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COLTFIELD AND ISLAVALE TAKE THE SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP HONOURS AT THE 2025 STARS OF THE FUTURE CALF SHOW!

COLTFIELD AND ISLAVALE TAKE THE SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP HONOURS AT THE 2025 STARS OF THE FUTURE CALF SHOW!

 Coltfield Sister Sandra wins the Overall Junior Championship
Islavale Rafferty lifts the Overall Senior Championship

Tippetcraig wins the Junior Male Championship
Bowhill Ruth takes the Senior Female Championship

North East of Scotland based herds took the top Simmental Championship honours at the 2025 Stars of the Future Pedigree Calf Show, at United Auctions,  Stirling, on Saturday 8th November with the Coltfield Herd of JC MacIver, Wester Coltfield, Forres, Moray winning the Junior Championship, and the Islavale Herd of WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith securing the Senior Championship.

A strong Simmental entry of 44 calves, from sixteen herds, were entered and came before the judge for the day Rob Fitton of the noted Simply herd, Bolton, Lancashire.

Taking the Junior Overall Championship, and Junior Female Champion, was the February 2025 born Coltfield Sister Sandra. This heifer is by the 12,000gns Islavale Northstar 22 (ET) EX 90, and is out of Coltfield Louise EX 90, a Rockytop Invader 17 EX 92 daughter.   It was a tremendous outing for the Coltfield herd, their most successful to date at Stars of the Future,  and who on the day won the Junior Overall Championship; the Junior Female Champion; the Reserve Senior Championship; and had a second in class to the Senior Female Champion.

Junior Female and Overall Junior Champion Coltfield Sister Sandra

Of his Junior Overall Champion, the judge Rob Fitton said:  “This was a really sweet Simmental heifer and exactly what I was looking for, carrying a real presence in the ring and walking out well on four good legs. She was clean, had plenty of width to her, and had real femininity and a lot of breed character.”

Speaking afterwards Cameron MacIver said:  “It was a very special day for the family and a poignant one as Coltfield Sister Sandra is named after my late sister. This was her first time out in the show ring so we are really pleased with how she ahs got on.  Louise is one of the best breeding cows in the herd and this is her third calf, and each by a different sire.  Plans for Sandra all being well are to how her next year and then get her in calf in the backend.”

Following Coltfield Sister Sandra through from her class, the Reserve Junior Champion, and Reserve Junior Female Champion went to the heterozygous polled Islavale Amanda 17 (P), a March 2025 heifer’s calf by Incheoch Niko 22 (PP) VG 87, and out of Islavale Amanda 11 GP 84.  The homozygous polled Incheoch Niko 22 (PP) VG 87, was purchased for £10,500 at the Working Genes Sale at Incheoch Farms, Alyth in September 2023.  Islavale Amanda 17 (P) will now head to Simmental Next Gen V Female & Weaned Calves Sale on Friday 12th December at Carlisle.  Joining her there will be Islavale Rae who placed second in her class to the Reserve Senior Female Champion.  October 2024 born, Islavale Rae is by the homebred sire Islavale Lucifer 20 EX 95, and is out of Islavale Jinx (P) EX 90, a Curaheen Giant daughter.

Reserve Junior Female and Reserve Junior Overall Champion Islavale Amanda

Overall Junior Champions Coltfield Sister Sandra & Islavale Amanda with the judge Rob Fitton

It was another top Stars of the Future Show for the Islavale herd who also took the Senior Championship, and Senior Male Champion with their December 2024 born bull Islavale Rafferty 24. This calf is the first to be shown sired by Bighill Parker ET (Imp.) EX 90. Out of Islavale Lippy GP 80, a Corskie Highlander 16 EX 93 daughter, Islavale Rafferty will be heading to the May 2026 Stirling Bull Sale.  A further Bighill Parker ET (Imp.) EX 90 son, Islavale Shamrock 2 stood third in a very strong class to the Junior Male and Reserve Junior Male Champions.  Semen has been taken from Bighill Parker, and a further heifer calf, Islavale Regal, will also be heading to Next Gen V at Carlisle in December.

Senior Male and Overall Senior Champion Islavale Rafferty

Commenting on his Senior Overall Champion, Islavale Rafferty, Rob Fitton said:  “This is a tremendous eleven-month-old calf and a real stock bull in the making.  Again he had tremendous character to him with a lovely head and big Simmental ears.  Clean through he had tremendous power for his age, a good straight top on him, and walked extremely well.  He’s a bull with a lot of future for sales ahead.”

Of the show of Simmentals generally Rob Fitton said: “Firstly I’d like to thank the organisers for inviting me to judge at Stars of the Future and what was a very well organised and enjoyable show.  I’m delighted with my two Champions and both are animals I’d very much like to be taking home with me!  It was a tremendous show of Simmental young stock and I’d very much like to congratulate all of the exhibitors.”

It was a Championship role reversal from the juniors with the Reserve Overall Senior Champion going to Coltfield Rhysand 24. September born, Rhysand is another by Islavale Northstar 22 (ET) EX 90, and is the first bull calf out of Annick Whitney’s Fresia EX 94, purchased at the Annick Dispersal Sale for 6200gns, and for the tremendous breeding behind her featuring many Royal Highland Show winners.   From here Coltfield Rhysand will be aimed towards the Stirling Bull Sale in February 2026.

Reserve Senior Male Champion & Reserve Senior Overall, Coltfield Rhysand

Bringing their first ever homebred calves to Stars of the Future was the Burns Family, Tippetcraig Farm, High Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire, and who met with more than a bit of success when winning the Junior Male Championship with the appropriately named Tippetcraig Someboy.  This February 2025 born calf is by Kilbride Farm Maverick 21 (P), a Kilbride Farm Jetstream 18 (P) son, and is out of Broombrae Rosina M2 21, who was purchased at Stirling in February 2023.  The Burns Family also placed third in the class where the Junior Champion and Reserve Junior Champion came from, with Tippetcraig Salerno, a February 2025 born heifer, and another by Kilbride Farm Maverick 21 (P).  Commenting afterwards Lindsay Burns said: “Stars of the Future has been a lot of fun, with the Simmental breeders being so friendly and helpful, and we’re really delighted to win the Junior Male Championship with Tippetcraig Someboy.  As a herd we plan to do some summer showing next year, and with Tippetcraig Someboy being aimed at Stirling in October next year.”

Junior Male Champion Tippetcraig Someboy

Following Tippetcraig Someboy through from his class, and to take the Reserve Junior Male Championship, was Delfur Supernova from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour, and shown by herd manager Garry Patterson.  January 2025 born, Delfur Supernova is by the 28,000gns stock bull Islavale Magnum 21, and is out Delfur Hells, a Clonagh Tiger Gallant daughter. Delfur Farms also took a first prize in the females with Delfur Shakira winning the class for heifers.  January 2025 born, Shakira is by Kilbride Farm Nebulus 22, and is out of Delfur Nightingale, an Innerwick Ivor daughter.

Reserve Junior Male Champion Delfur Supernova

Taking the Senior Female Championship was Bowhill Ruth from Rachael Reid, D&R Holdings, Low Bowhill Farm, Newmilns, Ayrshire.  August 2024 born, this heifer is got by the 30,000gns AI sire Denizes Lancelot, and is out of Overhill House Mary, an Aultmore Goliath daughter who was bought for £4000 in a charity auction with all proceeds going to charities helping children from the conflict in Ukraine.  Earlier this summer Bowhill Ruth won the Junior Female Championship at the Scottish Simmental National Show in Perth.  It was a good follow up to last years Stars of the Future for the Bowhill herd who in 2024 won the Senior Female Championship and Senior Overall Championship with Bowhill Petal, another daughter of Overhill House Mary.

Senior Female Champion Bowhill Ruth

The Reserve Senior Female Champion, and winner of Class 4, came in the shape of Aultside Royalty from Garry Patterson, Rothes, Moray.   This November 2024 born heifer is by Saltire Impressive and is out of Hazelden Jingle 8th, a Whitemire King Kong daughter.

Reserve Senior Female Champion Aultside Royality

2025 STARS OF THE FUTURE PEDIGREE CALF SHOW

SIMMENTAL RESULTS – Judged by Rob Fitton, Simply Herd, Bolton

Class 1 – Senior Males (2nd July – 16th September 2024)
1st 47 Megan MacIver Coltfield Rhysand
2nd 43 Barlow Brothers Denizes Rocketman 24

Class 2 – Senior Males (24th October – 8th December 2024)
1st 53 W S Stronach Islavale Rafferty
2nd 52 Bowhill Simmentals Bowhill Racer
3rd 51 J & E Dyet – Merkland Rocket
4th 49 J & E Dyet Merkland Rory

Class 3 Senior Females (19th October – 6th December 2024)
1st 55 Bowhill Simmentals – Bowhill Ruth
2nd 57 James MacIver – Coltfield River
3rd 59 Barlow Brothers – Denizes Matilda 21st
4th 54 Gavin Brown – Springfield Rose
5th 58 N & N Gwynne – Chestermann Explorer Lulu 4
6th 60 D & R Durno & Sons – Auchorachan Remi Nanny
7th 56 Frank Gwynne – Castlewigg Explorer Girlie 5

Class 4 Senior Females (19th October – 6th December)
1st 63 Garry Patterson Aultside Royality
2nd 61 W S Stronach Islavale Rae
3rd 62 D & R Durno & Sons Auchorachan Rusty Madie
4th 64 J & E Dyet Merkland Joy 24
5th 66 J & E Dyet Merkland Rebecca
6th 67 J O Hodge Swinton Milky Girl

Class 5 – Junior Males (4th January – 4th May 2025)
1st 70 The Burns Family Tippetcraig Someboy
2nd 68 Delfur Farms Delfur Supernova
3rd 74 W S Stronach Islavale Shamrock 2 25
4th 69 Cameron MacIver Coltfield Sambo
5th 71 Mr And Mrs L Moffat Innerwick Supreme 25
6th 72 Gavin Brown Springfield Strongbow
7th 73 Gavin Brown Springfield Stallone

Class 6 – Junior Females (3rd January – 23rd January 2025)
1st 75 Delfur Farms Delfur Shakira

Delfur Shakira

2nd 79 Andrew Leedham Grangewood Jemima’s Sugar Plum
3rd 78 Andrew Leedham Grangewood Tollie’s Sparkle
4th 77 Andrew Leedham Grangewood Matilda’s Sweet Pea
5th 80 Frank Gwynne Castlewigg Ringleader J-lo 2

Class 7 – Junior Females – 8th February – 5th May 2025
1st 81 James MacIver Coltfield Sister Sandra
2nd 83 W S Stronach Islavale Amanda 17 (P)
3rd 82 The Burns Family Tippetcraig Salerno
4th 85 Gavin Brown Springfield Shannon
5th 84 Gavin Brown Springfield Skylar

Junior Championship

Junior Male Champion The Burns Family Tippetcraig Someboy
Reserve Junior Male Champion Delfur Farms Delfur Supernova

Junior Female Champion James MacIver Coltfield Sister Sandra
Reserve Junior Female Champion W S Stronach Islavale Amanda 17 (P)

Junior Overall Champion James MacIver Coltfield Sister Sandra
Reserve Junior Overall Champion W S Stronach Islavale Amanda 17 (P)

Senior Championship

Senior Male Champion – W S Stronach Islavale Rafferty
Reserve Senior Male Champion – Megan MacIver Coltfield Rhysand

Senior Female Champion – Bowhill Simmentals Bowhill Ruth
Reserve Senior Female Champion – Garry Patterson Aultside Royality

Senior Overall Champion – W S Stronach Islavale Rafferty
Reserve Senior Overall Champion – Megan MacIver Coltfield Rhysand

 

 

 

JAMES HODGE’S GOLDSTAR HERD WINS THE SIMMENTAL YOUNGSTOCK SHOW WITH DENIZES MELODY 62ND!

JAMES HODGE’S GOLDSTAR HERD WINS THE SIMMENTAL YOUNGSTOCK SHOW WITH DENIZES MELODY 62ND!

The April 2024 heifer Denizes Melody 62nd from the Goldstar herd of Ayrshire’s James Hodge, Dundonald, lifted the Overall Supreme, and Senior Champion titles at the Simmental Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo yesterday, Friday 31st October at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart.

This growing Simmental show, held in the fantastic new extension within Borderway Mart, Carlisle, saw a good entry of Simmental youngstock with entries from Scotland, England, and Wales competing.  The Young Handler classes were also well supported and keenly contested which was great to see.

Denizes Melody 62nd Senior and Overall Supreme Champion

Sired by Hiltonstown Lorenzo, the days Champion, Denizes Melody 62nd, was purchased as a calf at foot along with her mum, the then nine-year-old Denizes Melody 22nd, for 7000gns at the Production Sale of the Denizes Herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Lancashire, held at Stirling in October 2024. Earlier this summer she secured a memorable Overall reserve Supreme at the Simmental Scottish National Show held in Perth.

After giving her the Championship tap, the judge for the day James Griffin, of the noted Hemingford herd, Cambridgeshire, said: “This is a really classy heifer full of style and presence. She was very correct, well fleshed, walked well, had plenty of breed character, and just has all the makings to be a tremendous Simmental breeding female.”

Judge for the day, James Griffin of the Hemingford Herd getting hands on

Denizes Melody 62nd had initially come through the first heifer class of the day for heifers born between 1st April – 30th June 2024, before going on to take the Senior Championship, and finally the Overall Supreme title.  Commenting afterwards James Hodge said: “We’re really delighted to have won the Overall Supreme Championship with Melody and in what is our first time at the event.  From day one she has just been a dream to work with.  We’ve had a fantastic summer and this has now just rounded off the year.  From here we’ll aim to get in her in-calf and with a view to a back end calving.  We’ll look at taking her to Ayr Show in May next year, and some other local shows.  The Simmental Youngstock Show was a fantastic event as a whole and it was great to take part and meet a few new breeders from around the UK.”

Taking the Overall Reserve Supreme, and the Junior Championship, was the January 2025 born Fishpool Spartan (P) from Tom and Jenn Hassall, Winsford, Cheshire. Heterozygous polled, this young bull is by Newbiemains Kalypso 19, and is out of Fishpool Lottie (P), from the herd’s Kilbride Farm Eunice 277J line.   This calf won the class for bull calves born between 1st January 2025 and 15th March 2025, where he pipped his stablemate, the similarly bred Fishpool Spitfire 2025, also by Kalypso and +11 for Maternal (Milk), into second place.

Fishpool Spartan Junior and Reserve Overall Supreme Champion

Of his Reserve Champion the judge James Griffin said: “Just a really nice bull calf who had that bit of sparkle on the day. Still very young he was a calf with shape, a good top, and again who walked very well.”

For the Fishpool herd, regular supporters of the Simmental Youngstock Show, this was their highest placing to date.  Speaking afterwards Jenn Hassall said: “We’re really delighted to have won the Overall Reserve today.  We think Spartan is a very modern Simmental who has length to him, with a good end, and is good on his legs.  He’s got such a gentle nature and we’ll see how he goes on from here but his next trip will be to the English Winter Fair next month.”

The Denizes herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancs put up a strong defence of their Overall Supreme title won last year, and when taking the Reserve Supreme Championship with Denizes Ringmaster 24.  This June 2024 born calf is one of the first sons by the herd stock bull Corskie Nutmeg, purchased privately in 2023 for £32,000 after winning the Junior Male Championship at the Royal Highland Show.  Out of Kennox Imogen (TF), Denizes Ringmaster is in the breed’s top 1% for Maternal (Milk), and top 5% for 220, 400, 600 day weight.  Denizes Ringmaster is being aimed at the 2026 Stirling February Bull Sale.  On the day, the Denizes herd also won the class for heifers born between 1st July 2024 – 30th September 2024 with the Denizes Hamish 16 daughter, Denizes Matilda 21st. Having bred Denizes Melody 62nd, this is the second year in a row that a Denizes animal has won the Overall Supreme.

Denizes Ringmaster 24 Reserve Senior Champion

Lifting the Reserve Junior Championship was the smart young heifer Castlewigg Ringleader J-Lo 2 from Frank Gwynne, Castlewigg Farm, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. January 2025 born this well bred heifer is by Blackford Ringleader, and is out of Brandane J-Lo, a Team Celtic daughter out of Sterling Bacardi’s Funky.  Again with strong performance figures, this Castlewigg heifer is in the breed’s top 10% for 200, 400, & 600 day weight, and also in the top 10% for Maternal (+Milk). Castlewigg Ringleader J-Lo 2 initially came through a strong class of heifers born between 1st January 2025, and 15th March 2025.

Castlewigg Ringleader J-LO 2 Reserve Junior Champion

It was another good day for the Storersmith herd of Richard & Louise Storer Smith, Spath Farm House, Uttoxeter, who lifted a first prize in the bull calf classes, had a class 1-2-3 in the heifers, and rounded it off by winning the Pairs!   In the class for heifers born between 1st October 2024 – 31st December 2024, the red ticket went to the November 2024 born Storersmith Rapunzel. Out of Storersmith Moonshine GP 83, this heifer is by herd sire Storersmith Navarone 22 VG 88 the Overall Supreme Champion at this year’s Simmental English National Show.  Rapunzel prevailed over her team mates Storersmith Ribbon, a Ranfurly Notorious N2 22 daughter, and Storersmith Raffia, another by Navarone 22 VG 88.  Winning the class for bulls born between 1st October 2024 – 31st December 2024 was the December born Storersmith Rasputin, again by Storersmith Navarone 22 VG 88, and out of the Atlow Dixon daughter Storersmith Misty VG 87.  Come the Pairs and Storersmith Rapunzel teamed up with Storersmith Robyn, another Navarone 22 VG 88 daughter, to take that title.

Storersmith Rapunzel

A further noted mention must go to Gavin Brown, Penicuik, Midlothian.  Another strong team saw Springfield cattle have a first and a second in the bull class for calves born on or after 16th March 2025 with Springfield Strongbow, and Springfield Stallone; a win in the heifer class born on or after 15th March 2025 with Springfield Skylar; Reserve Overall in the Pairs with Islavale Raven and Springfield Raven, and a further second, and third prize tickets in a heifer class.

Springfield Strongbow

A highlight of this annual show is the Young Handlers classes judged during the Championships, and they were once again keenly contested this year with tremendous enthusiasm and ability throughout.  Winning the category for handlers aged between 10 and 15 years was Polly Steggles of the Wacton herd, Norfolk, whilst the class for young handlers aged between 15 and 28 years was won by Beth Lawman who was showing with the Storersmith team, Uttoxeter.

Denizes Melody 62nd and Fishpool Spartan 25 Overall and Reserve Overall Champion

Denizes Melody 62nd and Denizes Ringmaster 24 Senior and Reserve Senior Champion

 

2025 SIMMENTAL YOUNGSTOCK SHOW, BORDERWAY AGRI EXPO, H&H, CARLISLE

31st October 2025

Judge: James Griffin, Hemingford Herd, Cambridgeshire

Results

Bull born between 1.4.24&30.6.25

1st: MA Barlow & Sons – Denizes Ringmaster 24

2nd: Messrs RCS&CFE Addison – Lyvennet Racey 24

Bull born between 1.10.25&31.12.24

1st: R&L Storer Smith – Storersmith Rasputin 24

Storersmith Rasputin

Bull born between 1.1.25&15.3.25

1st: T&J Hassall – Fishpool Spartan 25

2nd: T&J Hassall – Fishpool Spitfire

3rd: M/SRE & SHW Steggles – Wacton Schoffel 25

Bull born on or after 16.3.25

1st: Gavin Brown – Springfield Strongbow 25

Springfield Strongbow

2nd: Gavin Brown – Springfield Stallone

Heifer born between 1.4.24&30.6.24

1st: James & Claire Hodge – Denizes Melody 62nd

2nd: Gavin Brown – Islavale Raven

3rd: Gavin Brown – Springfield Rita

Heifer born between 1.7.24&30.9.24

1st: MA Barlow & Sons – Denizes Matilda 21st

Denizes Matilda 21st

2nd: Gavin Brown – Springfield Rose

3rd: Messrs N&N Gwynne – Chestermann Explorer Lulu

Heifer born between 1.10.24&31.12.24

1st: R&L Storer Smith – Storersmith Rapunzel

2nd: R&L Storer Smith – Storersmith Ribbon

3rd: R&L Storer Smith – Storersmith Raffia

Heifer born between 1.1.25&15.3.25

1st: Frank Gwynne – Castlewigg Ringleader J-Lo 2

2nd: A Davies – Hirwaun Snowdrop

Hirwaun Snowdrop

3rd: M/SRE & SHW Steggles – Wacton Sophie

Heifer born on or after 16.3.25

1st: Gavin Brown – Springfield Skylar

Springfield Skylar

2nd: Nick Edmondson – Crakeside Sadie Haka

3rd: Gavin Brown – Springfield Shannon

Pairs

1st: R&L Storer Smith

Pairs winners Storersmith Rapunzel and Storersmith Robyn

2nd: Gavin Brown

Young Handlers

Young handlers aged between 10 and 15 years: Polly Steggles

Young handlers aged between 15 and 28 years: Beth Lawman

Senior Champion

– James & Claire Hodge – Denizes Melody 62nd

Reserve Senior Champion

– MA Barlow & Sons – Denizes Ringmaster 24

Junior Champion

– T&J Hassall – Fishpool Spartan 25

Reserve Junior Champion

– Frank Gwynne – Castlewigg Ringleader J-Lo 2

Overall Supreme Champion

– James & Claire Hodge – Denizes Melody 62nd

Reserve Overall Supreme Champion

– T&J Hassall – Fishpool Spartan 25