Aged ewe Derg Gracie was victorious in the Blue Texels NI National Show, held at Omagh Show, on Saturday 5th July 2025. The champion, from Samantha Allen and Allen Shortt’s Derg Flock, impressed judge Oliver Watson, winning her class and taking female champion before being the top pick. She is a daughter of the 12k Hackney Classy and sired by Sunnybank Exchange Rate. Gracie has proven winning bloodlines as she bred Derg Jack in the Box, champion at the Blue Texel Export Show and Sale in Dungannon last August, who sold for 3500gns.
Not only did Allen and Shortt retain their National Show Championship title from last year, but they also picked up reserve champion too with Derg Klassy, a daughter of the 10k Matts Jupiter. The show’s winning ewe lamb and reserve female champion is out of the highly successful Derg Enigma which has bred progeny selling to 11,000gns, while the lamb’s full sister sold in the April sale for 3800gns. She has had a successful showing season so far winning Blue Texel reserve champion at this year’s Balmoral Show. The Castlederg breeders also won the group of three and secured second and third in the shearling ewe class. The success didn’t end there with Derg’s champion going on to win the sheep interbreed title and their reserve champion going to win the ewe lamb interbreed.
Aly Shortt claimed both male champion and reserve male champion with his first and second placed ram lambs. The male champion, Woodview Kingsman ET, is homebred out of Woodview Honey and sired by 20,000gns Beili Blues Hulk. Kingsman is a full ET brother to the reserve male champion, Woodview Knockout. Both lambs will be available to purchase, with proven showing credentials, at upcoming Society sales.
The Woodview Flock from Omagh also secured first place in the shearling ewe class with Woodview Jazzy. Another of Beili Blues Hulk’s progeny, out of Eastbury Class Act, she has had a fantastic showing career as a lamb which has carried on as a shearling. Jazzy will also be available to purchase at upcoming Society sales. Woodview Kiara, another full sibling to the ram lambs, came second in the ewe lamb class and the flock placed second in the group of three.
Other notable achievements included Richard Short winning the ram, one year old and older class and coming third in the group of three. As well as William Bradley, Drumenagh Blue Texels, taking second in the aged ewe class, and third and fourth in the ewe lamb class.
Speaking on the National Show, judge Oliver Watson commented, “The standard of sheep was exceptional. My champion stood out from the minute she walked into the ring and it was a pleasure seeing her go on and win the sheep interbreed in an unreal line up. Thank you very much to the Blue Texels NI Club for asking me to judge. It was a privilege.” The Blue Texels NI Club would like to extend their gratitude to Omagh Show for their hosting and hospitality, which helped make the show such a success.
The next Blue Texels NI event is their Society Export Show and Sale, being held at Ballymena Mart on Friday, 25th July 2025. Keep an eye on the Blue Texels NI Facebook page for more information.
Blue Texels NI National Show results 2025
Judge Oliver Watson
Ram, one year old and over – 1st Richard Short, 2nd Derrick McFarland
Ram lamb – 1st Alastair Shortt, 2nd Alastair Shortt, 3rd William Bradley, 4th Richard Short
Aged ewe, having reared lambs in 2025 – 1st S.Allen and A.Shortt, 2nd William Bradley, 3rd Derrick McFarland, 4thRichard Short
Shearling ewe – 1st Alastair Shortt, 2nd S.Allen and A.Shortt, 3rd S.Allen and A.Shortt, 4th Liam Lynn
Ewe lamb – 1st S.Allen and A.Shortt, 2nd Alastair Shortt, 3rd William Bradley, 4th William Bradley
Group of three – 1st S.Allen and A.Shortt, 2nd Alastair Shortt, 3rd Richard Short
Male champion – Alastair Shortt, Ram lamb
Reserve male champion – Alastair Shortt, Ram lamb
Female champion – S.Allen and A.Shortt, Ewe
Reserve female champion – S.Allen and A.Shortt, Ewe lamb
Overall champion – S.Allen and A.Shortt, Ewe, Derg Gracie
Reserve champion – S.Allen and A.Shortt, Ewe lamb, Derg Klassy
