The stud gained two Grand Champions, winning the Junior Production Ram class and eventually being named the Most Successful Medium / Strong Wool Exhibitor.

For the third time in five years, the stud was awarded the much sought after prestigious Grand Champion Medium Wool ram title. 

Darriwell 3.1, affectionally known as ‘Buddha’ and competing at his first show the 19.6 micron two tooth giant attracted much interest not only for his size but his magnificent head and rich medium wool. 

Another exhibitor described him as the ‘George Clooney’ of the sheep world, with ‘Buddha’ also appearing on the Channel 9 news with reporter Mike Dalton having his take on his good looks. 

Darriwell Studmaster Russell Jones said Buddha was the epitome of what he is trying to breed.

“He covers all the bases as a superb commercial orientated package,” he said.

“We have already artificially inseminated nearly 200 ewes to Buddha with those lambs due to hit the ground in early August.”

Recording their second major Poll Merino Ram prize, Darriwell Poll Ram 1302, and August shorn, went all the way in his section to beat off the full wools to be Grand Champion Fine Medium Wool poll Ram. 

This 18.5 micron Ram is sired from the first drop of "Nullarbor", the Western Australian Ram of the Year in 2013 that Darriwell purchased for $15,000. 

DP 1302 is a very correct fine medium ram with an excellent white, deep crimped wool described by judge Geoff Davidson, of South Australia, as the type that could be used in any environment to improve all round production, especially in the poll industry.

In recent years the stud breeders have commenced production classes to cover the needs of breeders looking for more commercial orientated figures to demonstrate the true production of the Merino. 

The Objective Measurement classes at Sydney Royal measures all the production traits (wool weight, micron stats, yield, body weight, eye muscle and fat content, plus a subjective assessment for structure and breeding qualities) with the results collated on an index ratio to gain the highest production sheep. 

This competition is probably the most comprehensive real assessment of merino sheep in the eastern states, as the sheep can be shorn.

Darriwell 3.3, a 19.1 micron fine / medium ram gained a solid win in the under four tooth Objective Measurement class.

He recorded the heaviest body weight along with the highest fleece weight and a good subjective assessment.

 The stud has won this class three times in the last five years, as it only keeps a full wool ram every second year to exhibit at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The stud  finished second in the prestigious Bruce Merriman August Shorn group (three rams / two ewes) after the same result in 2014 but also managed to take home the most successful medium / strong wool exhibitor for the second year running.

A highlight at this year’s Sydney Royal Merino Sheep Show was a two day Wool Sale (14,000 bales) conducted within the Sheep Show Pavilion, which created great interest for spectators and city observers.

It was reported the market gained 16 cents/kg over the two days with some $17.5 million worth of greasy wool sold.

It was certainly an eye opener for the city people to witness the speed and consistency of which wool sales happen.