There was great excitement in the Cox Pavilion during the 2019 Sydney Royal Show when an outstanding superfine ram was awarded the supreme exhibit.
The ram had previously had success at the 2019 Great Southern Supreme Merino show in Canberra followed by recognition as the supreme at Armidale show and sale where it was purchased by Rodney Kent, Kurrajong Park Merino stud, Delungra for $21,000.
The supreme Merino ewe, the grand champion fine wool was exhibited by the McLaren family, Nerstane Merino stud, Woolbrook.
Photos of champions from the Merino classes are in the gallery.
Merino success in the Cox Pavilion| Photos
Russell Jones, Darriwell, Trundle strong wool judge sashing champion August-shorn strong wool ram exhibited by Greg Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby
John Bensley parading the champion August-shorn strong wool ewe bred by Warick Kopp, Towalba, Peak Hill
Langdene, Dunedoo success in August-shorn fine wool rams: Gordon Cox with reserve, sashed by Broni Jekyll representing Royal Canberra Show and Ben Simmons with champion.
Garry Cox, Langdene, Dunedoo with champion fine/medium wool August-shorn ram, showgirl Sarah White, Merriwa, Nikki Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby with reserve champion fine/medium wool ram and showgirl Josie Anderson, Dubbo
Nikki Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby with reserve champion August-shorn medium wool ewe and James Barron, Adina, Jerangle with champion August-shorn medium wool ewe
Paddy Reid, Langdene, Dunedoo with reserve champion fine/medium wool August-shorn ewe sashed by Catriona Rowntree and Avalon McGrath, Hollow Mount, Bigga with champion August-shorn fine/medium wool ewe.
Mick Corkhill, Grassy Creek, Reids Flat with his champion March-shorn medium wool ram sashed by Catriona Rowntree and judge Russell Jones, Darriwell, Trundle.
Jim and Caroline Darmody, Wantana Hills, Boorowa with reserve and champion March-shorn medium wool ewes
David Zouch and Ken Wolf, Hollow Mount, Bigga with their champion March-shorn fine/medium wool ram sashed by RAS treasurer Grahame Sharpe with John Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby showing his reserve champion to judge Nigel Brumpton, Mt Ascot, Mitchell, Queensland
Richard Chalker, Lach River, Cowra with reserve champion March-shorn strong wool ewe sashed by Digby Merriman and John Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby with champion March-shorn strong wool ewe sashed by Pip Merriman, Merrignee, Boorowa.
Wal Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa, with champion March-shorn finewool ram, judge Andrew Rintoul, Tilba Tilba, Dongiemon, Western Australia and sashed by Colleen Cox, Langdene, Dunedoo
Mick Corkhill, Grassy Creek, Reids Flat with grand champion medium wool ram sashed by sponsor Michelle Humphries, Livestock Breeding Services, Jerilderie
Kim Henderson, Grogansworth, Bowning sashing the champion fine/medium wool March-shorn ewe paraded by Jack McLaren, Nerstane, Woolbrook.
Jim Darmody, Wantana Hills, Boorowa with grand champion medium wool ewe, Alex and Russell Jones, Darriwell, Trundle and reserve grand champion medium wool ewe shown by James Barron, Adina, Bungarby
Ken Wolf and David Zouch, Hollow Mount, Bigga with grand chmapion strong wool ram sashed by Flick Brumpton, Mt Ascot Merinos, Mitchell and held by Avalon McGrath, Bigga
John Alcock, Greenland, Bungarby, with his grand champion strong wool ewe
Nigel Brumpton, Mt Ascot, Mitchell, Qld, judge fine/medium wool feature breed sashing grand champion fine/medium wool ram exhibited by Garry Cox, Nerstane, Dunedoo
Wal Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa with his grand champion fine wool ram
Fine/medium wool judge Nigel Brumpton, Mt Ascot, Mitchell, Qld, Greg Andrews, RAS sheep section chairman with grand champion fine/medium wool ewe paraded by Jack McLaren, Nerstane, Woolbrook
Fine wool judge, Andrew Rintoul, Tilba Tilba, Dongiemon, WA with the grand champion fine wool ewe sashed by David Davidson, RAS Councillor and exhibited by Jock McLaren, Nerstane, Woolbrook.
Charlie Coddington, Roseville Park, Dubbo sashing the junior champion August-shorn ram exhibited by Garry Cox, Langdene, Dunedoo
Angus Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa sashing the junior champion August-shorn ewe paraded by Ben Simmons, Langdene, Dunedoo
Charlie Merriman, Merrignee sashing the champion August-shorn Merino or Poll Merino ewe exhibited by James Barron, Adina, Jerangle
Yvette McKenzie, RAS steward-in-chief sheep section sashing the junior champion March-shorn ewe exhibited by Andrew Rayner, Grathlyn, Hargreaves. Photo: Rachael Webb
The wool on the supreme exhibit bred by Demondrille Merinos, Harden. Photo: Rachael Webb
Supreme Merino ewe: judge Andrew Rintoul, Tilba Tilba, Dongiemon, WA, NSW Stud Merino Breeders Association EO Megan Giannini sashing the Nerstane-bred ewe with Hamish, John and Jock McLaren. Photo: Rachael Webb
Grand champion superfine wool ram exhibited by Andrew Davis, Demondrille, Harden and sashed by Tina Merriman, Merryville, Boorowa watched by judge Jono Merriman, Merrignee, Boorowa. Photo: Olivia Calver
Judge Jono Merriman, Merrignee, Boorowa sashing the chmapion superfine August-shorn ram from Grathlyn exhibited by Andrew Rayner. Photo: Olivia Calver
Superfine judge Jono Merriman, Merrignee, Boorowa watching Alison van Eyck, Shalimar Park, Wollun sash the champion superfine August-shorn ewe exhibited by Pete Lette, Conrayn, Berridale. Photo: Olivia Calver
Andrew Davis, Demondrille, Harden with Rodney Kent, chief steward sheep section sashing the champion superfine March-shorn ram
The ultrafine champion March-shorn ewe from Grathlyn, Hargreaves. Photo: Olivia Calver
Grand champion ultrafine ewe from Grathlyn. Photo: Olivia Calver
Grand champion ultrafine ram from Conrayn, Berridale - Andrew Rayner, Jane Lette, Danny Picker and Pete Lette. Photo: Olivia Claver
Merino judges were:
Nigel Brumpton, Mt Ascot, Mitchell, Qld - fine/medium wool (feature breed)
Russell Jones, Darriwell, Trundle - medium and strong wool
Andrew Rintoul, Tilba Tilba, Dongiemon, WA - finewool
Jono Merriman, Merrignee, Boorowa - superfine wool
James Rayner, Pomanara, Sallys Flat - ultrafine wool
