Young ram who 'presents a pathway for the breed' reigns in Wiltipoll ring

An young ram has made an impression as a pathway forward for the breed in the Wiltipoll judging at the 2025 Sydney Royal Show on April 17.

Under the eye of Kevin White, Neilrex, the August-drop ram, Westmoreland 24-778, exhibited by Westmoreland Wiltipolls, Wisemans Creek, was awarded grand champion ram.

Mr White said the strength of the ram's pasterns and his overall correctness made an impact.

"His structural strength over the older ram was what got him there today," he said.

"He's a pathway forward for the breed and everyone should use him."

The ram was in the winning pair of rams earlier in the day.

The reserve grand champion ram was awarded to stablemate Westmoreland 24-704.

Mr White said one of the breed specifics was that the exhibitors don't prepare the animals for the show ring.

"These animals came out of the paddock three days ago," he said.

"It's a breed specific they want to do and show how the animals are performing in the paddock."

In the female classes, the grand champion ribbon was awarded to Westmoreland 24-720, who was also selected from the winning pair of ewes.

Mr White said it didn't matter about the frame of the sheep and he chose the more structurally correct ewe.

"It's about what lasts for the years coming ahead and what it builds for each breed as they go on," he said.

"The more strength you can have in structure the better, all the rest of the qualities you can base around it, if you have problems with structure initially, you'll never get to your final goal.

"But I'm impressed the young ewe that came out in the pairs, as she settled she improved."

Westmoreland Wiltipoll stud principal Julie Huies said it was good to see an increase in studs this year with an additional stud from the two present last year.

"It was exciting to see both our rams and ewes doing well," she said.

"Our ram pipping the older ram was great to show there is some improvement coming through in the younger rams that we're breeding.

"He's by Westmoreland 365 who won here two years ago and then also won as an over one year old here last year."

Ms Huie said the reserve champion ram was by the same sire.

She said the young ewe winning the top-spot was a surprise and her sire also had a show record after winning reserve champion ram at the show two years ago.

Ms Huie, alongside Jeff Lucas, run 56 stud Wilitpoll ewes as well as a commercial operation. She said that the Westmorelad 365 bloodline was the strongest throughout the flock.

The reserve grand champion ewe was awarded to Breny Huie, Big Fella Wiltipolls, Wisemans Creek, with Big Fella 24-704.

This was the first time Mr Huie had exhibited at the show. Her other exhibit was a ram which also won a first place.