DUBBO shearing contractor Steven Mudford became the only person to hold three world shearing record simultaneously when he took the wool off 421 Merino wethers in nine hours on Saturday.

The previous solo nine-hour Merino wether record of 418 was set by Grant Smith at Ryton Station in New Zealand in 1999.

The 49 year-old Dubbo shearer already holds the eight-hour Merino wether shearing record and is one of three shearers that set a world three-stand Merino ewe record of 1294 in 2014.

His uncle Don Mudford said Steve struggled all day with the Parkdale wethers that turned out to be bigger and more energetic than he expected.

“The referees kept taking a few off him and he just got it by three.

“He got a catch on the end of the run about three times with only few second to spare so that’s probably where he got his three from,” Mr Mudford said.

“They (the wethers) were a bit energetic and he said he thought the sheep were bigger than he thought they were.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Mudford said Steve’s determination and a big heart got him through “and the fact that he really wanted it.”

“I think the fact that he really wanted it was the key.

“I know he was heading for the mid-90s in the first run and he just had to dig deep after that – he got 89 in that first run.”

Steve shore 84 wethers in the second run, followed by an 85, 80 and 83 sheep in the last run.

The attempt took place at ‘Parkdale Merino Stud’ Collie Road, Dubbo, NSW, Australia. Referees were Neil Fagan N.Z. convener, with David Brooker, Dave Grant and Ralph Blue from Australia.