England has set a new shearing world record by surpassing Jack Fagan’s previous record. In 2022, during a shearing event with Welsh shearer Llyr Jones, Greaves was able to average 36.78 seconds per lamb, setting a British nine-hour solo record on UK breeds. This record was achieved under the watchful eyes of a four-man panel of referees appointed by the World Sheep Shearing Records Society, including New Zealand official Ronny King and UK panelists Martyn David, Andy Rankin, and Mark Fox.
The attempt was preceded by a pre-record wool weigh to ensure that the wool from a sample shear of 20 lambs met the minimum requirement of 0.9kg per lamb. Greaves, who has shorn in New Zealand for several seasons, shared his gratitude to Pete Chilcott from New Zealand for inspiring and believing in him. Chilcott’s support and guidance played a significant role in Greaves’ success and record-breaking achievement.
Apart from his record-breaking feat, Greaves has also made a mark in the competition arena by participating in various shearing competitions and achieving notable successes. His journey to the open class and victories at the Royal Bath and West Show demonstrate his skill and dedication to the craft of shearing.
In the upcoming days, Scottish shearer Una Cameron will attempt to break the solo women’s nine-hour strong wool ewes record set by New Zealand shearer Sacha Bond. The attempt will take place at Trefranck Farm in Cornwall, where the UK’s assault on solo strong wool records began with Matt Smith’s nine-hour ewes mark in 2016.
This record-breaking achievement adds to the list of world solo sheep shearing records, with various records set for different categories including strong wool ewes, lambs, and merino sheep. These records reflect the skill, determination, and passion of shearers like Greaves and Cameron who continually push the boundaries of the sport.
The world of sheep shearing is not only a test of skill and endurance but also a celebration of tradition and craftsmanship. As shearers strive to break records and showcase their abilities, they honor the history and legacy of this timeless practice. The new record set by England is a testament to the dedication and talent of shearers around the world, who continue to inspire and amaze with their incredible feats.
