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Super Simmentals sizzled in the sun at the 2025 Great Yorkshire Show at Harrogate, 8th – 11th July, with the breed lifting the blue riband Interbreed Overall Individual Beef Supreme, and also the Interbreed Beef Team of Four.
Leading from the front, and again ‘wowing’ the crowds, was the star of the week in the shape of Denizes Trixi Belle, from Michael and John Barlow, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, shown with her unique triplet heifer calves. This incredible seven-year-old cow won the Simmental Supreme Championship in front of the breed judge Michael Durno of the noted Auchorachan herd, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. Come Interbreed time in front of a packed ringside it was the turn of Mrs Brenda Wear, Blagdon, to tremendous applause, give the Overall Individual Beef Supreme Championship to Denizes Trixi Belle. Ring commentator, and well known auctioneer, Ted Ogden captured the sentiment of the crowd when saying, “we have never seen a cow with heifer triplets before being shown at the Great Yorkshire let alone winning the Show’s Supreme Championship. What an outfit, and well done to the Barlows.”
Denizes Trixi Belle, Overall Individual Interbreed Champion and Simmental Supreme Champion
The Simmental judging was held on the second day of the show and with a good quality entry of 20 Simmentals in front of Michael Durno. Played out in the morning sun and before the heat was truly turned up, Denizes Trixi Belle took the first step in her amazing show week when winning the Simmental Championship. Of his Champion, unique in so many ways, Michael Durno said: “We’ve seen the whole statement about the Simmental breed today in what it can offer maternally, and its terminal qualities. The Champion as a cow and in what she’s doing is really something. She’s big and correct in herself, carrying flesh whilst at the same time producing an abundance of milk, and rearing three calves! Not extreme, she has a tremendous top is very quare and good on her plates, has good legs and really walked. A good Champion and a tremendous outfit.”
Simmental ‘Supermum’ Denizes Trixi Belle with her triplet heifer calves
Not finished there, Denizes Trixi Belle then teamed up with Fircovert Peacock, Fircovert Peggy, and Fircovert Rowenna, all from Paul Gunther, Felthorpe, Norwich, to win the prestigious Interbreed Beef Team of Four Championship. For the record, Denizes Trixi Belle’s prize list saw her win the Overall Simmental Supreme; Simmental Female Championship; the Overall Individual Interbreed Beef Supreme; part of the winning Interbreed Team of Four; and Reserve Interbreed Beef Pair.
Winning Simmental Interbreed Team of Four
The 80-cow Denizes herd has been prolific at Simmental Sales across the UK with a run of top prices, section wins, and a Championship win at Stirling. Two Overall Supreme Championships have been secured at the Royal Highland. However these wins at the Great Yorkshire were a first for the herd at one of the summer ‘majors’ in England. Commenting, John Barlow said: “It’s been an amazing show week and we’re humbled and delighted to win these Championships at the Great Yorkshire and with such an incredible cow. Showing Trixi Belle, and with her three heifer calves, has been really special, and it’s something unique that we may never see again in a show ring. The reaction and attention from fellow breeders, farmers, and the general public both at shows and world wide across the internet has been unbelievable and made it all so worthwhile. Winning these awards is really icing on the cake in what has been a memorable week for the family.”
Individual Interbreed Championship Presentation
With a little perspective, the odds of a cow naturally having and delivering triplet heifer calves are roughly 800,000-1! The triplet calves were all part of a natural production cycle with Trixie Belle having been served naturally, and all three heifer calves being born with little assistance.
With all three calves in top order, it is estimated that Denizes Trixie Belle 15 is producing some 30+ litres of milk per day which is not far off in line with the typical daily production of a dairy cow. A remarkable lady indeed!
Taking the Overall Reserve Supreme; Reserve Female Championship; and Overall Junior Champion were the East Anglian brother and sister team, and first time exhibitors at the Great Yorkshire, Marcus & Helen Searle, Kenninghall, Norwich with their heifer Guiltcross Ritzy. With some terrific breeding behind her, this classy young heifer is out of Brandane Kirsty who she was shown at foot with last year when ‘mum’ won the Simmental Championship and Interbreed titles at both the Suffolk and Royal Norfolk Shows. Ritzy is sired by the well known Woodhall Ferrari. Speaking afterwards, Helen Searle said: “Ritzy has been a special calf from day one and we just think she’s a very modern, stylish Simmental heifer. We’ve had a great week here in Harrogate and to win what we have in our first time at the show, and against some esteemed herds, is just fantastic.” Echoing and adding to these sentiments, the judge Michael Durno said: “My Overall Reserve had length to her, carried good carcase characteristics, had a terrific top line, and is a very modern heifer. She had flesh and style, was a good colour and is just the type of heifer you’d love to have at home. She has all the makings to turn into a super cow.” Next stop for Guiltcross Ritzy will be the upcoming Simmental English National Show within the Royal Lancashire later this month.
Guiltcross Ritzy, Overall Simmental Reserve Supreme, Reserve Simmental female, and Simmental Junior Champion
Another herd to enjoy a hugely successful show, and continue a fine 2025 summer run, was the Fircovert herd of another Norwich based breeder in the shape of the aforementioned Paul Gunther, Felthorpe. A little roll call of highlights saw the Fircovert herd win the Simmental Male Championship; have three animals in the winning Interbreed Team of Four; feature in the Reserve Interbreed Pair; and win the Simmental Group of Three.
Taking the Simmental Male Championship, and featuring in the Interbreed Team and Interbreed Pair, was the January 2023 born Fircovert Peacock which was ably shown by Holly Lutkin. A Clonagh Latin Lover son this bull is out of Fircovert Kitty, a Horsfordmanor Bonus daughter. Peacock continues to strut his stuff in what has been a prolific summer with these latest wins adding to major titles at the Royal Norfolk; South of England; Suffolk; and South Suffolk Shows. Of his male Champion, Michael Durno said: This is a big, straight bull with his scale and muscling demonstrating the weight gain characteristics the Simmental breed is well known for. He had presence in the ring and walked extremely well.” In general comments the judge went on to say: “Today we have seen the maternal traits in the females along with eh beef qualities in the males. Commercially, whatever the system these dual purpose qualities bring versatility and add value.”
Fircovert Peacock, Simmental Male Champion, and part of the winning Interbreed Team of Four
Also in the winning Team of Four was the January 2023 born Fircovert Peggy, winner of the class for heifers born in that year. Peggy is by Williams Kaboom 19 and is out of Fircovert Ina, a Burghbridge Bradley 10 daughter. The fourth member of the winning Interbreed Team was Fircovert Rowenna, who had stood second in her class to the Junior Champion. January 2024 born, Fircovert Rownenna is entirely homebred being sired by Fircovert John, and out of Fircovert Ianthe, a Fircovert Chester 11 daughter.
Back in the bulls and standing Reserve Overall Male, and Reserve Junior Champion was the young shapely bull, Popes Rector 24 from Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Dutton, Preston. This April 2024 born bull is by the herd’s €52,000 stock bull Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and is out of Popes Dolls Lucy, a Camus Harold daughter whose breeding features Sterling Doll’s Holly purchased at the Boddington Dispersal Sale. Standing second in the same class was team mate Popes Rollo 24, another Clonagh Lucky Explorer son, and this time out of Popes Nellys Gypsy. Both of these Popes bulls are aimed at the October 2024 Stirling Simmental Bull Sales.
Popes Rector, Reserve Overall Simmental Male Champion, and Reserve Junior Champion
2025 Great Yorkshire Show
Judge Michael Durno, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch
Simmental Results
Class 81 BULL born before 1 January 2024
1st Mr P Gunther Fircovert Peacock
Class 82 BULL born on or after 1st January 2024
1st Messrs JH VG Wood Popes Rector 24
2nd Messrs JH VG Wood Popes Rollo 24
3rd Mr D Saunders Maidenlands Rolo 24 (PP)
4th Mrs MH Clarke Newbiemains Rolls Royce
5th MA Barlow & Sons Denizes Ringmaster
6th Mr R Tremayne Osogood Rio
7th Mrs MH Clarke Williams Ronald
Class 83 COW OR HEIFER in-calf or with calf at foot, having had a certified calf before attaining the age of three years
1st MA Barlow & Sons Denizes Trixi-Belle 16
Class 84 HEIFER born in 2023
1st Mr P Gunther Fircovert Peggy
Fircovert Peggy, first prize winner and part of the winning Interbreed Team of Four
2nd MA Barlow & Sons Denizes Eunice 5th
Class 85 HEIFER born in 2024
1st Mr M Searle Guiltcross Ritzy
2nd Mr P Gunther Fircovert Rowenna
Fircovert Rowenna, part of the winning Interbreed Team of Four
3rd Mr M Searle Guiltcross Razzle Dazzle
4th Mr G Scrivens Ranfurly Weikel 55th
5th Mr G Scrivens Tapster Roxanne Star
6th Messrs JH VG Wood Popes Nellys Prudence
7th Messrs JH VG Wood Popes Tarkas Rosa
Class 86 GROUP OF THREE ANIMALS
1st Mr P Gunther
Fircovert Winning Group of Three
Class 87 PAIR OF ANIMALS
1st Mr M Searle
Guiltcross Wiining Pair, Guiltcross Razzle Dazzle, and Guiltcross Ritzy
2nd Mr P Gunther
Overall Supreme Champion
MA Barlow & Sons Denizes Trixi Belle 16
Reserve Supreme Champion
Mr M Searle Guiltcross Ritzy
Male Champion
Mr P Gunther Fircovert Peacock
Reserve Male Champion
Messrs JH VG Wood Popes Rector 24
Female Champion
MA Barlow & Sons Denizes Trixi Belle 16
Reserve Female Champion
Mr M Searle Guiltcross Ritzy
Junior Champion
Mr M Searle Guiltcross Ritzy
Reserve Junior Champion
Messrs JH VG Wood Popes Rector 24
