N&M Moilies (Nigel Edwards and Michelle McCauley) based at Dungannon, Co. Tyrone had a tremendous day in the showring when their homebred cow and heifer calf outfit of three and a half-year-old, 2nd calver, Burren Royal Pandora and four month old calf, Burren Lady Pandora took 1st place in the cow class, then won female champion before going on to be crowned the overall Irish Moiled Balmoral breed champion and the Pennielea Trophy for champion Irish Moiled. This is the 1st time that an Irish Moiled animal has won the coveted Balmoral title more than once, and to do this on back-to-back years makes it a truly special achievement, made even more special that it happened on the Irish Moiled Cattle Society centenary year, celebrating 100 years of the Irish Moiled Herdbook. Another standout entry from N&M Moiles was Ballyreagh Lily 6824, bred by William Edwards of Tempo, Co. Fermanagh, this eye-catching yearling heifer was awarded 1st place in the junior heifer class and went on to be awarded junior breed champion and the Massey Cup for junior champion. A ‘stablemate’ of Ballyreagh Lily, Curraghnakeely Sylvia 0683 bred by Nigel Edwards of Tempo, Co. Fermanagh followed on the heels of the junior champion all day, winning 2nd prize in the junior heifer class and then was awarded reserve junior breed champion. Cloonglass Eden, bred by Sheamie Heverin of Ballina, Co. Mayo brought even further success for N&M Moiles winning the junior bull class and going on to be crowned reserve male champion. It was most definitely an unforgettable day for N&M Moilies.
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The Baxter family from Newtownstewart, Co. Tryone, also enjoyed an exceptional day in the ring when their hombred senior bull, Beauty Hill North won the senior bull class and then swept to victory winning the male championship and eventually going on to be tapped out as the reserve overall breed champion. The winning streak of Beauty Hill North didn’t stop there, when he was paired up with the 3rd prize junior heifer, combining to win champion breed pair and the Tully Cup for best pair for the Baxter Family. A special mention also has to go to Beauty Hill North’s handler, the grandson of Albert and Jacqueline, Alfie Baxter aged 12 years of age who showed Beauty Hill North throughout the week of the show and who proudly took the bull later in the week into the open young handlers which had a tremendous entry from all breeds of very confident, capable and enthusiastic young handlers, winning 2nd place in this class was an outstanding achievement for the young Irish Moiled handler – Alfie and Beauty Hill North both made an exceptional team together.
Rachel Armour from Maghera, Co. Londonderry also had a successful day when her cow Tully Talulah, bred by Mary Forsythe of Portglenone, Co. Antrim won 2nd prize in the cow class and was then tapped out as reserve female champion. Tully Talulah had a three-week-old calf at foot, Beagh Talulah Ivy and it was the second time that Talulah took home the title of reserve female champion after last year’s success at the show.
Ryan and Caroline Maxwell from Keady, Co. Armagh, with their homebred senior heifer, Magheratimpany Delilah won 1st place in the senior heifer class, and Delilah was also teamed up with their 2nd prize junior bull Magheratimpany Bud to secure the reserve champion Irish Moiled pairs.
Brian O’Kane from Martinstown, Co. Antrim also exhibited a top-quality show team of three homebred heifers and took home 2nd prize with Ravelglen Ramona 584 and 3rd prize with Ravelglen Ramona 654 in the senior heifer class and 4th prize in the junior heifer class with Ravelglen Emerald 875
Judges’ comments
Steven O’Kane from Wales was delighted and honoured to be asked to judge the Irish Moiled classes at Balmoral Show especially as it was the 100-year anniversary celebrations of the Irish Moiled herdbook. Steven comments on the standard of the cattle put forward for judging… “they were exceptional, in fact the highest standard of Irish Moilies I have ever seen out, both in quality and standard of presentation.
My overall supreme breed and female champion was an unbelievable cow and calf outfit – Burren Royal Pandora – this cow has great length, great width, great depth of body and has a tremendous natural fleshing ability, for being a dual-purpose animal. At just three years of age with a second calf at foot, she oozed unbelievable breed character, power and femininity. I also have to mention her calf at foot, only that she was so young at four months, she could have easily won the junior heifer class, she has all the attributes of her mother and one to definitely watch in the future, one I would most like to take back with me to Wales.
My overall reserve breed and male champion went to Beauty Hill North, a young bull with no faults, he had style, balance and plenty of length. A young bull with a very promising future.
My junior champion – Ballyreagh Lily 6824, she is a very sweet heifer, has great breed characteristics, is stylish and moved well in the ring, overall, a very showy animal. Reserve junior champion went to Curraghnakeely Sylvia 0683 again a well grown animal with plenty of breed and female characteristics.
Congratulations and thank you to all the exhibitors for their hard work, as I said before the standard was the best I have seen. Fantastic show and again thank you for giving me the honour of being the judge’’.
Comments from the Irish Moiled Cattle Society chairperson, Dan Bull…’’What a line up of Moilies on our centenary year, the quality of cattle on display throughout the classes was the best I have seen. All credit to the exhibitors and helpers for turning out a fantastic show of Irish Moiled cattle of which they should be extremely proud. In showcasing these animals, the promotion of the breed couldn’t be in better hands’’.
The IMCS would like to thank the judge, exhibitors, stewards, the team at Balmoral Show, Photography by Tara as well as everyone who helped, took part and shared in the start of the 100 centenary celebrations.
The next event on the Irish Moiled calendar is the Centenary Irish Moiled Spring Sale, a Timed Auction taking place online through Ballyjamesduff Mart, from 22nd May to 25th May. For full details and online catalogue please follow the Irish Moiled Cattle Society website.
Results
Cow class
1st N&M Moilies – Burren Royal Pandora
2nd Rachel Armour – Tully Talulah
Senior heifer class
1st R&C Maxwell – Magheratimpany Delilah
2nd Brian O’Kane – Ravelglen Ramona 584
3rd Brian O’Kane – Ravelglen Ramona 654
Junior Heifer class
1st N&M Moiles – Ballyreagh Lily 6824
2nd N&M Moiles – Curraghnakeely Sylvia 0683
3rd A&J Baxter – Beauty Hill Opal
Female champion; N&M Moilies – Burren Royal Pandora
Reserve female Champion; Rachel Armour – Tully Talulah
Senior Bull class
1st A&J Baxter – Beauty Hill North
Junior Bull class
1st N&M Moilies – `Cloonglas Eden
2nd R&C Maxwell – Maghertimpany Bud
Male Champion; A&J Baxter – Beauty Hill North
Reserve Male Champion; N&M Moilies – Cloonglas Eden
Champion pair; A&J Baxter
Reserve champion pair; R&C Maxwell
Overall champion; N&M Moilies – Burren Royal Pandora
Reserve overall champion; A&J Baxter – Beauty Hill North
Junior champion; N&M Moiles – Ballyreagh Lily 6824
Reserve junior champion; N&M Moiles – Curraghnakeely Sylvia 0683