A gimmer from Kenny Preston's Glenpark flock from Northern Ireland has been selected champion at Balmoral Show for the Beltex Sheep Society's first virtual show of the season.

Lanarkshire judge, Andrew Baillie of the Callacrag flock found his winner in Glenpark Fantasia ET, a Faughhill Detroit daughter out of the Skiddaw View Trapper-sired Munreary Diamond.

“The champion looks to have all the qualities I like! She’s well-muscled with great length and width and also good style and character,” said Mr Baillie.

His choice of reserve was the tup lamb, Ardstewart Gandalf ET from Wade and Alison McCrabbe’s Ardstewart flock. His pedigree features Swffryd Express on to Ardstewart Devotee, a Kingledores Crusader daughter.

Mr Baillie added: “The reserve is showing great promise at a young age with real flash, but also good length and shape.”

The McCrabbes also bagged the reserve female honours with Ardstewart Dimple, an aged ewe by the imported Igo V/D Drie Musschen, and also won the first prize ewe lamb with a full ET sister to the reserve overall champion, Ardstewart Gandalf.

Lifting the blue and white sash amongst the males was the second prize ram lamb to Gandalf, Bodoney Gladiator, from Andrew and Jamie McCutcheon. He is by the winning aged ram, Culsh Elvis, a Lyonpark Drew son.

The shearling ram class was won by Derryogue Fidget, a Kingledores Emperor son from Edward and Shirlee Nicholson.