'Outstanding animal': prestigious Tom Culley award goes to Merryville stud

A Merino ram set to be retained by the stud has claimed the prestigious Tom Culley junior champion award at this year's Sydney Royal.

Merryville 21456, exhibited by Merryville stud, Boorowa, won his way through the fine ring to take junior champion March-shorn Merino ram.

He measured 17.2-micron fibre diameter, 2.6 micron standard deviation, 15 per cent coefficient of variation and 99.9pc comfort factor.

Wal Merriman said he was by Giantess Supreme, which had gone on to win supreme champion at Sydney Royal in 2023.

"The judges summed him up well, he's beautiful on his feet - lovely and square," he said.

"He's got good, rich wool and a good, clear head."

Mr Merriman said he was yet to be used in the stud but Merryville planned to retain him.

The judges were Joe Carlon, Queenlee, Salisbury Plains, in the ultrafine ring, Warren Russell, Melrose, Nurrabiel, Vic, in the superfine, Kip Gray, Stockman, Melton Mowbray, Tas, in the fine, David Zouch, Crookwell, the fine/medium and Henry Armstrong, Pemcaw, Dunedoo, in the medium/strong.

Mr Gray said the ram was an outstanding animal.

"He stands very square on his feet, he's pure, and he's just got beautiful skin underneath him," he said.

"He just holds it from the top to the bottom and it's a credit to you."

Alfoxton 20210, which was the champion March-shorn Poll Merino ram, was named reserve.

In his class, Mr Zouch said the ram was very productive and would likely take some beating if he went in the production class.

He was very stylish and soft handling, he said.

The ram was 18.2 micron, 2.6 micron SD, 14.5pc CV and 99.9pc CF.

The 2025 Sydney Royal junior champions

Pictures by Rebeccca Nadge

Junior Champion August-shorn Merino ram

The junior champion August-shorn Merino ram was won by Shalimar Park 20071, exhibited by Shalimar Park, Walcha.

The ram came through the two-tooth, superfine ring and measured 16.8 micron, 2.5 micron SD, 15.1pc CV and 100pc CF.

Mr Russell praised the ram's tremendous length of staple and wool cover, which he said travelled all the way over his body and down his legs.

He also noted the ram's structure.

In reserve was Airlie 20025, exhibited by Airlie Merinos, Walcha.

The ram came through the fine ring and was 15.9 micron with 2.7 micron SD, 17.2pc CV and 99.9pc CF.

Mr Russell said the ram had rich, fine wool and a strong, sirey head.

August-shorn Merino ewe

Merryville, Boorowa, claimed the junior August-shorn Merino ewe with Merryville 20294.

She came through the superfine ring and was 17.7 micron, 2.4 micron SD, 13.5pc CV, and 99.7pc CF.

Mr Carlon said it was a very good lineup but the champion ewe had good growth and length.

He noted her beautiful, long-stapled wool.

The ultrafine ewe, Grathlyn 20514, exhibited by Grathlyn Merinos, Hargraves, was in reserve.

Mr Carlon said although she was only young, she was going to continue growing.

August-shorn Poll Merino ram

Airlie 20022 from the fine ring claimed the champion Poll Merino ram.

He measured 18.6 micron, 2.6 micron SD, 13.7pc CV, and 99.7pc CF.

Mr Gray said the ram had good spring of rib and was very pure with supple skin.

In reserve was Thalabah 20641, exhibited by Thalabah, Laggan.

The ram also came through the fine ring, and measured 19.6 micron, 2.7 micron SD, 14pc CV, and 99.7pc CF.

The ram had good bone, beautiful tips and a great sirey head, Mr Gray said.

August-shorn Poll Merino ewe

Airlie continued its good run, winning the August-shorn poll ewe with Airlie 20028.

The fine ewe was 17.7 micron, 2 micron SD, 11.4pc CV and 100pc CF.

Mr Armstrong said it was a close call between the champion and reserve, which went to Alfoxton 20131.

He praised both the ewes for their size and power.

He noted they were pure throughout with high quality wool.

Alfoxton's ewe came through the fine/medium ring and measured 16.2 micron, 2.4 micron SD, 15pc CV and 100pc CF.

March-shorn Merino ram

The Tom Culley winner, Merryville 21456, was champion March-shorn Merino ram.

In reserve was Greenland 22056, exhibited by Greenland Merinos, Maffra.

The ultrafine was 16.9 micron, 2.9 micron SD, 16.9pc CV and 99.6pc CF.

Mr Zouch said he was finished right down to his toes with bright, well-nourished wool.

March-shorn Merino ewe

Conrayn had a double, winning both champion and reserve March-shorn Merino ewes.

The superfine ewe, Conrayn 22129, measured 15.4 micron, 2.7 micron SD, 17.5pc CV and 99.9pc CF.

In reserve was the ultrafine, Conrayn 22128, at 15.3 micron, 2.1 micron SD, 13.5pc CV and 99.9pc CF.

Mr Russell said both ewes were tremendous and a credit to the breeders.

Both had great scale, volume and length of scale, and the champion had very good crimp, too, he said.

March-shorn Poll Merino ram

Alfoxton 20210, the reserve in the Tom Culley, was the sole exhibit and won champion in the poll ring.

March-shorn Poll Merino ewe

Merryville claimed another broadribbon, winning the March-shorn poll ewe with Merryville 21468.

The fine ewe, 18.1 micron, measured 3.2 micron SD, 17.8pc CV and 99.7pc CF.

Mr Gray said she was very correct, with good structure and cover.

The reserve was the ultrafine, Greenland 22074.

She was 16.5 micron, 2.9 micron SD, 17.5pc CV and 99.6pc CF.

Mr Gray praised her evenness.