The 16-hour trip paid off for Queensland stud in the Santa Gertrudis ring

A 16-hour (1350 kilometre) drive paid off for a Queensland stud, claiming the best exhibit in the Santa Gertrudis ring at the 2025 Sydney Royal show on Saturday, April 12.

In a field of 134 entries for the feature breed judging, the best exhibit was awarded to Santahat Ultimate U300, exhibited by Hatton and Co, Monto, Qld, under the eye of judge Ben Hewitt, Moura, Qld.

The 28-month-old bull, 1128 kilograms, was sired by Diamond H Taipan T315 and out of Santahat M247, and scanned 13millimetres on the rump, 10mm on the rib and an eye muscle area of 160 centimetre squared.

The bull continued on a winning streak after taking out junior and grand champion bull at the Ekka last year.

Brett Hatton said it was the stud's first time showing at Sydney Royal, coming down for the feature show.

"I didn't know whether to come or not but it turned out in the end," he said.

"It was definitely worthwhile, the trip paid off in the end.

"I ummed and ahhed for two weeks leading up to it whether to come."

Mr Hatton said the bull was "pretty special".

"We thought that much of him that we bought him down," he said.

"He's so big, mobile and beautifully well put together.

"He stands on great bone - he's beautiful."

Mr Hatton said he had now "done his job" so would now go back into the paddock.

The Hatton family run a stud herd of 400 to 500 cows, alongside a much larger commercial operation.

Judge Mr Hewitt said he liked the bull the second he walked into the ring.

"He's exceptional for not quite 30 months," he said.

The bull rose from senior champion and grand champion bull before taking the best exhibit ahead of the grand champion female Yarrawonga Marshmallow T671, exhibited by Yarrawonga Cattle Co, Wallambilla, Qld.

The three-year-old cow with calf at foot was sired by Yarrawonga JP Q40 and out of Yarranwonga Kandy R499.

Mr Hewitt said she had great length of body, a neat udder, was doing a good job on her calf and was very feminine.

"She handles herself well," he said.

The cow was sashed senior champion female, before claiming grand ahead of the junior champion female Murgona Stellar S69, exhibited by Murgona Cattle Co, Wandoan, Qld.

The 17-month-old female, sired by Murgona Legend and out of Murgona Hannah H14, was described by Mr Hewitt to be the "most complete" of the lineup and beautiful through the front end.

"A well put together heifer," he said.

Murgona Stellar S69 was crowned intermediate champion, before claiming the junior title over the calf champion female.

The calf champion female was awarded to Denngal Kate U54, exhibited by Dennis and Greg Moxey, Denngal Santa Gertrudis, Forbes.

The 16-month-old heifer, sired by Denngal Romeo R33 and out of Denngal Kate S69, "ticked all the boxes" for Mr Hewitt.

"She's a great example of the breed," he said.

Mr Hewitt said she was beautiful through the front end and walked very well.

Reserve calf champion female went to Murgona Sovereignty S99, exhibited by Murgona Cattle Co, Wandoan, Qld.

The 15-month-old heifer was sired by Waco Sonny Bill S94 and out of Murgona Queen Bee Q53.

The reserve intermediate female champion was Denngal Win U42, exhibited by Dennis and Greg Moxey, Forbes.

The 17-month-old was sired by Watasanta Prime Mover 2654 and out of Denngal Win Q69.

The Hatton family, Monto, Qld, had further success in the female championships, taking out the reserve senior champion with the only other animal they brought to the show.

The 18-month-old Santahut Utopia U037, sired by Warenda Kilimanjaro K4 and out of Santahat Q112, was described by Mr Hewitt to be an "overall package" with good depth of flank and walked around the ring very well.

In the other bull classes the calf champion was awarded to Denngal Upward U89, exhibited by Dennis and Greg Moxey, Forbes.

The 15-month-old bull tipped the scales at 682kg and had fat measurements of 9mm on the rump and 6mm on the rib, along with an EMA of 134sq cm.

Mr Hewitt said the bull, sired by Watasanta Prime Mover 2654 and out of Denngal Astrid N53, was a "clear winner" in his class.

He said the bull had good growth and weight for age but his most outstanding feature was his muscle expression.

The reserve champion bull calf was Murgona Superstar, exhibited by Murgona Cattle Co, Wandoan, Qld.

The 12-month-old bull, sired by Diamond H Penthouse P239 and out of Kabunga H53, was described by Mr Hewitt to be an "all-round exhibit" with a good length of body, a good skin type and topline.

He weighed in at 558kg and scanned 8mm on the rump, 6mm on the rib and had an EMA of 112cm sq.

The intermediate champion bull was Murgona Superman exhibited by Murgona Cattle Co, Wandoan, Qld.

The 20-month-old bull, sired by Murgona Legend and out of Murgona Nectar N36, also claimed junior champion over the calf champion bull.

He tipped the scales at 834kg, with fat measurements of 10mm on the rump and 7mm on the rib, along with an EMA of 131sq cm.

Mr Hewitt said he was well put together with great length of body.

The reserve intermediate champion bull was Yarrawonga Pirate V56, exhibited by Yarrawonga Cattle Co, Wallumbilla, Qld.

The 20-month-old bull, sired by Yarrawonga S66 and out of Yarrawonga M281, was 810kg with rump and rib fat measurements of 10mm and 8mm respectively, and an EMA of 122sq cm.

Yarrawonga Cattle Co also claimed the reserve senior champion bull with Glenn Oasks Nickel U636.

The 32-month-old bull, sired by Yarrawonga Ironman P914 and out of Glenn Oaks Ribbons R322, was described by Mr Hewitt to move around the ring well.

He tipped the scales at 998kg and scanned 21mm on the rump, 16mm on the rib and an EMA of 141sq cm.

In the group classes Munnabah Santa Gertudis, Coolah, claimed the pair of two bulls, while Dennis and Greg Moxey, Forbes, won pair of two females.

Sire's progeny was won by Murgona Cattle Co, Wandoan, Qld, dam's progeny went to Eliza Whiteley and Jack Courts, Glenalbyn Santa Gertudis, Wellington, and the breeder's group was awarded to Yarrawonga Cattle Co, Wallumbilla, Qld.