Back-to-back win for Canowindra stud at NSW Dorset Championships

A ram described as "outstanding" by the judge claimed the grand champion ribbon on the first day of the 2025 NSW Dorset Championships at Cowra.

For the second year in a row Cranbrook Poll Dorset Stud, Canowindra, took out the title, this year with tag number 14, under the eye of judge Dane Rowley, Springwaters, Poll Dorset stud, Boorowa.

Joanna Balcombe, Cranbrook, said the ram, sired by Tattykeel 884, was "very balanced".

"He's not necessarily the biggest ram here today but no matter where you put him he stands nice and square," she said.

"He's got a beautiful topline on him and the carcase to match."

It wasn't his first time in the spotlight, having claimed supreme ram at Bathurst and Blayney shows.

The ram will now go into the stud's ram sale in September.

Day one of the NSW Dorset championships

Pictures by Alexandra Bernard

Ms Balcombe said it was a "pretty special" win, after the stud had also claimed grand champion at last year's NSW Dorset Championships.

Philip Balcombe said the ram was a good example of what they aimed to breed in their operation, where they run 140 stud ewes.

"We aim for quick maturing, moderate frame, true Dorset types," he said.

Judge Mr Rowley said it was a very close championship with the Cranbrook ram's balance, thickness and maturity on display putting him on top.

"He's presenting perfectly," he said.

Cranbrook's ram was senior champion before going on to claim grand ahead of the intermediate champion Hillden 512 and junior champion Abelene Park 111.

James Frost, Hillden Poll Dorset stud, Bannister, said it was the intermediate ram's first show.

"He's a really well fleshed ram, structurally correct and a good Dorset type," he said.

Mr Frost said the ram, sired by Hillden 555-22, would now be shown at the Australasian Dorset Championships in Bendigo, before being offered in the show's sale.

Running 700 stud ewes, alongside a first-cross commercial flock, he said the ram was a really good example of what they were aiming to breed.

"Early maturity, good fleshing and good Dorset characteristics," he said.

Mr Rowley said the ram had good strength of muscle and bone.

"He's got the commercial attributes, plenty of length, thickness and strength," he said.

The junior champion Abelene Park 111, sired by Tattykeel 155-21, was described by Marshall Douglas, Abelene Park, Woolomin, to have everything they liked about a ram.

"He's got the carcase length we like, a bit more moderate of frame," he said.

Mr Douglas said it was the ram's first show and he had been used in the stud as a ram lamb.

He is now bound for the Australasian Dorset Championships in Bendigo.

Mr Rowley said the junior champion ram had a "good head, a good outlook and a little bit more depth".

The reserve junior champion was Abelene Park 211, reserve intermediate champion went to Abelene Park 82, and the reserve senior champion was Hillden 61.

In the school class Finley High School claimed most successful school.