Exhibit, entertain and educate
The 2025 Royal Show Champion Lamb was awarded to Mich Turner of Wanstead Dormers in Cedarville.
The 2025 Royal Fat Stock Show, held yesterday, was a great success, bringing together dedicated breeders and enthusiasts in a celebration of agricultural excellence.
“The Royal Agricultural Society extends its heartfelt gratitude to the loyal fat stock breeders who supported today’s event, many of whom journeyed great distances to showcase their finest livestock,” said the Society’s General Manager, Wayne Muller.
The unwavering commitment and passion of these breeders are the cornerstone of this cherished tradition.
The on-the-hoof judging was held at the Lions River Sale Yard, just a stone’s throw from our new home at Tweedie Hall outside Howick.
The Royal Fat Stock Show stayed true to the “Three E’s” once articulated by Dr Iona Stewart, past President of the Royal Agricultural Society from 2010-2012: to Exhibit, Entertain and Educate.
SAFJA Senior Judge Andrew Adams led the proceedings, assisted by Jonathan Tyler for the lamb judging and Andrew Unsworth for the beef. Their expertise and insightful commentary enriched the experience for all in attendance.
Dormers dominated the lamb section, with Mich Turner’s Wanstead Dormers from Cedarville putting in an outstanding performance. Wanstead claimed the awards for both the Royal Show Champion Lamb Group and Reserve Champion Lamb Group, as well as the prestigious 2025 Royal Show Champion Lamb.
The 2025 Royal Show Reserve Champion Lamb was awarded to Bruce Taylor from Underberg, for an Ile de France.
The 2025 Super Lamb was awarded to Christo Dorfling of Dorfling Dorpers, for a Dorper.
In the beef section, Duncan Watson of JOC Angus and Brangus dominated the majority of the categories, and was awarded Reserve Champion of the Yard for his Brangus.
The Royal Show 2025 Champion of the Yard was awarded to Dino Raciti of Esco Feeds for his Droughtmaster-type ox which Andrew Adams described as “truly a great specimen of what we’re looking for going forward … the most balanced animal on show, with impeccable conformation and ideal fat cover”.
The Royal Agricultural Society wishes to thank RPO KZN and AAM Cattle Agents and Auctioneers for their invaluable support in making this event a success.
Special thanks go to SAFJA senior judge Andrew Adams and assistant judges Jonathan Tyler and Andrew Unsworth for their professionalism and informative insights throughout the day, as well as to Livestock Secretary Julia Hackland and Sheep Secretary Emmie Barnard for their sterling organizational efforts.
The full results of the on-the-hoof judging are available below. The carcass judging results, overseen by Chris Ngeleza of SAMIC at Halaal Fresh Meats Abattoir in Thornville, will be announced later this week.
The Royal Fat Stock Show remains a proud showcase of agricultural heritage, community spirit, and forward-looking excellence. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for another memorable event.
LAMB RESULTS
Junior Group – Under 45kg
1. Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
2. ES Ile de France Stud – Ebrahim Sheik (Ile de France)
3. Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
Senior Group – 45–55kg
1. ES Ile de France Stud – Ebrahim Sheik (Ile de France)
2. Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
3. Hatari Farming – Marius Eksteen (Dormer)
Individual – Under 45kg
1. Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
2. Bruce Taylor (Ile de France)
3. Bruce Taylor (Ile de France)
Individual – 45–55kg
1. Hatari Farming – Marius Eksteen (Dormer)
2. Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
3. Hatari Farming – Marius Eksteen (Dormer)
Individual Super Lamb
1. Dorfling Dorpers – Christo Dorfling (Dorper)
2. Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
3. Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
Royal Show Champion Lamb Group
Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
Reserve Champion Lamb Group
Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
Royal Show Super Lamb 2025
Dorfling Dorpers – Christo Dorfling (Dorper)
Royal Show Reserve Champion Lamb 2025
Bruce Taylor (Ile de France)
Royal Show Champion Lamb 2025
Wanstead Dormers – Mich Turner (Dormer)
BEEF RESULTS
Under 470kg
1. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
2. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
3. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
Under 530kg
1. Dino Raciti – ESCO Feeds
2. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
3. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
Over 530kg (Super Ox)
1. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
2. Justin Fyvie
3. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
Best Group of 4 (Under 530kg)
1. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
2. Dino Raciti – ESCO Feeds
3. Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
Best Slaughter Cow (no weight restriction)
1. Justin Fyvie
2. Peter Thomas
3. Justin Fyvie
Royal Show Champion Animal on the Hoof 2025
Dino Raciti – ESCO Feeds
Royal Show Reserve Champion Animal on the Hoof 2025
Duncan Watson – JOC Angus and Brangus
