Elle Reigns Supreme Once Again
A fine summers day was met with a wonderful display of Charolais cattle at the National Livestock Show in Tullamore on Sunday last. Coming out on top for the second year in a row was the giant show cow Goldstar Elle after being awarded the female championship earlier in the day. Exhibited by Martin Ryan and family from Cabra, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Elle was shown with her 5 month old calf at foot. Judge for the day Mr Will Shortt who runs the 60 cow Woodpark Pedigree Charolais herd in Co. Tyrone described his champion as “simply unbeatable on the day”. Sired by the French bred Caramel, this win is just one in a long string of championships awarded to Elle over the past two years.
Female champion and overall Charolais champion – Goldstar Elle
Standing next to Elle and scooping the reserve champion of the show was the September 2015 born Aghafad Lincoln ET. Having earlier picked up the male champion, this young bull came through a strong line up of contenders to take both the male and reserve overall Charolais championship. Exhibited by Edward Walshe from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, this bull is a son of the French bred Texan gie. The judge described his male champion as “a powerful young bull with a lot of potential”.
Male champion and reserve overall Charolais champion – Aghafad Lincoln et shown by breeder Edward Walshe, son Edward Junior and daughter Laura
The reserve female champion of the show went to County Sligo breeders Brendan and Niall Canning with their October 2015 born heifer Sagesse Lauren. The Farmleigh Ludovic daughter came through one of the toughest classes of the day before being awarded the reserve female champion.
Reserve female champion – Sagesse Lauren shown by Niall Canning
The reserve male champion of the show came from Michael Quinn Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare in the form of Clenagh Lyle. This catchy October 2015 born son of Domino headed a strong class of young bulls earlier in the day.
Reserve male champion – Clenagh Lyle et shown by Barry and Rory Quinn
Female Section
Securing the first female class of the day was Martin Clyne from Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford with the January 2016 born Cassina Maura. A regular prize winner at the summer shows all year, Maura is a daughter of the AI sire Inverlochy Gurkha.
Cassina Maura – Winner of class 134: Charolais heifer born on/after 6/1/2016
The next class off heifers was secured by Grangwood Lola et exhibited by Jerry and Kay O’ Keefe from Knocklong, Co. Limerick. This November 2015 born heifer is a daughter of the French bull Panama.
Grangwood Lola et shown by Jerry O’ Keefe Junior – Winner of class 135: Charolais heifer born on/between 1/11/2015 and 5/1/2016
Heading up the following class of heifers was Glenree Lexie exhibited by John O’ Grady from Glenamaddy, Co. Galway. Lexie is a January 2015 born daughter of the noted AI sire Cottage Devon.
Glenree Lexie shown by John O’ Grady – Winner of class 137: Junior Charolais heifer born on/between 1/1/2015 and 31/8/2015
Next up was the junior cow class which was secured by Goldstar Haidi exhibited by Martin Ryan and family. A regular winner in the show ring over recent years, Haidi is a daughter of the French bull Theodat.
Goldstar Haidi – Winner of class 138: Charolais Female in-calf or with calf at foot, born between 1/1/12 and 31/12/13
One off the highlights of the show is the National Charolais heifer of the year which was once again hotly contested. Coming out on top this year was the T-Urambo daughter Goldstar Javanaise from Martin Ryan and family. This powerful February 2014 born heifer is no stranger to the show ring having enjoyed many successes over the past two seasons.
Goldstar Javanaise shown by Kim Steele Nicholson – Winner of class 140: National Charolais heifer of the year born in 2014
Male Section
The first class of young bulls was won by Eamon and Daniel O’Connor from Ballinfull, Co. Sligo with Breaghwyhill Mickey. This January 2016 born calf is a son the well known French sire Excellent.
Breaghwyhill Mickey shown by Eamon and Daniel O’Connor – Winner off class 142: Charolais bull born on/after 6/1/2016
Picking up the red rosette in the next class of bulls was Longford breeders Edwin and Robert Jones with their November 2015 born bull Riverside Leeroi. This young bull is a progeny of the Maternal Gene Ireland bull Clenagh Hank.
Riverside Leeroi shown by Robert Jones – Winner of class 143: Charolais bull born on/between 1/11/2015 and 5/1/2016
Cloononhill Lucifer exhibited by Noel Mc Goldrick from Drumlish Co. Longford claimed top spot in the next class. This May 2015 born son of Fury Action is well aquatinted to the show ring having won his class at last year’s National Charolais Show.
Cloonohill Lucifer – Winner of class 145: Charolais bull born before 31/8/2015
Pairs Section
The Ryan family from Cabra, Thurles, Co. Tipperary topped off an exceptional day for Goldstar Charolais by picking up the red rosette in both class of pairs. Goldstar Lulu and Goldstar Lavender combined to win the first class, 12 months of age and under. Then Goldstar Elle and Goldstar Falkland took top spot for the best pair of animals over 12 months of age.
Judge Will Shortt who took care of proceedings in Tullamore
John Barry Moran from Athlone, Co. Westmeath won the class for best Charolais confined to Laois/Offaly/Westmeath breeders with Brocca Lee by Maerdy Impeccable.
Youth Section
Young Emily Maxwell from County Donegal helping out her father Noel Maxwell and uncle Ian in Tullamore
Megan Searson, Sheehills, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary – Winner of the Charolais Young Breeders Showing Class 12 – 16 years old
Shannon Kinahan, Cush House, Kilfinane, Co. Limerick – Winner of the Charolais Young Breeders Showing Class 16 – 25 years old