New England ram remains undefeated after Sydney Royal supreme exhibit win

A Merino ram from the New England has continued his winning streak and remains undefeated in the show ring after being named the supreme exhibit at this year's Sydney Royal.

Airlie 20066, exhibited by Airlie Merinos, Walcha, won his way through the fine classes before going up against the supreme champion ewe, exhibited by Merryville, Boorowa.

The ram, who also won supreme at the Great Southern Supreme Merino at Bathurst, measured 17.2 micron fibre diameter, 2.6 micron standard deviation, 14.9 per cent coefficient of variation, and 99.8pc comfort factor.

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 caught his eye from the get go.

"He's one of those rams that just grabs you," he said.

"He's got that beautiful, lustrous, lovely tip, he stands up so correct on his feet.

"He's just got the brightness and the purity in his wool, which I love and he carries it right through the belly. He's got a great underline and he's pure in the muzzle.

"He's an exceptional sheep."

It was an emotional win for Murray Power, Airlie stud.

"The matriarch of the stud, my mother, passed away last August - I'm sure she's smiling down," he said.

Mr Power said the ram would be collected soon and semen would be made available. Sydney marked the fourth show for the ram, who was nicknamed Wilson.

"It's been a great result and he hasn't missed a beat all year," he said.

Merryville stud continued on from its success in the Tom Culley to be sashed supreme champion ewe.

Merryville 21439 measured 17.8 micron with 2.5 micron SD, 14pc CV, and 99.6pc CF.

Mr Gray had also judged the ewe throughout the day in the fine ring.

"As soon as I saw this ewe, I like to check the barrel and coverage, the staple length, and this ewe covers all these bases," he said.

"She's certainly got a beautiful lock on her and beautiful white, pure staple and she carries it right throughout her underline."

Wal Merriman, Merryville, said the ewe was by Merryville Giant Test, who descended from the stud's Uniform family.

Giant Test had also had a successful show career, winning a grand champion sash at Sydney Royal.

Mr Merriman said the supreme ewe had shown at the Great Southern Supreme Merino and won champion ewe in the fine ring.

"She's a big ewe and she's got a terrific staple, and a rich wool. Good, crimpy wool," he said.

Mr Merriman said she would be taken home and joined to use in the stud.

"A lot of her sisters, there's a program there where another one of our families go over them," he said.

"That's been pretty successful so far."