Burke Trophy winners

The Limousins are the champion breed at this year's Royal Show, and have picked up the prestigious Burke Trophy. Reserve champions are the Simmentals, with Aberdeen-Angus judged best native breed.

First in the Burke Dairy Cattle Championship, sponsored by Nat West, were the Holsteins, with the Jerseys picking up reserve.

The champion Limousin pair were Samy, bred by Robert Graham in Stirlingshire, and Ronick Money, from D Mairs & co, based in Ballyclare, Co Antrim.

“It's been a complete surprise and we can't quite take it in,” commented head herdsman for Mr Mairs Gary Hanna. “To win at the Royal is a dream come true. This is the one we've always wanted to win, so we're absolutely ecstatic.”

The Limousin herd was started a year ago, and they now have 20 females alongside their pedigree Angus herd.

For North Yorkshire-based Aberdeen-Angus breeder Gordon Brooks and daughter Victoria, this is a day they will never forget. Their 8-yr-old cow, Bon Lea Elle was judged the Nat West Supreme Beef Cattle champion and was part of the best native pair.

“We've only a small herd, so to come here and achieve this against all the big boys is just fantastic,” said Gordon.

There are only 16 cows in the family-owned herd, “but 14 out of those you could put on show tomorrow,” he said.

Victoria put the win down to 8-yr-old Bon Lea Elle's “look-at-me” nature when she is taken into the showring. “A win at the Royal is the ultimate and will be great for business - we're looking forward to plenty more requests for young stock,” she said.

For the full results and more Royal Show news, please visit the website at www.royalshow.org.uk.