Veteran shearer David Fagan has finished just short in his bid to win his final event before retiring.
David Fagan in action earlier this year at the Otago Championships. Photo: Shearing Sports New Zealand
At the New Zealand championships in Te Kuiti last night the 53-year-old won the Shears Circuit final but was denied a 17th Open title, finishing third behind Hawke's Bay guns Dion King and Rowland Smith.
During the event, video recordings featuring messages of support from Prime Minister, John Key, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and All Blacks legend Sir Colin Meads were played.
Fagan has won 640 finals worldwide in 33 years of open-class shearing.