DEMONDRILLE Merino stud was victorious in a tough battle for top sheep at Royal Bathurst Show, claiming the coveted Max and Molly Rayner Trophy for a pair from any breed.
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Patrick Davis from the Harden stud claimed the title over plenty of competition from Cranbrook Poll Dorset stud, Canowindra, in second, and Kildara Glen Australian White stud, Duramana, in third.
Judge James Corcoran, “Gooramma”, Boorowa, said there was “very little in it”.
“I just felt the Merino pair were the more even pair,” he said.
It was the final flourish in a successful day for Demondrille stud, which had also claimed champion Merino ewe with its two-tooth, August-shorn, fine wool ewe.
Reserve champion Merino ewe was won by Richard and Brad Chalker, Lach River stud, Darbys Falls, but this was not Lach River’s only success for the day.
The Darbys Falls stud also won the Bathurst Gold Cup for the champion Merino ram with its 20-micron, 18-month-old ram.
The August-shorn ram had claimed champion strong wool ram in his first showing.
Reserve champion Merino ram was awarded to Winston McDonald, Royalla Merino stud, Wallendbeen.
Royalla stud also won the Dalkeith Cup, which was awarded for a group of three rams and two ewes.
Cranbrook Poll Dorset Stud also had a very successful day, claiming the Landmark Trophy for the champion meat breed ram with their milk-tooth ram.
Stud owner Phil Balcombe has run the stud for the past five years, and said the winning ram claimed reserve junior champion at this year’s Sydney Royal Show.
The 100-kilogram ram was sired by Tattykeel 1780.
Mr Balcombe and his daughter Joanna also claimed champion and reserve champion Poll Dorset ram and champion Poll Dorset ewe, which are also from the Tattykeel bloodline.
Talkook Border Leicester stud, Crookwell, claimed reserve champion meat breed ram with their 16-month-old ram from a Talkook bloodline, as well as supreme Border Leicester exhibit.
Owner Bob Anderson has owned the stud since 1968 and is just getting back into the show ring after an absence.
Rose-Lea Corriedale stud, Rydal, claimed the title of champion meat breed ewe with its August-drop ewe.
Owner Rick Hoolihan said the ewe, which was also named supreme Corriedale exhibit for the show, was by a Redbank stud, Molong, ram.
Reserve champion meat breed ewe was awarded to Cranbrook Poll Dorset stud.
