Blue Texel breeders turned out in strong force at the 2025 Royal Highland Show, showcasing exceptional quality across all classes under the expert eye of judge Issy Hartley, Pendle flock, Rouglee. With a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent in the ring, the competition was fierce, and the standard of sheep was described as “truly outstanding.”
Leading the way to the championship title was a superb shearling ewe from David and Clare Gray (1937). Feminine, correct, and full of presence, she stood out in a strong class of shearling ewes before going on to secure female championship and ultimately, the overall championship sash of the Blue Texel section.
Taking the reserve overall champion and male champion titles was a powerful shearling ram exhibited jointly by Stephanie Dick and R and J Graham (1870). He combined style, carcass, and excellent breed character, winning his class before impressing in the final lineup.
The reserve male champion went to a very correct and eye-catching ram lamb (1905) from A and K Rhind and son, who topped a highly competitive class, while the reserve female champion title was awarded to a well-balanced ewe lamb (1959) from Stephanie Dick, showing great promise for the future.
The Blue Texel section once again demonstrated the strength, depth, and dedication of breeders, and with young stock showing such promise, the future of the breed looks incredibly bright.
SHOW RESULTS
Aged ram
1st – 1862, Patrick Wilson
2nd – 1861, R and J Hamilton
Shearling ram
1st – 1870, Stephanie Dick and R and J Graham
2nd – 1864, A D Brisbane
3rd – 1869, Alexander Crombie
4th – 1877, Debby Munro
5th – 1871, Kate Flynn
6th – 1865, Ewan Burgess
Ram lamb
1st – 1905, A and K Rhind and son
2nd – 1890, Alexander Crombie
3rd – 1897, David and Clare Gray
4th – 1893, J and A Gargett
5th – 1896, R and J Graham
6th – 1888, Bimbister Partnership
Aged ewe
1st – 1920, Stuart Wood
2nd – 1916, David and Clare Gray
3rd – 1911, A D Brisbane
4th – 1914, Kate Flynn
5th – 1918, Laura Needham
6th – 1919, Colin Rae
Shearling ewe
1st – 1937, David and Clare Gray
2nd – 1943, Jennifer McKilligan
3rd – 1936, David and Clare Gray
4th – 1935, R and J Graham
5th – 1934, D and L Graham
6th – 1924, J and L Cousar
Ewe lamb
1st – 1959, Stephanie Dick
2nd – 1975, Mark Wattie
3rd – 1965, David and Clare Gray
4th – 1977, Stuart Wood
5th – 1973, A and K Rhind and son
6th – 1958, Alexander Crombie
Male champion
1870, Stephanie Dick and R and J Graham, shearling ram
Reserve male champion
1905, A and K Rhind and son, ram lamb
Female champion
1937, David and Clare Gray, shearling ewe
Reserve female champion
1959, Stephanie Dick, ewe lamb
Overall champion
1937, David and Clare Gray, shearling ewe
Reserve overall
1870, Stephanie Dick and R and J Graham, shearling ram
