TOP SIRE 2025–2026 NSW SHOW AND SALE RESULTS Sydney Royal Sheep and Fleece Show Friday 11 to Sunday 13 April 2025 | Olympic Park, Sydney SUPREME EXHIBIT Airlie 20066 added yet another champion title to the trophy cabinet when it was crowned Supreme Exhibit at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show. Exhibited by the Power family, Airlie, Walcha, the 17.2-micron ram had won the Supreme Exhibit at the Great Southern Supreme Merino Show at Bathurst just two months earlier. Sydney marked the fourth show for the ram, which has been nicknamed Wilson. It won its way through the fine wool classes before claiming the Supreme Merino Ram title and going up against the Supreme Champion Ewe, exhibited by the Merriman family, Merryville, Boorowa. Overseeing the judging was Joe Carlon, Queenlee, Uralla (ultrafine); Warren Russell, Melrose, Nurrabiel, VIC (superfine); Kip Gray, Stockman, Melton Mowbray, TAS (fine); David Zouch, Bigga (fine/ medium), and Henry Armstrong, Pemcaw, Dunedoo (medium/ strong). “He displays a lot of the things we are told to look for as young judges and stud breeders,” said Henry. “A lot of the things we look for are in this ram.” He continued, “And the ewe – she’s a magnificent ewe. She’s got lots of maternal traits and she’s got width and she’s got depth.” David Zouch had the ram in his ring through the day and said it stood out. “He’s one of those rams that just grabs you,” he said. “He’s an exceptional sheep. He’s 17.2-micron – for his frame and carcase, it’s incredible.” The 17.8-micron Merryville 21439 also stood out in the ring, according to Kip Gray. “As soon as I saw her, I liked the barrel, coverage and her staple length,” he said. “She has a beautiful lock and a long, white, beautiful staple.” JUNIOR CHAMPIONS A “tremendous Merino ram” from Merryville claimed the coveted Tom Culley Award for Supreme Junior Merino Exhibit. Merryville 21456, exhibited by the Merriman family, Boorowa, excelled through the March-shorn fine wool two-tooth classes before claiming the overall champion title. The 17.2-micron ram is by Giant Test Supreme, which won Supreme Champion at the 2023 Sydney Royal Easter Show. “He’s an outstanding animal. He stands very square on his feet,” said judge Kip Gray when announcing the winner. A March-shorn Poll Merino ram, exhibited by the Clonan family, Alfoxton, Armidale, was named as reserve. When describing Alfoxton 20210 on the mat after winning its class, judge David Zouch said it was “a productive ram. He’s a massive young ram with a great coverage of wool. He’s going to cut a lot of wool.” It measured 18.2-micron. Other March-shorn champions included the Junior Champion March Shorn Merino Ewe won by Conrayn with their superfine ewe Conrayn 22129, measuring 15.4-micron. Merryville claimed another broad ribbon for the Junior Champion Poll Merino Ewe with their 18.1-micron ewe, Merryville 21468. In the August-shorn classes, Shalimar Park, Walcha, took home the Junior Champion Merino Ram broad ribbon with the 16.8-micron Shalimar Park 20071, while the Junior Champion Merino Ewe was won by the 17.7-micron Merryville 20294. The August-shorn Poll Merino Ram and Poll Merino Ewe were both awarded to Airlie, Walcha. The 18.6-micron Airlie 20022 claimed the ram title, while the 17.7-micron Airlie 20028 claimed the champion ewe ribbon. NATIONAL PAIR OF THE YEAR The Power family, Airlie, Walcha, secured a place at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo after claiming the National Pair of the Year title at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show. The August-shorn ram and ewe pair finished ahead of nine other exhibits to win the title under the scrutiny of all five judges. When sashing the champions, Kip commented that the quality of the lineup presented a real challenge for the judges. “The bulk and size of the Airlie pair have placed them at the top,” he said. “We just thought they stood up a little bit better.” The pair consisted of Airlie 20022 and Airlie 20029, which tested at 18.6-micron and 17.9-micron respectively. The Rayner family, Grathlyn, Hargraves, claimed both second and third places in the competition. In fourth place was the McLaren family, Nerstane, Woolbrook. – 86 –
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