Taking the overall championship today at Balmoral Show under judge Dennis Rogers was the French bred Gladiateur from John Elliot. This 2011-born Vermieill son is out of Victoire, he was purchased privately last year from breeder Patrick Malacan. John who runs 65 pure cows has only been beaten in the Salers championship once since classes started for the breed at Balmoral. The first calves are due in August to Gladiateur who will be turned out with cows after the show and possibly shown again next year.

Standing reserve to him and also winning the best home bred animal was George McCall’s 2012-born heifer Carrick View Heloise. Sired by Rio, she is out of the imported dam Clarine who was reserve champion at Armagh Show. Heloise was junior female champion at Balmoral 2013 and is due to calve in October to Trafalgar.

In the junior championship Robert Millar’s imported January 2013-born heifer Iwa took the honours. Sired by Don Juan and out of Belle, she was purchased last October and is on her first outing.

John Elliot carried on further success scooping the reserve junior championship with the French bred Iris. Born February 2013 he is by Dunrandal and out of Danse. This bull was destined for an AI test station before John purchased him privately from breeder Eaec Des Bruyers, previously females have been purchased from the same herd.

Cow, in calf or with calf at foot
1st George McCall’s Babette, by Unkaei
2nd John Elliot’s Unity, by Romuald
3rd John Elliot’s Fiere, by Caramel
4th George McCall’s Drumlegagh Carina, by Blason
Heifer, born on or before 31st December 2012
1st George McCall’s Carrick View Heloise, by Rio
2nd John Elliott’s Drumlegagh Fiona, by Cesar
3rd Seamus Connell’s Hongrie, by Delgado
4th Seamus Connell’s Ballykeel Indigo, by Ublo
Heifer, born on or after 1st January 2013
1st Robert Millar’s Iwa, by Don Juan
2nd Robert Millar’s Inka, by Don Juan
3rd John Elliot’s Drumlegagh Galaxy, by Fanfan
4th George McCall’s Carrick View Infinity, by Vaillant
Bull, up to two years old on day of show
1st John Elliot’s Iris, by Dunrandal
2nd Ernest Gregg’s Ballybollen Igo, by Lisnamaul Eric
3rd Robert Millar’s Boris, by Turbulent
4th Ernest Gregg’s Ballybollen Inferno, by Lisnamaul Eric
Bull, over two years old on day of show
1st John Elliots Gladiateur, by Vermiell
2nd Kenneth Carrothers’ Forthill King, by Tibet
Pair of animals
1st Seamus Connell, Ballykeel
2nd John Elliott, Drumlegagh
3rd Lisnamaul Salers, Lisnamaul