THE ULTIMATE SUCKLER BREED

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗬𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗗 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗬𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗦𝗛 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣

July 27, 2026

The Salers classes at the 2026 Royal Welsh Show saw Gwawr Griffiths’ Parys herd claim the Overall Championship for the fourth consecutive year. The Society are extremely grateful to Kepak for their generous sponsorship and to Leighton Jones for representing Kepak in the Salers ring.

Judging was carried out by Rachel Hallos of the Beeston Hall herd. Rachel and her late husband Stephen established the Beeston Hall Salers herd in the early 2000s, building their foundation from leading bloodlines across the UK with the aim of breeding cattle suited to the South Pennine moorland and in-bye grazing. Rachel who travelled straight from the Great Yorkshire Show where her and her family were exhibiting outlined what she would be looking for, “showy heifers with style, true matriarchs of the herd in the cow class, and bulls, young or old, with presence. All must have good mobility. “

The champion was Parys Unreal, a 2025-born bull by Murphy and out of Luchabolsh Guatemala. He won the Senior Male Championship before going on to take the Overall Championship and the Campsmount Trophy. He also received the Allington Hughes Shield for Best Senior Male and the Henry Gibson Memorial Cup for Best Turned-Out Animal.

Reserve Overall Champion was Parys Treacle Tart, the 2025 Royal Welsh Overall Champion, who won the Female Championship before standing Reserve Overall and Best Opposite Sex to the Champion. She also received the Carrick View Cup as Best Senior Female and the Hallows Trophy.

In the male classes, Onley Vladimir, exhibited by Archie Roberts, took the Junior Male Championship. Born March 2025, by Onley Sidney and out of Onley Petula Poll, he had previously won his class and the Junior Male Championship at the inaugural Royal Three Counties Show and added the Franklin Shield at Llanelwedd.

The 2024 Heifer class was won by Parkfield Temple Poll, exhibited by Archie Roberts, by Cumbrian Olympia Poll and out of Parkfield Polled Temple, having placed fifth at the Royal Three Counties Show. Second was Gentons Unique, exhibited by Bertie Facon, born 13 January 2024 by the imported French sire Gerbier and out of Mady, having previously stood third at the Royal Three Counties Show.

The youngest female class was won by Gentons Valtra, also exhibited by Bertie Facon. Born 29 January 2025 by the imported sire Murphy and out of Cleuchhead Jolie 365, she went on to take the Reserve Female Championship and the Morwenstow Trophy for Best Junior Female, having earlier won the 2025 Heifer Class, Junior Female Championship and Overall Junior Championship at the Royal Three Counties Show and Junior Female and Female Championship at the Great Yorkshire Show in mid-July. Second was Onley Via Poll, exhibited by Archie Roberts, by Onley Sidney and out of Onley Sia, who had stood second in her class and Reserve Junior Female Champion at the Royal Three Counties Show.

Jemima Roberts of the Onley Herd was presented with the Stock Person’s Plaque. The Royal Welsh success extended beyond the breed classes into the interbreed competitions. On Monday, Sophie Long and Jemima Roberts, representing the Onley and Rosemore herds, secured the Reserve Interbreed Young Handlers Pairs title under judge Terry Jones (Herefordshire), an excellent achievement against strong competition from across all breeds.

Further success followed in the prestigious Group of Five Interbreed Competition, judged by Esmor Evans of the renowned Maerdy Charolais herd. The Salers Team of Five earned a place in the final shortlist of eight teams, on one of the Royal Welsh Show’s biggest stages. The team comprised of cattle from the Parys Herd, Gentons Pedigree Livestock and the Rosemore Herd. A special thank you goes to all the willing exhibitors and helpers who gave their time in scorching conditions.