An intermediate bull with “meat where it needs to be” was crowned overall Aberdeen-Angus champion at the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday.
Judge Jim Ford, who runs the Kersquarter herd near Kelso, awarded the overall championship to the leader from the intermediate section.
This was April 2018-born McCornick Pathfinder, by Skaill Dino, from Martin McCornick and family at Boreland, Newton Stewart.
Mr Ford described Pathfinder, which won reserve male champion at last year’s Aberdeen-Angus winter national show, as a bull with correctness and “meat where it needs to be”.
He awarded the reserve overall championship to the reserve intermediate champion.
This was May 2018-born Stouphill Maxmius Pride, by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, from the Allen family at Humbleheugh, Alnwick.
The senior champion was Gretnahouse Black Bomb, by Deveron Leggat, from Gretna Green breeder Alasdair Houston. Reserve was Deveron Endurance, by Deveron Lomaz, from Turriff breeders Hamish and Margaret Sclater.
The junior champion was HW Black Barberesco, by HW Fabulous, from Highland Wagyu, Burnside of Balhaldie, Dunblane. Reserve was Blelack Lord Hugo, by Tonley Jester Eric, from the Massie family at Blelack Farm, Aboyne.
Lastly, the female Aberdeen-Angus champion was Tonley Eyrie, by Warrenho Emperor, from Neil Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford. Reserve was Duncanziemere Proud Ilena, by Carruthers Grenadier, from A Clark & Sons, Avisyard Farm, Cumnock.
Meanwhile, the overall champion prize in the Beef Shorthorn section was also awarded to the intermediate section winner.
Judge James Playfair Hannay, who runs the Tofts herd near Kelso, described his champion as a bull with “structure, body, balance, locomotion and added style”.
He was referring to April 2018-born Coxhill Magnum, by Ballylinney Glenn, from the Townsend family at Coxhill, Moffat.
The reserve overall champion was the junior section winner – April 2018-born Llwynhywel Masterpiece, by Lintonpriory Dollar, from Messrs Evans & Price, Llwynhywel, Llanilar, Wales.
The senior championship went to Knockenjig Morpheus, by Fearn Jumpstart, from Sanquhar breeders David and Rosemary Dickie.Reserve was Calla Major, by Chapelton Destiny, from David Baillie, Calla Farm, Lanark.
The reserve intermediate champion was Rookwith Marvellous, by Castlemount Junior, from the Pages at Rookwith, North Yorkshire.
The reserve junior champion prize went to Norworth Merlin, by Chapelton Barolo, from Tracy Severn, Brick Green Farm, Barkisland, West Yorkshire.
Lastly, the female champion was Uppermill Broadhooks Bang, by Glenisla Jackpot, from Northern Ireland breeder James Porter. Reserve was Castlemount Matrix Matilda, by Elliot Matrix, from D McDowell, Co Down.