In Japan, they wait 5 years between shows. The winner couldn’t walk 8 weeks ago. The crowd is still in awe.
The banners have just come down and the shavings are still settling, but the echoes of victory from Hokkaido’s 16th All-Japan Holstein Show are already shaping legends. You could feel the anticipation from the minute you stepped near the ring this past weekend—five years’ excitement packed into one unforgettable event. Show officials called it “the biggest thrill in Japanese dairy,” and the stakes that shape legends.
Stats, Stakes, and Showdowns
This year, almost 300 top Holsteins filled the ring, representing every major dairy region from Hokkaido to Kyushu. The pedigree parade turned heads with descendants of North American matriarchs like Tri-Day Ashlyn, Rainyridge Talent Barbara, and Brookview Tony Charity. No virtual reality—just raw competition and barn-to-barn rivalries.
SUNNY-WAY ASTRO MCCUTCHEN: Resilience Redefined
Grand Champion Female SUNNY-WAY ASTRO MCCUTCHEN didn’t just win—she conquered. Knocked back by post-calving complications, her comeback became the story of the show. Handled by Yoshinori Kimura (A former trainee at El-Low Farms in Minnesota), her journey was powered by meticulous feed management and the unwavering belief instilled by his family. “She fought for every step; I fought for her. My father believed in us—he taught me to earn it the hard way. Someday another cow might have the look, but no cow will top her heart,” Kimura shared, his victory echoing through the crowd.
Her pedigree—MCCUTCHEN x UNIX x GOLD CHIP x SANCHEZ x ASTRONOMICAL, all descended from the iconic CARLOW LEADER 174—is a treasure map for Holstein fans. Kimura added, “I’ve shown a lot of cows—never one like her. And I doubt I ever will again.” This beautiful white cow is no stranger to the show ring, as Judge YAN JACOBS had named her Grand Champion at Hokkaido Black and White Show in 2023, and Judge Tsuyoshi Seno had named her Grand Champion at Hokkaido Holstein National Show in 2024!
Reserve Champions and Rising Stars
Ellie Smile Uniqure, Grand Champion at the Tokachi Black & White Show, claimed Reserve honors in her class at All-Japan. Judges and exhibitors praised her for “world-class frame and udder balance”—a sentiment echoed by visiting breeders. Her dam, Sco-Lo Door Acura 2218, was a high-profile online purchase by Ferme Jacobs at the Northeast Spring National Holstein Show, cementing the reality that global genetics now shape Japan’s biggest wins.
Highroad Lambda Ecstasy locked up Intermediate Champion, showcasing a maternal line packed with Lambda, Sidekick, Beamer, Goldwyn, Dundee, and, for the pedigree purists, Budjon JK Skych Elizabeth. “Her rear leg set and dairy strength could stand up anywhere,” said one exhibitor.
Lulu Legacy – Junior Division Electric
The Junior Champion title was awarded to Happy Line RT Antelope Lulu, exhibited by Mr. Kikuo Uchida. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Uchida retired from dairy farming and now manages only the raising of young stock. However, his passion for showing cattle remains strong, and wishing to continue, he acquired this heifer from Mr. Tomoki Yoshida of Kamishihoro, Hokkaido. Tracing her pedigree reveals a remarkable lineage: Actionman × Chief × Goldchip × Damion × Jasper × Goldwyn × Rudolf × Raider × Elevation Tony, ultimately leading back to the legendary Triple Threat Lulu EX-96.
The Bottom Line
Don’t study show books alone; network and learn from ringside rivals. The top barns exchange advice as much as genetics. Sometimes the best tip comes not from a judge, but from the competitor in the next stall.
If you crave anticipation, drama, heartbreak, and glory—this recap delivers. The All-Japan Holstein Show keeps hearts racing and barns dreaming. Five years is a long wait, but legends are always worth it.
