NZ Shearers Break World Record by Nearly 100 Lambs

In a remote wool shed in West Otago, New Zealand, three shearers just rewrote the record books with an astounding display of skill and endurance.

Leon Samuels, Paerata Abraham, and Shane Ratima sheared 2,073 strong wool lambs in eight hours on Saturday at Wohelo Station near Moa Flat. They demolished the previous three-stand world record of 1,976 lambs set in 2019, finishing with more than 20 minutes to spare.

The trio started at 7am facing four grueling two-hour runs with barely any breaks. Samuels led the charge with 702 lambs, crossing the 700 mark just one minute before the 5pm finish.

Abraham tallied 692 lambs while Ratima, shearing the entire day with a heavily bandaged left forearm, finished with 679. The injury didn't slow him down from helping his team make history.

For Samuels, a former Golden Shears open champion, this marks his third world record. He previously held the four-stand record and a solo strong wool ewes record. Abraham and Ratima had both attempted records in recent months that fell short, making this victory even sweeter.

The shearers built momentum throughout the day, with their best run coming in the final two-hour stretch when they sheared 520 lambs. Samuels personally knocked out 181 in that closing session, his strongest performance of the day.

Why This Inspires

This record represents more than just numbers. It showcases what happens when skilled professionals push past pain, fatigue, and previous setbacks to achieve something remarkable together.

The attempt came during a banner summer for New Zealand shearing records. Just weeks earlier, Simon Goss broke the nine-hour strong wool ewes record by a single sheep with 732. Days before that, four women established a new four-stand lambs record of 1,938.

These consecutive successes highlight a thriving community of shearers dedicated to excellence in their craft. They're proving that traditional skills can still captivate and inspire when performed at the highest level.

Six World Sheep Shearing Records Society referees verified every lamb throughout the day, rejecting only eight to ensure the integrity of the achievement. The careful oversight means this record will stand as a legitimate benchmark for future shearers to chase.

Three friends turned years of practice into one extraordinary day that will be remembered in shearing history for years to come.