National Circuit Shearing Semi Finals
Golden Shears 2026
Fagan Dominates Golden Shears Semi-Finals
In the gripping National Circuit Shearing Semi-Finals at the Golden Shears 2026, Jack Fagan emerged as the leader with a remarkable performance, securing his place in the next phase. Fagan completed the shearing of 9 sheep in an impressive 12 minutes and 43.724 seconds, accumulating a total of 54.19 points. His closest competitor, Nathan Stratford, was hot on his heels with a total of 54.90 points, just 0.71 points behind Fagan. Stratford finished his shearing in 13 minutes and 33.679 seconds. The competition was tight among the top performers, with Justin Meikle placing third with a commendable total of 55.28 points, closely followed by Hugh De Lacy in fourth place with 56.15 points. The difference in total points among the top four competitors was minimal, highlighting the high level of skill and precision in this semi-final. Time played a crucial role in the competitors' overall scores, with the fastest shearer, Jack Fagan, also achieving the lowest time points of 38.19. However, it wasn't just speed that determined the rankings; board and pen points were critical in ensuring high-quality shearing. Nathan Stratford, for example, achieved the lowest board points of 3.00 among the top competitors, evidencing his exceptional skill in minimizing faults during the shearing process. As the competition progresses, these shearers will undoubtedly continue to showcase their remarkable abilities, setting the stage for an exhilarating final. The precise shearing and the narrow point differences among the top competitors highlight the intense level of competition and skill present in this year's Golden Shears.
Top 6 competitors have qualified for the next round.
| Place | Competitor | Location | Time | Board | Pen | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ★ | Jack FaganQualified | Te Kuiti | 38.186 | 3.78 | 12.22 | 54.186 [Q] | 12:43.724 |
| 2 ★ | Nathan StratfordQualified | Invercargill | 40.684 | 3 | 11.22 | 54.904 +0.72 [Q] | 13:33.679 |
| 3 ★ | Justin MeikleQualified | Oamaru | 41.61 | 2.89 | 10.78 | 55.28 +1.09 [Q] | 13:52.193 |
| 4 ★ | Hugh De LacyQualified | Rangiora | 42.263 | 3.11 | 10.78 | 56.153 +1.97 [Q] | 14:05.267 |
| 5 ★ | Lionel TaumataQualified | Gore | 47.211 | 4.22 | 8.56 | 59.991 +5.81 [Q] | 15:44.225 |
| 6 ★ | Brook HamertonQualified | Hastings | 46.472 | 4.11 | 9.67 | 60.252 +6.07 [Q] | 15:29.435 |
| 7 | John Kirkpatrick | Paki Paki | 45.537 | 5.11 | 9.78 | 60.427 +6.24 | 15:10.733 |
| 8 | David Gordon | Masterton | 45.542 | 4.78 | 10.33 | 60.652 +6.47 | 15:10.842 |
| 9 | Leon Samuels | Invercargill | 40.408 | 3.33 | 17.11 | 60.848 +6.66 | 13:28.153 |
| 10 | Paerata Abraham | Masterton | 42.517 | 4.33 | 14.33 | 61.177 +6.99 | 14:10.346 |
| 11 | Corey Palmer | Dipton | 41.363 | 3.44 | 18.33 | 63.133 +8.95 | 13:47.268 |
| 12 | Simon Goss | Whanganui | 46.473 | 4.56 | 13.11 | 64.143 +9.96 | 15:29.452 |