Male Champion and Overall Champion - Milltown Hulk
Overall Champion Milltown Hulk (Shearling Ram), Judge Jonathan Marshall (Struie) and Reserve Overall Champion Spruit Iris Bloom (ewe lamb)
The Incredible ‘HULK’ takes the National Dutch Spotted Title 2025
Great Yorkshire Show 2025
Judge: Mr. Jonathan Marshall (Struie Flock)
The 2025 Dutch Spotted Sheep National Show was held at the prestigious Great Yorkshire Show, drawing a strong and competitive entry from across the UK. Judge Mr Jonathan Marshall of the Struie Flock took to the centre of the ring and demonstrated his clear vision and type throughout his days judging. Jonathan commented “It was an honour and a privilege to judge the Dutch Spotted National Show at the Great Yorkshire Show. A superb turnout of stock across the classes, all of which are a credit to their breeders and exhibitors. The ewe lamb class in particular made for good judging due to the consistency of the animals at the show”.
A total of over 75 sheep were forward across the classes, with exhibitors presenting stock of exceptional quality, showcasing the continuing development of the Dutch Spotted breed.
Championship Results
After winning the shearling ram class and being awarded Male Champion, Milltown Hulk then went on to be crowned Overall National Champion 2025. Exhibited by Bethany Chew and Ben Whitham of Lodepit Flock, Milltown Hulk (H53702046) a January-born shearling ram, oozed power, length and style. He is sired by Milltown Golden Balls, out of renowned ewe, Sunnybank Fergie. Hulk was purchased by the couple as a ram lamb in a Carlisle Society Sale.
First prized ewe lamb from the Spruit flock, following with Female Champion and going on to take the Reserve Overall title was Spruit Iris Bloom bred and exhibited by Gemma Stanford and Adam Mitchell, Leicestershire. She stood out to judge Jonathan Marshall, who expressed the consistency in the ewe lamb class. The class was the largest class of the day with 20 forward.
The Female and Male Championships were no easy task for judge Jonathan to deliberate. Taking Reserve Male Champion was Jack Whiteford of the Blackjack flock with ram lamb, Blackjack Iron Man (ET) a son of Hazelberry Gee Wizz out of Tiptop Flika. In the Female Championship, it was an impressive aged ewe from Chloe Harding of the Dustland flock who travelled from Cheshire, taking Reserve Female Champion with a strong and long breedy ewe, Dustland Ellie a 2021 ewe with import on top and bottom side of her pedigree that caught the judges eye throughout the day.
Class Highlights
Aged Rams
Kicking off the National Show was a very strong class of 5 aged rams, which saw Cumbrian based, Jack Whiteford of the Blackjack flock leading the way with Hazelberry Gee Whizz (ET) bred by C Dodd who is sired by renowned sire Drumhirk Decider. Second placed aged ram was from Richard and Jade Bett of the Yarburgh Flock was Whatmore Gravy (ET), a powerful ram full of presence that is sired by the renowned Whatmore Fort Winx (ET) and dam being the successful Whatmore EllieMae.
3 – Nicholson, Cannon Hall Farm
4 – Trevor Prew, Wichwood
5 – Charlotte Barnes, Elmtree
Shearling Rams
Shearling Rams were a standout class with 7 exceptional males forward, with Bethany Chew and Ben Whitams Milltown Hulk (ET) commanding the ring – admired for his exceptional length, style, and breed character. He later went on to claim Male and Overall Champion titles. Following in second place was Cannon Hall Farm with Cannon Hall Hierachy (ET) that is sired by Back Tor Gunner, out of Cannon Hall Dakota.
3 – Jade and Richard Bett, Yarburgh
4 – Jack Whiteford, Blackjack
5 – Jack and Steph Simpson, Back Tor
6 – Raymond Heigh – Brookdene
Ram Lambs
In a highly competitive ram lamb class of 19 entries, Jack Whiteford took the red rosette with a lamb exhibiting excellent growth, muscle and breed definition, with Blackjack Ironman (ET). Gemma Stanford and Adam Mitchell followed closely in 2nd place with a very correct ram lamb, Spruit Im a Cracker (ET) that is sired by show successful Lochlad General Comerade who toom top honours at the 2024 National Show and dam is Carlaustan Florence.
3 – Nick Brown, Irthing Valley
4 – Nick Brown, Irthing Valley
5 – Stead, Middlemoor
6 – Jack Whiteford, Blackjack
Aged Ewes
The Aged Ewe class 10 forward with Chloe Harding of the Dustland flock taking first prize with an outstanding aged ewe, Dustland Ellie who showed style, longevity, structure, and maternal quality. Ellie is a daughter of imported sired, Rupert and dam is also imported ewe Radbury. Bethany Chew and Ben Whitham followed with a ewe of great capacity and correctness in C View Glitter Bomb, bred by Oliver Watson, this ewe is sired by Hazelberry Fat Boy Slim and out of a 2019 imported ewe.
3 – Jack Whiteford, Blackjack
4 – Nick Brown, Irthing Valley
5 – Stead, Middlemoor
6 – Nicholson, Cannon Hall
Shearling Ewes
Shearling Ewes were particularly deep in quality. Chloe Harding's first-placed ewe stood out for her correctness, feminine outlook, and strength over the loin. With 17 forward in this class, Glencloy Hope took to top spot for Chloe, bred by Liam Campbell, sired by imported stock ram Ellipsis. Following closely in second place was Nick Brown of the Irthing Valley flock with Irthing Valley High Maintenance, a strong and balanced shearling that also caught Judge Jonathan Marshalls eye. High Maintenance is sired by widely used tup, Westbroad B Explorer II.
3 – Jack Whiteford, Blackjack
4 – J & S Simpson, Backtor
5 – Nicholson, Cannon Hall Farm
6 – Nicholson, Cannon Hall Farm
Ewe Lambs
The ewe lamb saw the largest spectacle of the day with 20 entries forward and a packed ring-side as we edged closer to the Championship sections. After some head scratching and careful decisions, Stanford & Mitchell’s, Spruit Iris Bloom (ET) was the clear standout to Judge Jonathan Marshall – a beautifully balanced and correct ewe lamb with a bright future ahead. Her sire (Lochlad General Comerade) was purchased by the Spruit flock at the 2024 GYS. Her performance secured both Female and Reserve Overall Champion honours. Standing second to her and living up to her name, was Jack Whiteford’s, Blackjack I Have A Dream, sired by Hazelberry Gee Wizz (ET) who also took 1st prize aged ram on the day, and out of Diamon Grace (ET).
Group of Three
The Group of Three class was well supported, with a spectacle of spotties gracing the ring.
1 – Nick Brown, Irthing Valley
2 – Jack Whiteford, Blackjack
3 – J&S Simpson, Backtor
4 – Bett, Yarburgh
5 – Spence, Gables Farm
Pairs
In the pairs class, 5 well-matched pairs were forward.
1 – Stanford & Mitchell, Spruit
2 – Nick Brown, Irthing Valley
3 – Bett, Yarburgh
4 – Jack Whiteford, Blackjack
5 – J&S Simpson, Backtor
6 – Spencer, Gables Farm
