The Shorthorn breed was the only one to feature in the first Perth Bull Sales 150 years ago, so it was only right that it should have been the subject of a little special attention this year, with breed society patron the Princess Royal at the Stirling ringside to see the champions being placed.
The judge was soon-to-retire NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller.
A commercial breeder with home-bred Aberdeen-Angus cross Shorthorn cows, he said after his stint that the show of bulls had been “tremendous, with some really good classes”.
His overall and intermediate champion was 21-month-old roan bull Lowther Gervase from Charles Lowther, Lowther Estate, Penrith.
This one is the first bull to be marketed in the UK by the North American bred sire LS Eagle.
The senior champion and reserve overall came from long-time breed enthusiast Harry Horrell, Pode Hole, Peterborough.
His red and white Podehole Gladiator is by Chapelton Clansman, a 10,000gns reserve champion at Stirling, and his dam is Chapelton Promoter daughter Podehole Gypsy Delore.
Gladiator was a fourth-prize winner at last year’s Royal Highland.
The junior champion came from Major John Gibb and daughter Catriona’s Glenisla herd. This was the 21-month-old roan Glenisla Gauntlet by the home-bred Glenisla Arctic Storm and out of the prolific Glenisla Eva Broadhooks dam line.
Shorthorn champions
Senior and reserve overall: Harry Horrell, Pode Hole, Peterborough, with Podehole Gladiator by Chapelton Clansman.
Senior reserve: Balgay Farms, Inchture, with Balgay Gypsy King by Chapelton Braveheart.
Intermediate and overall champion: Charles Lowther, Lowther Estate, Penrith, with Lowther Gervase by LS Eagle.
Intermediate reserve: the Hon Gerald Turton, the Grange, Thirsk, with Glacier of Upsall by Dingo of Upsall.
Junior: Major JPO Gibb, Glenisla House, Blairgowrie, with Glenisla Gauntlet by Glenisla Arctic Storm.
Junior reserve: Charles Lowther with Lowther Geronimo, by LS Arctic.
Female: Jack Ramsay, Millerston, Maybole, with Millerston Augusta Glint by Millerston Cyclone.
Reserve female: Thomson, Roddick & Lawrie, Newlands, Lockerbie, with Shawhill Foxglove Grace by Chapelton Diplomat.