Australian Wagyu and Grain-Fed Beef Triumphs at the World Steak Challenge

Three homegrown Australian beef producers last night claimed the winner’s titles in three out of the seven cut categories of this year’s World Steak Challenge, the results of which were announced at a glittering ceremony at London’s Smith & Wollensky.

The results cement Australia’s standing as a world-leading producer of the finest steaks, showcasing its quality and consistent excellence on the global stage.

Overall, Australian Wagyu producers delivered a masterclass in beef excellence achieving 14 out of the 24 Gold Medals awarded in the Wagyu category.

Reaffirming its reputation as a global leader in Wagyu and premium beef production, Australia also once again led all nations in the number of gold medals overall, with 26 steaks awarded Gold across the competition – the highest tally of any country for a second year.

The World’s Best Grain Fed Fillet was awarded to an Australian Eye Fillet from 2GR Wagyu Beef.

The World’s Best Grain Fed Sirloin award went to an Australian Wagyu Cross from Pardoo Wagyu Corporation.

The World’s Best Wagyu was awarded to last year’s overall competition winner Jack’s Creek for its Grain fed Purebred Wagyu Sirloin (entered by Albers).

The Jack’s Creek Grain fed Purebred Wagyu Sirloin (entered by Albers) also claimed the overall continental award for Oceania’s best steak.

Among the standout winners hailing from Australia, Pardoo Wagyu secured four Gold Medals across multiple Wagyu cuts including Fillet, Ribeye, Sirloin and the Wagyu category in the blind and independently judged competition.

Meanwhile last year’s competition winner of the coveted World’s Best Steak title, Jack’s Creek, came away with six gold medals in total in 2025.

Stoneaxe Pastoral Company was another Aussie front runner with three golds alongside Stockyard Beef also claiming three golds for its Wagyu.

Elsewhere 2GR Wagyu, part of the Hancock Agriculture group claimed five medals across different cuts, including three golds (Tenderloin Fillet Grain-Fed, Ribeye Grain-Fed and Ribeye Wagyu).

While Thomas Foods International won gold in the Fillet and Sirloin categories, Stanbroke won a gold in Rib Eye and UK distributer Barrett & Page entered with  Wagyu brands Rangers Valley WX and Tajima  to scoop a Ribeye golds.

Richard Sanders – Country Manager – United Kingdom for Meat & Livestock Australia said:

”Australia is the largest exporter of Wagyu globally and we’re extremely excited to see how well our Wagyu producers have placed in this year’s World Steak Challenge. It’s a testament to the environment they’re raised in as well as the breeding programmes and strict processes our farmers follow to ensure their products are the very best. 

“Steak connoisseurs in the UK will also be happy to know that Australian Wagyu and other premium cuts from our best producers are increasingly available in the UK, as industry professionals and consumers switch on to how good our premium beef products are.

“At a time when consumers demand both superior flavour and confidence in ethical production, Australian Wagyu is carving its place as a leader of premium beef at the top end of the market.”

Why Australian Wagyu Stands Apart

Australia’s Wagyu industry works from elite bloodlines originally imported from Japan, then further refined through selective breeding for marbling texture and eating quality. Producers maintain full traceability and breeding programmes alongside strict grading, food safety and animal welfare standards to ensure consistency and quality. The majority of Wagyu cattle in Australia are grass-raised, then finished on carefully controlled grain-based diets. This enables the development of intramuscular fat/marbling without excessive external fat.

Aussie Wagyu the facts:

• Over 85% of Australian Wagyu is exported globally each year from its 300,000 strong herd.
• Australia is the second largest Wagyu producer in the world, second only to Japan.
• Australia is the largest Wagyu exporter in the world with over 67,000 tonnes exported globally each year.
• Australian Wagyu ranges from F1 to fullblood, all derived from 100% Japanese blood.
• Australian Wagyu ranges from F1 Wagyu* to Fullblood Wagyu**, with over 70% of Australian Wagyu being crossbred (F1–F3), and the remaining 30% Fullblood or Purebred (F4+).

*F1 Wagyu (first cross, 50%) refers to Wagyu Fullblood x Angus – the dominant crossbreed in Australia.
**Fullblood Wagyu is derived from 100% Japanese genetics.

About the World Steak ChallengeThe World Steak Challenge is a globally recognised meat competition that gold, silver and bronze medals to the highest-scoring beef cuts, judged blind by panels of experienced chefs, butchers and industry experts on both raw and cooked criteria.

The overall winners were crowned at Smith & Wollensky, London on Monday 10 November 2025.

For more information on Australian Wagyu or to explore collaboration opportunities, visit: https://www.aussiebeefandlamb.co.uk and on Instagram @aussiebeefandlambuk.