Nathan Stratford, a multi-breeds shearing legend, has once again claimed victory at the prestigious PGG Wrightson/Vetmed National Shearing Circuit, securing his third win at the Golden Shears in Masterton on Saturday night. Setting a New Zealand record with 18 trans-Tasman tests under his belt since 2006, Stratford has gracefully opted to step back from the trans-Tasman test match opportunity that accompanies his recent triumph, paving the way for younger shearers to seize the spotlight.

Despite declining the trans-Tasman test, Stratford isn't hanging up his shears just yet. He remains committed to international competition and has his sights set on securing a spot in the 2026 World Championships, also to be held in Masterton.

With fellow Southland shearer Leon Samuels clinching the runner-up position and securing a place in the three-man team by becoming the first South Island winner of the Golden Shears Open championship in 35 years, the circuit's slot in the team now belongs to Te Kuiti shearer Jack Fagan, who secured third place.

The remaining slot in the team will be determined by the highest-placed New Zealand shearer in the New Zealand Merino Shears Open final, three weeks prior to the upcoming championships. Additionally, Shearing Sports New Zealand will include two blade shearers and two woolhandlers, with the second woolhandler expected to emerge from the Merino championships in October.

Stratford's remarkable journey in the shearing world spans 27 seasons as an Open-class shearer, boasting an impressive tally of 85 Open-final wins and a World teams' championship title in 2017. His association with the National Shearing Circuit is equally impressive, having competed in the final 20 times since his debut in 2000.

Having won the National Shearing Circuit previously in 2014 and 2022, with runner-up positions in 2019 and 2020, Stratford's prowess on the shearing stage is undeniable. His dedication to the event mirrors that of major sponsor PGG Wrightson, which has supported the competition for 22 years and has committed to three more.

Despite his many victories, Stratford remains humble and dedicated to the sport he loves. His recent win at the Golden Shears, where he emerged as the clear favourite after topping the qualifying rounds, reaffirms his status as a shearing icon. In a closely contested final, Stratford showcased his exceptional skill, securing victory by a mere 0.355 points over runner-up Samuels.

For his outstanding performance, Stratford received the McSkimming Memorial Trophy, cash and vouchers totalling $1800, and a year's lease of a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV.

In addition to his individual success, Stratford, along with Samuels and Angus Moore, formed an all-South Island team that narrowly triumphed over the Australian team at the Masterton leg of the trans-Tasman series. This victory adds to New Zealand's tally, bringing the overall score to 2-0 in favour of the Kiwis.

While celebrating his own achievements, Stratford also acknowledges the talents of emerging shearers, paving the way for the next generation of champions to make their mark on the global stage.