A slightly dreich start to the day failed to dampen spirits of exhibitors and spectators at Angus Show, where the Simmental cow, Delfur Nifty added another supreme championship to her kist.
Owned by recently retired MSP Sir Edward Mountain, Morayshire, Nifty added her first supreme overall of the season when shown with her heifer calf at foot Delfur Nifty S1. This rising four-year-old by Ballymoney Larry brought out by herd manager Garry Patterson, was supreme at Nairn, Black Isle and Grantown, last year
Overall judge Peter Watson, Darnford, Durris, said: “The Simmental cow is outstanding, full of power. She commanded the ring and makes a great pair with her heifer calf.”
Reserve overall between the inter-breed sheep and horse champions, was Finn Christie's Suffolk gimmer from Pitcaple, Inverurie.
“Choosing between the Clydesdale and the Suffolk was more difficult, I really like the Clydesdale, but the Suffolk has great powerful sheep and I can see it going on and doing well at a lot of future shows,” said Mr Watson.
Mr Christie who won the supreme overall here in 2024 and 2025, took the reserve supreme this year with a gimmer on her show debut. She is sired by the 28,000gns Castleisle Blackadder and bred from a Pyeston Real Deal daughter that was second at the Royal Highland Show in 2024.
Lead horse was Jim and Louise Greenhill's yearling filly from Upper Tulloes, Letham. Tulloes Molly-Mae is by Collesie Maximus, out of Tulloes Rosie, and was champion filly at the National Stallion Show.
Reserve overall horse was the Highland pony champion Ruwenzori Ferdinand from Sarah McIntosh, Greystone. This 11-year-old stallion shown straight out the field is by Moss-Side Lairig and was champion at Banchory last year.
Runner up in the sheep lines was another Banchory champion from last season, Lurg Kylie, the Beltex one-crop-ewe from Alan Miller, Midmar. Inter-breed sheep and reserve supreme at Banchory last year, she is sired by Smart Ass Jackpot.
Reserve overall cattle was the commercial heifer Fizzy Lizzy from Blair Duffton, Huntly. This 22-month-old Limousin cross British Blue purchased at Carlisle for £2200, is by a Dragons Blue bull and was bred by Guise Farming Partnership.
A pair of Simmentals from Heather Duff's Pitmudie herd from Brechin won inter-breed beef pairs competition judged by the panel of cattle judges.The pair comprised of April 2024-born heifer Pitmudie Robyn and Pitmudie Roselyn.
Reserve was a duo of Charolais bulls from Grant Smeaton, Inverarity and comprised the champion Bombax Archer, and Bombax Apache, respectively.
LEADING awards
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: H Sclater, Denhead, Turriff). Champion – Hannah Hareema, Balavillhouse, Kingussie, with the two-year-old bull, Balavilhouse Lord Hugo, shown by farm manager Gerald Joyce. A home-bred son of Balavilhouse RFK out of Balavilhouse Lady Heather, he was male champion at Fife Show. Reserve – R Marshall, Dufftown, with the rising two-year-old heifer, Tonley Princess A209, bred by Neil Wattie. She was purchased privately last year and is by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203, out of Tonley Princess W756. Senior bull – Hannah Hareema. Junior bull – K Rennie. Senior heifer – R Marshall. Junior heifer – Rebecca Cheyne.
Commercial cattle (Judge: J Howie, Girtridge, Ayrshire). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – B Duffton, Huntly, with Fizzy Lizzy, a 22-month-old Limousin cross British Blue heifer, by a Dragons Blue bull. Bred by Guise Farming Partnership and purchased at Carlisle for £2200. Reserve – B Duffton with the 18-month-old Limousin cross bullock, Rolex. Bred by Balfour Baillie, he was purchased from Finn Christie for £3100 at the Young Farmer’s Overwintering show and sale at Thainstone in March. Bullock calf, pair of bullocks, heifer calf – WS Peters. Bullock, heifer, pair of heifers – B Duffton.
Simmental (Judge: D Lowry, Lanark). Champion, inter-breed beef and overall supreme – Delfur Farms, Dundurcas, Rothes with Delfur Nifty, a November 2022-born cow by Ballymoney Larry and out of Delfur Joyful. Brought out by herd manager Garry Patterson, she was shown with her calf at foot Delfur Nifty S1. Champion at Nairn, Black Isle and Grantown last year and junior inter-breed at the Royal Highland in 2024. Reserve – Heather Duff, Pitmudie, Brechin with the April 2024-born heifer, Pitmudie Robyn, on her show debut. She is out of Pitmudie Layla and sired by Auchorachan King Kong. Bull, senior heifer, calf – Heather Duff. Cow, intermediate heifer, junior heifer – Delfur Farms.
Charolais (Judge: B Milne, Strathdon). Champion – G Smeaton, Inverarity, Forfar, with the January 2025-born bull, Bombax Archer. A son of Balmyle Thumper, out of Goldies Paula, he was on his first outing. Reserve – Firm of DH Muirhead, Firhills with a 2024-born heifer. Senior bull, intermediate bull – G Smeaton. Junior bull – Lyndsay Nelson. Senior heifer, intermediate heifer – DH Muirhead. Junior heifer – I Miller.
Limousin (Judge: J Howie). Champion – A Nelson and D Scott, Laurencekirk, with the December 2024-born bull, Oddies Venom. On his first outing, he is by Huntershall Prosecutor and out of Briarton Matilda. Reserve – I Miller, Miller Farms, Midmar with the 15-month-old bull, Millers Artist. A son of Burnbank Sergeant, he is out of Spittalton Oanna purchased at the herd dispersal. First outing. Senior bull – A Nelson and D Scott. Junior bull – I Miller.
Any other native cattle (Judge: I Wilkinson, Perthshire). Champion – M Bailey, B3i Farms, Craigeassie, with the five-year-old Beef Shorthorn cow, Craigeassie Racquel. Shown with her heifer calf at foot, Craigeassie Emmy Lee, Racquel is by Podehole Lincoln and out of Craigeassie Tara. Champion here last year, she was reserve inter-breed at Turriff and breed champion at Perth last year. Reserve at Fife last month. Reserve – JM Cant and Partners, Easter Knox, Arbroath with the 18-month-old Hereford heifer, Panmure 1 Plum C3. A daughter of Romany 1 Thor and Panmure Plum S8, she was reserve senior at Stars of the Future last November. Senior bull, junior bull, junior heifer – A and Alice Haigh. Cow, calf – M Bailey. Senior heifer – JM Cant and Partners.
Highland (Judge: S Campbell, Keppochan, Dalmally). Champion – G and Rebecca Easton, Ranch Fold, Letham with Isabella of Ranch, a two-year-old heifer on her first outing by Magnus of Earn, out of Claira of Ubhaidh. Reserve – The Carnegie family, Balrownie, Menmuir with Lili 3 of Balrownie, a yearling heifer by Uilleam 2 of Earn, out of Catriona Akeko 6 of Mottistone. Reserve female at Fife last month. Bull, cow, junior heifer, calf – The Carnegie family. Senior heifer, intermediate heifer – G and Rebecca Easton.
North Blackface (Judge: P Stewart, Bomakelloch, Keith). Champion – D Beaton, Newmill of Inshewan, with a gimmer by Woolfords Hay-One-An-Aw. First as a ewe lamb at Kirriemuir. Reserve – M Simpson, Sidlaw, with a three-crop ewe by an £8000 Hillhead of Morinsh sire out of the home-bred ewe Annie, by an Auchnacloich tup. Champion here last year. Tup, tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb – D Beaton. Ewe – M Simpson.
South Blackface (Judge: A McMillan, Maybole, Ayrshire). Champion – R Cockburn, Hill of Errol, with a gimmer on her first outing by a £15,000 Darchirla and out of an £1800 Dyke ewe by an £8000 Dyke tup purchased at UA Stirling. Reserve – M Simpson, Sidlaw, with a tup lamb on his show debut. He is by a £500 Merkland and out of a ewe by a £1000 Sidlaw. Tup, gimmer – R Cockburn. Tup lamb, ewe, ewe lamb – M Simpson.
Beltex (Judge: R Williams, Ranna, Tarland). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – A Miller, North Lurg, Midmar with Lurg Kylie, a one-crop ET ewe bred from Buckles Gem and sired by Smart Ass Jackpot. Reserve supreme at Banchory last year. Reserve – Ellie Miller, Inverurie with Lurg Lily, a gimmer by Mellorvale King Kong and bred from Buckles Gem. First outing. Tup, tup lamb – B Wylie. Ewe – A Miller. Gimmer – Ellie Miller. Ewe lamb – G and Fiona Burke.
Cross sheep (Judge: A Rae, Mains of Orchardtown, Ellon). Champion – B Macdonald, Meadows of Ballied, Blairgowrie, with a pen of three home-bred Beltex cross Texel lambs, o their show debut. They are sired by a Todhole tup. Reserve – B Macdonald with a pen of three home-bred Beltex cross Texel gimmers by a Todhole sire. First outing. Pen of continental lambs, pen of cross or Mule gimmers, cross ewe with lambs – B Macdonald. Pen of native lambs, pen of undressed lambs – W Mather and Sons.
Suffolk (Judge: J Wallace, Claycrop, Newton Stewart). Champion, inter-breed sheep and reserve supreme – F Christie, Pitcaple, Inverurie, with a gimmer on her show debut. She is by the 28,000gns Castleisle Blackadder and bred from a Pyeston Real Deal daughter that stood second at the Royal Highland in 2024. Reserve – J Scott, Strathview, Forfar, with a tup lamb by Strathview Striker out of a Birness-bred ewe purchased for 1500gns as a lamb at the Christmas Classic sale at Thainstone. Placed at the Scottish National Show at Fife, his ET sister was first in the ewe lamb class. Tup, tup lamb – J Scott. Ewe – G Christie. Gimmer, ewe lamb – F Christie.
Texel (Judge: J McKerrow, Uppermill, Tarves). Champion – A and T Greenhill, Kellas, Dundee, with a Knap gimmer by Duncryne Hakuna Matat bred from a Mullan Amigo daughter. She was purchased privately from Robert Cockburn as a ewe hogg. Reserve – B Wilson, Glamis, with a tup lamb on his first outing. He is by an Eden Valley sire. Tup, tup lamb – B Wilson. Gimmer – A and T Greenhill. Ewe lamb – F Nicholson.
Any other native sheep (Judge: B Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour). Champion – Fiona Thomson, Kinross with a Border Leicester gimmer by Muirmouth Five-O and out of a Mearns-bred ewe. She was purchased at Carlisle in January and was second at Fife. Reserve – A Crozier, Broughty Ferry with a three-year-old traditional Bluefaced Leicester ewe by a Parton sire and out of a home-bred dam. First outing. Tup, gimmer – Fiona Thomson. Tup lamb, ewe – A Crozier. Ewe lamb – Kiah Burgoyne.
Any other continental sheep (Judge: Jennifer McKilligan, Mains of Newtongarry, Huntly). Champion – Laura Troup, Sauchen, with Laurelle I’m Moonraker, an ET Dutch Spotted shearling by Merryboro Effective, bred from Struie Empress. He was male champion at several shows last year. Reserve – Laura Troup with the Blue Texel gimmer, Struthers Kookie. She is by Beili Blues Euphoric, bred from Top-Bank Heiley and was on her first outing. Tup, gimmer – Laura Troup. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – C Nicholson. Ewe – G and Rebecca Easton.
Sheep young handlers (Judge: Jennifer McKilligan). Age 12 and under – 1, Archie Groat; 2, Ava Alston; 3, Kate Skene. 13-16yrs – 1, Fallon Mather; 2, Jo Jacobsen.
Clydesdale (Judge: Katie Willey). Champion and supreme horse – J and Louise Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Letham, with Tulloes Molly-Mae, a yearling filly by Collesie Maximus, out of Tulloes Rosie. She was champion filly at the National Stallion Show. Reserve – S Greenhill, Leuchars, Fife, with Fordelhill Royal Edition, a three-year-old gelding by Muirton Spirit out of Fordelhill Hannah. Senior gelding – S Greenhill. Yeld mare – B Warburton. Brood mare, foal, young handler – S Aitken and family. Yearling filly – J and Louise Greenhill. Two-year-old filly – Libby Findlay. Gelding/colt under two years – Julie Martin. Ridden, harness – R Melvin.
Shetland ponies (Judge: Barbara Kate Gibb, Aberdeen). Champion – Donna Lochtie, Glenfarg with Glendyburn Lady Devine, a five-year-old mare by Wells Grenadier, out of Mawcurse Lady Dionne. She won multiple championships as a three-year-old and stood reserve at Perth last year. Reserve – Mawburn Shetlands, Kinross with Mawburn Sadie, a seven-year-old mare by Charpeter Predator out of Scapa Foghorn. Red ticket winner at Braco and Black Isle last year. Yeld mare or senior gelding, colt, filly or gelding two to three years, bred pair – D Lochtie. Brood mare, foal – Mawburn Shetlands. Yearling – Mawcarse Shetlands. Young handler 10yrs and under – Olivia Lochtie. Young handler 10-16yrs – Artemis Burton. Novice ridden – Nicola and Evie Yarr. Open ridden – Caryl and Heather Miller.
Miniature Shetland ponies (Judge: Barbara Kate Gibb). Champion – Claire Andrews, Coupar Angus, with the four-year-old mare, Parlington Juniper Berry. Sired by Parlington Spike and out of Parlington Utopia. Shown by eight-year-old Rory Andrews, the show marks her first championship as a senior having stood junior champion at Fife last year. Reserve – Claire Andrews with the two-year-old filly, Kinnochtry Ferne, by Oxgang Endeavour and out of Parlington Fantasia. Reserve at the Central Group show and junior champion at Black Isle last year. All classes – Claire Andrews.
Highland ponies (Judge: Ruth Darling, East Lothian). Champion and reserve overall horse – Sarah McIntosh, Greystone, with Ruwenzorie Ferdinand, an 11-year-old stallion that was champion at Banchory last year. He is out of Ruwenzorie Pottertons Foxglove and sired by Moss-Side Lairig Ghru. Reserve – JA Baird, West Whitefield with the seven-year-old mare, Bonnielass of Whitefield, by Whitefield Prince Platinum and out of Whisper Whitefield. Champion here last year. Brood mare, foal – JA Baird. Yeld mare – Heather Gow. Two/three-year-old filly – Catherine Macgregor. Senior gelding, yearling, novice ridden – Natalie Rae. Stallion – Sarah Macintosh.
Goats (Judge: S Thomas, Suffolk).
Goats – Champion milker – Beth Fairley, Longriggend, North Lanarkshire with the four-year-old AOV nanny Ballingall Roxy. Out of Ballingall River and sired by Linnavon Linnaeus, she is giving 5.2kg. Reserve – G Webster and G Smith, Guildy Den, Monikie with the three-year-old British Saanen nanny Guilden Honeymo. Sired by Ashdene Meadowmower and out of Guilden Honeygold, she is currently giving 7.5kg. British Saanen – G Webster and G Smith. British Toggenburg, Golden Guernsey/British Guernsey – Dr A Sieker. British Alpine, AOV first kidder, adult male AOV – Agnes Aitken. Anglo Nubian, AOV subsequent kidder – Beth Fairley. Veteran milker – Hannah Campbell.
Champion dairy goatling – G Webster and G Smith, Guildy Den, Monikie with Guilden Ebony. An AOV goatling, she is by Guilden Erintorry, out of multiple Highland Show champion Guilden Elma. Reserve – G Webster and G Smith with the British Saanen Guilden Honeymoth. Another Erintorry daughter, she is out of Guilden Honeymo. British Saanen, AOV – G Webster and G Smith. British Toggenburg, Golden Guernsey or British Guernsey – Dr A Sieker. Anglo-Nubian – Dr K Whitby-Last. Buckling – L Johnson. Champion dairy kid – L Johnson, Kininmonth, Peterhead with the March-born British Saanen kid Delshay Nahla, a daughter of Teion Meiku out of Delsay Honeybea. Reserve – O and S Southwood, Kirkbuddo, Forfar with the March-born British Toggenburg, Neryswood Galena. She is by Guilden Emit and out of Neryswood Arkose. British Saanen – L Johnson. British Toggenburg, AOV – O and S Southwood. Anglo-Nubian – Dr K Whitby-Last. Male kid – Hannah Campbell.
Champion Pygmy – Cheryl Blain, Roundyhill, Forfar with the buckling Willowbrae Orlando, a son of Barhams Mill Stanley out of Willowbrae Olive, that was shown successfully last year. Reserve – Cheryl Blain with Mollfol Angel. Freshly kidded, this five-year-old is by Penrad Ernie and out of Mollfol Annie. All classes – Cheryl Blain.
Goat junior stocksperson – 1, Tomy Smyth; 2, Cerys Southwood.
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