ENGLISH WINTER FAIR - DAY ONE
Beef Ribs Champion - EW Coates & Michael Wynne
Beef Ribs Reserve - M & HD Currie
Lamble Saddle Champion - Perry’s of Eccleshall
Lamb Saddle Reserve - Perry’s of Eccleshall
On the first day of the 175th Anniversary English Winter, held at Staffordshire Showground on Saturday 15th November 2025, a bumper entry for the Smithfield Ribs and Saddles competitions thronged the Carcase Hall.
Beef Ribs
Thought to be a record entry - 17 each of both Beef Ribs and Lamb Saddles - it was judge Ashley Coles of NJ & ET Coles Butchers, Armitage, Rugeley who presided over the packed classes. Commenting, the judge said that he was impressed by the very high overall entry standard throughout.
Saddles Line-up
Supreme Beef Rib Champion, and taking home the Royal Smithfield Perpetual Trophy, was EW Coates & Michael Wynne with their Limousin-cross heifer grading -U3 with a carcase weight of 344kg. This exhibit had previously won the heifer class. Overall Reserve Chamion was the Steer Champion from M & HD Currie with a pedigree Aberdeen Angus bullock grading R3. “Both were exceptional pieces of beef with a lovely covering of fat on each - both would eat exceptionally well,” said the judge.
L-R Ashley Coles (Judge), Richard Saunders (Secretary, Royal Smithfield Club), Anthony Key (Chairman, Staffordshire Agricultural Society)
Taking home the Smithfield Perpetual Trophy for Champion Saddle of Lamb was Perry’s of Eccleshall with their Beltex-cross. Doubling up with a same-way-bred entry, Perry’s of Eccleshall also stood Reserve Overall.
RESULTS
Steer Ribs
M & HD Currie Pedigree - Aberdeen Angus Grade R3 & Reserve Overall Champion
Perry’s of Eccleshall - Luing
M & HD Currie - Pedigree Aberdeen Angus Grade R3
Heifer Ribs
EW Coates & Michael Wynne - Limousin-cross Grade -U3 Carcase Weight 344kg & Supreme Overall Champion
M & HD Currie - Pedigree Aberdeen Angus
Perry’s of Eccleshall - Limousin-cross Grade U3
Saddles
Perry’s of Eccleshall - Beltex-cross & Supreme Champion
Perry’s of Eccleshall - Beltex-cross & Reserve Overall Champion
Maycock & Hadfield - Carcase Weight 22kg
Full report to follow…..