After a relatively rapid judging process, crowds surrounding the expanse of sheep pens cheered as Giggleswick farmer John North tapped the Turnbulls’ aged ram to signal their success.
Mr North, who breeds pedigree Texels and Suffolks and commercial sheep, said: “He’s a strong tup to go onto the Swaledale ewe, which survives on the hills.
"You need to put a bit of frame, a bit of lift on that ewe to create the mule gimmer lamb.
"When you’re judging interbreeds, it’s about correctness. You’ve got to judge how good a sheep is in its own right.”
Jack Turnbull, whose family run farms at Kildale and Fryup, said while he had previously won reserve at the show with a different breed, it was satisfying to go one better with one of the handful of Bluefaced Leicesters in their flock of mainly Scottish Blackface and Swaledales.
The family, who breed their own replacements to breed mule lambs, are familiar with success at agricultural shows, winning reserve in the non-MV-accredited championship at the Great Yorkshire Show with a home-bred Blackface shearling gimmer.
However, Mr Turnbull said the victory at Thornton-le-Dale “means a lot”.
“The family’s from Thornton-le-Dale”, he said. “We’re off out for a meal – it will be a good night!
“For such a heavy tup, he’s so light on his feet. He’s so powerful.
"Historically the Bluefaced Leicester hasn’t been great with its mouth, and gets a lot of stick, but he’s got a brilliant mouth.
"It’s really good to see so many people here – a massive turnout.
"These shows wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for the people coming.”
Other competitions which proved popular included the 14 ferret classes and the decorated horses and driving contests.
