-old heifer, Barnsview Portree, a home-bred entry by Retties Lazy Rascal bred from Kincardine Castle Pauline which was bought at the Moncur dispersal. Reserve – A Rennie, Mosstonmuir, Forfar, with the Fettercairn and Angus supreme, Mosston Muir Ernie, a 16-month-old son of Balmachie Ranald, out of Carlhurlie Eceleyllen. Bull – A Rennie. Heifer – C Davidson and G Thomson.

Native beef (Judge: H Campbell). Champion – R and C Rettie, Methven, with the yearling Beef Shorthorn heifer, Aberdona Rock Candy, by Tamhorn Glen, out of Aberdona Malteaser. She was champion at Dunblane and West Fife and second at the Great Yorkshire. Reserve – WP and K Wason, Kinglassie, with the six-year-old Hereford cow, Saltire 1 Cathy, by Baldinnie 1 Viscount and out of the foundation female, Baldinnie 1 Cathy 40. Champion at Fife, she was paraded with seven-month-old heifer calf at foot. Cow – W, P and K Wason. Heifer – R and C Rettie.

Commercial (Judge: A Morton jnr, Denny). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – W Peters, Monzie Farmhouse, Gilmerton, Crieff, with the black show heifer, Ava'Butt, a 23-month-old Limousin cross heifer bred by John and Craig Robertson, Newton of Logierait, that was supreme at the Royal Highland Showcase last year and champion at Fife, West Fife and Angus, this year. Reserve – W Peters' spring-born red Limousin cross heifer bought at Stirling as a calf at foot from John McAlister, West Thomaston, Bannockburn. It is bred from a Limousin cross dam and stood first at Kirriemuir. Yearling bullock, yearling heifer, suckled stot calf, suckled heifer calf, suckled calf, inter-breed pairs and group of three – W Peters. Cow with calf – W Mackie, The Ross, Madderty.

Highland (Judge: B McNaughton, Inverness). Champion – S Howie, Dunning, with the reserve from Kirriemuir and Angus, Eilidh Harris 5 of Findony, bought out by stockman, Mike Taylor. This yearling heifer by Diplomat 2 of Glengorm, out of Eilidh Harris of Ardbhan, was also second at the Stars of the Future and East Highland Club Show. Reserve – Drumad Estate, Bankfoot, with the reserve from West Fife, the three-year-old heifer, Erin 9 of Earn, a daughter of Magnus of Earn, out of Erin 3 of Earn. Bull, yearling heifer, pair, group of three – S Howie. Three-year-old heifer – Drumad Estate.

Blackface (Judge: D Rock, Wooler). Champion and reserve – Ms M McCall-Smith, Connachan, Crieff. Champion was a home-bred shearling ram by a £3800 Auldhouseburn, out of a ewe by a £60,000 Midlock, on his first outing. Reserve was a ewe lamb by a £4500 Merkland bred from a ewe by a £10,000 Auchloy. Shearling ram, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group – Ms M McCall-Smith. Aged ram, ewe – M Simpson, Berrydyke, Braco.

Scotch Mules (Judge: D Rock). Champion and reserve – M Simpson, Berrydyke, Braco. Champion was a gimmer by a Burnbank tup bought at Kelso in 2020, bred from a home-bred ewe. Reserve was a ewe lamb bred the exact same way as the champion. All classes – M Simpson.

Texel (Judge: B McKerrow, Bo'Ness). Champion and reserve – K Jarvie, Duncryne, Braco. Supreme was a tup lamb by the Carlisle purchase, Rhaeadr Equaliser, out of a ewe by Hexel Blockbuster. He was on his first outing and is bound for the breed sale at Lanark. Reserve was a ewe lamb by the same Rhaeadr tup but out of a ewe by Knock Bantastic. Aged ram, shearling ram – G Reid, Duncairnie, Dunning. Ewe, ram lamb, ewe lamb, group – K Jarvie. Gimmer – A Smith, Mucklebrae, Braco.

Commercial (Judge: E Ewart, Perth). Champion – G Whyte, Lintibert, Muthill, with a pen of three untrimmed early March-born Beltex cross ewe lambs by a Tiree sire out of home-bred Beltex cross ewes. First at Dunblane, two of them made up the first prize pair of untrimmed lambs at the Royal Highland Show, which combined with a Blue Texel ewe lamb that was paraded in the young handlers by son, Struan, made up the inter-breed group of three. Reserve – S Robb, Woodhead of Aberdalgie, Perth, with a pen of three April-born Beltex cross lambs by an Ochtermuthill sire and out of home-bred Texel cross Beltex ewes. Three untrimmed lambs, three gimmers, single lamb – G Whyte. Three ewes – Kim Stretch, Cuilt Farmhouse, Gilmerton, Crieff. Three continental cross lambs – S Robb.

Beltex (Judge: Miss L Wright, Balfron). Champion and supreme sheep – A Morton, Lochend, Denny, with Lochend Grassroots, a previously unshown shearling ram by Boothlow F1 out of a home-bred ewe by Whitehill Toohottohandle. He is bound for the breed sale at Carlisle. Reserve – I Reid, Methven, with Osprey Gala, a home-bred gimmer by Proctors Aerosmith, out of Kingledores Connie which was bought at Carlisle. Gala was placed at Kirriemuir Show and made up part of the reserve inter-breed group of three alongside a ewe and shearling ram. Aged ram, shearling ram, ram lamb, ewe, ewe lamb – A Morton. Gimmer, group – I Reid.

Cheviot (Ms S Murphy, Gorebridge). Champion and reserve supreme sheep – D Aitken, Crookedstane, Elvanfoot, exhibiting at his first show with a gimmer. She was bought privately as a ewe lamb from Steven Turnbull and is by Hownam Grange Xtra Special. She is one of only 10 ewes in the park-type North Country Cheviot flock at Crookedstane. Reserve – T Kerr, Victoria, Muthill, with a three-crop ewe that was bought in utero of a Broomhillbank-bred gimmer purchased at Lockerbie. She is by a North Synton-bred ram and stood second here as a ewe lamb. Aged ram, ewe, ewe lamb, group – T Kerr. Shearling ram – McCaig Farms, Wester Jawcraig, Falkirk. Ram lamb, gimmer – D Aitken.

Zwartbles (Judge: C Brandi, Dunfermline). Champion and reserve – N, R and S Henderson, Touch, Stirling. Champion was Aquila Jitterbug, the champion winner at Gargunnock and reserve winner at the Royal Highland Showcase last year. A daughter of Janetstown Hallmark, this ewe is bred from Mischief Dragonfly which was bought privately as a lamb at foot. Jitterbug was also second at the Highland this year. Reserve was Aquila Joyful Copy, a gimmer bound for the breed sale at Carlisle next week, on her first outing. She is by Joyfield Hunkyandchunky and out of Aquila Carboncopy. All classes – N, R and S Henderson.

Valais Blacknose (Judge: Ms J Knowles Brown). Champion and reserve – R and K Taylor, Valais Blacknose Stirlingshire, Stirling. Supreme was the previously unshown Whiterigg Helena, a home-bred one-crop ewe by Hatton Fairmont, which was bought privately, and bred from Highland Bani, an original Swiss import. Reserve was Moorahill Godfather, a tup bought privately from Tom Blackwood that was fourth at the Royal Highland Show. This 2½-year-old ram that was first at West Fife is by Moorahill Elvis and bred from Hullochhouse Fifi. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer – R and K Taylor. Tup lamb – T Blackwood, Magbiehill Park, Stewarton. Shearling ram – J Ramsden, Kaimridge, Kaimflat, Kelso.

Any other breed sheep (Judge: S Haggart, Madderty). Champion and reserve – N, R and S Henderson, Touch, Stirling, with Charollais sheep. Champion was Castleview Wildfire, a home-bred ewe by Castleview Valentino, bred from Logie Durno Untouchable, a female bought privately as a ewe lamb that was female champion and reserve overall at the Great Yorkshire, last year. Reserve was Manorhouse Am Your Man, a ram lamb bought privately from George Eaves, on his first outing. He is by Abryn Viper and bred from a Logie Durno ewe. All classes – N, R and S Henderson.

Young handlers – Champion – Rory Wood (12), Burrelton, showing a Texel ewe lamb owned by Kim Stretch. Reserve – Struan Whyte, Muthill, with a Blue Texel; 3, Ben Smith.

Pygmy goats (Judge: Ms L Sinclair, Meikleour). Champion – Ailene Charlton, with the four-year-old pygmy milker Aylswood Tala, a daughter of Pennrad Ernie, bred from this year's Highland Show champion, Brucklay Harmony. Reserve – Claire Bailey, Bridge of Cally, with a female pygmy milker, Brucklay Iris by Bear and out of Pennrad Matilda. Milker, buck – A Charlton. Goatling, kid – C Bailey

Clydesdales (Ms H Fraser, Torpichen). Champion – S Greenhill, Leuchars Lodge, St Andrews, with the two-year-old filly, Fordelhill Limelight, by Glebeview Sir Charles and out of Fordelhill Heather. She was champion at the Great Yorkshire and Haddington. Reserve – J Paterson and S Gray, Boreland, Glendevon, with the home-bred yearling filly, Greenknowes Ambitious Lady, by Doura Aird Ambition, out of Macfin First Lady. She was first at Ayr and second at Drymen, Stirling and Dunblane. Yeld mare – Miss A Stewart, Mollinhillhead, Mollinsburn. Two-year-old colt/gelding – Lorna Campbell, Glendevon Farm Cottages, Perth. Two-year-old filly – S Greenhill. Yearling filly – J Paterson and S Gray. Yearling colt or gelding, ridden – Y Pringle, Newton Grange, Midlothian. Young handlers – Bayleigh Neil.

Highland ponies (Judge: Ms H Dick, Inchinnan). Champion – WK and JA Allan, Millfield, Freuchie, with the five-year-old yeld mare, Martell of Millfield, by Glenmuir Lochaber, bred from Mylene of Millfield. She was shown lightly as a yearling. Reserve – WK and KM Allan, Freuchie, with the previously unshown two-year-old filly, Milly of Millfield, by Glenmuir Lochaber, out of Maggie May of Millfield. Brood mare, colt foal – A Simpson and S Watt, Chapelhill, Logiealmond, Perth. Three-year-old filly – Anna Black. Two-year-old filly – WK and KM Allan. Yearling filly, yearling colt/gelding – WD Simpson, Chapelhill. Yeld mare – WK and JA Allan. Senior gelding – Adrienne Taylor, Dunning. Ridden – J and J Bonar, Kirkmuirhill

Shetland (Judge: K Adam, Alloa). Champion – Donna Lochtie, Glenfarg, with the 12-year-old yeld mare, Mawcarse Lady Dionne, by Stow Vulcan and out of Hawkdale Dixie. Champion of champions at the Black Isle in 2019. Reserve – Eynhallow Shetlands, Westown, Perth, with the six-year-old stallion, Harviestoun Drum, by Harviestoun Rohallion and out of Harviestoun Dulcie. Shetland Ponies. Stallion – Eynhallow Shetlands. Mare, foal – Mawcarse Shetlands, Kinross Yearling, yeld mare or gelding – D Lochtie. Two/three-year-old – Transy Stud.

Miniature Shetland (Judge: K Adam). Champion and heavy horse champion – S and K McKay, Alichbrae, Comrie, with the eight-year-old show stallion, Alichbrae Cassius. He is by the 15-year-old show winning stallion, Kerswell Montgomerie – one of the first miniature Shetlands to win the supreme at the Royal Highland Show and here, out of Northwells Candie. Reserve – A Stewart, Perth, with the second prize winner to the champion, Narinian Lottie, a 10-year-old mare by Firth Jason, bred from Cilla of Tulloch. She is a former champion winner at the Central Scotland Shetland Pony Group youngstock event; Central and West Fife Show and Perth Show. Senior, two-three-year-old – S and K McKay. Yearling – Chesterwood Ladyliza.