Forging Champions: The Unsung Genetic Giants Behind Tullamore’s Greatest Winners 2026

August 12, 2026

Forging Champions: The Unsung Genetic Giants Behind Tullamore’s Greatest Winners 2026

When the rosettes are pinned and the champion sashes awarded at the Tullamore Show, the applause naturally belongs to the breeders and their animals. Yet, beneath every flawless topline, explosive muscle development, and calm show-ring demeanour lies an invisible force: world-class genetics.

A closer look at this year's results reveals a large number of Dovea Genetics elite sires that quietly powered majority of the day's top triumphs.

Belgian Blue

In the Belgian Blue ring, the young handlers started the day with Saoirse O’Doherty taking 1st prize in the Young Handler under 12 years on Show Day class & Darragh O’Doherty taking 1st prize in the Young Handler between 12 and 16 years on Show Day class with their Boherard Overdose (BB8337) sired heifer calf, Lily.

Darragh O’Doherty with his Boherard Overdose (BB8337) sired heifer calf / A Moore Media

Belgian Blue Junior Bull Born on/between 01.09.2024 and 31.08.2025 was awarded to Neil Blennerhassett with his Immense d’Yvoir (S1216) son, Culleeneybeg Thomas.

Neil Blennerhassett with his Immense d’Yvoir (S1216) son / A Moore Media

The ever-impressive Rabeaux Beaudoin, dam of Boherard Rambo (BB1413) & Boherard Snoop Dogg (BB2717) continued her winning ways, winning 1st prize in the Belgian Blue Female Born on/before 31.08.2024 with/without her own calf at foot class.

Dave Pearson with Rabeaux Beaudoin / A Moore Media

Billy Dunne’s Tattoo VD Sysloberg (BB6703) sired heifer, Errill Super Spark had an incredible day, firstly taking 1st prize in the Irish Belgian Blue Breeding Heifer Born on/between 01.09.2024 and 31.08.2025.

Overall Female Champion was also awarded to Billy Dunne’s Tattoo VD Sysloberg (BB6703) sired heifer before she was eventually awarded Supreme Overall Belgian Blue Champion.

Billy Dunne with the Overall Belgian Blue Champion sired by Tattoo VD Sysloberg (BB6703) / A Moore Media

Commercials

Standing in 1st place in the Best Belgian Blue X Calf Male class was Clive Stevenson with his Moderato De l’Empereur (BB6700) sired bull calf.

Clive Stevenson's Moderato De l’Empereur (BB6700) sired bull calf / Chloe Goggins Photography

David Hegarty took home 1st prize in the Best Charolais X Calf Male with his Lanzac (LNZ) sired bull calf.

David Hegarty's Lanzac (LNZ) sired bull calf / Chloe Goggins Photography

David Wharton’s Fury Action (S605) sired heifer calf took home 1st prize in the Best Charolais x Calf Female class.

David Wharton's Fury Action (S605) sired heifer calf / Chloe Goggins Photography

Tadhg Hannon was awarded 1st prize in the FBD National Livestock Show Young Stockperson of the Year 2026 (12 to 16 Years) with his Tanker De Martinpre (BB1096) sired heifer calf.

Tadhg Hannon with his Tanker De Martinpre (BB1096) sired heifer calf / Chloe Goggins Photography

Winning the Best calf weighing up to 270kg class was Derrick Forde with his Milbrook Dartangan (MBP) sired heifer calf.

Derrick Forde with his Milbrook Dartangan (MBP) sired heifer calf / Chloe Goggins Photography

1st prize in the Best Bullock with 2 or more Permanent Teeth was awarded to Jason Teague with his Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired bullock.

Jason Teague's Claddagh McCabe (lm6529) sired bullock / Chloe Goggins Photography

Winning this year’s Moyvalley Meats €2500 Factory Bullock Championship was Oliver & Jason Stanley with their Boherard Overdose (BB8337) sired bullock.

Jason & Oliver Stanley's Boherard Overdose (BB8337) sired bullock / Chloe Goggins Photography

Taking home 1st prize in the Best Heifer with no Permanent Teeth class was the Stevenson family’s James Bond VD Jorchrishoeve (BB4396) sired heifer.

The Stevenson family with their James Bond VD Jorchrishoeve (BB4396) sired heifer / Chloe Goggins Photography

Finally, to end the day on a high note, the Stevenson family’s James Bond VD Jorchrishoeve (BB4396) sired heifer was awarded Reserve Overall Senior Commercial Champion.

The Stevenson family with their Reserve Overall Senior Commercial Champion by James Bond (BB4396) / Swarber Photography

Limousin

The day started off with Michael Wycherly being awarded the Limousin Senior Young Handler with his Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired bull calf.

Michael Wycherly with his Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired bull calf / Agri Images

Next up was the National Pedigree Registered Limousin Bull born on/between 01.09.2025 & 31/10/2025 which saw Michael Hester’s Drumline S 1185 (LM9577) son, Meelickaduff Agri Spec take the 2nd place rosette in one of the biggest classes of the day.

Michael Hester's Drumline S 1185 (LM9577) sired bull / Agri Images

Taking 2nd prize in the National Livestock Show Pedigree Registered Limousin ET Bull Born in 2026 was Adrian McCabe with his Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired bull calf Claddagh Bullseye Et.

Adrian McCabe's Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired bull calf

1st prize in the National Livestock Show Pedigree Registered Limousin non-ET Bull Born in 2026 was Barryroe Brilliant, another Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) son from James Wycherly.

James Wycherly's Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired bull calf / Agri Images

Over in the female section, Michael Walsh began the day with a 2nd prize in the National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/between 01.07.2024 and 31.12.2024 with his Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) daughter, Boyanagh Velvet

Michael Walsh's Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired heifer / Chloe Goggins Photography

Taking 1st prize in the National Pedigree Registered Limousin Heifer Born on/between 01.01.2025 and 31.03.2025 was Gerard Davis with Castlebrock Aintree ET, another Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired heifer

Gerard Davis' Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) sired heifer / Agri Images

The National Livestock Show Limousin Heifer Born on/between 01.11.2025 and 31.12.2025 class saw Kieran Noonan take 2nd prize with his Brontemoor Salering (LM9655) daughter, Dromanig Angel

Kieran Noonan's Brontemoor Salering (LM9655) daughter

Michael Hester's twin Drumline S 1185 (LM9577) sired bulls / Agri Images

Charolais

The Charolais section saw numerous Dovea Genetics progeny stand top of the line throughout the day.

In the Bull born on/after 1st March 2026, Willie Flynn’s Tullyvillage Shane (CH8535) sired bull calf, Tullyvillage Blane was awarded 2nd prize.

Willie Flynn’s Tullyvillage Shane (CH8535) sired bull calf

Over in the female section, Brian & Paudge Maguire’s Pottlereagh Mark (CH4160) sired heifer, Cleavy A1 took home 1st prize in the Heifer born from 1 st October 2025 to 31st October 2025.

Brian & Paudge Maguire’s Pottlereagh Mark (CH4160) sired heifer / Agri Images

James & Noel McSweeney also had a successful day, with their Fury Action (S605) sired heifer, Rovanagh Astrid Pearl winning the Heifer born 1 st November 2025 to 30th November 2025.

James & Noel McSweeney's Fury Action (S605) sired heifer / Agri Images

Angus

The Angus section saw some incredible performances from Dovea Genetics progeny.

John Barlow’s Keirsbeath Karma (AA4648) son, Quignalegan Albert was tapped out as 1st prize in the Angus Intermediate Bull Born on/between 01.09.2023 and 31.08.2024.

John Barlow’s Keirsbeath Karma (AA4648) son

Barlow’s superb Keirsbeath Karma (AA4638) son then teamed up with his stablemate to take 2nd in the pairs section.

The Angus bull calf born in 2026 class saw Kenneth Bailey’s Carrowboy Vegas (AA1506) sired bull calf, Lismurtagh Chief tapped out as first prize.

Not stopping there, the Baileys’ Carrowboy Vegas (AA1506) bull calf then went on to take the Reserve Overall Angus Male Champion of the show! An incredible achievement for a calf, just 6 months old!

Kenneth Bailey’s Carrowboy Vegas (AA1506) sired bull calf

Saler

Catherine Minogue’s Montesqieu (SA6253) sired heifer, Coolagoree Cosette began the day by being tapped out 1st prize in the Pedigree Salers Senior Heifer Born on/after 01.08.23 and before 01.08.2024.

Catherine Minogue's Overall Saler Champion sired by Montesqieu (SA6253) / Swarber Photography

John Burke’s Montesqieu (SA6253) sired heifers, Manusmore Diamond & Dynasty were awarded 1st prize in the Pair of Saler Animals class and were also awarded 2nd & 3rd place in the Pedigree Salers Junior Heifer Born on/after 01.08.2024 and before 01.08.2025.

John Burke's Montesqieu (SA6253) sired heifers / Bo Davidson

Catherine Minogue’s Montesqieu (SA6253) sired heifer, Coolagoree Cosette then went on to be awarded Supreme Overall Saler Champion of the Show.

Catherine Minogue's Overall Saler Champion sired by Montesqieu (SA6253)

Blonde

1st prize in the Pedigree Blonde d'Aquitaine Senior Heifer - Heifer born before 30th June 2025 class was awarded to Diarmuid Finnan with his Glacon (BA4661) sired heifer, Lattin Tori.

Diarmuid Finnan's Glacon (BA4661) sired heifer

Shorthorn

Success continued again in the Shorthorn ring when Brien Williams’ Creaga Dice (CZB) sired first calver and her Castlefin Hotshot (P) (SH6424) sired heifer calf were awarded the All-Ireland Registered First-Calf Female Champion.

Brien Williams’ Creaga Dice (CZB) sired first calver and her Castlefin Hotshot (P) (SH6424) sired heifer calf / Swarber Photography

Dan McKeon had a successful outing with his cow & calf team, Moygara Cindy & Moygara Top Man, sired by Driney Nice Guy (P) (SH2555). They were awarded 1st prize in the All-Ireland Registered Pedigree Shorthorn Beef Cow and Calf before being tapped out as Reserve Overall Shorthorn Champion of the Show.

Dan McKeon's cow & calf team sired by Driney Nice Guy (P) (SH2555) / Swarber Photography

Dan McKeon was also awarded 2nd prize in the Registered Pedigree Shorthorn Beef Heifer/Bull Calf Born on/after 01.04.2026 with his Driney Nice Guy (P) (SH2555) sired bull calf, Moygara Top Man.

Dan McKeon's Driney Nice Guy (P) (SH2555) sired bull calf

Parthenaise

In the Parthenaise ring, Anthony Scally’s Obama (PT8481) sired bull calf, Aylesbury Aidan was awarded 1st prize in the Pedigree Parthenaise Bull Calf Born on/between 01.08.2025 and 31.12.2025.

Congratulations to all the exhibitors, breeders, and young handlers whose hard work and dedication made this year’s Tullamore Show an extraordinary success.

Behind every red rosette and championship sash was a commitment to top-tier breeding, with Dovea Genetics' elite sire range taking centre stage across the commercial & pedigree rings. From the sheer muscularity of Boherard Overdose (BB8337) and Moderato de l’Empereur (BB6700) calves to the consistent style and power of Claddagh McCabe (LM6529) progeny, this year’s results demonstrated the real-world impact of selecting industry-leading AI genetics.

Bringing stock to peak show condition demands months of early mornings, meticulous management, and sharp visual selection. Every breeder who paired elite Dovea sires with their premier females proved that Irish livestock production remains at the absolute cutting edge of global genetics.

Whether taking home supreme silverware or standing high in massive, highly competitive classes, all exhibitors deserve immense credit for setting the benchmark in livestock quality. Here’s to celebrating this year's champions—and to the next generation of show-ring stars already in the making.

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