Back-to-back glory for Queensland studs in Santa stud judging at Ekka 2025

Familiar faces returned to the spotlight in the Santa Gertrudis stud judging at this year's Queensland Royal Show on Friday (August 8), with this year's grand champion bull and female mirroring their recent Sydney Royal show success by claiming the top tricolour ribbons once again in Brisbane.

A total of 88 Santa Gertrudis stud cattle were judged this year by Canowindra Santa Gertrudis stud principal, Jason Wolff, Emerald, drawn from Queensland and New South Wales.

Santahat Ultimate U300, a powerhouse Santa Gertrudis bull exhibited by Brett and Brodie Hatton of Hatton & Co, Santahat Santa Gertrudis stud, Monto, claimed the grand champion bull sash for the second year running at the Ekka.

The 1306 kilogram bull, sired by Diamond H Taipan T315 and out of Santahat M247, was presented in the 30 to under 42 months Santa breed class.

With an eye muscle area of 150 square centimetres, and P8 and Rib fat measurements of 15mm and 11mm respectively, Ultimate U300 impressed both on paper and in the ring.

In passing down his judgement, judge Jason Wolff, Canowindra Santa Gertrudis stud, Emerald, said the senior champion bull was difficult to miss on the day.

"At the end of the day, we're in the beef business-and there's a lot of beef in this year's Santa ring," Mr Wolff said.

"(Ultimate U300) is big boned and just a great bull."

For stud principal Brett Hatton, the win marks a special milestone.

"He was grand champion bull at the Ekka last year, so he's back-to-back champion, which is pretty exciting," Mr Hatton said.

"He's done well wherever he's gone. This is his last show, he's heading home to join the stud cows."

This year, the Hattons brought five head to the Ekka, including the reserve junior champion bull, SantaHat Venom V537, making their fifth return to the Brisbane show all the more rewarding.

In the female section, Yarrawonga Marshmallow T671, exhibited with her December 2024-born bull calf by Andrew and Fiona Bassingthwaighte of Bassingthwaighte & Co, Wallumbilla, took out the grand champion female title, continuing a stellar show career.

The 2022-drop cow, by Yarrawonga Jp Q40 and out of Yarrawonga Kandy R499, triumphed over strong competition, including the reserve senior champion female, Rivererina Sparkle S9 exhibited exhibited by Rob and Lorraine Sinnamon, RL Pastoral, Kyogle, NSW.

"It's pretty hard not to put up a cow and calf of this quality," Mr Wolff said.

Marshmallow T671's eight-month-old bull calf is sired by Yarrawonga S26, and together they were entered in the 36 to under 60 months senior cow class.

For the Bassingthwaightes, the win caps off a memorable run of success.

"She's a twin calf from a cow that won here at Brisbane Show and Sydney too," Mr Bassingthwaighte said.

"She's such a delight to handle and she has beautiful breed character."

This year they exhibited a total of 30 head, including seven led steers and heifers.

"It's our first time showing without a fitting service in 25 years," Mr Bassingthwaighte said.

"We're just warming up for the 2027 Brisbane feature."

Full results

Judge: Jason Wolff, Canowindra Santa Gertrudis stud, Emerald

No. of exhibits: 88 exhibited, 105 nominated

Junior champion male: Yulgibar Van Damme, exhibited by Yulgilbar Pastoral Company.

Reserve junior champion male: SantaHat Venom V537, exhibited by Hatton & Co.

Senior champion male: SantaHat Ultimate U300, exhibited by Hatton & Co.

Reserve senior champion male: Yarrawonga Player V806, exhibited by D and Ad Bassingthwaighte & Co.

Junior champion female: Diamond H Bailey B263, exhibited by Diamond H Santa Gertrudis.

Reserve junior champion female: Yulgilbar Versace T001, exhibited by Yulgilbar Pastoral Company.

Senior champion female: Yarrawonga Marshmallow T671, exhibited by D and Ad Bassingthwaighte & Co.

Reserve senior champion female: Rivererina Sparkle S9, exhibited by RI Pastoral Co.

Grand champion male: SantaHat Ultimate U300, exhibited by Hatton & Co.

Grand champion female: Yarrawonga Marshmallow T671, exhibited by D and Ad Bassingthwaighte & Co.

Breeders group: D & Ad Bassingthwaighte & Co