Royal Welsh preview: Tough job to pick top sheep

Top Texel breeder John Forsyth has, perhaps, the toughest judging job at the show when he selects the sheep Champion of Champions.

He has judged his own breed at Builth in the past, and has vast experience of judging Texel and interbreed competitions at almost all the UK’s big shows.

“But I guess this time I will be presented with some breeds I have never seen before,” Mr Forsyth admits.

He also acknowledges that he will be under the scrutiny of a big crowd of knowledgeable ringsiders, including many of the people who selected the 44 individual breed champions. “It will not be easy, and all I can promise is that I will do my best to pick a winner that best represents its breed.”

Mr Forsyth, whose 120 ewe Glenside flock at Maybole in Ayrshire has produced some superb breeding stock, selling for up to 36,000gns, will also find time to cast his expert eye over cattle entries.

His family produce milk and finish bought-in cattle on their two units and he knows from previous visits that high quality dairy and beef cattle will parade at the show.