by Nicky Moreton | Oct 28, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News
The Northern Ireland Simmental Club has raised a fantastic £10,000 for charity following a hugely successful fundraising BBQ at Dungannon Rugby Club in September, with an entertaining and highly successful auction proving the highlight of the evening.
Around 150 people attended the event, enjoying a great social evening, and showing tremendous generosity in support of two particularly worthy causes: Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and the cancer charity, Friends of ANCHOR.
All of the £10,000 raised came through the auction on the evening, which was conducted by well-known Dungannon auctioneer Trevor Whylie. A fantastic and eclectic selection of lots kept the bidding lively, and reflected the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone there.
The varied lots included semen from some noted Simmental bulls, special reserve bottles of whisky, a trip around a distillery, branded Simmental merchandise, food hampers, show halters, and vouchers generously donated by farm shops and feed companies.
Picking out one noted auction item, two straws of semen from the bull Kilbride Farm Jetstream, put forward by WH Robson & Sons of Ballyclare, achieved a combined price of £1100!
The auction, together with the excellent turnout, helped create a special atmosphere throughout the evening, bringing together members of the NI Simmental Club, families, friends, and supporters for a very worthy purpose. The money raised is being split between two very worthy organisations whose work makes a huge difference to people’s lives:
Representative of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland receiving a £5000 cheque from members of the NI Simmental Club Committee
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Its specialist team delivers urgent pre-hospital medical care to people who are critically ill or seriously injured, bringing life-saving treatment to patients when every second counts.
Receiving the £5000 cheque for the Friends of ANCHOR is Reece Simmers of the noted Backmuir Simmental herd at Keith, Banffshire, North East Scotland, and who was the pre-sale judge at Swatragh
Friends of ANCHOR supports patients and families affected by cancer and haematological conditions across the north-east of Scotland. The charity helps fund specialist facilities, equipment, research and patient support services, making a meaningful difference to people facing a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones.
Commenting on the evening and the monies raised, Shane McDonald, the NI Club Chair said:
“The NI Simmental Club would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this fundraising evening. I’d personally like to extend sincere thanks to all those people and companies who so willingly donated lots, to the many bidders on the evening and those who were successful, to everyone who attended and made this such a special evening, and to Trevor Whylie for conducting the auction so well. Fundraising for worthy charities has long been an important part of the NI Simmental Cub’s activities, and we have again been blown away this year by everyone’s generosity and willingness to help, support, and enable us to raise this tremendous total.”
With this year’s BBQ successfully concluded, the Club is already planning ahead to next year’s event, with further fundraising ideas being discussed.
by Nicky Moreton | Oct 27, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News, 2026 Other Sales
Further Haystar heifers make 9200gns, 7000gns, and 6400gns
9200gns is a Simmental centre record at Swatragh
Corrick Senator makes 6000gns
A stylish line up of maiden heifers from the Haystar herd of Gavin & Kyle Hayes, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, Co Antrim, sold for the leading prices of 9200gns. 7000gns, and 6400gns to light up the Northern Ireland Simmental Club’s 55th Year Anniversary Elite Sale, held at Swatragh Livestock Market on Friday 23rd October. All three of these heifers had placed first in their respective classes in the pre-sale show judged by Reece Simmers of the noted Backmuir pedigree herd, Keith, Banffshire.
Haystar Beauty 6 9200gns
Topping the sale was the 9200gns paid for Haystar Beauty 6. This ET calf, born June 2025, is full of breeding being sired by Raceview Mattie J Beauty M, and being out of Raceview Lady W Nicolette, from the Raceview Beauty dam line. Beauty is also a maternal brother to Haystar Romeo, a former NI Male of the Year, and who went on to sell for 10,000gns at a Jalex sale. Purchasing the top price was Stephen MacAuley for his Hillfield pedigree herd at Crumlin, Co Antrim.
Of buying the top price Stephen MacAuley said: “I’m really delighted to have been able to buy this heifer. She has fantastic bloodlines and the cornerstone genetics I was looking for and which I can build the Hillfield herd round. We will flush her in due course and her purchase is in keeping with my general aim of quality over quantity! A terrific all-round heifer she has a super temperament which is important to us, and Simmental as a breed with its calving ease, and top maternal traits is just so easy to work with.”
Haystar Dora 3 7000gns
The youngest animal in the catalogue, Haystar Dora 3 made 7000gns when selling to Simmental breeder, Danniel Harrison, Annalong, Co Down. Described as a ‘fancy, showy heifer’, this December 2025 born calf carried a real depth of pedigree being sired by Lissadell Nailer, a former Irish National Male Champion, and being out of Clonagh Moonlight Dora, a full sister to the €52,000 Clonagh Lucky Explorer owned by the Popes Herd, Lancashire. Her grand dam Clonagh Dora The Explorer was twice former Overall Champion at Tullamore Show.
Haystar Divina 5 6400gns
Another Lissadell Nailer daughter, Haystar Divina 5 sold for 6400gns. In the pre-sale show, this December 2024 had been placed Overall Supreme Female Champion by the judge Reece Simmers. Again with plenty of breeding behind her, this heifer is out of Haystar Divina 2, with dam line going back to Sterling Adels Naomi, and with females from the line selling to 28,000gns. Haystar Divina 5 was a second purchase for the aforementioned Daniel Harrison. Commenting on his Champion and the Haystar heifers, Reece Simmers said: “My choice of Champion was just a lovely heifer with power, plenty of length, and full of breed character. The three Haystar animals were a super line-up of Simmental heifers. Full of quality and style, they just had that something extra that you’d expect at an Elite Sale.”
It was a terrific sale for the Haystar herd and speaking afterwards Kyle Hayes said: “We’re really delighted to see these heifers sell so well. With it being an Elite Sale marking the 55th anniversary of the NI Club, we were keen to support it with something a wee bit special, and we hope we have done that. The top priced heifer was quite a modest calf when she was born but she really got going and developed into what we think is now a standout heifer. As a herd and with everything on we don’t have the time to show but we think these heifers would very much fit for the show ring.”
Of the Haystar herd’s general breeding philosophy and outlook Kyle Hayes went on to say: “In type we’re looking to breed females with a moderate frame, length, and full of style and breed character. We’ll look to stick with five or six top cow lines and within that to concentrate on some embryo work. An aim is to breed these type of high end heifers and we hope to grow a market within which we could sell three or four of them per year.”
Corrick Senator 4900gns
In the small show of bulls forward, Corrick Senator 25 from Cecil and Scott McIlwaine led the trade when selling Corrick Senator for 6000gns. Got by AI, this May 2025 born bull is Curaheen Drifter and is out of Skerrington Rhona 41st, a Sowenna Aristocrat daughter. Corrick Senator 25 was knocked down to S McLaughlin, Dungiven.
From a draft of five heifers put forward by the Omorga herd of John Moore, Beragh, Omagh, Co Tyrone the June 2025 born Omorga Shona made 5100gns when being bought by Roger Henderson, Drumsamney, Desrtmartin, Magharefelt, By the AI sire Clonagh Tiger Gallant, this heifer’s calf is out of Omorga Natash from the herd’s noted Daffodil line. The first Omorga animal offered was the February 2025 born Omorga Sonia 25. This heifer by the 20,000gns Denizes Monty, and out of Omorga Joy, a Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX 92 dughter was bought by David McElmurray, Pomeroy, Co Tyrone.
Another heifer bringing a lot of good bloodlines to the sale was Ranfurly Stella 19th S9 (P) from David & Jonny Hazleton, Cohannon House, Dungannon, Co Tyrone. This Auroch Deuter sired heterozygous polled heifer is out of Ranfurly Stella 12th L18 VG 85, the Reserve Supreme Champion at RUAS Balmoral in 2022, and whose dam Raceview Fancywinty 652 EX 93 is described as ‘one of the best cows we had in our herd.’ With excellent performance figures of calving ease and maternal (milk), Ranfurly Stella 19th S9 (P). Buying this heifer at 4900gns was Patrick Fitzsimmons, Strangford.
Taking the Reserve Female Championship in the pre-sale show was from Drumagarner Scarlett (P) from Messrs M & E McCloskey, 98 Drumagarner Road, Kilrea, Coleraine.
February 2025 born, this heterozygous polled maiden heifer , got by AI, s sired by Curaheen Gunshot (P), and is out of Drumagarner Nikki, a Curaheen Drifter daughter. Come sale time, Drumagarner Scarlett (P) made 4600gns when selling to Kelly Bros, Ballycastle.
AVERAGES:
15 maiden heifers £4858
4 bulls £44331.25
by Nicky Moreton | Aug 14, 2026 | 2025 Young Members News
Following hard on the heels of a very successful event the previous year in Northern Ireland, it was the turn of Scotland to play host to the 2025 Simmental Young Members weekend, and held over three days in Perthshire from 1st – 3rd August. See here the snapshot report from BSCS Council Member, and Scottish Simmental Club Secretary, Richard Pettit.
The Scottish Simmental Club, along with the British Simmental Cattle Society, was delighted to organise and host the 2025 Simmental Young Members Weekend. It was again an action packed weekend of varied activities and built around the Scottish Simmental National Show held within Perth Show on Saturday August 2nd. Some weekend events and highlights included:
- Young Members UK Stockjudging Finals at the Dargill Polled Simmental Herd.
- Over 50 young members and open class competitors taking part from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
- Scotland’s Emma McAlister, Bruchag Herd, lifted the Overall Award.
- Robert MacGregor from The Team herd acted as Master judge.
- Herd visit to the McGowans Incheoch, and mini Highland Games.
- Scottish National Simmental Show at Perth.
Day One, Incheoch Herd Visit
Kicking off the weekend of activities the Simmental Young Members arrived from all four corners of the UK to the Incheoch herd of Neil & Debbie McGowan and family, Alyth, Blairgowrie. Incheoch is an upland grassland farm where Glenisla starts to open into Strathmore, and which all in runs 220 beef cows including the pedigree Incheoch Simmental herd. Following lunch members enjoyed a tour of the herd which is built around the goal of ‘functional, fertile cattle, structurally sound for longevity, and with good temperament.’ Young Members saw the Simmental bulls for the, at the time, approaching Incheoch ‘Working Genes’ Sale and which went on to sell up to £13,250 x 2! The YM’s then split into four groups for the following activities and to round off a very enjoyable and informative first day of events.
- Harbro , noted for their high quality feeds for commercial and pedigree cattle, gave a talk on nutrition.
- Robert McNee, Over Finlarg Farm, gave an interesting talk on Luings, and Simm Luings.
- The Young Members then enjoyed a mini Highland Games – Including hammer throwing and tossing the caber!
Following the visit to Incheoch members arrived at the Scottish National Simmental show on the Friday evening for a pre- show BBQ, organised by Jim Strathern and myself, and using Simmental beef burgers and sausages from the Smith family’s Drumsleed meats.
Day Two, Scottish National Simmental Show.
On the Saturday morning the Young Members geared up for Day Two and attending the Scottish National Simmental Show, held within Perth Show. Judge for the day was Garrett Behan from the noted Clonagh Simmental herd in Ireland. A smaller than usual, but high quality show of Simmental cattle were a credit to the exhibitors, with Reece and Andrew Simmers outstanding Annick Gingers Lucia coming out on top as the Overall Champion. Several Young Members got ‘hands on’ helping breeders both dress cattle and show them. Following the National Show several young members participated in a Young Handlers competition, also judged by Garrett and where they picked up more than a few tips from his experience. Well done to Jamie Dodd from Northern Ireland who was placed 1st, and to John Loggie from Scotland in 2nd, and to all the Young Members who took part.
Day Three, SYM UK Stockjudging Finals at Dargill Polled Simmentals
Into the final day and the Scottish Simmental Club hosted the British Simmental Cattle Society’s SYM UK Stockjudging Finals on Sunday 3rd August. The event was held at the Dargill Polled Simmental Herd by kind permission of Jim McLaren, East Crieffvechter Farm, Crieff, and herd manager Tom Henderson.
The four classes were:
- Cows
- Autumn calving heifer.
- Spring calving Heifers.
- Young bulls.
Over a combined 50 young members and competitors took part in the Young Members competition along with the open class for club members and parents. Robert MacGregor of the Team herd was the Master judge, with Dorothy Moffat, Innerwick and Heather Duff, Pitmudie, helping with scoring the reasons section of the stock judging and time keeping. Varrie Loggie, Merkland, and Jenna Ballantyne, Roadend, did the honours in scoring the stock judging cards.
RESULTS
Senior Team
1st Place – Anna McDiarmid & Duncan McDiarmid – Score 357
2nd Place – Justin Fenemore & Bethany Lawman – Score 341
Duncan & Anna McDiarmid
Junior Team
1st Place – Aimee Stronach & Emma Stronach – Score 414
2nd Place – Jamie Dodd & Lewis Dodd – Score 392
3rd Place – Duncan Whyte & Callum Leedham – Score 372
Emma & Aimee Stronach
Senior Individual
1st Place – Emma McAlister – Score 212
2nd Place – Ryan Gilmour – Score 206
3rd Place – Alisa Grant – Score 193
Emma McAllister
Junior Individual
1st Place – Joint winner all 3 with the same Score of 207
Aimee Stronach
Emma Stronach
Angus McGowan
2nd Place – Joint winner same Score of 197
Jamie Dodd
Callum Leedham
Emma & Aimee Stronach & Angus McGowan
Best Under 16
Jamie Dodd – Score 197
Jamie Dodd
Overall Individual
Emma McAlister – Score 212
Reserve Individual
Joint Winners – same Score 207
Aimee Stronach
Emma Stronach
Angus McGowan
Heather Duff & Yvonne Leedham
Open Competition
1st = Yvonne Leedham, Heather Duff – Score 176
2nd = Richard Rodgers, George Nelson – Score 174
Following the stock judging everyone enjoyed a fantastic BBQ lunch, courtesy of Jim McLaren, and a tour of the Dargill Polled herd with Tom in the afternoon. The Dargill herd is now all polled cattle with homozygous bulls from Denmark and UK used, and with the polled herd promoting itself with the strapline ‘Shaping the future of sustainable, forward-thinking farming!’
The weekend finished with the presentation of the prizes to all of the winners, and with thanks to the sponsors including: ABP Perth; M.A.M Contracting; and D&M Woods Farm Buildings.
Aimee Stronach, Islavale herd, was then asked to demonstrate to the other young members her reasons for placing the bulls, as she had placed top in the reasons class, having given such a clear rand accurate description of the bulls. Thank you Aimee!
Jonathan Gunn, the Club Chairman, gave a vote of thanks to the hosts before presenting Jim and Tom with gifts from the Club.
On behalf of The Scottish Simmental Club I would like to thank: our host farms for the preparation, visits, lunches, and fun along the way; our Judge for the Scottish National Show, Garrett Behan; Robert MacGregor for judging the Stock judging competition, and Varrie, Jenna, and Dorothy for helping on the day.
We were delighted to host the 2025 Simmental Young Members Weekend, and vey much hope everyone who attended gained from the three days: learning from the host breeders and seeing top cattle; viewing excellent pedigree Simmentals at the Scottish National Simmental Show; competing and learning through the Stock Judging; and socialising, having fun, and meeting other young members from around the UK with similar interests.
Thank you all for attending, it made the time spent organising the weekend so worthwhile seeing everyone enjoying the various Simmental activities.
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 31, 2026 | 2026, 2026 National Shows, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News
Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st wins Overall Supreme
Ballinalare Farm Ritz places Reserve Overall Female
Hiltonstown Serenity wins Junior Championship
Corrick Spartan crowned Male Champion
The classy rising five-year-old cow, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14 VG from David & Jonny Hazelton, Cohannon House, Dungannon, swept all before her to win the 2026 Northern Ireland Simmental National Show, held within Clogher Valley Show, on Wednesday 29th July. Judging what was a high-quality show of 40 Simmentals was BSCS President Chris Martindale, who runs the noted Forsdale herd at Coedfa, St Martins, Oswestry.
Overall Champion & Female Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st is by the noted AI sire Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92, who himself was bred from a Ranfurly embryo, and is out of Ranfurly Lady Diana 33rd J5 18 EX 92, a Raceview King daughter, and whose pedigree goes back to the renowned Salisbury Guinevere, the foundation female of that line. Lady Diana was shown with her November 2025 born bull calf at foot, Ranfurly Standout S10 25, a Curaheen Bandit son.
Commenting, the judge Chris Martindale said: “Firstly it was a great honour to be invited to judge the NI Simmental National, and what a great show of top-quality cattle were on parade, good enough to grace any show in the UK. My champion came from the very first class of the day. She entered the ring with great presence and stood out as a great example of the breed Full of breed character, she was level over the top and with tremendous width over the plates. Lady Diana walked easily and was shown with a great bull calf. What an outfit and a very worthy champion.” Come Individual Interbreed time and Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st took the Second Reserve Overall in front of Karl Connell, Carrickmore.
NI National Show judge Chris Martindale casting his eye.
For the Ranfurly herd, prolific over the years at both shows and sales, it was a second Overall Supreme having won the 2019 NI National Show and having placed Reserve in 2024. No stranger to the show ring herself, back in 2023 as a young heifer, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st was the Reserve Overall Supreme at the RUAS Balmoral Show and has previously been a first prize winner at both the 2022, and 2024 NI National Shows. This year her only other outing was at Antrim Show where she won the Simmental Championship and where she was Reserve Interbreed Beef Cow.
Speaking afterwards a delighted Jonny Hazelton said: “This is the biggest show of Simmentals in the year in Northern Ireland, and it really is a great honour to win such a prestigious show and within such a strong line up from our fellow exhibitors. This is her last show of the year and very much a high point to finish on. Her calf will be weaned off soon and then Lady Diana 41st will be enjoying a well-deserved rest”!
It was an all-round top day for the Hazeltons who in addition to their Overall Supreme title also won the Simmental Pairs with Ranfurly Weikel 56th, and Ranfurly Jade 2nd. Unbeaten in Simmental Pairs this year, this dynamic duo also won the Beef Interbreed Pairs at RUAS Balmoral this year. Lady Diana 41st then joined the pair to secure a win in the Group of Three. Rounding off the day, Jonny and Julie Hazelton’s young daughter Lucy Hazelton (10) also took first prize in the young handlers aged 8 to 12 years old on show day. Top work Lucy and the whole ‘Team Ranfurly’, what a day, and what a week! These wins came hard on the heels of Ranfurly Weikel 55th taking the Simmental Overall Reserve Supreme at the Royal Welsh Show.
Reserve Female Champion Ballinalare Farm Ritz
With a mighty track record at recent NI National Shows, and RUAS Balmoral Shows, Joe & Alan Wilson, Newry, Co Down were again ‘putting on the Ritz’ when winning the Reserve Overall Supreme and Reserve Female Championship with their May 2024 born heifer Ballinalare Farm Ritz. Shown in-calf to Camus Brandy, Ballinalare Farm Ritz is by Bighill Magic, and is out of the Denizes Fantastic sired Ballinalare Farm Ladybird. Of Ballinalare Farm Ritz, who was also a class winner at last year’s NI National Show, the judge Chris Martindale said: “My Reserve Champion was just another super heifer. Full of flesh she again had a great top and plates and really showed herself off. Both the Champion and Reserve were terrific animals and led what was a fantastic show of Simmental females.”
Ballinalare Farm Tikita
The all-conquering Ballinalare Farm Nikita has made quite the impression in recent years and whilst not shown at Clogher, her April 2026 born calf Ballinalare Farm Tikita was and picked up a first in the baby heifer class. Sired by Raceview King, Chris Martindale commented: “This is a lovely baby heifer and I am very sure she has a great future ahead of her.”
Junior Champion Hiltonstown Serenity
Continuing the theme of ‘super Simmental females’, the Overall Junior Champion came in the shape of Hiltonstown Serenity from Richard & Rhys Rodgers, Portglenone, Co Antrim. Entirely homebred and got by AI, the July 2025 born Serenity is by the 20,000gns Hiltonstown Matrix, and is out of Hiltonstown Jet EX 92, a Cairnview Snazzy daughter. Of his Junior Champion the judge said: “What a flashy young heifer this is. She is so sweet and has so much potential to make a top-quality cow in the future. Keep an eye out for her next year.” Also speaking after the show, Richard Rodgers said: “Serenity was shown last weekend at Antrim Show and where she won her class. We are really delighted for her to now come and win the Junior Championship at our National Show. Her mother who is classified EX 92 has now bred five daughters of a type! Serenity is what I’d call a very typical Hiltonstown heifer who we’ll breed from and with a view to keep moving the quality of the herd forward”.
Male Champion & Reserve Junior Champion Corrick Spartan
Moving into the bulls and winning the Overall Male Championship, and Overall Reserve Junior was Corrick Spartan from Cecil & Scott McIlwaine, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone. April 2025 born, Spartan is by the well-known Saltire Impressive and is out of a polled bred cow Corrick Joan (P), a Curaheen Gunshot (P) daughter. The Corrick herd typically show at Clogher and Omagh as part of bringing through bulls for sale and have been good supporters of previous National Shows. Bulls show at previous Nationals have gone on top sales at both Swatragh and Dungannon with Corrick Patriot setting what was then a record price of 7200gns at Dungannon. Corrick Spartan had previously been shown this year at Omagh and where he stood first in his class. Of hi Male Champion the judge said: “Corrick Spartan is a very long, clean bull and again, well fleshed throughout. He paraded on a great set of legs and feet and was an easy winner. A bull with lots of potential, he’s one to look out for in February at Stirling.” Confirming that Corrick Spartan will be aimed at Stirling, Neil McIlwaine went on to say: “With a strong showing of young bulls at Clogher on the day, and at various ‘stages’ of their maturity, it was great to be awarded the Male Championship and we’re extremely pleased. We think Spartan has key modern day Simmental traits with exceptional width through his top, length and correctness, coupled with a very docile temperament.”
DANI Rosebowl winner Corrick Showman
Making it a ‘nifty double’ the May 2025 born Corrick Showman won the Dani Rose Bowl Bull Performance title awarded through a selection of EBV indexes and visual characteristics. Previously shown at Omagh where he was breed Male Champion, Showman went on to take the County Tyrone Interbreed Homebred Championship at just 13 months of age. Out of Corrick Molly (TF), who is full of home bred breeding, this Coose Lincoln sired bull is in the top 5% for Terminal production indices plus, 200 and 400 day weights. Showman will also be destined for the February Spring Sales in 2027.
Reserve Male Champion Omorga Shogun
Taking the Overall Reserve Male Championship, and winner of his junior bull class, was HJW & JC Moore, Beragh, Omagh, Co Tyrone. September 2025 born, Omorga Shogun is by the herd’s 20,000gns stock bull Denizes Monty, and is out of Crossane Perfect One, described as ‘a very nice type of Kilbride Farm Bantry cow with a lovely temperament”. Perfect One’s dam was the well-known Irish Show winning heifer Lissadell Just the One. Commenting on Omorga Shogun, who was being shown for the first time, the judge said: “My Reserve Male, Omorga Shogun, is a very modern young Simmental who should go on to be an impressive bull in the coming months”. Standing third in the same class was Omoraga Saracen, another Denizes Monty son and a full brother to Omorga Rocky sold at Stirling in February this year for 13,000gns. Of these two bulls going forward John Moore said: “From here, and all being well that these bulls keep going on and developing, we’ll be aiming them for sale ‘across the water’ in due course.”
By comment consent it was a terrific show of Simmentals and with Chris Martindale rounding off by saying: “Well done again to all of the exhibitors. I had a hugely enjoyable day judging some high-quality Simmental cattle. With the quality of stock that was put before me today I can very much say that the Simmental breed is in safe hands in Northern Ireland.”
With the prizes well spread round here are the herds that featured as first prize winners and in the special awards:
Ballinalare; Ballydavey; Bridgewater; Carrowcladagh; Coolcran; Corrick; Hiltonstown; Omorga; and Ranfurly
Well done to all of the Northern Ireland breeders, sponsors, and NI Simmental Breeders Club, for putting on a fantastic 2026 NI Simmental National Show at Clogher Valley, and please see the full results here:
Overall Champion, & Female Champions
Junior Female Champions
Female Champions
Male & Junior Male Champions
Junior Champions
Pairs – Ranfurly
Team of 3 – Ranfurly
Well done to all of the Northern Ireland breeders, sponsors, and NI Simmental Breeders Club, for putting on a fantastic 2026 NI Simmental National Show at Clogher Valley, and please see the full results here:
2026 NI SIMMENTAL NATIONAL SHOW RESULTS
Clogher Valley Show
Judge: Chris Martindale
CLASS 144: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL COW OR HEIFER IN MILK OR IN CALF SPONSORED BY THREE VALLEYS
1st Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
CLASS 145: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL SENIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/01/24 & 30/06/24 SPONSORED BY CAMPBELL CONTRACTS
1st Ballinalare Farm Ritz
2nd Ranfurly Weikel 56th
3rd Mullyknock Ruth
CLASS 146: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL INTERMEDIATE HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/07/24 & 31/12/24 SPONSORED BY FARM VET SERVICES
1st Ranfurly Jade 2nd
2nd Broomfield Super Little D
Ranfurly Jade 2nd
CLASS 147: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/01/25 & 30/04/25 SPONSORED BY SKIP SERVICES ENNISKILLEN
1st Rathnashan There She Goes
2nd Lisglass Sapphire
3rd Lisglass Silverbell
4th Ballyrory Skye
CLASS 148: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/05/25 & 31/08/25 SPONSORED BY CARLAND MILL
1st Hiltonstown Serenity
2nd Mullyknock Sunshine
CLASS 149: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/09/25 & 31/12/25 SPONSORED BY COUNTRYSIDE SERVICES
1st Carrowcladagh Stella
2nd Gillview Sally Charlotte
3rd Gillview Susie
Carrowcladagh Stella
CLASS 150: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL HEIFER CALF BORN IN 2026 SPONSORED BY MILLBURN CONCRETE
1st Ballinalare Farm Tikita
2nd Ballinalare Farm Tequila
3rd Coolcran Heidi’s Tigerlilly
4th Derrycallaghan Topgirl
5th Mullyknock Twinkle
CLASS 152: CHAMPION FEMALE SIMMENTAL
Champion – Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
Reserve Female Champion – Ballinalare Farm Ritz
CLASS 154: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR BULL BORN BETWEEN 01/01/25 AND 30/04/25 SPONSORED BY M KEYS TRANSPORT
1st Corrick Spartan
2nd Ballyrory Simba
CLASS 155: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR BULL BORN BETWEEN 01/05/25 AND 31/08/25 SPONSORED BY IRWIN FEEDS
1st Bridgewater Farm Superstar
2nd Mullyknock Scorpio
3rd Hiltonstown Sirocco
4th Corrick Showman
5th Drumsamney Sylvester
6th Drumsamney Samuel
Bridgewater Farm Superstar
CLASS 156: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR BULL BORN BETWEEN 01/09/25 AND 31/12/25 SPONSORED BY YARA
1st Omorga Shogun
2nd Ranfurly Standout
3rd Omorga Saracen
4th Lisglass Showman
5th Bridgewater Farm Starsky
CLASS 157: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL BULL CALF BORN IN 2026 SPONSORED BY EXCEL GENETICS
1st Coolcran Titan
2nd Derrycallaghan Tyson
Coolcran Titan
CLASS 158: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL DANI ROSEBOWL BULL PERFORMANCE AWARD SPONSORED BY FRC RECRUITMENT & CONSULTANCY
1st Corrick Showman
2nd Hiltonstown Sirocco
3rd Ranfurly Standout
CLASS 159: CHAMPION MALE SIMMENTAL SPONSORED BY AHV
Male Champion – Corrick Spartan
Reserve Male Champion – Omorga Shogun
CLASS 160: JUNIOR CHAMPION SIMMENTAL SPONSORED BY UNITED FEEDS
Junior Champion – Hiltonstown Serenity
Reserve Junior Champion – Corrick Spartan
CLASS 161: OVERALL SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
CLASS 162: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL PAIRS, PROPERTY OF EXHIBITOR SPONSORED BY T MET
1st Ranfurly
2nd Corrick
3rd Hiltonstown
CLASS 163: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL GROUP OF 3 SPONSORED BY GEORGE HAMILTON MACHINERY
1st Ranfurly
2nd Lisglass
3rd Ballinalare Farm
CLASS 164: YOUNG HANDLERS AGED 8 TO 12 YEARS OLD ON SHOW DAY SPONSORED BY PROVITA
1st Lucy Hazelton
Winning young handler Lucy Hazelton (10)
CLASS 165: YOUNG HANDLERS AGED 13 TO 18 YEARS OLD ON SHOW DAY SPONSORED BY BOYD FEEDS
1st Lexi Heatrick
2nd Rhys Rodgers
3rd Timothy Hamilton
Lexi Heatrick, winner of the Young Handler class aged 13 to 18 years.
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 22, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Great Yorkshire Show, 2026 North East News, 2026 News
- Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar takes Reserve Overall Supreme Individual Interbreed
- Simmental wins Interbreed Team of Four for Second Year Running
- Popes Princess Lumi and Denizes Nugget win Interbreed Pairs
- Newbiemains win Reserve Overall, Male Champion, and Junior Champion
Adding to what has become a stellar show season, the stylish in-calf heifer Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar, aka ‘Roxy’, from the Rougemont pedigree herd of Mary Cormack, Leominster, Hereford, swept all before her to win the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship at the 2026 Great Yorkshire Show held in Harrogate.
Overall Champion, Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar
In perfect morning showing conditions on Wednesday 15th July, a quality line up of Simmentals strutted their stuff in front of a healthy crowd and the judge for the day Gavin Brown of the noted Springfield herd at Penicuik, Midlothian. With some real quality through the classes, the traditional Championship ‘tap’ was given to the January 2024 born Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar.
‘Roxy’ was purchased by Mary Cormack for 15,000gns at the Next Generation V Sale at Carlisle in December last year, and from breeders Paul & Sharrie Cade, Buckden, Peterborough. Sired by Sacombe Jameson 18, and out of Brandane Kathleen, Roxy is in-calf to Backmuir Pegasus. Rolling back to 2025, this heifer had stood Reserve Overall, Female Champion, and Junior Champion, at the Simmental English National Show.
Moving onto this year, and under the ownership of Mary Cormack, ‘Roxy’ has just continued to ‘wow’ the crowds and wrack up a host of titles. Taking a little look, here’s a summary of just some to date:
Great Yorkshire Show Overall Simmental Champion & female Champion, Reserve Overall Individual Interbreed, and part of the winning Simmental Interbreed Team of Four; Simmental Champion at the Royal Three Counties; Overall Simmental Champion and Individual Interbreed Supreme at the Royal Cornwall; and the Simmental Overall Supreme, and Reserve Interbreed Continental Championships at the Devon County in May. A fantastic show record!
Esme Cormack left, Jennifer Hyslop, and Mary Cormack with ‘Roxy’ after winning the Individual Interbreed Overall Supreme Reserve
Commenting on his Champion, the judge Gavin Brown said: “On the day, Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar was an exceptional animal that stood out from the rest of the championship line-up. She combined tremendous power and substance with all the femininity you would want to see in a top-class Simmental female. She was exceptionally well fleshed throughout while still retaining her female characteristics, showing real style, balance and presence. She had a beautiful head, excellent breed character and was backed up by outstanding conformation, carrying muscle and flesh in all the right places. This heifer was correct on her feet and legs, moved freely and confidently, and presented herself with great ring presence. Overall, she was a complete package and was a very worthy champion.”
Very much endorsing this was the well-known Individual Interbreed judge James Weightman, Peterlee, Co Durham who said: “This was very well balanced heifer who just exuded style with plenty of power. She has everything to go on and make a tremendous cow.”
The Great Yorkshire added to what has become a terrific summer showing season for the Simmental breed with some quality line ups going on to yield a number of Interbreed titles. At Harrogate, as well as the Reserve Overall Individual, the Simmentals lifted the Interbreed Team of Four, for the second consecutive year, and also won the Margaret Champion Continental Beef Pairs Interbreed.
Winning Simmental Interbreed Team of Four
Making up the winning Simmental Interbreed team was Denizes Nugget and Popes Princess Lumi from Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar from Mary Cormack, and Ranfurly Weikel 55th from George Scrivens and Holly Grant. Of the winning team, James Weightman said: “The Simmental team were very correct, well balanced, and with plenty of power and style.” Denizes Nugget and Popes Princess Lumi then teamed up to win the Margaret Chapman Continental Beef Pairs in front of the judge for this competition, David Benson, Kelso, Roxs.
Reserve Female Champion, Popes Ruffles
Enjoying another trip ‘down south’ and having a hugely successful day was the Newbiemains herd of Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbiemains Farm, Annan, Dumfries. Amongst a number of ‘premier prizes, the herd’s June 2024 born heifer Popes Ruffles jointly owned with Ali Dodd, Tundergarth herd, Tundergarth Mains, Lockerbie, followed Rockstar right through from the class to being Reserve Overall Supreme, and Reserve Female Champion. In May this year at Carlisle, Popes Ruffles was purchased by this partnership for 14,000gns at the Popes Princesses Production Sale of heifers from Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancashire. Sired by the €52,000 Clonagh Lucky Explorer, Ruffles is out of Springfield Magic whose pedigree goes back to the noted Woodhall Extra. Popes Ruffles is in-calf to Annick Klondyke and is due to calf early next year.
Speaking of his Overall Reserve Champion the judge Gavin Brown said: “Popes Ruffles was another outstanding female and, unsurprisingly, came from the same exceptionally strong class as my Champion. There was very little between the two, and she possessed many of the same qualities that made that class such a pleasure to judge. Ruffles had a fantastic outlook, with bags of style, class and breed character, combining femininity with a modern, eye-catching presence. Beneath that style was a female with excellent length, outstanding conformation and plenty of natural flesh, all carried on a very correct set of feet and legs.”
“The deciding factor between her and the Champion was simply the Champion’s slight advantage in overall size, scale and power. Aside from that, Popes Ruffles was a tremendous example of the modern Simmental female and very much the type of breeding female I admire and aim to breed myself. She was a thoroughly deserving Reserve Female Champion and Reserve Overall Champion.”
Just for the record, the Newbiemains roll call of 2026 prizes at the Great Yorkshire included: Overall Reserve Supreme; Overall Reserve Female; Male Champion; Junior Champion; Group of Three Winners; Pairs Winners; and a further class win. Top work from the Newbiemains team!
Male Champion, Newbiemains Sapphire 25
Whilst it was a Championship day for ‘fantastic females’, there were also some top Simmental bulls on show. Leading the way as the Male Champion, and also the Junior Champion was another from the Newbiemains stable in the shape of the classy Newbiemains Sapphire. This young February 2025 born bull is by the herd sire Islavale Jabba 18 (ET) EX 92, and is out of Newbiemains Jem EX 93 (EX2). Of his Male Champion Gavin Brown said: “Newbiemains Sapphire was, for me, the standout young bull on the day and, ultimately, the best male in the show. He is exactly the type of modern Simmental bull that I believe the breed should be striving to produce. He displayed tremendous breed character, with a really attractive head and a great turn of lug, giving him that unmistakable Simmental presence. While he certainly caught the eye for his style and ring presence, he more than backed it up with genuine power, natural flesh and excellent conformation. He stood squarely on good feet and legs and moved with ease and correctness.”
“He has all the makings of a top breeder’s bull, combining correctness, performance and natural fleshing ability with the easy-doing qualities commercial and pedigree breeders are looking for. Finished off with excellent colour and overall balance, he represented the modern Simmental type exceptionally well and again was a very deserving Male and Junior Male Champion.”
Of Newbiemains Sapphire, Niall Goldie said: “We think Sapphire is probably one of the best bulls we’ve bred at Newbiemains. He’s got tremendous width from front to back but also keeps his length with great locomotion. There’s that bit of style with a proper Simmental head and outlook. All being well he’ll go to the Stirling Sale this October as part of a team of five or six Newbiemains bulls.”
Described as a consistent breeder in the herd, Newbiemains Jem was also the dam of the March 2025 born embryo calf Newbiemains Solitaire, a Newbiemains Noble son and who won the youngest bull class of the day. Newbiemains Sapphire teamed up with Popes Ruffles to win the Simmental Pairs, and Solitaire joined the party to see the herd win the Group of Three.
Reserve Male Champion, Denizes Nugget 22
Just pipped into the Reserve Male position was the June 2022 born bull Denizes Nugget from the aforementioned Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Dutton, Preston. Bred by M A Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, Nugget was purchased by the Woods for 37,000gns at Stirling in February 2024. He is sired by the well-known Denizes Hamish, and is out of Ashland Topaz Janet, a Team Celtic daughter. Beyond the breed judging Denizes Nugget went on to be a cornerstone of the Simmentals Interbreed successes featuring in both the winning Team of Four, and also the Margaret Chapman Continental Beef Pairs. Denizes Nugget arrived at Harrogate on the back of further multiple success at the Simmental English National Show held within the Royal Norfolk, and where he was Reserve Overall Supreme and Male Champion in the English National before going on to be Overall Reserve Interbreed, Continental Male Interbreed, and feature in the Reserve Team of Five, and Group of Three.
Commenting on the Reserve Male Champion, Gavin Brown said: “Denizes Nugget was a very good example of a senior Simmental bull and possessed many of the attributes you would expect from a mature breeding animal. He carried tremendous power and substance, with an exceptional amount of natural flesh and muscle throughout. Displaying good breed character, plenty of width and depth, he had the overall strength and presence expected of a senior bull.”
“When it came to the championship decision, however, I felt he just lacked the extra touch of style, character and overall presence shown by my Male Champion. Those qualities ultimately made the difference on the day. Nevertheless, he was a very strong, powerful senior bull and a worthy Reserve Male Champion.”
Reserve Junior Champion, Popes Sylas
There was more success for the Popes herd when their young April 2025 born bull, Popes Sylas, followed Newbiemains Sapphire through from the class to stand Reserve Junior Male Champion. Sylas is another by the €52,000 Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and is out of Springfield Melody, another Islavale Jabba 18 (ET) EX 92 daughter. Prolific and successful exhibitors at the Great Yorkshire Show, the Popes team had another red ticket when the six-year-old Popes Princess Lumi won the first female class of the day.
We’ll leave the last word with the judge Gavin Brown and his general reflections on the show of Simmentals and the Simmental breed:
“It was a fantastic show of Simmental cattle. While the numbers may not have been quite as high as the breed would have liked at such a prestigious event, the quality of the stock on display was truly exceptional. The standard throughout the classes was extremely high, but the heifer section, in particular, stood out. One class was especially outstanding, and I genuinely believe any of the first four heifers in that class would have been capable of winning at many local shows. That speaks volumes for the depth of quality on display.”
“For me, the modern Simmental is in a very strong place. The breed continues to retain its renowned maternal qualities while making tremendous progress in terms of natural fleshing ability, growth, daily liveweight gain and overall performance. To combine those commercial attributes with genuine breed character, style and correctness is a great achievement and something everyone involved with the breed should be proud of. It was also particularly pleasing to see the Simmental breed go on to enjoy such success in the interbreed competitions, as well as the pairs and team classes. That success demonstrated that, despite the smaller entry, the quality of the cattle was among the very best at the show. It was a tremendous advertisement for the breed and for all the breeders who exhibited.”
“Congratulations to everyone who brought cattle to the Great Yorkshire Show, and especially to those who went on to achieve success in the interbreed championships, pairs and team competitions. They were fitting rewards for an outstanding display of Simmental cattle and a credit to the breed as a whole.”
So it’s a massive well done to all of the exhibitors who showed and coming from counties across England, as well as Scotland. There were also a few first-time exhibitors which was great to see and the herds exhibiting were:
Denizes; Fircovert; Hallway; Lynfield; Melbournepark; Newbiemains; O’So’Good; Popes; Rougemont; Simply; Tapster; Tundergarth; Urswick; and Wacton.
Female & Overall Championship, Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar & Popes Ruffles
Junior Championship, Newbiemains Sapphire & Popes Sylas
Male Championship, Newbiemains Sapphire & Denizes Nugget
Winning Simmental Interbreed Pair, Popes Princess Lumi & Denizes Nugget, in the Margaret Chapman Beef Pairs Competition.
2026 Great Yorkshire Show
Wednesday 15th July 2026
Judge Gavin Brown, Penicuik, Midlothian
Results
Class 73 BULL born before 1 January 2025
1st Messrs JH & VG Wood Denizes Nugget 22
Class 74 BULL born on or after 1st January 2025
1st Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Sapphire 25
2nd Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Sylas 25
3rd Messrs BT Stanley Melbourne Park Sniper 25
4th Miss L Harding Hallway Samson 25
5th Mr R Tremayne O’so’good Snowball 25
6th Mr G Scrivens Tapster Sinatra 25
7th Messrs BT Stanley Melbourne Park Strider 25
8th Mr O Airey Urswick Sauvage 25
Popes Princess Lumi
Class 75 COW OR HEIFER in-calf or with calf at foot, having had a certified calf before attaining the age of three years
1st Messrs JH VG Wood Popes Princess Lumi
2nd MA Barlow & Sons Heathbrow Koko Star (P)
3rd Mr P Gunther Fircovert Peggy
4th Mr S Steggles Brandane Mint
Class 76 HEIFER born in 2024
1st Mrs M Cormack Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar
2nd Mr J Goldie Popes Ruffles
3rd Mr G Scrivens Ranfurly Weikel 55th
4th MA Barlow & Sons Denizes Matilda 21st
5th Mr S Steggles Popes Princess Ruby
6th Mr R Bishop Lynfield Estelle
7th Mr T Fitton Simply Rosetta
Newbiemains Solitaire
Class 77 HEIFER born in 2025
1st Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Solitaire
2nd Mr S Steggles Vale Royal Annie’s Star
Group of Three
Class 78 GROUP OF THREE ANIMALS
1st Mr J Goldie
2nd Mr S Steggles
Pairs
Class 79 PAIR OF ANIMALS
1st Mr J Goldie
2nd Messrs JH & VG Wood
Junior Champion
Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Sapphire 25
Reserve Junior Champion
Messrs JH & VG Wood Popes Sylas 25
Male Champion
Mr J Goldie Newbiemains Sapphire 25
Reserve Male Champion
Messrs JH & VG Wood Denizes Nugget 22
Female Champion
Mrs M Cormack Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar
Reserve Female Champion
Mr J Goldie Popes Ruffles
Overall Supreme Champion
Mrs M Cormack Cade Kathleen’s Rockstar
Reserve Overall Supreme Champion
Mr J Goldie Popes Ruffles
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