YORK Auction Centre’s Christmas Show & Sale attracted a crowd of more than 200 as auctioneer Edward Stephenson sold the supreme champion for 360p/kilo.

The winning beast was a 530 kilo Limousin X Limousin/Belgian Blue heifer from father and son David and Paul Jackson of Carnaby, near Bridlington, who also had the winner in 2008.

"I think the judge was looking for a lightweight carcase that will kill out well with a little bit of cover on it, which is ideal for what the housewife wants to buy," said Paul Jackson. "She also looks very good and benefited from us giving her rapeseed oil for the last ten weeks. It’s just added that shine to her.

"We try to sell quality stock throughout the year and we thought she would stand a chance today. What the buyers want to see is an animal full of meat that they would like to have on their Christmas dinner table. She’s just that."

Paul Nicholson, head butcher at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Fodder farm shop and café was this year’s judge with Pannal-based farmer and Great Yorkshire Show Director Bill Cowling alongside him.

Mr Nicholson said: "There have been some fantastic beasts but my supreme champion choice was the Jacksons’ heifer because of its size and how fit it looked. It was also a female and they usually provide better meat. As a butcher I find the smaller carcases work better. If a lady wants 10lbs of topside it then looks as though she is getting a joint rather than it looking more like a slice."

David Penny of Rawdon bought the champion for brothers Matthew and Simon Kneafsey of M&K Butchers, Bishopthorpe Road, York. They also bought last year's champion.

Matthew Kneafsey said: "We like to sell meat from nice little heifers as they provide a soft eating meat. Buying the champion adds to the banter in the shop during December as we also display the trophy and rosettes. It provides something for our customers to get excited about - everyone wants a piece of the winner."

Reserve champion was a 680 kilo Charolais X Blue from the Wagstaff family of Sutton on Forest who were supreme winners in 2010. Mr Penny bought it for 285p/kilo. "The judge said she was a cracking beast but just a little too heavy for what he wanted. It all depends on the person who is buying and whether they’re looking for a nice little ‘un or a good big ‘un’," said Russell Wagstaff.