From the 71 Aberdeen-Angus entries it was David and Gordon Gray and Neil Wattie that took the top honours in the seniors and juniors, respectively.

Judge, Robert Clarke, Highhouse, Kettlebaston, Ipswich, awarded the senior championship to Ettrick Gladiator, from David and Gordon Gray, Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk. This August, 2018-born bull was reserve senior the previous week at Agri-Expo. He is a son of Linton Gilbertines President, which was purchased in 2017 for 17,000gns and this was one of his first crop of calves. His dam is Ettrick Gaenor is 'the best cow in the herd', with her brother selling for 5800gns.

Just behind as reserve senior champion was Richard and Carol Rettie's Retties Elixir, from Methven, Perth. On her first outing, this was the August, 2018-born heifer which is sired by Retties JFK, a bull which has bred many champions to date as well as breeding calves to 14,000gns, and she's out of Carlhurlie Elixir, which was valued at 6500gns at that herd's dispersal.

Mr Clarke gave the winning slap among the juniors to Tonley Lady Heather, from Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, Aberdeenshire. This 10-month-old heifer is by Blelack Evermore, which was purchased in Ireland as an older bull and out of Blelack Lady Heather. She was fifth at Agri-Expo and is now set for the Black Beauty Bonanza at the end of this month.

Deveron Kleo made her mark for Hamish Sclater, Denhead, Dunlugas, Turriff, when she was awarded reserve junior champion. Kleo is a March-born heifer having previously been reserve female at Agri-Expo. She is a daughter of the 4000gns McCornick Kingkong, which was purchased at Carlisle bull sales in October, 2016, and out of Deveron Kleo.

LEADINGawards:

Senior

Bulls born Jul 14 to Aug 21, 2018 – 1, G Gray's Ettrick Gladiator, by Linton Gilbertines President; 2, R and C Rettie's Retties Excel, by Retties JFK; 3, Mr and Mrs J Watmore's Holystone Dilly Dilly. Born Sep 4 to Dec 22, 2018 – 1, R and C Rettie's Retties Lionheart, by Gretnahouse Blackpot; 2, M and HD Currie's Kingholm Ding Dong, by Weeton Rocky; 3, N Wattie's Tonley Lord Hoffman, by Blelack Duke.

Heifers born Aug 6 to Dec 8 2018 – 1, R and C Rettie's Retties Elixir, by Retties JFK; 2, Brailes Livestock's Brailes Miss Ellie, by Gretnahouse Blackpot; 3, R and C Rettie's Retties Lady Rose, by Water End Payton.

Junior

Bulls born Jan 1 to Feb 3, 2019 – 1, S Dick's Stephick Ezra, by Weeton Diamond Mine; 2, A Hodge's Rulesmains Batman, by Duncanziemere Judge; 3, R and C Rettie's Retties Rob Roy, by Deveron Leggat. Born Feb 10 to Mar 29 2019 – 1, K Scott's Foggie Edition, by Craigour Edition; 2, R and C Rettie's ELO, by Gretnahouse Blackpot; 3, KWW and EM Brown's Craigowmill Blackbamber, by Fordel Black Magic. Born Apr 1 to May 2, 2019 – 1, JR Galloway's Cardona Exchequer, by Deveron Master Banbury; 2, R and C Rettie's Retties Paramount, by Gretnahouse Blackpot; 3, E Campbell's Kilmallie Jukebox Eric, by Bankeir Earl.

Heifers – Born Jan 3 to Feb 19 2019 – 1, N Wattie's Tonley Lady Heather, by Blelack Evermore; 2, R and C Rettie's Retties Eveline, by Gretnahouse Blackpot; 3, S Dick's Stephick Emilie, by Weeton Diamond Mine. Born Mar 1 to Mar 26 2019 – 1, HW Sclater's Deveron Kleo, by McCornick Kingkong; 2, A Hodge's Rulesmains Priceless, by Rawburn Braw; 3, N Wattie's Tonley Elma, by Cardona Proud Punch. Born Apr 2 to May 8 2019 – 1, R and C Rettie's Retties Lady Ruth, by Deveron Leggat; 2, Brailes Livestock's Brailes Black Beauty, by Duncanziemere Editor; 3, JR Galloway's Cardona Ermus, by Fordel Magic Potion.