West Park-bred hoggs scored a hat-trick in the prime sheep section at the spring show, winning a third consecutive overall title.

However, while this was the third time Beltex cross sheep from the Aberfeldy-based farm had scooped the tri-colour at the Spring Show, this was only the second time brothers, Roddy and Hugh Thomson, from West Park, had lifted the top honours. The first time that West Park-bred sheep had triumphed here was when they were exhibited by veteran showman, David Black, Minard.

Star attraction this year were two 50kg April-born Beltex cross hoggs, sired by a Tiree-bred tup that also bred last year's winners. The sire was bought at Lanark in 2017 for 1200gns, while the dams were also Beltex crosses which make up part of the 1800-ewe flock the brothers keep at West Park.

Beltex crosses also scooped the reserve honours at the show – which boasted no fewer than 32 pairs – with the judge, Steven Crozier, from Lockerbie, presenting the blue and white sash to the medium-weight winners from Brian and Deirdre Wylie and son, Andrew, from Balbrydie, Kirriemuir.

Their show stoppers, which passed the weighbridge at 45.5kg on average apiece, were born in March and are by a home-bred sire and out of Beltex cross ewes. They were on their first outing for the 140 commercial ewe flock at Balbrydie, which runs alongside a pedigree flock of 30 Beltex ewes.

LEADING awards

Prime hoggs – Two lightweight, two mediumweight – CL Wylie, Balrydie. Two heavyweight – D and J Thomson, West Park. Breeding sheep – Three Texel cross hoggs – S Connon, North Quilquox. Three Mule hoggs, three Cheviot Mule hoggs – HP Sleigh and Sons, St Johns Wells. Three any other breed or cross hoggs – A and SJ Forbes, Dalrachie.