The elite genetics behind the Grand Champion Santa Gertrudis bull at Ekka Beef Week are set to feature prominently at next month’s NIOA RL Pastoral Sale.
Riverina U-Tube U96 (IVF) (PP) took out Senior Champion and Grand Champion at the 150th Royal Queensland Show which wrapped up in Brisbane last week.
The son of NIOA Santa Gertrudis’ leading sire Yarrawonga Spartacus S316 (P) and former prize heifer NIOA Lucy Q14 (P) impressed judges with his combination of structural correctness, muscle expression, growth and overall breed character.
Riverina U-Tube’s prestigious double was among a clutch of ribbons for Rob and Lorraine Sinnamon's Kyogle-based RL Pastoral Co which is again partnered with NIOA for the September 3 sale at Talgai Homestead, Allora.
The two studs have catalogued a 63-strong bull draft, including 19 sons of Yarrawonga Spartacus – the current Australian Santa Gertrudis breed record-holder - and eight sons of former sale topper Riverina Roland Sanchez R088 (PP).
"We were thrilled for the Sinnamons and incredibly proud to see bloodlines from both our breeding programs perform at the highest level and receive recognition on one of the industry's biggest stages," NIOA Santa Gertrudis General Manager Shannon Gardner said.
"Riverina U-Tube's success is a testament to the strength of the genetics behind him, including the influence of our top sire Yarrawonga Spartacus and Lucy – a NIOA-bred female who is performing at industry-leading levels in both the show ring and commercially.
"Those same sire lines, maternal strength and performance traits are strongly represented throughout this year's sale team,giving commercial producers and seedstock breeders an opportunity to access some of the most sought-after bloodlines."
Rob Sinnamon, an Ekka stalwart since 1973, said the stud’s show ring success reflected years of disciplined breeding focused on producing cattle that perform both visually and commercially.
"This year’s Royal was incredibly special for our family," he said. "We've been showing cattle at the Ekka for more than 50 years and have enjoyed success along the way, but winning Grand Champion bull is something we'll always treasure.
“U-Tube is a great example of the type of genetics we are striving to breed, and buyers will see those same traits represented throughout our upcoming sale draft."
The NIOA RL Pastoral Sale will be held at Talgai Homestead, Allora, on Thursday, September 3, with inspections from 10am and the auction starting at 12 noon.
Online bidding will again be available through Stocklive. The catalogue is available online NPC-NSG_Sale-Catalogue-2026-WEB-1.pdf-Nioa-RL-Sale-Catalogue-2026-1.pdf.
You beauty! Riverina U-Tube claimed the prestigious double of Senior Champion and Grand Champion from an elite Ekka Beef Week field.
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