Canberra Royal 2025: Highland breed judging results
A bull who was a calf at foot last year returned to Canberra Royal to claim supreme Highland exhibit in his own right.
Eireachdail of Jindabyne exhibited by Jindabyne Highland Cattle, Avonside, claimed the title under the eye of judge Geordie Elliot, GC Livestock Black Simmentals, Hamilton, Victoria.
The 17-month-old junior and grand champion black bull, 440kg, was sired by Nevis of Glenstrae, while his dam Lady Grace of Jindabyne was the supreme Highland exhibit at Canberra Royal last year with Eireachdail as the calf at foot as a five-month-old.
Jacqui Percy, Jindabyne Highland Cattle, said he had "grown into a big boy".
"He's really easy to work with, he's very easy to be around," she said.
"Everything the judge said about him was great to hear because you always love your own animals and you see things in your animals and you think that's great but to hear the judge confirm what you believe is good about your animal is great.
"It confirms we're on the right track with our breeding program."
Ms Percy said the comments confirmed they were on the right track with their program, where they have about 10 breeders.
Judge Mr Elliot said the junior bull had "more capacity and mass than anything else we've seen and a sweet head".
"He gets around very very well for his mass," he said.
"He's an excellent calf and I'll think he'll have a long future."
The supreme exhibit claimed the title over the senior and grand champion female Lauden Angela of Glenstrae, exhibited by Spergour Highlands, Nar Nar Goon North, Vic.
The 22-month-old black Highland female was sired by Lauriston Angelo 9579 and out of Willowdean Skye of Glenstrae.
Mr Elliot said in the supreme judging both the grand champions were good examples of the breed.
"These two black animals are the pieces of the puzzle we need for the breed to give us growth and some definition, colour and capacity," he said.
"We've got a female that carries a very big top and moves very well, good feet and legs and I do love the head and horns."
Mr Elliot said the grand champion female carried the most red meat and was the most correctly built to claim the title over the junior champion female Temperance Angela of Glenstrae, exhibited by Erica Smith, Traralgon.
The 12-month-old female, sired by Lauriston Angelo and out of Nighean Odhar of Glenstrae, was described by Mr Elliot to be a very well built strong heifer which had width from the hip to pin and moved freely around the ring.
The reserve junior champion female was awarded to Durness Penelope Rose of Elliweek, exhibited by Erica Smith.
The 12-month-old heifer was sired by Monarch of Durness and out of Keelan of Dalmara.
The reserve senior champion female was Sassafras Sky of Glenstrae, also exhibited by Erica Smith.
The 23-month-old Highland was sired by Skye High Cornerstone and out of Betty of Bultarra.
In the bull classes the reserve junior champion was awarded to Domhnull of Koolah Creek, exhibited by Koolah Creek Highlands, Langley Vale.
The 12-month-old 294kg bull, sired by Toiseach Ban of Ennerdale and out of Brianne Ruadh of Stone Ridge, was described by Mr Elliot as a "big footed bull" that carried himself really well.
The senior champion bull went to Lorcan Angelo of Glenstrae, 419kg, exhibited by Erica Smith.
Mr Elliot described the 22-month-old bull, sired by Lauriston Angelo and out of Andie Skye of Glenstrae, as a bull that "really does catch the eye".
"He carries a lot of punch," he said.
Mr Elliot said the bull had a really strong spine, enough volume, plenty of hindquarter and moved around well.
The reserve senior champion bull was Archie the 1st of Elliweek, exhibited by Elliweek Highlands, Kanoona.
The two-year-old bull was sired by Odo 2nd of Durness and out of Keelan of Dalmara.
In the group classes Koolah Creek Highlands, Langley Vale, was awarded the champion pair of Highland bulls.
Erica Smith, Traralgon, claimed the sire or dam's progeny with a group sired by Lauriston Angelo, and was also awarded champion breeders group.
Judge: Geordie Elliot, GC Livestock Black Simmentals, Hamilton, Victoria.
Junior champion bull: Eireachdail of Jindabyne, exhibited by Jindabyne Highland Cattle, Avonside.
Reserve junior champion bull: Domhnull of Koolah Creek, exhibited by Koolah Creek Highlands, Langley Vale.
Junior champion female: Temperance Angela of Glenstrae, exhibited by Erica Smith, Traralgon, Vic.
Reserve junior champion female: Durness Penelope Rose of Elliweek, exhibited by Erica Smith, Traralgon, Vic.
Senior champion bull: Lorcan Angelo of Glenstrae, exhibited by Erica Smith, Traralgon, Vic.
Reserve senior champion bull: Archie the 1st of Elliweek, exhibited by Elliweek Highland's, Kanoona.
Senior champion female: Laudean Angela of Glenstrae, exhibited by Spergour Highlands, Nar Nar Goon North, Vic.
Reserve senior champion female: Sassafras Skye of Glenstrae, exhibited by Erica Smith, Traralgon, Vic.
Grand champion bull: Eireachdail of Jindabyne, exhibited by Jindabyne Highland Cattle, Avonside.
Grand champion female: Laudean Angela of Glenstrae, exhibited by Spergour Highlands, Nar Nar Goon North, Vic.
Supreme exhibit: Eireachdail of Jindabyne, exhibited by Jindabyne Highland Cattle, Avonside.
- Full results in next week's The Land newspaper.
