It was an extremely wet day in Armagh for the 178th Armagh County Show but this bad weather did not deter the sheep exhibitors coming out in force, with over 1,200 sheep present.
The show hosted classes for a wide number of breeds including the NI National championships for the Suffolk, Ile de France, Charollais, Texel, Dutch Spotted, Badgerface, Hampshire Down and Dorset breeds.
The interbreed judge was Patrick O’Keefe from Cork, a well-known Texel and Suffolk breeder.
High standard
The high standard of sheep competing in the interbreed made it no easy task for O’Keefe but rising to the top to claim her second interbreed title this year was Springhill Coco Chanel, a magnificent Charollais shearling ewe from Graham Foster.
Coco Chanel claimed her first interbreed championship at Balmoral Show a short time ago.
Texel National champion from Adrian Liggett pictured with judge Alan Blackwood. / Alfie Shaw
This super Boyo Bravemans Game daughter now stands proud as Charollais National champion, Charollais Balmoral champion and overall interbreed champion of both Armagh and Balmoral Shows.
Reserve champion in the interbreed section went to the mighty Suffolk ram lamb from the Limestone flock of Mark Priestley.
This super lamb had claimed the Suffolk national title earlier in the day.
This lamb didn’t only have the looks but he also had a show winning pedigree, with his dam being the much-admired 2023 Balmoral champion Limestone Suzie Babes.
2025 National Show winners
Suffolk – Mark Priestley (reserve interbreed).Ile de France – Giles Hyndman. Charollais – Graham Foster (interbreed champion).Texel – Adrian Liggett.Dutch Spotted – Stephen and Paddy Fee.Badgerface – Russell Millen and Seamus Killen. Hampshire Down – Sean Doyle. Dorset – Samuel and Elaine Caldwell.
It was an extremely wet day in Armagh for the 178th Armagh County Show but this bad weather did not deter the sheep exhibitors coming out in force, with over 1,200 sheep present.
The show hosted classes for a wide number of breeds including the NI National championships for the Suffolk, Ile de France, Charollais, Texel, Dutch Spotted, Badgerface, Hampshire Down and Dorset breeds.
The interbreed judge was Patrick O’Keefe from Cork, a well-known Texel and Suffolk breeder.
High standard
The high standard of sheep competing in the interbreed made it no easy task for O’Keefe but rising to the top to claim her second interbreed title this year was Springhill Coco Chanel, a magnificent Charollais shearling ewe from Graham Foster.
Coco Chanel claimed her first interbreed championship at Balmoral Show a short time ago.
Texel National champion from Adrian Liggett pictured with judge Alan Blackwood. / Alfie Shaw
This super Boyo Bravemans Game daughter now stands proud as Charollais National champion, Charollais Balmoral champion and overall interbreed champion of both Armagh and Balmoral Shows.
Reserve champion in the interbreed section went to the mighty Suffolk ram lamb from the Limestone flock of Mark Priestley.
This super lamb had claimed the Suffolk national title earlier in the day.
This lamb didn’t only have the looks but he also had a show winning pedigree, with his dam being the much-admired 2023 Balmoral champion Limestone Suzie Babes.
2025 National Show winners
Suffolk – Mark Priestley (reserve interbreed).Ile de France – Giles Hyndman. Charollais – Graham Foster (interbreed champion).Texel – Adrian Liggett.Dutch Spotted – Stephen and Paddy Fee.Badgerface – Russell Millen and Seamus Killen. Hampshire Down – Sean Doyle. Dorset – Samuel and Elaine Caldwell. 
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