Diageo Baileys Champion Cow 2026
The Diageo Baileys All Ireland Champion Cow competition 2026, generously sponsored by joint sponsors Diageo and Tirlán, took place on Wednesday 19th August. The Virginia Show in Co. Cavan is the impressive venue for the Baileys Champion Cow competition, and is its spiritual home. This year marks the 83rd year of the Virginia Show, a tremendous compliment to all organisers involved over the years.
The Diageo Baileys Champion Cow competition is highly regarded in the top echelons by breeders internationally. Thanks to the vast, high quality promotional work by Diageo and Tirlán as joint sponsors, the competition is regarded as first class. This was reflected in the calibre of top quality cows and heifers in milk from breeders who travelled from all parts of Ireland, both north and south, to compete.
The judge was Marcel Egli from Lucerne, Switzerland. A member of the European Holstein & Red Holstein Confederation judges panel, Marcel added a further international dimension to this year’s show.
Coolroehouse Abbot Ann Reigns Supreme
Coolroehouse Abbott Ann, exhibited by Paul Murphy & Emma Behan from Mallow, Co. Cork, won the top accolade, tapped out as Diageo Baileys All Ireland Champion Cow 2026. In doing so, she achieved a three peat of championship success in 2026, having now won Senior Champion at Emerald Expo, Tullamore National Livestock Show, and Champion Baileys Cow. It is a phenomenal achievement, congratulations to Paul and Emma for consistently turning Abbot Ann out so well. Her Baileys Champion Cow win follows on from winning Tullamore National Livestock Show Champion just ten days previously.
Credit also to her breeders, Ursula and John Forrest and family, Coolroehouse herd, Banteer, Co. Cork. Since Paul & Emma purchased her in a batch purchase of eleven yearlings in March 2022, Coolroehouse Abbot Ann has gone on to achieve a multitude of show wins, titles and successes that dreams are made of. Eleven months into her third lactation, she has recorded over 15,900kgs milk and 1,269kgs milk solids to date. Classified EX93 on conformation, she has numerous admirable qualities: efficiency of production, medium size, balance, and tremendous udder quality.
Reserve Champion was won by Aliann Pepper Lila Z, exhibited by Alan and Leanne Paul, Slatabogie herd, Maghera, Co. Derry. Calved six months in her fourth lactation, she is classified EX94 and is sired by Delaberge Pepper. She also won the Highest Protein award on the day.
Annaghmore Rager KD Jackie, exhibited by Clive and Joel Richardson from Portadown, Co. Armagh, was Honourable Mention, and also won 1st Heifer in Milk. Classified VG87, she is bred from seven generations of VG/EX dams. Her sire is Ri-Val-Re Rager Red.
Results
Champion: Coolroehouse Abbot Ann, exhibited by Paul Murphy & Emma Behan
Reserve: Aliann Pepper Lila Z, exhibited by Alan & Leanne Paul
Honourable Mention: Annaghmore Rager KD Jackie, exhibited by Clive & Joel Richardson
Exhibitor Bred: Annaghmore Rager KD Jackie, exhibited by Clive & Joel Richardson
Junior Cows
- 1st: Willsbro Lambda Galys Vray, John & Bryan O’Connor, Kanturk, Co. Cork
- 2nd: Kilwarden Lambda Silver, Brochan & Joe Cocoman, Kill, Co. Kildare
- 3rd: Annaghmore Ranger A Jodie Red, Clive & Joel Richardson, Portadown, Co. Armagh
- 4th: Desmond Ranger Avalanch, Martin O’Sullivan, Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick
- 5th: Emerald Jordy Butterfly, Daniel & Emer Curtin, Listowel, Co. Kerry
- 6th: Emerald Lambda Ashlyn, Daniel & Emer Curtin, Listowel, Co. Kerry
Heifers in Milk
- 1st: Annaghmore Rager KD Jackie, Clive & Joel Richardson, Portadown, Co. Armagh
- 2nd: Cedarmore Hurricane Tory, Paul Murphy & Emma Behan, Lombardstown, Mallow, Co. Cork
- 3rd: Evergreen Chief Lustre, Liam & Sandra Murphy, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow
- 4th: Tubbertoby Chief Joyful, Paul & Matthew Flanagan, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth
- 5th: Tubbertoby Lambda Mooju, Paul & Matthew Flanagan, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth
- 6th: Slatabogie Select Victoire, Alan & Leann Paul, Maghera, Co. Derry
The winner of the Highest Protein award was the Reserve Champion, Aliann Pepper Lila Z, for Alan & Leanne Paul. The award for the highest EBI was presented to Cedarmore Lambda Bazooka, exhibited by John & Bryan O’Connor.
Thanks and deserved credit to Patrick and Mary Gaynor and family for their incredible hard work preparing the venue, such that the Diageo Baileys All Ireland Champion Cow competition is such an immense success as part of the Virginia Show. The numerous positive comments and feedback from all exhibitors and spectators was hugely complimentary to the Gaynor family once again.
