Balmoral Show 2023 Results

Burren Princess Pandora wins the 2023 Balmoral Irish Moiled championship

The RUAS Balmoral Show provided the platform stage for a quality line up of Irish Moiled cattle with over thirty entries from eleven different exhibitors from all corners of N. Ireland.

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The homebred December 2020 born cow, Burren Princess Pandora from N&M Moiles (Nigel Edwards and Michelle McCauley) based at Dungannon, Co. Tyrone scooped the overall supreme Irish Moiled breed champion title, along with the overall female Irish Moiled champion award and the Pennielea Perpetual Cup for Irish Moiled breed champion. Burren Princess Pandora, a 3-year-old, 2^nd calver cow, with her impressive seven-month-old heifer calf at foot, has an award-winning back pedigree behind her, sired by Castledale Maurice 2 EX94 her dam Curraghnakeely Pandora 7^th EX94 was the prestigious Royal Three Counties rare and traditional breed interbreed supreme champion in 2018. Burren Princess Pandora had previously been to Balmoral show in 2021 and won the senior heifer class and was part of the champion Irish Moiled pair the same year. Other show achievements from Princess Pandora were virtually, in 2022, she was crowned overall champion of champions in the International online Irish Moiled competition and won calf champion in the same competition in 2020.

Judge, Trevor Chadwick from Co. Galway commented that his overall champion on the day, he had admired her as soon as she set foot into the ring, she is a cow that has everything he would look for in a good cow – feminine, great depth of body, good locomotion, naturally fleshed and full of breed character and more importantly rearing a superb calf at foot.

Beechmount Daisy from Ryan & Caroline Maxwell, 2nd prize cow class, reserve overall female Irish Moiled champion, reserve overall supreme Irish Moiled breed champion

The judge, Trevor Chadwick went on to comment that the cow class, the first class of the day, was just phenomenal, a great way to start the day, with 9 cow entries, most with calves at foot made for a spectacular sight of a very high standard, and it was a close second place, behind first place for the 2017 born cow, Beechmount Daisy owned by Ryan and Caroline Maxwell of Keady, Co. Armagh, bred by Robert Boyle of Millisle Co. Down. The 6-year-old Beechmount Daisy cow with a 6-week-old heifer calf at foot, sired by Tyrone Firecracker EX96, also displayed all the attributes you would want in a female, great breed character, great conformation and rearing a good calf. Beechmount Daisy is no stranger to Balmoral show, she was junior champion as a junior heifer back in 2018 and has won numerous championships at local N. Ireland agricultural shows. Beechmount Daisy tailed on the heels of Burren Princess Pandora all day winning reserve overall female champion and reserve overall supreme Irish Moiled breed champion. Ryan and Caroline Maxwell’s success did not stop here, they also won reserve overall male champion with their second prize senior bull, Ballyvesey Charlie bred by Robert Davis of Templepatrick and indeed Ryan and Caroline Maxwell paired up their reserve female campion cow, Beechmount Daisy with their reserve male champion senior bull, Ballyvesey Charlie to clinch the Tully cup and the champion Irish Moiled pair.

Beechmount Buttercup from Robert Boyle. 1st prize junior heifer class and junior Irish Moiled champion. Also picture is judge, Trevor Chadwick and Kevin Corry from Norbrook

Beechmount Anna from Robert Boyle. 2nd prize junior heifer and reserve junior champion. Handler is Cole Hogg with judge Trevor Chadwick and also Kevin Corry from Norbrook.

Both the junior champion and reserve junior champion spots went to Robert Boyle of Millisle, Co. Down for his junior heifers, Beechmount Buttercup and Beechmount Anna, both sired by the powerful bull Ballylinney Harry 1628 EX93 bred by Derek Steen of Scotland this bull was the overall champion of the Irish Moiled International Virtual Show in 2021. Beechmount Buttercup, the junior champion winner and the Massey Cup winner received an honourable mention from the judge, Trevor Chadwick on how stylish and classy she displayed herself in the showring. In third place in the junior heifer class was a lovely balanced heifer Curraghnakeely Bluebell exhibited by N & M Moilies (Nigel Edwards & Michelle McCauley) bred by Nigel Edwards, of Tempo, Co. Fermanagh.

In the senior heifer class, first place went to Albert Baxter of Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone for their strong bodied homebred heifer, Beauty Hill Katie sired by the well-known bull, Beauty Hill Brigadier, a previous Balmoral champion in 2016. Second place went to Brian O’Kane of Martinstown, Co.Antrim for the beautiful homebred heifer Ravelglen Diamond 105, sired by the A.I bull, Ravelglen Rocky, a close third place went also to Albert Baxter for his very stylish heifer Beauty Hill Kia, out of the sire Atlantic High Tide.

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Beauty Hill Katie from Albert Baxter.1st prize senior Irish Moiled heifer. Also pictured is judge Trevor Chadwick and Judith Baxter

The senior bull class was won by Robert Davis from Templepatrick with his 7-year-old stock bull Curraghnakeely Crackerjack EX92 bred by Nigel Edwards. It was Curraghnakeely Crackerjack that was eventually crowned the overall male champion.

The junior bull class was won by the homebred junior bull Beechmount Harry from the Beechmount herd of Robert Boyle’s. Beechmount Harry is sired by Ballylinney Harry 1628 EX93. Second place went to another homebred bull owned by Brian O’Kane Ravelglen Earl, sired by Woodbine Casper EX97, a Balmoral champion in 2021. Third place went to N & M Moilies (Nigel Edwards and Michelle McCauley with Glassdrummond Bluebird 2561 bred by Sam Smiley of Ballynahinch, Co. Down. Glassdrummond Bluebird 2561 is sired by Curraghnakeely Masterpiece EX93.

It was Brian O’Kane’s pair that was tapped out for the reserve champion Irish Moiled pair, consisting of his 2^nd prize senior heifer, Ravelglen Diamond 105 and his 3^rd prize cow, Ravelglen Emerald. ` Two superb individual animals that competed in tightly contested classes but complemented each other perfectly to collect the reserve champion Irish Moiled pair.

The Irish Moiled Cattle Society are indebted to the team at Balmoral Show for hosting such a fantastic agricultural event. Gratitude was also expressed to Judge Trevor Chadwick for a job well done the stewards for their excellent communication in keeping the classes and day running smoothly. Thank you also to sponsors Norbrook and Pedigree Sales for their generous support. It was unanimously agreed that the 2023 Balmoral Show was one of the most enjoyable shows since before the pandemic, overall, there was a tremendous show of cattle with the Irish Moiled’s having an eye-catching display which is credit to the Irish Moiled exhibitors who had the cattle looking top notch.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Irish Moiled’s, the Society has a stand at the Scotland’s beef event being held on Tues 6^th June at Dalswinton Estate, Dumfries. On 26^th June the launch of the Irish Moilie Beef Group and their new website will take place at Shantys, Portrush with TV chef Paula McIntyre in attendance. The Society will be hosting a breeder’s day at Rutland Island, Co. Donegal on Sat 19^th August and also the H & H Magnificent Moilie online auction will take place from Tues 26^th September to Thurs 28^th September. There will also be numerous agricultural shows throughout the three constituencies (NI)(ROI)(GB) where Irish Moiled breeders will be showcasing their Irish Moiled cattle. For any more details please contact breed secretary Gillian at secretary@irishmoiledcattlesociety.com