Royal Welsh Show 2024

A cracking show of sheep were on display at the Royal Welsh, with over 90 sheep entered in some very competitive classes, judged by Scotsman, Stephen Crozier, Watersyke. The sun shone, as seems to be the norm at the Welsh, and everybody enjoyed a great show.

The champion on the day was a ewe from Sophie Harding which was fit to win any show, indeed it was the female Champion at the Highland show earlier in the season. She is by the Ashes tup and out of the flocks best breeding ewe. She is a real eyecatcher, with a sharp head and great style and skin. She caught the eye of the interbreed judge too, who had her in his final selection on the interbreed day. Its full sister took the gimmer shearling class too, same as at the Highland. Quite a day for this fine pair of sheep, who were both part of the first prize team of three.

The Male champion was a homebred shearling from Harri Griffith, Tyhir. He was an equally striking example of the breed and posed some serious questions for the judge. Full of serious power, with great confirmation and a lovely head, he certainly pushed Sophies ewe all the way. He is by Mendick P2 and his mother is a homebred ewe which goes back to the Kirkstead tup which took two championships at the Royal Welsh in the past. All being well he will be in the Tyhir pen at the Builth sale later this year and will certainly be well worth casting an eye over!

The shearling tup from Phil Davies, Gornal followed the Tyhir tup for the reserve male championship.

The aged tup class was won by Lewis Rees, with a powerful tup bred at North Burndale. He was bought for £1000 and has proved himself, siring tups to £2000 at Builth last year.

The tup lamb class was taken Bennett Havard, Springwood North, with a sharp lamb by Auchry S1, making his show debut. Not a bad start!

The ewe lamb class was won by veteran breeder Phil May, who left the actual showing to his army of helpers, as he was busy enough being the water boy, providing bottles of water to the handlers in the heat of the sun! His ewe lamb went on to take the Reserve female title.

Once again, credit must go to all breeders for turning out a great show of sheep, and it was good to see some strong classes with plenty of enthusiastic breeders in the ring.