After a long two year break, Charolais breeders from all over Ireland returned to the show ring in Elphin last Saturday for the 2021 National Charolais Calf Show. The show was streamed live online for the first time ever, with a ticket system in place for the spectators in attendance. Viewers tuned in from 8 different Countries around the World to watch over 170 calves battle it out for the National titles. The consensus was that it was an outstanding display of Charolais cattle. Maybe one of the best for quite some time, a true and positive reflection of the direction the breed has taken in recent years. Hugo Retailleau and Dominique Loulergue made the long journey from France to judge the male and female classes. Both extremely impressed with the quality that went before them. Breeders should be proud and take confidence in what really was a tremendous day for the breed.
Senior male calf champion – Drumcullen Royal, sired by Solitude Narcos, exhibited by John Fleury, Killyon, Birr, Co. Offaly
Reserve senior male calf champion – Goldstar Rolex, sired by Goldstar Gentleman, exhibited by Martin Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
First prize winner – Grangwood Royal Oak, sired by Goldstar Echo, exhibited by Jerry and Kay O’ Keeffe, Knocklong, Co. Limerick
First prize winner – Tonyglasson Rudolph, sired by Newhouse Bigal, exhibited by Martin Hughes, Cootehill, Co. Cavan
Junior male calf champion – Goldstar Samson, sired by Ballym Mylove, exhibited by Martin Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Reserve junior male calf champion – Ballylannon Santa, sired by Caherobert Anthony, exhibited by Patrick Mc Laughlin, Malin, Co. Donegal
First prize winner – Colomane Spartacus, sired by Goldstar Echo, exhibited by John Ward, Bantry, Co. Cork
First prize winner – Crossane4 Supreme, sired by CF 52, exhibited by Eoin Mc Govern, Fivemilebourne, Co. Leitrim
First prize winner – Crockaun Sibin, sired by Hortensia, exhibited by Bernadette Dunne, Curragh, Co. Kildare
Senior female calf champion – Goldstar Ramona, sired by Goldstar Othello, exhibited by Martin Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Reserve senior female calf champion – Limkiln Rene, sired by Horace JD, exhibited by Richard Hackett, Clonlara, Co. Clare
First prize winner – Goldstar Roseanne, sired by Goldstar Hugo 2, exhibited by Martin Ryan, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
First prize winner – Ballinroey Ruby, sired by Major, exhibited by Michael Hanlon, Dring, Co. Longford
Junior female calf champion – Tubbernadur Sansa, sired by Goldstar Hugo 2, exhibited by Kieran Doddy, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Reserve junior female calf champion – Ardabrone Sarah, sired by Pirate, exhibited by James and Karl Kelly, Dromard, Co. Sligo
First prize winner – Macecrump Siobhan, sired by CF 52, exhibited by John Lally, Belmullet, Co. Mayo
First prize winner, Woodhead Serenity, sired by Ballym Niall, exhibited by Andrew Walker, Bruckless, Co. Donegal
First prize winner – Crockaun Siochain, sired by Hortensia, exhibited by Bernadette Dunne, Curragh, Co. Kildare
Best pair of animals – Colomane Rhianna and Colomane Rachel, exhibited by John Ward, Bantry, Co. Cork
Aiden Moran from Ballisadre, Co. Sligo, winner of the young breeders showing class, 12 – 16 years
Megan Searson from Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, winner of the young breeders showing class, 17 – 22 years
The Society would like to thank Elphin Mart for hosting the show on Saturday. We would also like to thank AV-tech for conducting the live stream. Most of all, we like to thank all the exhibitors who came out and put on such a fantastic show of Charolais calves. The next Society event will be the November bull sale, which will take place in Tullamore Mart on Saturday the 6th of November. This will be followed by the Elite Charolais Heifer Sale, which will take place in Tullamore on Saturday the 13th of November. The final sale of the year will be the Christmas Cracker Bull Sale, which will take place in Elphin on Saturday the 4th of December.