What is thought to be an unprecedented third straight title for Milbrook Gingerspice was the talk of the cattle lawns on the first day of the 2014 Royal Ulster Show held in Belfast on Wednesday 14th May. This January 2011-born Limousin heifer brought out by William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath, Southern Ireland was crowned Overall Limousin Champion for the third year running under judge Bruce Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald Dumfries who runs the noted Goldies Herd. Tomorrow (Thursday) Gingerspice will try to make it a third straight Individual Interbreed title in front of the assembled breed judges.
Two really outstanding animals went head-to-head for the Overall Limousin Championship, these being the Female Champion Milbrook Gingerspice together with the Male Champion Lynderg Hero. It was a terrific line-up with Gingerspice just getting the nod from judge Bruce Goldie over Lynderg Hero from Jim Quail, Banbridge, who stood Overall Reserve.
Milbrook Gingerspice was described by the judge as “an outstanding female with size, length and character doing a great job with her calf at foot.” She is by the prolific 42,000gns sire, Wilodge Vantastic, and is out of Milbrook Baby. Her January-born bull calf is by Brookmill Fearless, a Sympa son.
The Reserve Female award went to Trueman Honey brought out by Henry Savage & Sons. Put up as Overall Male Champion was Lynderg Hero with Jalex Itsallgood in runner-up position. Lynderg Hero continued his tremendous show career from 2013 being entirely homebred by Lynderg Eisenhower, a Guards Boomer son, and out of Lynderg Diana, a Haltcliffe Underwriter daughter. He has been retained for use as a stock bull in the Lynderg Herd.
Recapping the day’s judging, Albert Finney won the first female class for heifers born on or after April 1st 2013 with Chinauley Isabel, a Wilodge Vantastic daughter. In the second junior female class, for heifers born 01.01.13 to 31.03.13, taking the red ticket were Messrs Small & Alexander with Ronick Ivory, a daughter of Rathconville Eugene.
On with the Limousin female classes and the day’s first championship went to Ronick Ivory from Small & Alexander who was put up by Mr Goldie as Junior Heifer Champion. Standing Reserve was Dale Robinson’s Robineed Indie (by Carmorn Vantastic) who had stood second to the Champion in the same class.
Winning the next class for heifers in-calf and maiden born 01.07.12 to 31.12.12 was Trueman Honey, another sired by Wilodge Vantastic, from Henry Savage & Sons. Heading the class for in-calf heifers born on or between 01.10.11 and 30.06.12 were DG Green & Sons with Derriaghy Hermione, an Ampertaine Commander daughter.
Moving on to the cow or heifer in-calf or with calf at foot born 01.01.11-30.09.11, the winner was last year’s Supreme & Interbreed Champion from William Smith, Milbrook Gingerspice, with the same exhibitor doubling up to take the next class for cows born or before 31.12.10 with Milbrook Celine, by Greensons Gigolo.
Heading into the male section, the first class for bulls born on or after 01.04.13 was won by Jalex Itsallgood, a Swarland Eddie son from James Alexander. In the second junior bull class born 01.01.13 – 31.03.13, the red ticket winner was Culnagechan Istanbull, an Ampertaine Commander son bred and shown by Derek Hume. Junior Bull Champion was Jalex Itsallgood with Culnagechan Istanbull in Reserve spot. Overall Junior Champion was also Jalex Itsallgood with Ronick Ivory standing Reserve.
Winning the class for bulls born 01.07.12c to 31.12-12 was David Mairs with Teaseldam Hawk, a Golan Valentino son. Next up for a red rosette was last year’s Junior Male Champion, Lynderg Hero, from Jim Quail in the class born 01.07.11-30.06.12. In the final bull class of the day, taking the senior award for bulls born before 01.07.11 winner was another winner from last year, Derek Hume’s Iveagh Gilkes.
Full report and pictures to come
