Date: Monday 20th July 2026

Judge: Andrew Reed, Beaconhill Flock

The 2026 Royal Welsh Show will be remembered for a long time for the Suffolk Sheep breed. Suffolk breeders not only secured the Overall Interbreed Sheep Champion, but also the Overall Interbreed Ewe Lamb Champion, making it an unforgettable week for the members and the breed.

Read on for the full report from a remarkable Royal Welsh Show.

Royal Welsh 2026 Overall Champion and Reserve

The Royal Welsh Show 2026 took place at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, from 20–24 July 2026.

As tradition dictates, the Suffolk judging took place on the opening day at around midday, depending on the progress of the preceding classes. Such has been the resurgence of the Suffolk breed in Wales that there was a waiting list for pens, with 14 prospective exhibitors unable to secure a place. Unfortunately, this meant several members missed the opportunity to use the show as a shop window for their Suffolk sheep.

Those fortunate enough to exhibit enjoyed almost perfect showing conditions, with dry ground underfoot and comfortable temperatures throughout the day.

Andrew Reed of the Beaconhill Flock, Blackborough near Cullompton, Devon, crossed the Welsh border to officiate as this year’s Suffolk judge.

With more than 25 years of Suffolk breeding experience, Andrew brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the judging ring.

Andrew Reed (Beaconhill Flock) judging the Suffolk classes at the Royal Welsh Show 2026.

Groes Flock Claims Royal Welsh Suffolk Champion

The Shearling Ewe class was to the fore with quality stock, with both the Champion and Reserve Champion emerging from this outstanding class.

The Overall Suffolk Champion was exhibited by Arnie Oare, Groes Flock, continuing the flock’s growing reputation within the breed.

After winning her class, the shearling ewe went on to claim Female Champion before being tapped out as the Overall Suffolk Champion.

This adds to the already considerable success on the circuit for the Groes Flock and marks the second time in four years that Arnie and his partner Laura have secured the Overall Championship at the Royal Welsh Show.

Overall Champion was this Shearling Ewe from A Oare, Groes Flock

Overall Interbreed Champion

The celebrations did not stop there.

The Groes Flock’s champion shearling ewe went on to win the Overall Interbreed Sheep Championship, emphatically rubber-stamping Andrew Reed’s selection.

Congratulations to Arnie and Laura on a truly memorable Royal Welsh Show and a tremendous achievement for both their flock and the Suffolk breed.

RWAS 2026 Overall Interbreed Sheep Champion – A Oare, Groes Flock

Reserve Suffolk Champion

Reserve Overall Champion was awarded to Lewis Williams of the Conwil Flock, Pencnwc, Pentrecagal, Carmarthenshire.

His successful ewe, 82N:25:10486, was purchased privately from Andrew Evans’ Dol-Llys Flock, Llanidloes.

Sired by Middlemuir Balou, she was one of two females purchased at the same time and has already justified that investment. The Conwil team clearly have an excellent eye for selecting breeding stock and look well placed for continued success in the years ahead.

Reserve Champion from Lewis Williams, Conwil Flock.

Suffolk Male Champion 2026

The Male Champion title went to Harley Turner of the Harley Flock, Newtown, Powys.

A regular exhibitor at the Royal Welsh Show, Harley has enjoyed a successful season, with his shearling ram winning both his class and the Male Championship.

The ram reflected a growing trend in the commercial and Suffolk x Mule world. Slightly darker and less of a full fleece than purists would like to see, but, combining excellent carcass, shape and style. These attributes impressed the judge and secured him the honours.

Male Champion from Harley Turner, Harley Flock

Reserve Male Champion

Reserve Male Champion was awarded to Georgia Delves of the Chaseley Flock, established in Churchstoke, Powys, in 2024.

Her ram lamb, DX24:26:04570, is by Richill Black Belt out of foundation ewe for her flock UPU:23:00183, purchased from the Glanmarton Flock.

With a pedigree packed full of respected bloodlines, this young ram has already rewarded Georgia’s and is a testament to her skills as both a breeder and stockwoman.

Reserve Male Champion from Georgia Delves, Chaseley Flock

Ewe Having Reared a Lamb Champion

The Ewe having reared a lamb in 2026 class was won by Carwyn Lewis and Non Thorne of the Studdolph Flock, continuing the success they enjoyed with her earlier in the season at the Royal Three Counties Show.

Their winning ewe, NAT:23:10779, is by Myddle Spartacus out of a Frongoy ewe purchased from breeder Dafydd G Jones as a foundation ewe.

She once again caught the eye of a different judge and was rewarded with the red rosette.

1st prize ewe to have reared a lamb in 2026 from C Lewis & N Thorne, Studdolph Flock

Ewe Lamb Champion and Interbreed

Taking first place in the Ewe Lamb class was Dafydd G Jones of the Frongoy Flock with NAT:26:12799.

She is a daughter of Rhaeadr Razamataz out of home-bred ewe NAT:19:05668, making her a truly Welsh-bred ewe lamb with generations of carefully selected breeding behind her.

Those who attended the Frongoy Flock View Day, when they won the National Flock Competition, will recognise this ewe lamb as a perfect example of the breeding principles discussed during that visit.

The day became even more memorable when she went on to claim the Overall Interbreed Ewe Lamb Championship, giving the Frongoy Flock its second Royal Welsh interbreed title in the last four years.

Congratulations to Dafydd G Jones and everyone at the Frongoy Flock on another outstanding achievement.

1st prize Ewe Lamb from Dafydd G Jones, Frongoy Flock

Overall Royal Welsh Interbreed Ewe Lamb Champion from Dafydd G Jones, Frongoy Flock .

Royal Welsh Show 2026 – Full Suffolk Class Results

Ram, Shearling or Over, Trimmed

1st Harley Turner – Harley
2nd DP & L Roberts – Llwyn
3rd Georgia Delves – Chaseley

Ram Lamb, Born in 2026, Trimmed or Untrimmed

1st Georgia Delves – Chaseley
2nd K & L Greaney – Claddagh
3rd D P & R A Delves – Bridgeview
4th G Rees – Fourlans
5th K Morgan – Llangeview
6th G Rees – Fourlans

Ewe Having Reared a Lamb in 2026

1st Carwyn Lewis & Non Thorne – Studdolph
2nd Georgia Delves – Chaseley
3rd Georgia Delves – Chaseley
4th Dafydd Jones – Frongoy
5th G Rees – Fourlans
6th DP & L Roberts – Llwyn

Shearling Ewe

1st Arnie Oare – Groes
2nd Lewis Williams – Conwil
3rd H Lyons – Cloudside
4th Carwyn Lewis & Non Thorne – Studdolph
5th G Rees – Fourlans
6th Lewis Williams – Conwil

Ewe Lamb

1st Dafydd G Jones – Frongoy
2nd K & L Greaney – Claddagh
3rd Dafydd Jones – Frongoy
4th Arnie Oare – Groes
5th Arnie Oare – Groes
6th CJ & EA Harris – Treforian