Hampshire Downs shine as balanced ram and feminine ewe takes top honours

A strong lineup of Hampshire Downs drew interest in the sheep pavilion, with three studs exhibiting 24 entries before judge Ian Turner, Mount Barker.

Mr Turner awarded the champion ram ribbon to Ramsay Park, Minlaton, while the champion ewe was exhibited by Boonong Park, Mortlake, Vic.

The winning ram, a July-2024 drop, displayed a balanced frame with strong carcase qualities.

He weighed 121.5 kilograms, scanned at 53 millimetres eye muscle depth and 11 millimetres fat.

Mr Turner praised the ram's structure and presence.

"He is a beautifully balanced ram which carries through his line and stands correctly," he said.

Ramsay Park stud principal Peter Button said he rated the ram as one of the most complete in their team.

"I think out of our team, he is the most correct, best carcase ram of the four we had here," Mr Button said.

"He's good on his legs, he walked very well, and he's just a very balanced ram.

"His raw data on weight and muscle scans is very strong too."

He said it goes back to their own breeding, with linebreeding from Woolandale 311, which was the supreme champion at Sydney a few years ago.

"This was his first time out in the ring, and it's actually our last show with Hampshire Downs, so it's nice to go out on a high," he said.

The champion ewe, an August 24-drop, which weighed 96kg, was awarded to Boonong Park.

She measured 45mm EMD and 14.4mm fat.

Mr Turner described her as a standout.

"She's correct, beautifully balanced and very hard to fault," he said.

"She's smart, very good muscling for her weight, and has an exceptional hindquarter.

"She's got a big future."

Boonong Park's Kane Hildred said the ewe had been a favourite from an early age.

"She was always one we liked - very feminine, with great growth and muscle," Mr Hildred said.

"She was the supreme exhibit as a lamb at our local show in Victoria, and also won her class at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show (Bendigo) this year.

"She's in lamb now, so we're hopeful she breeds on just as well as she's shown."

Aurora Park, St Helens Plains, Vic, secured the reserve ribbons in both ram and ewe classes, while Ramsay Park also took out the most successful exhibitor.

Hampshire Downs

Judge: Ian Turner, Mount Barker

Exhibitors: 3

Entries: 24

Champion ram: Ramsay Park, Minlaton

Reserve champion ram: Aurora Park, St Helens Plains, Vic

Champion ewe: Boonong Park, Mortlake, Vic

Reserve champion ewe: Ramsay Park

Most successful exhibitor: Ramsay Park