Badger Face Texel, the latest breed member of the Texel family, classes drew large crowds at this year’s Balmoral Show.

It is fast attracting attention within the sheep world.

Both pedigree and commercial flock owners are confirming the suitability of the breed within Irish sheep management systems.

The Badger Face Texel, or Dassenkop, is a medium-sized, well-muscled carcass breed.

Their novelty value centres on the dark wool colouring with cream accessories, such as eyebrows, chin marking and legs. The sheep are closely related to Blue Texels.

The Balmoral 2024 breed championship was won by Russell Millen from Coleraine, with a breeding ewe.

The reserve went to A & J Carson, from Strabane with an excellent ewe lamb.

Balmoral

The second day of Balmoral saw all of the individual sheep championships judged. The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) is confirming a record entry of sheep for this year’s event.

The results follow:

Beltex Champion: Joshua Keys, Clogher

Reserve: Elizabeth McAllister, Ballymena

Berrichon Champion: Ryan McLaren, Dromore, Co. Tyrone

Reserve: Ryan McLaren, Dromore, Co. Tyrone

Bleu du Maine Champion: Glen Baird, Co. Armagh

Reserve: Andrew Wilson, Moira  

Blue Texel Champion: Russell Millen, Coleraine

Reserve: Russell Millen, Coleraine

Border Leicester Champion: James Aiken, Co. Down

Reserve: Harold Dickey, Ballymena

Charollais  Champion: Richard Powell, Co. Armagh

Reserve: Diane Christie, Newtownards

Dutch Spotted Champion: Samantha Allen and A Shortt, Strabane

Reserve: Limestone Pedigree Breeding, Seaforde

Greyface Champion: D & N Hamill, south Co. Antrim

Reserve: D & N Hamill, south Co. Antrim

Hampshire Down  Champion: John Mercer, Dromore, Co. Down

Reserve: Stirling Manson, Castlederg

Jacob  Champion: James Maybin, Ballymena

Reserve: Alex Colhoun, Omagh

Kerry Hill Champion: S & F McAllister, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim

Reserve: S & F McAllister, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim

Lleyn  Champion: Andrew Kennedy, Ballyclare

Reserve: Jayne and Catherine Kennedy, Ballyclare

Mule Champion: Hugh Nenry, Broughshane, Co. Antrim

Reserve: Patrick Donnelly, Ballymena

North Country Cheviot  Champion: Alfred Robinson, Downpatrick

Reserve: Castleview Flock, Kilkeel

Minority Breed Champion: Lisa Dorman, Belfast

Reserve: Lisa Dorman, Belfast

Rouge de l’Oeust  Champion: James Houston, Randalstown

Reserve: Jayne Tannahill, Coleraine

Suffolk Champion: Mark Priestly, Downpatrick

Reserve: L & M Liggett, Drumquin, Co. Tyrone

Texel Champion: Mark Priestly, Downpatrick

Reserve: Sam McNeilly, Ballyclare

Valais Blacknose Champion: Hannah Morrison, Downpatrick

Reserve: Ryan and Emma Conway, Strabane

Zwartbles Champion: Arianna Bell, Comber, Co. Down

Reserve: Rachel Megarrell, Cullion, Co. Derry

All the inter-breed sheep championships will be judged on Day three of Balmoral Show. These comprise the individual, pairs and group-of-three competitions.