History was made in the beef lines when Stirling-based Robert and Jean Graham scored a hat-trick by winning the inter-breed honours for a third consecutive year.
Their winner this time was Graham’s Vavavoom, a daughter of Graham’s Ruth – the supreme winner in 2024 and 2025 – with the reserve presented to the any other native breed champion from 3G Galloways.
Inter-breed judge George Harvey, Balfron, faced a strong lineup of nine continental and native cattle. He drew out a final four comprising the Limousin, any other native, Simmental and commercial champions before tapping out his overall winner and runner-up.
Leading the way was the yearling heifer Graham’s Vavavoom, by Ampertaine Elgin, brought out by stockman Stuart Bett and his wife Lynsey. She was part of the reserve group of three in the continental section at the Stars of the Future calf show at Stirling.
Standing reserve was any other native breed champion, a 30-month-old Galloway heifer from 3G Galloways – a three-way partnership of John and James Graham, Burnbank, Stirling, and Dennis Gall, Lockerbie. Kirkstead Nancy H1, an in-calf heifer by Kirkstead Commander and out of Kirkstead Nancy, was bought privately from Kirkstead Galloways. She was junior and reserve overall champion at the Royal Highland Show last June.
Topping the inter-breed beef groups was the commercial trio, while the Limousins took reserve spot.
LEADING awards
Simmental (Judge: T Illingworth, Eaglesfield). Champion – J and Claire Hodges, Drybridge, Dundonald, with Denizes Melody 62, a 25-month-old Hiltonstown Lorenzo daughter, bought with her dam, Denizes Melody 22, for 7000gns at Stirling in October 2024. She was reserve here last year, reserve at the National breed Show at Perth, and breed champion at Agri Expo. Reserve – Rachael Reid, Low Bowhill, Newmilns with Bowhill Ruth, an August 2024-born heifer by Denizes Lancelot. Second at Neilston, she was also reserve at the National breed show at Perth last year. Junior bull, class A – J and E Dyet, East Merkland, Sandford. Junior bull, class B, female born after Jan 1, 2024, class A – J and C Hodge, Drybridge, Dundonald. Female, maiden or in-calf heifer, calf – R Raeside, Ladeside, Fenwick. Female born after Jan 1, 2024, class B – F Gwynne, Castlewigg, Whithorn. Pair – R Reid, Brough Croft, Taynuilt.
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British Blue (Judge: T Illinworth). Champion – J and A Young, Over Auchentibber, Stewarton with Cliftown Sassy, bought from Dylan Townend at Carlisle in 2024. This three-year-old ET, by James Bond VD Jorchrishoeve, was reserve champion here last year. Reserve – D and L Watret, Muirfield, Hightae with Criffelview Violet, a 10-month-old heifer, by Greystone Novelte, on her show debut. Senior female, calf – J and A Young. Junior female – D and L Watret.
Any other continental breed (Judge: T Illingworth). Champion and best Charolais – J and D Hodge, Dykes, Auchinleck, with Hodges Vivacious, a September 2024-born heifer by Elgin Jagger that was champion continental at Catrine last year. Reserve and best Blonde – A Walker, Little Heateth, Auchinleck, with Gleniffer Rose, by Gleniffer Noble Prince. The six-year-old cow was first at last year’s Royal Highland Show. Cow – A Walker. Heifer – J and D Hodge.
Limousin (Judge: T Illingworth). Champion – R and J Graham, Stirling with the yearling heifer, Graham’s Vavavoom, by Ampertaine Elgin. Bred from Graham’s Ruth, she was part of the reserve best group of three in the continental section at the Stars of the Future calf show at Stirling. Reserve – R and J Graham’s Garrowby Tarzan, a four-year-old stock bull by Graham’s Rooney, bought at Carlisle. He was breed champion at the Royal Highland, the Great Yorkshire and the Royal Welsh in 2024. All classes – R and J Graham.
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: G Rhind, Forres). Champion – A and S Campbell, Crawlaw, Galston with Ballindalloch Eclipse B745, by Rosemead January W189. The 14-month-old heifer was bought at the Black Beauty Bonanza at Thainstone, where she won her class. Reserve – JM Steel, Allanton, Duns, with the yearling bull, Westdrums Lord Hansel B069 on his show debut. He is sired by Kingholm Risotto. Junior bull, cow – JM Steel. Heifer – A and S Campbell.
Beef Shorthorn (Judge: G Rhind). Champion – N Hynd, Galston, with Hazelbank Lavender V051, a two-year-old heifer by Runleymill Reggie. Bought privately in 2025, she was champion here last year and junior female champion at the Royal Highland. Reserve – N Hynd and C Wilson with Coxhill Vincent, a two-year-old bull by Fearn Peroni bought at Stirling in February. He was champion at Catrine. Senior bull – N Hynd and C Wilson. Junior bull, senior heifer, pairs – N Hynd.
Belted Galloway (Judge: G Rhind). Champion – A and S Campbell, with Crawlaw Harris, an 18-month-old bull by Rowater Einsteen on his show debut. Reserve – A and S Campbell with Cairnsmore Ur Tilly Madelyn, a 20-month-old son of Scaifehall King, bought at Castle Douglas. Female, calf – J and Z Kirk.
Hereford (Judge: G Rhind). Champion – P and N Brown, Bosol, Isle of Arran with Bosolopoll 1 Countess Crocus. Sired by Gouldingpoll 1 Duncan, the 13-month-old heifer was on her first outing. Reserve – C Smith, Ballochneil, Turnberry, with the two-year-old heifer Milovaig 1 Lady Isla 3. Sired by Glenvale 1 Eddy-the-Eagle, he was reserve at Neilston. Bull – C Smith, Laurencekirk. Female, pairs – P and N Brown.
Any other native breed (Judge: G Rhind). Champion – J and J Graham, Stirling and D Gall, Lockerbniw with the 30-month-old Galloway heifer, Kirkstead Nancy H1, by Kirkstead Commander. She was bought privately from Kirkstead Galloways and was junior and reserve overall champion at the Royal Highland Show last year. Reserve – D and L Watret, Muirfield, Hightae, with the September 2024-born heifer, Largo Gorgeous of Nether Cleugh. Sired by Pele of Upper Buckna, she was purchased from Peter Hunter Blair’s Nether Cleugh herd. Senior heifer – J and J Graham and D Gall. Junior heifer – D and L Watret.
Commercial (Judge: C Henry, Keith). Champion – A and S Campbell, with the 15-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Extravagance, by Highlaws Shearer. Bought at a calf show at St Boswells last October, she was part of the winning commercial inter-breed team at Stars of the Future in November. Reserve – W Peter, Monzie Farmhouse, Crieff, with Check Ma Cheeks, a January 2025-born Limousin cross heifer bought from Newton of Logierait at Carlisle in March. Best opposite sex to the champion, lightweight cross-bred steer – A Ireland, Darvel. Middleweight cross-bred steer, pair – J Nisbet, Sorn Mains, Mauchline. Heavyweight cross-bred steer, cross-bred sired by a Limousin – W Peters. Lightweight cross-bred heifer, middleweight cross-bred heifer class A and class B, British Blue cross – A and S Campbell. Heavyweight cross-bred heifer – S and L Bett, Stirling. Commercial calf – Carolyn Stevenson, Carbello, Ayrshire.
Inter-breed beef groups (Judge: G Harvey, Balfrom). Champion – Commercial trio of the champion, Extravagance, a Limousin cross heifer, from the Campbells, Crawlaw, Galston; the reserve champion, a Limousin cross, Check Ma Cheeks, from Wilson Peters, Monzie, Crieff and The Crofter, a Limousin cross bullock, which was best opposite sex to the champion, from Andy Ireland, Darvel. Reserve – Limousin trio, from R and Jean Graham, Stirling, with the champion, Graham’s Vavavoom, a yearling heifer; Garrowby Tarzan, a four-year-old stock bull, which was reserve champion and the two-year-old cow Graham’s Violet, which won her class.
Young stockperson beef competition (Judge: Melissa Donaldson, Northallerton). 1, Carolyn Stevenson; 2, Andrew Dunn; 3, Aimee Young.
YFC home/continental (Judge: Melissa Donaldson). Champion – Heather Thom, Ayr YFC, with the April-born Limousin cross heifer, Taylor Swish. Reserve – James Stalker, Kilmaurs YFC, with the January-born Limousin cross steer, Hot Topic.
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