WJ Knox Texel ewe is overall sheep champion at Keith Show
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The owner of the champion sheep at Keith Show said his family were absolutely “over the moon” with the win on Monday.
A Texel ewe from WJ Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, was picked out by judge Jim Hunter as his favourite in the overall interbreed competition.
Speaking afterwards, Archie Knox said: “We are absolutely over the moon. It’s been brilliant to be back showing.”
And while he said he thought their ewe, which placed first at the national Texel show in Carlisle last year, had a good chance of doing well, he added: “You just never know with showing.”
The ewe, placed first at New Deer Show last month, is just one of the family’s successful Texel flock which has been in existence for around 25 years.
Reserve champion was a Cheviot gimmer owned by W and J Brown of Hilton of Culsh, New Deer.
The female was first in its class at New Deer and was also in the champion pen of three at the Royal Northern Spring Show at Thainstone in March.
The gimmer was bought privately by the family as a ewe lamb.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said John Brown.
“We’ve had a good day.
“It’s been great to get back into it and get back to normal and it’s been a bit of a boost to everyone.”
Mr Brown said he was especially pleased as the breed is a relatively new addition to the family farm, which also includes a commercial flock as well as pure Texels and Suffolks.
Local winners included Messrs William Stewart of Bomakelloch, Drummuir, who won the Blackface section with a home-bred ewe.
Phil Stewart, who showed the prize-winning female, said it was the family’s first local show of the year before they head to Grantown on Thursday this week.
Mr Stewart said: “It’s great to be back into showing.
“The atmosphere has been great and it’s been great speaking to folk.”
While the family usually shows at Turriff, Mr Stewart said they didn’t participate this year due to their involvement in the National Blackface Show earlier this month and the dates clashing.
As well as the popular breed classes, this year’s Keith Show also included a well-supported young handlers’ section which included three classes for children aged from eight and under, up to youngsters aged 16.
