This year’s Royal Welsh Show did not disappoint, particularly for spectators gathered to witness the judging of the Hereford cattle, presided over by respected judge Mr Richard Edwards of Classic Herefords, Wiltshire.
While Bluetongue restrictions unfortunately prevented entries from Scotland and England, the quality of cattle forward remained outstanding. A total of 31 Hereford cattle were exhibited, showcasing depth of breeding, conformation, and showmanship.
Taking the coveted overall supreme championship title was the outstanding Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th, exhibited by DE, ED & AL Jones. This young cow is enjoying a remarkable show season, having already secured championship honours at both Shropshire County Show and the Royal Three Counties Show, a testament to her consistent quality and show ring presence.
Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th
Lilac Wine 37th is sired by Dendor 1 Nairobi and out of Lilac Wine 30th, continuing the legacy of the renowned Lilac Wine female line. Adding to the success story, her stylish calf Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 46th, by Solpoll 1 Vanquish, was tapped out as reserve junior female champion.
This dam-and-daughter pair impressed both spectators and judge Mr Richard Edwards, who praised their style, femininity, structural balance, and classic Hereford fleshing qualities. Their performance firmly cemented the Lilac Wine family as one of the standout breeding lines of the breed today.
Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th with her calf Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 46th at foot
Claiming a remarkable three titles, reserve overall grand supreme champion, junior female champion, and reserve overall female champion, was the eye-catching Balleen Polly 1457, exhibited by husband-and-wife duo Steven and Helen O’Kane of Keadyview Livestock.
Balleen Polly 1457
This flashy young female stood out from the moment she entered the ring, taking top honours in the heifer born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024 class. With five quality heifers forward, the competition was strong, but Balleen Polly 1457 demonstrated the style, presence, and structure required to take the top spot. She is sired by Balleen Commander and out of Balleen Polly 81159. Her achievements at this year’s Royal Welsh Show underscore her potential as a future brood cow and her significance within the Keadyview breeding programme.
Kicking off the male proceedings was the bull born on or before 31st December class. Taking first place was the impressive Bawnlea Fighter Fury, exhibited by T & D Harrison. No stranger to the show ring, this eye-catching young bull has already secured accolades including male and reserve breed champion at Northumberland County Show. Fighter Fury is sired by Pulham Powerhouse and out of Bonlea Beyonce, born 10th August 2023. He then went on to secure the reserve male champion title.
Bawnlea Fighter Fury
Top honours in the junior male classes went to Gwyndaf Davies of the Creuddyn Herd, who claimed both junior male champion and overall male champion with the outstanding Creuddyn 1 Kingsize. Adding further success to the team, Creuddyn 1 Buster was awarded reserve junior male champion.
Creuddyn 1 Kingsize
Both bulls are by the influential sire SMH Kingsize 87K, with Kingsize out of Mountview 1 Kali and Buster out of Mountview 1 Lady and were exhibited in the bull born on or between 1 January and 30 April 2024. This is a clear testament to the strength and consistency of this breeding line.
Further success came for Creuddyn Herefords in both the progeny group of three and the property of the exhibitor group of three classes, where their entries took first place in both categories. The group impressed with their uniformity, structural correctness, and clear stamp of quality, further cementing the Creuddyn herd’s reputation for strong, consistent breeding.
Reserve honours in both group classes went to AD & EE Richards, whose quality trio was a close contender. Their cattle showcased excellent type and balance, only narrowly missing out on the top spot in what were well-contested classes.
To conclude a successful week of showing, the Hereford breed continued to prove its calibre in the wider competition. A strong performance in the interbreed group of three saw the breed take the reserve spot, showcasing the depth of quality across exhibitors.
Cattle from Keadyview Livestock played a key role in further success, securing the title of overall interbreed champion, Females of the Future. This achievement highlights the strength, femininity, and future breeding potential of the Hereford female line and firmly demonstrates that the Hereford breed continues to stand tall against the best of British livestock.
Overall grand supreme and female champion – Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th – DE, ED & AL Jones
Reserve overall grand supreme, junior female and reserve overall female champion – Balleen Polly 1457 – Keadyview Livestock
Junior male and overall male champion – Creuddyn 1 Kingsize – Creuddyn Herefords
Reserve junior male champion – Creuddyn 1 Buster – Creuddyn Herefords
Reserve male champion – Bawnlea Fighter Fury – T & D Harrison
Reserve Junior Female Champion – Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 46th – DE, ED & AL Jones
Bull, born on or before 31 December
1st – Bawnlea Fighter Fury – T & D Harrison
Bull, born on or between 1st January 2024 – 30 April 2024
1st – Creuddyn 1 Kingsize – Creuddyn Herefords
2nd – Creuddyn 1 Buster – Creuddyn Herefords
3rd – Severnvale Robin – E G Mills
Bull, born on or after 1st May 2024
1st – Celynen 1 Prince Charles – A D & E E Richards
2nd – Studdolph 1 Jolly Joseph – T G, EI & EN Thorne
Cow, in calf or with calf at foot, born on or before 31 December 2022
1st – Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 37th – DE, ED & AL Jones
2nd – Keadyview 1 Pippa Kicks – Keadyview Livestock
3rd – Spartan 1 Polly SP A201 – LD & LL Powell
Heifer, in calf or with calf at foot, born on or between 1 January 2023 & 31 August 2023
1st – Ashdale 3 Queen 907 – Dylan Jones
2nd – Celynen 1 Seabreeze – AD & EE Richards
3rd – Brynside Pansy – J Lawrence & Son
Heifer, born on or between 1 September 2023
& 31 December 2023
1st – Studdolph 1 Barbie 927 – TG , EI & EN Thorne
2nd – Dendor 1 Keepsake 27th – DE, ED & AL Jones
3rd – Grianan Orange B 008 – Keadyview Livestock
Heifer, born on or between 1 January 2024 & 31 March 2024
1st – Balleen Polly 81159 – Keadyview Livestock
2nd – Furzy 1 Kylie – C & R Codd & Lewis
3rd – Hean 1 Acorn 400 – C & R Codd & Lewis
Heifer, born on or after 1 April 2024
1st – Dendor 1 Lilac Wine 46th – DE, ED & AL Jones
2nd – Furzy 1 Myrtle – C & R Codd & Lewis
3rd – Celynen 1 Princess Griffola 5th – AD & EE Richards
Progeny Group of three and property of the exhibitor group of three – Creuddyn Herefords
Reserve– AD & EE Richards