Canberra Royal 2025: Close call as Finley stud wins Suffolk double

A ram that was "just class throughout" has taken the supreme title in the Suffolk judging, ahead of its stablemate at the Canberra Royal.

The champion ram and ewe titles each went to Closeup stud, Finley, for a June-drop and May-drop respectively.

Judge Jeff Sutton, Wattle Farm, Temora, said the woolly ram was the "complete package".

He praised its thickness through the neck, neck extension, width of brisket and back leg setting.

"The champion was just class throughout," he said.

"I admire the outlook - he's very good on the feet with tremendous growth-for-age."

Reserve champion ram went to a Queensland visitor in Averlane Genetics, Mount Hallens.

Mr Sutton said the reserve champion had good muscling and held itself well.

The champion ewe, from the shorn, milk-tooth class, was dubbed "stylish" in the judging.

"There is tremendous muscle and the bone to back it up," Mr Sutton said.

Reserve champion went to a "big upstanding ewe" from the two-tooth and over class, with "tremendous balance and good pigmentation".

Closeup studs's Charlotte Close, Finley, said they bought five Suffolks to compete.

The supreme ram exhibit had some success as a lamb at local country shows.

The ram, bred from a Closeup sire, had bloodlines going back to Kurralea.

She said it was pleasing to hear the judge commend the ram for its structure.

"We are very hard on structure," she said.

"He has all the breed attributes we want."

Ms Close said the champion ewe had similar breeding to the ram.

While both will go on to compete at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show later in the year, she said it was still up in the air whether they would be retained or sold.

"We usually do try and retain ewes but we also like to share our genetics," she said.

"We seem to have a lot of success with our ewes."