SUPERMUM SHEEP SHEARER BREAKS SECOND WORLD RECORD IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS
Sacha with her daughter Ember
King Country shearer, Sacha Bond has broken two world records for sheep shearing in under two months! The 30-year-old mum has just taken out the 9-hour Strong Wool Ewes world record, reaching a total of 458 (exceeding the current record held by Kerri-Jo Te Huia by 6) at Pāmu farm, Centre Hill Station, in the Te Anau Basin.
Bond arrived onsite at Centre Hill Station early this morning, and commenced shearing at 5am today. She averaged one sheep every 71.1 seconds.
Breaking this record has also made her the first woman to hold the 9-hour solo record for both lambs and ewes in over 40 years. In December 2023, she smashed the record for the 9-hour Strong Wool Lambs, shearing 720 sheep (59 more than the previous record holder).
Bond’s Manager, Willy McSkimming said he feels extremely proud and never doubted her ability to perform today.
“Sacha has a tonne of guts and I had full confidence in the girl. This record is something special.”
McSkimming said “I feel a bit like her really…quite emotional!”
Bond reflects on her win as she hugs her daughter close, “I’m feeling pretty exhausted and glad it’s over to be honest, but it’s pretty special to have her here.”
“All of it was pretty hard, but the morning was especially challenging. It was cold and I was quite nervous.”
The new dual world record holder is now looking forward to a hot shower and some time to relax.
ENDS
About Sacha
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, at the age of 20, Sacha picked up a handpiece and her shearing career began. Learning how to shear on merinos, Sacha sheared her way around Australia for four years and then the UK. In 2019 she came home and settled in the King Country town of Piopio, mentored by some of the country’s best shearers.
Over the past few years some plans changed with both the birth of her daughter Ember, and the pandemic. Now Sacha is more motivated than ever to show rural women that they can excel in a traditionally male-dominated world, in one of the most physical and demanding jobs and sports there is.
Past accomplishments
Women’s 9 Hour Strong Wool Lamb record, December 2023 when she shore 720 lambs, breaking the previous record by 59 sheep.
Women’s 8 Hour Solo Strong Wool Lamb record, February 2023 when she shore 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.
About Centre Hill Station
Centre Hill Station is a Pāmu property (the trading name for Landcorp Farming Limited) of 4,200 effective ha, with 17,000 ewes plus replacements, 1,000 breeding cows plus replacements, and 700 trading cattle.