Sacha Bond may soon be looking for more sheep to shear after taking out her third shearing record in just over a year.
On Friday, the former Piopio resident became the first person in 40 years to hold world nine-hours strongwool ewes and lambs shearing records simultaneously with a new nine-hours mark on the adult sheep in northern Southland on Friday.
The record attempt took place at Centrehill Station, near Mossburn, where Sacha set a lamb’s record of 720, on December 19.
It wasn’t easy. Sacha, forecast by watchers to be capable of shearing at least 500, had to battle all the way with some feisty and large sheep to set a record of 458, six more than the previous record of 452.
The toughness of the day was highlighted by the fact Sacha’s nine-hour tally was seven short of the eight-hours record of 465, shorn over four runs of two hours each, by Matawai farmer and shearer Catherine Mullooly last month.
The Centrehill ewes were a bit bigger than they would have liked, manager Willy McSkimming said.
“It’s been a good season down there, wherever we went, they were always going to be on the bigger side.”
When asked what her plans were Sacha said after a break she may consider some merino work in Australia.
Willy said that could involve an attempt on a fine wool record.
“We will let things settle a bit and see if we can go about finding some sheep for it. That’s the key – getting the farmer on board.”
Sacha’s first record was set in February 2023 when she sheared 601 to take the eight-hour lamb record. Southland shearer Megan Whitehead set a new record of 686 later in the year.
Sacha set a new world nine-hour strong wool lamb record at Centrehill in December when she sheared 720 sheep, smashing the previous record by 59.
Sacha said future plans involve looking at starting up a business mentoring people with fitness, or mindset stuff.
“Thank you to everyone who supported me and helped me achieve my goal, my team, my sponsors. If anyone wants to see what I’m up to next, just jump on the Facebook page.”
“It’s a testament to her fitness and stamina the way she came through the day, and a very difficult day she had of it too,” shearing great Sir David Fagan said.
“Probably ewes that were a bit big for the job, and strong, and a bit kicky. She was on the back foot at breakfast time and she hung in there all day and got the job done. It was just incredible testament to her physical and mental attitude really.
“It’s inspiring really what she has done and it’s great to have so many women shearers getting into the sport and industry. Let’s hope they come and compete at some of our big events.”
Sacha began shearing at 5am and averaged one sheep every 71.1 seconds. Willy said he felt extremely proud and never doubted Sacha’s ability to perform. “Sacha has a tonne of guts and I had full confidence in the girl. This record is something special.” Originally from Palmerston North and Woodville, Sacha moved to Dubbo, NSW, as a teenager to embark on her career in the shearing industry. Beginning as a wool handler, she picked up a handpiece and her shearing career began aged 20. Learning how to shear on merinos, Sacha sheared her way around Australia for four years and then the UK. In 2019, she returned to New Zealand and settled in Piopio to be mentored by some of the country’s best shearers. • Women’s 9 Hour Strong Wool Lamb record, December 2023 when she sheared 720 lambs, breaking the previous record by 59 sheep. • Women’s 8 Hour Solo Strong Wool Lamb record, February 2023 when she sheared 601 lambs, breaking the previous record by 91 sheep. • 1st place – 2023 Ford Ranger Rural Games Speed shear where she went head-to-head against current 9-hour lamb record holder Megan Whitehead, earning her the title of fastest woman in NZ. • 1st place – NZ Spring Shears, women’s open class shearing title. • 1st place – Mt Gambier Speed Shear 2019, women’s event.
