A stunning performance by the team at the 6,000 acre Shadwell Estate saw it sweep the board in two beef cattle contests at the Suffolk Show on Day 1.

Eastern Daily Press: Suffolk Show cattle competitor Natasha Mann, of Iken, near Woodbridge, with Yarn Hill Viper, breed winner in the Lincoln Red competition. Picture: SARAH CHAMBERSSuffolk Show cattle competitor Natasha Mann, of Iken, near Woodbridge, with Yarn Hill Viper, breed winner in the Lincoln Red competition. Picture: SARAH CHAMBERS (Image: Archant)

The estate, based near Thetford, took the breed and reserve breed titles in both the Aberdeen Angus and the Hereford competitions. Herefords Shadwell I Blossom N874 and Shadwell I Blossom N900 took top and runner-up positions in their category, while Shadwell Red Boaz R826 and his sister, Shadwell Blue Belle R822, were champion and reserve in the Aberdeen Angus contest.

Shadwell herd manager Robert Clarke said the Angus winner also scooped top prizes at the English Winter Fair and the Smithfield show. 'This is only the second show he's done and he's been breed champion twice.'

He was 'long and powerful', he said, and big for his age. 'I'm very pleased,' he said.

Stud director Richard Lancaster said while the estate's Angus herd was established to help with the rotation at the stud, the smaller Hereford herd came about because Robert originally worked with the herd which produced a top cow called Blossom. When the herd at Ely went up for sale, the estate snapped up Blossom and her progeny have continued a 'fantastic family', he explained. The animals will go on to compete at national level, raising the profile of East Anglian herds.

Eastern Daily Press: Dairy champions, left to right, John, Louise and Christine Smith. Picture: GREGG BROWNDairy champions, left to right, John, Louise and Christine Smith. Picture: GREGG BROWN

'Obviously, the Aberdeen Angus are our main herd and are very much there to help us in the management of the paddocks - that's Shadwell's main activity. I know that Robert was very keen on the Herefords, and when that herd dispersed, I gave him some money. Unfortunately, we could only buy one cow but we came home with the one and she's proved a great investment.'

The wins were testament to the work of Robert, his team and everyone involved, he said. 'They produced the animals in fantastic condition.'

He added: 'I know it's easier because of the backing we have, but we have made best use of the backing we have and these results speak for themselves.'

Meanwhile, Natasha Mann, of Iken, near Snape, celebrated a breed win with her Lincoln Red, Yarn Hill Viper. Natasha, who keeps around 110 breeding cows, described the win as 'fantastic'. She added that she was 'a bit shell-shocked'. Lincoln Red judge Pat Beginn said: 'It was a hard decision because the quality was exceptional.'

Eastern Daily Press: The Shadwell Estate celebrating their success at the Suffolk Show 2017. L-R Richard and Judy Lancaster, Heidi Holder, Maddie Clarke, Tom Biela, Robert Clarke, Christopher Marler, Martha Wixey and Julie Wixey. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe Shadwell Estate celebrating their success at the Suffolk Show 2017. L-R Richard and Judy Lancaster, Heidi Holder, Maddie Clarke, Tom Biela, Robert Clarke, Christopher Marler, Martha Wixey and Julie Wixey. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The Shadwell Estate celebrating their award success on the first day of the Suffolk Show. L-R Heidi Holder, Maddie Clarke, Tom Biela, Robert Clarke and Christopher Marler. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe Shadwell Estate celebrating their award success on the first day of the Suffolk Show. L-R Heidi Holder, Maddie Clarke, Tom Biela, Robert Clarke and Christopher Marler. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)