There was great excitement around the Corriedale ring when two ewes, bred in the Badgally stud, by St Gregorys College, Campbelltown, were awarded grand and reserve grand championships by judge Charlie Prell, Gundowringa, Crookwell.
The grand champion ewe, by Wye Wally had graduated from the under two year class, and was considered by Mr Prell to be a worthy champion for her mountain of wool which is most important in strong wool breeding.
She was well structured, long-bodied with terrific barrel and great carriage through her brisket to her rump, Mr Prell said.
It was a major win for the students and teachers at St Gregorys College as they only have a small stud. Nevertheless, it was just reward for their years of dedication.
The grand champion ewe had graduated through the one year and under two year class, which is an indication of the coming genetic depth in the small stud.
Ric Hoolihan, Glen Esk and Rose-lea Corriedale studs, Rydal, was awarded grand champion ram for his Glen Esk ram which had come through from the two years and over class.
The grand champion ram was sired by Longfield RR28, a top sire from New Zealand who been used in an artificial insemination (AI) program at Glen Esk Corriedales.
Prior to being purchased by Mr Hoolihan as part of the entire Glen Esk stud package, the promising sire had been judged junior champion at Campbelltown and Tasmania in 2015, and reserve champion at Campbelltown in 2016.
Mr Prell said the ram was really outstanding and well made for a big sheep with a good fleece.
Returning to the show ring after a long absence, Richard and Jane Carter, Billagaboo Corriedales, Narrandera, had immediate success exhibiting the reserve grand champion ram.
Mr Hoolihan started the show in top form when his Rose-lea-bred ram was judged first among the lineup of 11 in the junior ram class, ahead of the Thompson families Tymec Corriedales, Crookwell, with a Esk Bank-bred ram coming third.
The winner was really well structured, with a lot of muscle over his backend, which is where the expensive cuts are, Mr Prell said.
There were seven rams in the shorn ram lamb class, with David and Henry Thompson, Tymec Corriedales, Crookwell, judged first ahead of the Billigaboo entry with Rose-lea Corriedales in third place.
When commenting on his placings in the class, Mr Prell said the body length of the ram was fantastic.
In the woolly junior ewe class, David and Henry Thompson, were successful with Mr Prell noting the young ewe had a really nice structure, although she could be a bit longer.
The Badgally stud, bred by St Gregorys College, Campbelltown, showed the winning ewe in the shorn ewe under one year class.
Coming out with a ram and two ewes showing milk teeth only in the Peter Taylor group, Mr Prell chose the team from Tymec Corriedales to represent the breed for the interbreed Peter Taylor Memorial Perpetual Trophy.
Mr Prell said the Tymec-bred team was very even across the three sheep.
They were even in the wool and structure to be the clear winner, he said.
Mr Prell had last judged at the Sydney Royal 10 years ago and commented on the improvement in the breed he noted during that time.
The quality of the sheep here are a credit to the breeders, Mr Prell said.
