James Alexander is toasting success this week following a memorable trip to the legendary “Royal Smithfield Championships” which was held  at the East of England Winter Stock Festival at Peterborough Showgrounds recently.

The highlight of the trip was when his home bred Limousin heifer  “Shakira” took the top placing in the heifer calf class. This was a  fiercely competitive section with the very best calves forward from  Scotland, England and Wales.Shakira is sired by Hightown Cassius who was purchased at Carlisle for his super carcass and style. His first calves hit the ground this year and are delighting the Jalex team.

“There is something special about the Cassius calves” states James  “They have a real presence in addition to the quality that is required  on the show circuit.”

This is supported by the demand for them with a number already sold for further showing. Shakira was following her success at the NI  Limousin Club Calf Spectacular where she was Reserve Commercial  Champion. In addition the Cassius sired steer calf “Dizzy Rascal” has  also been snapped up and has been exported to Aberdeenshire.

2010 has been one of the most successful in the show ring for the  Jalex team, and has also seen a large number of stock being sold and shown at fat stock events in Kilkenny, Carlisle and now Smithfield. The  Jalex herd also bred a first prize winner at Smithfield in 2009 when the Aberdeen Angus heifer “Black Beauty 1” collected the red ribbon.