Balmachie Black Bear Reigns Supreme at Aberdeen-Angus English National Calf Show 2009-11-02

Having battled with bluetongue movement restrictions last year, the 2009 Aberdeen-Angus English National Calf Show, held in conjunction with Borderway Mart’s hugely successful Agri-Expo, was a sight to behold.

Balmachie Black Bear

With 117 cattle entered and 11 classes of quality youngstock on display from breeders from most corners of the UK, judge Alastair Fraser from the Idvies herd, Forfar, Angus, had his work cut out in selecting a champion. And it was power, fleshing and growth for age that caught his eye as he tapped out Messrs John Lascelles’ January 2008-bron Balmachie Black Bear H050.

The journey down from Carnoustie, Angus, with just one animal was more than enough for the Lascelles family. Having already been placed breed junior champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show by Mr Fraser, he commented to ringside spectators that this bull had it all. “He has power, length and great locomotion and will certainly be a bull to watch in the future.” Black Bear is by the Dalrene Cruz 11F sire Rawburn Lord Ross C216 and is out of the Blelack Lord Hornblower A243 daughter Blelack Blackbird E350 who was bought as a calf at foot having been admired for her depth of pedigree and her mother’s proven track record of breeding.

He came through to take the championship having won the senior bull class and the yearling bull and supreme yearling championship. He will be offered for sale in Stirling in February 2010.

Newbiggin Hill Prince J011

Taking the reserve overall supreme championship was the overall calf champion and bull calf Newbiggin Hill Prince J011 from Hexham, Northumberland-based breeder Alan Walker. This April 2009-born calf is by Nightingale Defiance E264, a son of Young Dale Dudley 26M. On the dam side similar breeding to the overall champion appears in the form of the Blelack Lord Hornblower daughter Blelack Prindell D943 who is out of Wedderlie Prindell. This was the first outing for this calf before no doubt featuring on the 2010 show circuit.

Standing reserve bull calf and reserve overall calf champion was Turriff, Aberdeenshire-based Hamish Sclater with his March 2009-born Deveron Panama J268. By the Nightingale Papa A069 son Blackhaugh Easy papa G733, he is out of Deveron Petronella D123 who is by Gigginstown Toy Boy.

Winning the heifer calf championship was January 2009-born Rull Francis J092 from Edward and Claire Jones, Cullompton, Devon. This heifer is no stranger to breed followers as she took the overall calf championship at the recent Aberdeen-Angus National Show at Newbury. By the herd’s stock sire Muirhall Top Deal E006, she is out of Rull Francis F065 who goes back to the foundation cow Netherton Frances C236.

Full class winners:

Senior yearling heifer: Lockerley Leeloe H905 from RJ and D Loftus Farms, Preston Lancashire (by Idvies Euris B112 out of Lockerley Leeloe C281).

Junior yearling heifer: Netherton Red Essence H483 from Messrs W and D McLaren, Auctherarder, Perthshire (by Red DMM Traction 98R out of Red Sten essence 42G).

Senior yearling bull: Balmachie Black Bear H050 from Messrs J F Lascelles, Carnoustie, Angus (by Rawburn Lord Ross C216 out of Blelack Blackbird E350). Also yearling bull champion, supreme yearling champion and overall supreme champion.

Junior yearling bull: Cultybraggan Majestic H881 from Messrs R and C Rettie, Forestmill, Alloa (by Evander X22 of Tullyfergus out of Cultybraggan Marigold Princess D393).

Senior heifer calf: Rull Francis J092 from Messrs EA and MC Jones, Cullompton, Devon (by Muirhall Top Deal E006 out of Rull Francis F065).

Intermediate heifer calf: Deveron Jasmine Erica J272 from Hamish Sclater, Turriff, Aberdeenshire (by Blackhaugh Easy papa G733 out of Morven Juana Erica A192). Also reserve heifer calf champion.

Junior heifer calf: Deveron Elize J276 from Hamish Sclater, Turriff, Aberdeenshire (by Chathill Eugo F230 out of Deveron Elize E138).

Senior bull calf: Stairhaven Esquire J598 from john Fleming, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire (by Eastfiled fusilier D373 out of Cardona Esmay F422).

Intermediate bull: Deveron Panama J268 from Hamish Sclater, Turriff, Aberdeenshire (by Blackhaugh Easy Papa G733 out of Deveron Petronella D123). Also reserve bull calf and reserve overall supreme calf champion.

Junior bull calf (A): Newbiggin Hill Prince J011 from Alan Walker, Hexham, Northumberland (by Nightingale Defiance E264 out of Blelack Prindell D943). Also bull calf, overall calf champion and reserve supreme champion.

Junior bull calf (B): Netherton Francesco J523 from Messrs W and D McLaren, Auchterarder, Perthshire (by Netherton Ronaldo G424 out of Netherton Frances D323).

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