He was proved right as that night ‘Wealla 1499’ was awarded the title for Australian Supreme Merino Ram.

This win has propelled Balladoran Merino stud ‘Wealla’ into an elite group of only three studs with two Australia supreme ribbons in their collection.

The last time Wealla won was in 2005, and five years later the McBurnies are celebrating again.

“It is just a big thrill,” Mr McBurnie said.

“All out peers are judging this and for them to select him as the best ram is a big thrill.

“And it’s good to get two.”

The ram has a wool cut of 21 microns, with a standard deviation of 3.4, and a comfort factor of 98.8 per cent.

He was also appealing with his sheer size.

“He’s got that extra depth and width in his body giving him extra wool cutting ability,” Mr McBurnie said.

“We only run Merino’s so we’ve got to stack the wool on them.”

The ram is sired by Glendonald 2.1 and has also previously won the Champion strong-wool ribbon at the Goondiwindi State Sheep Show.

‘Wealla 1499’ will now return to Balladoran, where semen will be collected, and he will be put to use in the Wealla stud.

Other big winners on the day were Langdene, Dunedoo who took out the Grand Champion Ewe, while Trundle stud, Darriwell was awarded Reserve Grand Champion Ram.

The champion pen of three rams was won by Roseville Park, Dubbo.

In the wool section, the Supreme Champion fleece went to Grathlyn Merino Stud, Hargraves, via Mudgee, while Merryville, Boorowa, were the most successful exhibitors.