‘FIVE STAR’ BACKMUIR RAMBO WINS OVERALL SIMMENTAL SUPREME AT THE 2026 ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW!

Delfur Nifty wins Female Championship and Overall Reserve
Corskie Stone take the Overall Junior Championship
Simmentals win Team of Four Interbreed for first time since 1998
Simmentals lift Reserve In Overall Individual, and Pairs Interbreeds

Backmuir Rambo 24 from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, powered though a quality line up of Simmentals to win the breed’s Male Championship and be crowned Overall Simmental Supreme Champion on day one of the 2026 Royal Highland Show held at Ingliston, on Thursday 18^th June.

Overall Simmental Supreme Champion Backmuir Rambo

Remarkably this is the fifth time in a row the highly noted Backmuir herd has won the Simmental Supreme at the Royal Highland, and the first time with a homebred animal.  This ‘five in a row’ is thought to be a Simmental record and possibly the first time it has been achieved by any beef breed exhibitor at this blue riband event for Scottish livestock.

Played out in front of the judge for the day, Adrian Ivory of the Strathisla herd, Strathisla Farms, Moolies, Meigle, Blairgowrie, this January 2024 born upstanding young bull came through his class before taking the Male Championship and finally getting the all important Championship tap in front of the packed ringside crowd.

Full of breeding, Backmuir Rambo 24 is an ET calf sired by the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jackaroo, and out of Brandane Lu Lu, who was also 18,000gns when purchased at the Next Gen II Sale held at Carlisle in December 2022. Commenting on his Champion, the judge Adrian Ivory said:  “This was very much my type of bull and just full of flash and presence he caught my eye immediately.  A very modern type of Simmental bull he’s full of breed character with a lovely head, is very natural, has plenty of length with a good top and end, and walked well. A super Simmental bull and a classy Champion.”

Simmental judge, Adrian Ivory

The amazing ‘five in a row’ for Reece & Andrew Simmers started back in 2022 when they won the Royal Highland with Islavale Lullaby (purchased at the first Next Gen Sale in 2020).  The following 2023, 2024, 2025 years saw the iconic Annick Ginger’s Lucia win a personal hat trick and make it four in a row, and with the homebred Backmuir Rambo now stepping up to make it an incredible five wins.  Along the way there’s also been an Individual Interbreed Supreme, and now Reserve!

With a little time for reflection, a delighted Reece Simmers said:  “After last year I said it was a forward aim to win the Championship with a homebred animal so to achieve that so soon we are all really delighted.  Winning five in a row is very humbling and beyond any expectation you could reasonably have.  The standard and quality of Simmental cattle in that time has been so high and ever improving.  For the Backmuir herd to now have this little piece of history in the 183^rd year of Scotland’s premier agricultural show is something really special.”

“Rambo has length, width, size for his age, has a sweet head, a depth of hip, and is square on the plates.  He’s the colour we like, has plenty of presence, and we think is similar in type to the 22,000gns Backmuir Ralf (also a Jackaroo son) sold at Stirling in February this year.  He’s got cows in calf due in September, and after a wee rest now will be put out back to work.”    Just rounding it all up, Backmuir Rambo was Overall Simmental Supreme; Simmental Male Champion; part of the winning Interbreed Team of Four; Overall Reserve in the Individual Interbreed; and Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs.

Winning a high end Female Championship was another animal with a Royal Highland Show pedigree behind her in the shape of Delfur Nifty from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour.   This much decorated young 2022 born cow, was shown with her cracking second calf at foot, a heifer also named Nifty, and by the 28,000gns herd stock bull Islavale Magnum.

Delfur Nifty

Needing little introduction, Delfur Nifty has been a prolific Championship and Interbreed winner across multiple calf shows, winter fairs, county shows, and summer ‘majors’.  Writing her own little bit of breed history, in 2024 she became the first Simmental to win the Royal Highland Show Interbreed Junior Championship!   Delfur Nifty is by Ballymoney Larry, a Saltire Impressive son, and is out of Delfur Joyful, an Islavale Cassius daughter.

It was a mighty judge off in the Female Championship with Delfur Nifty getting the Championship nod over the legendary Annick Ginger’s Lucia who took the reserve Female Championship.  Of his Female Champion and Overall Reserve Supreme, Adrian Ivory said:  “What a fantastic example of a Simmental female this is.   A ‘working mum’ she is very maternal with a great bag on her and making a terrific job of her outstanding calf at foot.  With a flashiness and presence, she has a good breed head, walks well, is full of length and with a good top.  Another very modern, high quality Simmental cow.”

Speaking afterwards a delighted Garry Patterson, the Delfur Simmental Herd Manager said:  “It’s been a fantastic show and to win the Female Championship and Overall Reserve Supreme with the quality that was on show is just tremendous.  To then follow that up with being a part of the winning Interbreed Team of Four, and Reserve in the Interbreed Pairs is just tremendous.  It’s a great follow on from winning the Junior Individual Interbreed with her in 2024. In herself she’s a big, upstanding, powerful female full of breed character, and with good mobility.  This is her first calf at foot sired by Islavale Magnum and she’s making a great job of her with plenty of milk.  She’s a special, benchmark female but very much of the type that we’re aspiring to breed in the Delfur herd.”

Overall Reserve Simmental Female Champion Annick Ginger’s Lucia

Placing Overall Reserve Female was the aforementioned legendary Annick Ginger’s Lucia from Andrew & Reece Simmers, Backmuir Farm.  Lucia’s name is already cemented into Simmental breed history with her hat-trick of Overall Supreme wins at the Royal Highland, the Individual Overall Interbreed Supreme at the Highland in 2024, a hat-trick of Individual Supremes at the Scottish National Show, and multiple major wins at Scottish county shows!  This 2020 born cow is of course by Wolfstar Gold Digger, and is out of Annick Colleen’s Ginger EX 93.

In keeping with recent years, it was again another hugely successful show for the Simmental breed.  The win in the Interbreed Team of Four was the first time this title has been secured by the Simmental breed since 1998.  Taking Overall Reserve in both the Overall Individual Interbreed, and Interbreed Pairs, once again gave the breed terrific visibility and profile.  Another fantastic show of Simmental cattle and again indicative of the ever improving quality within the Simmental breed.   A massive well done to all of the exhibitors.

Overall Junior Champion, & Champion Junior Male, Corskie Stone

Back in the bulls and the young April 2025 born Corskie Stone from the also prolific Mr WJ & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, lifted a nice double when winning the Overall Junior Championship, and Junior Male Championship.  Corskie Stone, is by the stock bull Rathnashan Magnum, and is out of Corskie Migem.   No strangers to the winners circle, the Overall Junior Championship made it two in a row with the classy Corskie Pinnette having won it last year.  With a bit of connectivity, Corskie Stone’s great granny, Corskie Hi-Gem VG 88 was a full sister to Corskie Cegem who won the Junior Interbreed at the Highland in 2013.  Corskie also won the Junior Interbreed title in 2016. Of his Overall Junior Champion, the judge Adrian Ivory said:  “This young bull just oozed style and breed character.  He walked very well, had a good top, with width to him, and was very good over the plates.  A standout bull and with a big future ahead of him.”   These comments were echoed by Laura Green who said: “He’s a very modern Simmental bull with plenty of length, good width, and a nice shape behind.  He’s also got a lovely temperament and from here we’ll be aiming him at either the October Stirling Sale or February next year.”

Reserve Overall Male Champion, Denizes Nugget

Coming through the senior bulls and winning the Overall Reserve Male Championship was the mighty Denizes Nugget from Lancashire breeders Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston.  The June 2022 born Denizes Nugget, bred by M A Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, was purchased for 37,000gns at Stirling in February 2024.  Sired by Denizes Hamish, and out of the noted Ashland Topaz Lopez, Nugget arrived at Ingliston weighing in at 1500kgs!  Commenting, Vikki Wood said:  “We’re really pleased to support such a prestigious show and represent the breed by showing a big, quality Simmental bull.  Nugget has great width, length, and conformation, and is good on his feet and legs.  He’s got good breeding behind him, is very easy to handle, and is breeding very well.  Nugget is entered into the Royal Norfolk, Great Yorkshire, and Royal Welsh so he’s on tour at this summer’s shows!”

Reserve Overall Junior Champion & Champion Junior Female, Denizes Matilda 21st

Winning the Junior Female Championship, and Overall Junior Reserve, was Denizes Matilda 21^st from the aforementioned MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire.  September 2024 born, this powerful, growthy heifer is another by Denizes Hamish, and is out of Denizes Matilda 5, a daughter of a previous Royal Highland Show Champion, Blackford Galaxy.  Denizes Matilda 21^st will also now move on to the Simmental English National Show held within the Royal Norfolk.

Reserve Junior Female Champion, Guiltcross Saffon

All the way from Norwich and making their debut as exhibitors at the Royal Highland Show was Marcus & Helen Searle, Wagon Lodge, Kenninghall.  It was a more than worthwhile journey with their February 2025 born heifer Guiltcross Saffron winning her class and taking the Reserve Junior Female Championship. Full of breeding Saffron, described as ‘a stylish, modern heifer, thick set, and fantastic across the plates’ is by the noted Woodhall Ferrari 14, and out of Brandane Kirsty, a Sterling Gino 15 daughter.  Speaking afterwards, Helen Searle said:  “This is our first time at the Highland and was just a great opportunity to see how we stack up against some of the biggest breeders in the Simmental breed.  It’s also a bit of promotion as we have bulls sired by her full brother that we’re aiming for Stirling in October. To get Reserve Junior Female was amazing and beyond any expectations given the standard of Simmentals at the Highland.”

Reserve Champion Junior Male, Tippetcraig Someboy

Staying in the juniors and it was a terrific Reserve Junior Male Championship win for the Burns Family, Tippetcraig Farm, High Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire with their young bull Tippetcraig Someboy (P).   Tippetcraig Simmentals were established in 2023 and this was the first time the family had shown a homebred Simmental at Ingliston.  Remarkably, the Reserve Junior Male Championship was also secured in the Highland pedigree classes, a breed the family has been showing for some years. Of Tippetcraig Someboy, Lindsay Stark said:  “We think he’s a long, clean and modern polled bull, with a tremendous top on him.  He has a natural flashy presence about him which makes him a joy to show. We have really enjoyed bringing this bull on because of his lovely nature, and he’s simply a delight to work with.  All being well, Tippetcraig Someboy will head to the Stirling bull sales this October.” This latest prize follows on from Tippetcraig Someboy winning the Junior Male Championship at the Stars of the Future Calf Show in November last year.

Tippetcraig Someboy (P) is by Kilbride Farm Maverick, a son of the noted Kilbride Farm Jetstream, and is out of Broombrae Rosina M2 21, a Lisglass Goldstar daughter purchased in February 2023 at Stirling.  Fast establishing, the Tippetcraig herd presently comprises of fifteen breeding females.

Simmental Overall Interbreed Team of Four Champions

From a quality entry, the breed was able to put forward some fantastic combinations in the respective Interbreeds.  Leading the way was the Team of Four who secured a first Championship win for the Simmental breed in this ‘blue riband’ interbreed since 1998.  Joining Backmuir Rambo, and Delfur Nifty, was two heifers who had to be under three years of age.  First up was the class winner Drumsleed Rachel 24 (P) from regular exhibitors and past Champions Geral & Morag Smith, Fordoun, Laurencekirk.  This June 2024 born heifer is by the homozygous polled Coose Negotiator (PP) and is out of Drumsleed Granola 15.  Completing the winning team was Bowhill Ruth from D&R Holdings, Newmiln, Ayrshire, and who had stood second in her class to the Junior Female Champion.  Bowhill Ruth is by Denizes Lancelot and is out of Overhill House Mary, an Aultmore Goliath daughter. August 2024 born, Bowhill Ruth as a yearling baby, stood as reserve Junior Female at last year’s Scottish Simmental National Show.

Supreme Championship Backmuir Rambo & Delfur Nifty

Male Championship Backmuir Rambo & Denizes Nugget

Female Championship Delfur Nifty & Annick Ginger’s Lucia

Junior Championship Corskie Stone & Denizes Matilda 21st

Junior Male Championship Corskie Stone & Tippetcraig Someboy

Junior Female Championship Guiltcross Saffron & Denizes Matilda 21st

2026 Royal Highland Show
Thursday 18^th June 2026
Judge Mr Adrian Ivory, Meigle, Blairgowrie, Perthshire

Results

Class 263 Female born on or after 1st April 2025
1^st Miss Heather Duff                    Pitmudie Skye
2^nd WJ&J Green 2827                  Corskie Siller
3^rd Gavin Brown                            Springfield Skylar

Pitmudie Skye

Class 264 Female born between 1st January and 31st March 2025
1^st MG Searle                                Guiltcross Saffron
2^nd WJ&J Green                            Corskie Southern
3^rd J&K McMillan                           Brandane Sporty Spice
4^th Delfur Farms                            Delfur Shakira

Reserve Champion Junior Champion, Guiltcross Saffon

Class 265 Female born on or between 1st July and 31st December 2024
1^st Barlow Brothers                       Denizes Matilda 21st
2^nd Bowhill Simmentals                Bowhill Ruth
3^rd WJ&J Green                            Corskie Role Play
4^th Gavin Brown                            Springfield Rose

Reserve Overall Junior Champion & Champion Junior Female, Denizes Matilda 21st

Class 266 Female born on or between 1st January and 30th June 2024
1^st Gerald Smith                           Drumsleed Rachel 24
2^nd Laura Green                           Garmouth Kim’s Rachel
3^rd R&A Simmers                         Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu
4^th Miss Heather Duff                   Pitmudie Robyn

Drumsleed Rachel 24

Class 268 Female Born in 2021 or 2022 in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1^st Delfur Farms                            Delfur Nifty
2^nd WJ&J Green                           Corskie Mimic
3^rd R&A Simmers                          Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg

Class 269 Female born on or before 31st December 2020, in milk of certified in calf at time of show
1^st R&A Simmers                          Annick Ginger’s Lucia
2^nd JH&VG Wood                         Popes Princess Lumi

Class 270 Bull born on or after 1st April 2025
1^st WJ&J Green                            Corskie Stone
2^nd J&E Dyet                                Merkland Supersonic
3^rd N&N Gwynne                          Chestermann Sandy
4^th Miss Heather Duff                    Pitmudie Shetland

Class 271 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2025
1^st The Burns Family                    Tippetcraig Someboy
2^nd WJ&J Green                           Corskie Sunnyd

Class 272 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2024
1^st R&A Simmers                          Backmuir Rambo

Class 273 Bull born on or before 31st December 2023
1^st JH&VG Wood                          Denizes Nugget,
2^nd Clive Houldey                         Backmuir Nate,

Champion Junior Female
Denizes Matilda 21^st                    Barlow Brothers

Reserve Champion Junior Female
Guiltcross Saffron                       MG Searle

Overall Champion Female
Delfur Nifty,                                   Delfur Farms

Overall Reserve Champion Female
Annick Ginger’s Lucia   R&A Simmers

Champion Junior Male
Corskie Stone,                WJ&J Green

Reserve Champion Junior Male
Tippetcraig Someboy   The Burns Family

Overall Champion Male
Backmuir Rambo                         R&A Simmers

Reserve Overall Champion Male
Denizes Nugget                            JH&VG Wood

Overall Champion Junior
Corskie Stone                               WJ&J Green

Reserve Overall Champion Junior
Denizes Matilda 21^st                    Barlow Brother

Overall Supreme Champion
Backmuir Rambo                         R&A Simmers

Reserve Supreme Champion
Delfur Nifty                                    Delfur Farms

Best Group
R&A Simmers