Simon Goss Sets New World Shearing Record with 732 Ewes

Whanganui shearer Simon Goss has shattered the world record for solo nine-hour strong-wool sheep shearing, achieving a remarkable total of 732 ewes in a single day. This record-breaking feat occurred on March 15, 2024, at Te Pa, located between Raetihi and Ohakune in New Zealand’s Central North Island. Goss, 29 years old and brother to women’s rugby star Sarah Hirini, completed his shearing with less than 50 seconds remaining before the 5 p.m. cutoff.

The previous record was held by Matthew Smith, who shorn 731 ewes in England on July 26, 2016. Goss’s achievement involved an impressive average of just over 44 seconds per sheep, which included time for handpiece cutter changes every 15 minutes. He initiated the day’s work at 5 a.m., shearing 166 ewes in the first two-hour segment before taking a break for breakfast.

After returning to the woolshed, Goss continued with emphatic runs, achieving totals of 141 and 140 ewes in the subsequent morning sessions. The critical moment came in the first run after lunch, where he sheared 144 ewes, recovering vital ground lost during a third run that had two ewes disqualified by the panel of referees. Goss concluded the day by shearing another 141 ewes in the final stretch, beginning at 3:15 p.m.

Hugh McCarroll, Secretary of the World Sheep Shearing Records Society and a veteran of the first Golden Shears in 1961, monitored the event via live-streaming from his home in Tauranga. He remarked on the significance of Goss’s performance and the challenges he faced during the day.

This achievement not only cements Goss’s reputation within the shearing community but also highlights the rigorous skill and endurance required for such a demanding profession. As the new record-holder, Simon Goss joins the ranks of elite shearers who have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in this physically demanding sport.