Strokestown Show once again attracted large numbers of cattle across all breeds, with a number of national and all-Ireland finals taking place throughout the day.

Most important to Simmental breeders in attendance was the society’s national calf finals, which brought exhibitors from the four corners of Ireland to fight it out for the five national titles on offer.

Tasked with judging these classes was British society president Michael Barlow of the Denzie herd, based in Lancashire, England.

Although there was stiff competition throughout the classes, the Rathnashan herd exhibits drew Barlow’s eye the most, resulting in four of the five titles up for grabs going to the Carlow-based outfit.

National senior Simmental bull calf champion Rathnashan Klum ET from Nigel Hogan. Exhibited by Paul Mullarkey, with sponsor John Dullea. \ Alfie Shaw

Great success for herd

The junior bull, senior bull, junior heifer and inaugural national polled calf classes were secured by the Tullow herd, owned by well-known exhibitor Nigel Hogan.

Although relatively new, having only started pedigree Simmental breeding in 2012, the herd has achieved great success in both the show and sales rings.

The first class secured by the herd was the junior heifer class, which was claimed by Rathnashan Livia Empress. This February-born heifer is sired by the well-known bull Curaheen Tyson, with the dam being Seafort Empress.

Standing reserve to Livia Empress was Derek Costello with his young heifer Barnattin Laura. This March 2019-born heifer is a daughter of Kilbride Farm Delboy, with the dam being the homebred Barnattin Amanda.

On to the senior bull calf championship and Hogan’s Rathnashan Klum ET was the pick of the lots.

This December 2018-born bull is sired by Dovea AI’s Curaheen Gunshot and goes back to a Kilbride Farm Bantry-bred dam.

Standing reserve senior male champion was Fearna Kungfu Jim ET from Gerry Neenan.

This bull is also a son of the aforementioned Curaheen Gunshot, while the dam’s breeding includes Raceview King and the prolific cow Fearna Regal.

The last of the main age calf classes that the Rathnashan herd won was the junior bull, which was secured by Rathnashan Leonardo ET. This January-born bull is a son of Mullyknock Gallant and the dam Seafort Beverley, herself a Curaheen Viking daughter.

The Clonagh herd of Garrett and Lyndsey Behan stood reserve in this class with Clonagh Lucky Explorer. This calf was only born in May and is a son of the herd’s 22,000gns Manor Park Hansome and former Simmental of the year Clonagh Dora the Explorer.

National junior Simmental heifer calf champion Rathnashan Livia Empress from Nigel Hogan. Exhibited by Paul Mullarky, with judge Michael Barlow and sponsor John Dullea. \ Alfie Shaw

This was one of a number of rosettes for the Clonagh team, who also took top spot in the senior heifer calf class with Clonagh Kiana Miss Joan. This December 2018-born heifer is a daughter of the herd’s former stock bull Kilbride Farm Dragoon and the homebred cow Clonagh Gorgeous Joan.

Declan Oates of the Tawley herd stood reserve in this class with Tawley Kassie ET. This nine-month-old heifer is sired by Hillcrest Butcher and is out of Annadale Dainty.

The last class of the national finals was the new polled class, open to all polled bulls and heifers born after 1 December 2018. This class was again secured by Hogan, making it four national title wins on the day.

Taking the polled championship was Rathnashan Kellogg’s P ET. Sired by the previously mentioned Curaheen Gunshot, he goes back on the homebred dam Rathnashan Heidi.

Taking his second reserve national title was Gerry Neenan with Fearna Khalessi Tiffany P ET. This December 2018-born heifer is sired by Sneumgaard Imperator PP and is out of Fearna Tiffany.

Champion young handler went to Shannon Kinahan; reserve was Cian Connolly; in third place was Sean Callan; and fourth place went to Martin Glennon. Also pictured are judge John Barlow and sponsor Martin Regan. \ Alfie Shaw

Results

Dovea Genetics national champion junior bull

Champion: Rathnashan Leonardo ET; Reserve: Clonagh Lucky Explorer; 3rd: Mount Lorenzo; 4th: Tawley Legend ET; 5th: Thornford Lenny.

Dovea Genetics national champion senior bull

Champion: Rathnashan Klum ET; Reserve: Fearna Kungfu Jim; 3rd: Clonagh Kings Special Eyes; 4th: Rathlee King; 5th: Clonagh Kracker Fab ET.

Dovea Genetics national champion junior heifer

Champion: Rathnashan Livia Empress; Reserve: Barnattin Laura; 3rd: Clonagh Loveable Lady; 4th: Clonagh Lovebird; 5th: Fairymount L.

Dovea Genetics national champion senior heifer

Champion: Clonagh Kiana Miss Joan; Reserve: Tawley Kassie ET; 3rd: Raceview Lady W Nicolette; 4th: Tawley Keely ET; 5th: Tawley Katie ET.

Lanmor Simmentals inaugural national champion polled male /female calf

Champion: Rathnashan Kelloggs P ET; Reserve: Fearna Khalessi Tiffany P ET; 3rd: Castleplunkett Lucky P.