Chiboos Sweeps Ile de France Honours at the 2026 Royal Show
Joachim Koekemoer and handler Edward Zukani with the Senior and Grand Champion Ile de France Ram, exhibited by Chiboo’s Ile de France Stud, at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show in Tweedie.
Chiboo’s Ile de France delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show, securing both Grand Champion titles and a clean sweep of the championship and reserve championship awards at the Ile de France Regional Show.
Held on Wednesday, 7 October, at the new Royal Showgrounds at Tweedie, the competition was judged by Mark Gietzmann and featured entries from Chiboos Ile de France, ES Ile de France and Vredesig Ile de France.
Chiboo’s Ile de France Stud herd manager Joachim Koekemoer and handler Edward Zukani with the stud’s Senior and Grand Champion Ile de France Ewe at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show.
A clean sweep for Chiboos
Zakariya Chiboo's Chiboos Ile de France stud emerged as the leading exhibitor, claiming Grand Champion Ram, Grand Champion Ewe and both Reserve Grand Champion awards.
The stud's success extended across the junior and senior divisions, where it also secured every champion and reserve champion title for both rams and ewes.
This performance was supported by consistent results throughout the individual age classes. Chiboos won all seven ram classes, covering animals aged six months through to 36 months and older, and six of the seven ewe classes.
In the junior ewe section, Chiboos claimed Champion with its winning 15–18-month ewe, while its first-placed 12–15-month ewe took Reserve Junior Champion.
The stud also won the class for a sire exhibited with two of his progeny, bringing its total to 14 first places across the 19 regular judging classes.
Chiboo’s Ile de France Stud’s Junior and Reserve Grand Champion Ram, pictured with herd manager Joachim Koekemoer and handler Edward Zukani at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show.
Herd manager Joachim Koekemoer and handler Edward Zukani proudly present Chiboo’s Ile de France Stud’s Junior and Reserve Grand Champion Ewe at the 2026 Royal Agricultural Show.
ES Ile de France excels in group classes
Ebrahim Sheik's ES Ile de France stud also recorded notable success, particularly in the group competitions.
ES won the class for three progeny of a dam, as well as both breeder group classes for three rams and three ewes.
The stud collected additional second and third placings in the progeny-of-sire group and several individual age classes, demonstrating the depth of its entries.
Vredesig claims important class wins
Johnny Forbes's Vredesig Ile de France stud secured two first places, winning the class for three progeny of a sire and the individual ewe class for animals aged 18–24 months.
Vredesig also featured among the placed entries in several other ewe classes, including the 15–18-month, 24–36-month and over-36-month divisions.
Recognising Ile de France breeding excellence
The Ile de France Regional Show formed part of the Royal's 2026 stud sheep programme, bringing breeders together to present their animals for assessment against breed standards.
Chiboos' sweep of the championship awards was the defining result of this year's competition, while the group-class achievements of ES Ile de France and individual successes of Vredesig added to the day's results.
The Royal Agricultural Society congratulates all three exhibitors on their achievements, and thanks judge Mark Gietzmann for his contribution to the 2026 Ile de France Regional Show. Our sincere thank also go to the Ile de France Society of South Africa, for assisting and facilitating this competition.
