Saintfield Show: Hampshire Down shearing ewe 'almost perfect' example of the breed
An entry of almost 70 pedigree Hampshire Down sheep underpinned what turned out to be a tremendous day for the lowland bred at Saintfield Show 2026.
All of this took place on a perfect summer’s day with the sun shining throughout.
Saintfield’s inter-breed sheep championship was won by Trevor Doyle, from Katesbridge in Co Down with a truly eye catching Hampshire Down shearing ewe.
Judge Kate Gunn from Hereford described her champion as an almost perfect example of the Hampshire Down bred, adding: “The overall quality of the sheep entered for the event was extremely positive. It reflects very favourably on the calibre of the sheep being bred in Northern Ireland at the present time.”
Sean Doyle has been breeding Hampshire Down sheep for many years. He confirmed that his champion shearling would be put to the ram over the coming weeks with the plan to have her lambing down for the first term before Christmas.
Saintfield Show boasted a record entry of 350 sheep with the prospect of this trend being maintained a very real one.
There was a tremendous entry of young handlers across all the livestock competition classes at the event.
Meanwhile, Crawford Brothers from Co Fermanagh were having another day out to remember in the cattle rings.
They won the inter-breed beef championship with their impressive Limousin cow: Rathkeeland Tendresse. She entered the show ring with a young calf at foot: both looking a picture.
Inter-breed judge, Sophie DiLibero, described the young cow as a tremendous example of the Limousin breed.
She continued: “The fact that the cow was accompanied by an excellent young calf reflects so positively on her breeding value for the future.”
Crawford Brothers’ success at Saintfield adds to the victories already notched up at Ballymena, Lurgan and Armagh shows this year.
By common consent their Rathkeeland herd contains a number of elite Limousin bloodlines.
Stephen Crawford said: “We have a tremendous selection of bulls and breeding heifers within the herd at the present time. They represent a comprehensive cross section of Limousin bloodlines.
“Show success is one thing. But adding to this is the tremendous feedback we get from farmers who are using our bulls on a commercial basis.”
He added: “We have spent many years building up the status of the Rathkeeland herd. And we continue to invest in the best Limousin genetics available on an international basis.”
The members of the Crawford family have been breeding pedigree Limousin cattle for the past 47 years.
Rathkeeland animals have won Limousin Championships at all of the Royal Shows: The Royal Welsh, The Royal Ulster Agricultural Show, The Royal Highland Show, The Great Yorkshire, The Royal Show, and The Royal Dublin Show.
But it’s all about the future. And where the 2026 showing year is concerned, this is very much centred on Rathkeeland Tendresse.
The second calver is no stranger to showing success, having previously enjoyed a very impressive competition career as a heifer.
Stephen Crawford concluded: “The cow and calf are looking tremendously well at the present time.
“Our plan is to compete with them at most of the shows held over the coming weeks.
“Tendresse is a tremendous breeding asset to the Rathkeeland herd. She represents a uniquely valuable bloodline, which we can build on for the future.”