A French-born Charolais cow with a full set of horns won her breed championship at Omagh Show 2026.

And she caught the eye of many people standing around the show ring in doing so.

The calved heifer subsequently entered the ring with calf at foot to make a real impression in the north Co. Tyrone event’s inter-breed beef class.

She lost out on the day to the Crawford Brothers’ mightily impressive Limousin cow and calf combination: but still put up a strong performance.

The animal in question was shown by well-known Co. Fermanagh beef breeder, Ken Veitch.

He told Agriland: “I bought her privately as in-calf heifer from Tipperary breeder Martin Ryan.

“He had previously imported her from France. I was very aware of the heifer’s arrival in Ireland. And I was invited down to have a look at her.

The import gave birth to a heifer calf back In February and she is now back in calf to the elite bull Roulie.

“Getting her up to Fermanagh from Tipperary was a straightforward process," Veitch said.

“It was simply a case of following the standard testing procedures.”

The breeder explained that it is the tradition in France to keep the horns on Charolais cattle.

“I thought of taking them off her, once she arrived with me,” Veitch said.

“But I then thought better of it. The horns are not dangerous. But I had to widen the feeding spaces in the cattle shed so as to allow her to get access to the silage and meals that she is offered.

“The plan is to breed from her over the coming years.

Ken Veitch is one of the growing number of pedigree beef breeders finding success by showing young cows with calves at foot.

It was a point brought up by Andrew Kay, from Straiton in Ayrshire, Scotland who judged the beef classes at Omagh Show 2026.

He commented: “The genetics and management of pedigree beef cattle is improving all the time.

“Young cows can be turned out for the show ruing in immaculate condition.

"And the fact that they have a calf at foot clearly confirms their breeding potential.”