Charolais calves from all over Ireland travelled to Elphin last Saturday to compete in this year’s National Calf Show. Over 200 entries battled it out in twenty-two classes, all looking to claim one of the six National Championships up for grabs. Scottish Judges Matthew Milne of the Elgin herd and Allen Drysdale of the Glenericht herd both described the standard as ‘exceptional’. It was also positive to see many of the prize winners sired by new AI sires and high sellers at recent Society Sales.
Sheehills Santiago
Taking care of proceedings in the male ring was Matthew Milne who awarded the Senior Male Calf Champion to Sheehills Santiago, exhibited by John and Megan Searson from County Tipperary. Santiago was presented with the Christy Comerford Memorial Cup for the first time, following the sad passing of Christy earlier this year. Standing second to him in his class was his full brother and stable mate, Sheehills Supreme. The Searson’s enjoyed a fantastic day out, claiming the Senior Male Calf Champion, Reserve Junior Male Calf Champion, and three first prize winners in total. All their calves are full ET brothers, sired by Clenagh Lyle and out of the home bred donor cow, Sheehills Malificent.
Drumcullen Superman
The Reserve Senior Male Calf Champion went the way of Drumcullen Superman, exhibited by John Fleury from County Offaly. This August 2021 born bull is sired by the home bred AI bull, Drumcullen JJ, and out of a Ballydownan Lima bred cow.
Goldstar Simon
The Intermediate Male Calf Champion was awarded to the stylish Goldstar Simon exhibited by Martin Ryan from County Tipperary. This November 2021 born bull is a son of the easy calving AI bull, Infidele, and the imported French cow Goldstar Pannacotta.
Sagesse Sidney
Standing Reserve to him was the powerful Sagesse Sidney exhibited by David Watts from County Galway. This October 2021 born bull is a son of the great CF 52 and a Kilcumreragh bred cow.
Tullyvillage Tarbh
The Overall Junior Male Calf Champion went the way of Tullyvillage Tarbh, a six-month-old bull calf exhibited by William Flynn from County Galway. This promising bull calf is sired by Cloughbrack Navarone and bred from a home bred cow by Cavelands Fenian.
Sheehills Toronto
Standing Reserve in the junior male section was John and Megan Searson with Sheehills Toronto. This 9-month-old bull calf is a son of Clenagh Lyle and the aforementioned Sheehills Malificent.
Kilcommon Sean
Standing top of the line in the third class of bulls, best bull born on or between the 16th September 2021 and the 15th October 2021, was Kilcommon Sean, a son of the legendary Domino. He was exhibited by Tom Ryan from County Tipperary.
Breaghwyhill Santa
Taking the sixth class, best bull born between the 16th December 2021 and the 15th January 2022 was Breaghwyhill Santa, exhibited by Eamonn O Connor from County Sligo. Santa is a son of Oldstone Egbert and Liscally My Fair Lady 3.
Tonroe Topgun
The youngest bull class of the day was scooped up by Tonroe Topgun for the Callaghan brothers in County Mayo. This classy calf is a son of the AI bull, Goldstar Hugo.
Chanonstown Such a Cutie
Chairman of the British Charolais Cattle Society, Allen Drysdale, took on the task of judging the females. He found his Senior Female Calf Champion in the form of Chanonstown Such a Cutie, exhibited by Michael Carey from County Westmeath. This 13 month old heifer is a daughter of the AI bull, Ocelot.
Lisnagre Show Girl
Standing reserve to her was Lisnagre Show Girl for Jim Geoghegan from County Westmeath. This 12-month-old heifer is a daughter of the French sire, Horace JD, and a home bred dam by Pirate.
Ballylannon Sarah
The Mc Laughlin family made their long trip from Malin in County Donegal worthwhile when they were tapped out as Intermediate Female Calf Champion with Ballylannon Sarah. This ten month old heifer is a daughter of the French sire, Cyrano, and a Roughan bred cow.
Goldstar Sunshine
Reserve to her was the second prize winner in the same class, Goldstar Sunshine, exhibited by Martin Ryan from County Tipperary. This one is a daughter of the highly successful AI bull, Goldstar Echo.
Firoda Tilly
In the Junior Female section Firoda Tilly continued her winning streak from Tullamore, clinching the Overall Junior Female Calf Championship for Brian and Seamus Nolan. This powerful 7-month-old heifer calf is a daughter of the French sire, Neptune, and a CF 52 bred dam.
Mashantucket Treasure
Claiming the Reserve Junior Female Calf Championship was another highflyer from this year’s show circuit, Mashantucket Treasure, for Adam Woods from County Cavan. This sweet nine-month-old heifer is a daughter of the French sire, Stimothee, and a Goldstar Echo bred dam.
Ardabrone Sadie
The first heifer class of the day went the way of Ardabrone Sadie for James and Karl Kelly. This 17 month old heifer is a daughter of the popular AI bull, Clenagh Lyle.
Blackroad Scarlett
Blackroad Scarlett claimed first prize in the best heifer born on or between the 16th November 2021 and the 15th December 2021 class. Exhibited by John Culloty from County Kerry, this one is a daughter of Lapon.
Garracloon Tess
Aiden Mac Hale from County Mayo took the red rosette in the next class with Garracloon Tess, best heifer born on or between the 16th December 2021 and the 15th January 2022. Tess is a daughter of the French sire, Horace JD, and a Inverlochy Gurkha bred dam.
Ballyfinnane Tiffany
Ballyfinnane Tiffany stood top of the line in the best heifer born on or between the 16th February 2022 and the 15th March 2022 class for Kenneth Clarke from County Clare. This one is a daughter of Lapon and a Cavelands Fenian bred dam.
Mountkennedy Tilly
Taking the last heifer class of the day was Mountkennedy Tilly for Richard Poyntz from County Longford. This sweet four-month-old heifer is a daughter of Goldstar Ludwig and a Sesame bred dam.
Sheehills Santiago and Sheehills Supreme
The best pair of animals was awarded to John and Megan Searson from County Tipperary, with Sheehills Santiago and Sheehills Supreme. These pair of 12-month-old bulls are full ET brothers from Clenagh Lyle and Sheehills Malificent.
Nigel Wood
It was smiles all round for young Nigel Wood from County Mayo when he was handed the red rosette in the young breeders showing class.
Megan Searson
In the senior section of the young handlers Megan Searson from County Tipperary claimed top spot. It was extremely positive to see a strong showing in both young handler classes. The future of the breed clearly in good hands.
This wrapped up a fantastic show of Charolais cattle, maybe the best for some years. The Society would like to thank all exhibitors for putting on such a tremendous display of calves. A massive thank you must also go to our main sponsor Greenvale Animal Feeds. The next Society Sale will take place in Tullamore on Saturday the 5th of November, with a large selection of Charolais bulls on offer.