Pair of Poll Dorsets ewes proves winning combination in Sydney judging

A set of pairs has proven difficult to split in the Poll Dorset judging at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The grand champion ewe, Tattykeel 240040, had come out during the judging of a pair of milk-tooth ewes, before going on to claim the tricolour sash on April 16.

It was the first-ever showing for the young embryo-transfer bred ewe but there was a winning pedigree in her background

Stud representative James Gilmore said the ewe was sired by Tattykeel 20040 - the supreme Poll Dorset at the NSW Championships at Cowra in 2021 - while her dam, Tattykeel 181150, was bred from Tattykeel Jackpot, which won the supreme exhibit at the NSW Sheep Show at Dubbo in 2016.

Mr Gilmore said the ewe would be set to be flushed in November, after likely competing at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, Vic, and at the NSW Sheep Show in Dubbo herself.

Another interesting element of her breeding was her great grandsire on her sire's side, Tattykeel 970080 - nearly 30-year-old genetics.

"We've gone back to the future to remain relevant," Mr Gilmore said.

The reserve champion ewe, Tattykeel 240015, had stood alongside the champion in the pairs judging.

Judge Roger Traves, Pine Creek Poll Dorset stud, Canowindra, said he needed to "split some hairs" when it came down to splitting the duo.

"They're a very similar type, very well-muscled sheep," he said.

"They're two very good, outstanding sheep."

In the end, he said the winner "carries a little more condition", giving her the edge over her half sister, by the same sire.

The champion ram also came from the milk-tooth pairs judging, Tattykeel 240088.

Mr Traves said the ET-bred ram's scale took his eye.

Reserve champion ram, Tattykeel 240090, came from the bare-shorn milk-tooth class.

"There was not much between the two, both good examples of the breed," Mr Traves said.

Mr Gilmore said it was also the first show for the champion ram, with him also to head to Bendigo and Dubbo, before likely being offered for sale in September.

He said the ram also had winning pedigree, with its great grandsire on the dam's side, Tattykeel 150723, the supreme exhibit at Sydney in 2016.

With Tattykeel having such a strong performance during judging for a number of years, Mr Gilmore said there was still a feeling of accomplishment.

"It's not easy to do well showing," he said.

"A lot of people are very competitive in what they do."

He said showing was a good way to benchmark sheep.

"It lets us know where we fit, which is what originally drove showing to become a thing," he said.

"You never lose the thrill in winning at a show, you just hope the show side remains relevant to the commercial industry and we think it is."