Toberhill Lucky triumphs as top Beltex honours decided in Ballymena

ChampionToberhill Lucky

Tuesday 06 October 2026

Toberhill Lucky lived up to her name as Cathaoir O’Connor secured the overall championship at the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s Ballymena Show and Sale for the second year running.

The shearling ewe from O’Connor’s Toberhill Flock, Cookstown, was named Female Champion and Overall Champion by judge Joshua Keys of the Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown, before selling to the judge for 1,000gns.

Sired by Glenview Jackpot and out of Derryogue Grace, Toberhill Lucky was presented as Lot 26 at the sale on Monday, 14 September. O’Connor’s second entry, Toberhill Leah, sold to Lee Bowden, Stewartstown, for 500gns.

Reserve honours for Lagyveagh Leyland

Reserve Champion Lagyveagh Leyland

Reserve Female Champion Pointhouse Lavish

Reserve Male Champion Tamnabrady Lionheart

The Reserve Overall Champion and Male Champion title went to Hugh and Eddie O’Neill of Glenarm with Lagyveagh Leyland.

The first-place shearling ram, sired by Glenpark Jaegerbomb and out of Glenpark Flutter, was Lot 15 and also sold to judge Joshua Keys for 750gns.

Michael and Kile Diamond secured the Reserve Female Champion title with Pointhouse Lavish, which also placed second in the shearling ewe class.

Sired by Hillview Knight Rider and out of Pointhouse Hannah, Lot 29 sold to Lee Bowden for 600gns. The father-and-son team also sold Lot 30 to Bowden for 500gns, while their shearling ram Pointhouse Lothario, Lot 3, made 750gns to Thomas Scott, Swatragh.

Tamnabrady success for Christopher McCrea

Champion Line-up

Christopher McCrea of Strabane took the Reserve Male Champion title with Lot 6, Tamnabrady Lionheart.

Second in the shearling ram class, the Glenpark Jaegerbomb son, out of Lagyveagh Jackie, sold to Robert Hanna of Cullybackey for 650gns.

McCrea also enjoyed a successful showing in the ram lamb class, taking both first and second places with Lots 23 and 24.

Glenview Keystone tops the sale at 1,150gns

While Toberhill Lucky claimed the championship, the day’s highest price went to Sean Daly of Gortin with first-place aged ram Glenview Keystone.

Lot 2, sired by Ardstewart Galileo and out of Glenview Fanta, sold for 1,150gns to E Hamilton of Cushendun.

Stuart Graham achieved the highest price for a shearling ram, with Lot 17, Riverview Ljungberg, selling for 850gns to Lee Bowden.

Ballymena Show and Sale results

Judge Joshua Keys

Judge: Joshua Keys, Bolies Flock, Fivemiletown

Aged Ram

• 1st — Lot 2, Sean Daly

• 2nd — Lot 1, Ruth Smyth

Shearling Ram

• 1st — Lot 15, Hugh & Eddie O’Neill

• 2nd — Lot 6, Christopher McCrea

• 3rd — Lot 17, Stuart Graham

• 4th — Lot 22, Edward & Shirlee Nicholson

Ram Lambs

• 1st — Lot 23, Christopher McCrea

• 2nd — Lot 24, Christopher McCrea

Shearling Ewes

• 1st — Lot 26, Cathaoir O’Connor

• 2nd — Lot 29, Michael & Kile Diamond

• 3rd — Lot 27, Stuart Graham

• 4th — Lot 30, Michael & Kile Diamond

Male Champion — Lot 15, Hugh & Eddie O’Neill

Reserve Male Champion — Lot 6, Christopher McCrea

Female Champion — Lot 26, Cathaoir O’Connor

Reserve Female Champion — Lot 29, Michael & Kile Diamond

Overall Champion — Lot 26, Toberhill Lucky, Cathaoir O’Connor

Reserve Overall Champion — Lot 15, Hugh & Eddie O’Neill

Beltex breeders return to Ballymena in December

The Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club will return to Ballymena Livestock Mart for its next event, the In-Lamb Show and Sale, on Saturday, 19 December 2026. Updates are also available through the Club’s Facebook page.