Sydney Royal 2021: Illawarra females compete for top honours

Wilgo Empire Ruth was named champion senior Illawarra female, and in doing so took home the Henry Chittick Memorial.

Sired by Llandovery Jinnys Empire and from dam View Mount Ruth, she was bred at Wilga Stud, Cobargo, by Aaron and Emma Salway.

"This win feels very good," Mrs Salway said.

"I exhibited her mother here probably 12 years ago as a heifer, and this is the first time we have been back at Sydney Show since then.

"We only brought the one red cow so it's very exciting."

Judge Brooke Evans from Glenrowan, Victoria described Wilgo Empire Ruth as a lovely cow.

"She has been milking for 10 months and she's still showing lovely breed character, ability to milk, bloom in the udder, angularity and dairyness through the body, which proves she is a lovely dairy cow," she said.

Codas Maxima Sarah took out champion intermediate Illawarra female, securing the Alex Maclean Memorial trophy.

Sired by Silverleigh Maxima and from dam Sherrington Boy Sarah, she is owned by Charles Lucas of Cobargo.

Ellwater Shamrock 16, owned by the Downes family of Ellwater Stud, Canowindra, was named champion junior Illawarra female.

She is sired by Gorbro BT Sunstorm Supreme and from dam Ellwater Shamrock 7.

Reserve champion was won by Ellwater Shamrock 14, sired by Lemon Grove Bygold and from dam Ellwater Shamrock 9.

"It was a beautiful class of Illawarras here, there's not many but they were very worthy," Mrs Evans said.

"The junior champion was a lovely example of the breed, she showed very good breed character, nice dairyness, openness through the rib and rump, correct on her feet and legs and balanced.

"It was her balance through the shoulder and into the topline that put her over the heifer in reserve."

Champion senior Illawarra female - Wilgo Empire Ruth

Champion intermediate Illawarra female - Codas Maxima Sarah

Champion junior Illawarra female - Ellwater Shamrock 16