Final entries have now been confirmed for the 2025 Aberdeen Christmas Classic, set to take place at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, on Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th November.
Organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts in association with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association, and supported by main sponsor Rapid Project Development (RPD), the two-day premier event has attracted over 260 top-quality prime, commercial and pedigree stock from across the country.
This year’s event also marks a significant milestone for the Aberdeen Fatstock Association, with the appointment of its first female president, Sarah Balfour, Beef Consultant with SAC Consulting. To celebrate this milestone, Sarah has invited an all-female line-up of judges, marking another first in the event’s history.
The prime cattle section has attracted a total of 60 entries, with Louise and Anna Forsyth, W T Forsyth & Sons, 21-25 Eastgate, Peebles set to judge the Open Haltered Beef & Butchers cattle sections and Laura Black, Cooper Craft Butchers, 179 Main Street, Bellshill will judge the Open Unhaltered Beef cattle section.
In the Prime Sheep section, 55 pairs of lambs will be judged by Hannah Wood, Bowland Foods Ltd, Preston.
Aileen Ingram, East Comalegy, Drumblade is set to judge the Young Farmers categories with Jacqueline Strathdee, North Retannach, Rothiemay judging this year’s Rising Stars which has attracted 10 entries of top commercial bullocks and heifers.
In the Pedigree Female Sheep section, a total of 174 entries were received with John Barclay, Mid Brockloch, Maybole, Ayrshire judging 42 Suffolks, Harry Askwith, Low Mown Meadows Farm, Crook, County Durham will judge the Beltex and Blue Texel sections with 15 and 17 entries respectively. The Dutch Spotted section has attracted 36 entries and will be judged by Matthew Simpson Tardoes, Kilmarnock, the Any Other Breed section has a total of 9 entries and Kerr Jarvey, Wester Rottearns, Glenloaning is set to judge the Texels section which has 55 entries.
Overall Cattle Champion: Credit: Melissa Irvine Photography
Tim McDonald, ANM Prime and Cull Cattle Manager said: “We’re looking forward to another excellent Aberdeen Christmas Classic, which continues to attract high-quality prime, commercial, and pedigree stock from across the country.
"I would like to thank all our class sponsors for their continued support, and in particular to RPD for their valued contribution as the event’s main sponsor. We look forward to welcoming exhibitors, farmers, and visitors to Thainstone later this month.”
Programme of events:
Monday 25th November 2024
- 2.00pm Judging of Pedigree Female Sheep: Exchange
- 5.00pm Sale of Pedigree Female Sheep: Sale Ring No 3
- 5.30pm Judging of Young Farmers Prime Sheep: Exchange
- 5.45pm Judging of Young Farmers Unhaltered Prime Cattle, Young Farmers Haltered Prime Cattle and Rising Stars Calf Show: Exchange
Tuesday 26th November 2024
- 9.30am Judging of Open Unhaltered Cattle followed by Open and Butchers Haltered Prime Cattle: Exchange
- 9.30am Judging of Open and Butchers Prime Sheep: Sale Ring No 2
- 1.00pm Presentation of Prizes for Prime Cattle and Sheep: Sale Ring No 2
- Followed by Sale of Prime Cattle and Sheep Commencing with Cattle.
- Followed by Sale of Pedigree Heifers
- 7.00pm Young Farmers and Open Stock Judging Competition: Sale Ring No 2