There are no hard feelings from Shrek the sheep's camp in Tarras towards Twizel merino Big Ben, who has officially snatched Shrek's unofficial world record for the heaviest fleece.
Big Ben had his record-beating wool weight verified by Guinness World Records last week, hot on the heels of challenges from two Australian sheep.
''Congratulations from Shrek to Big Ben,'' Shrek's owner John Perriam said.
''I just hope he can fend off the wannabes from across the Tasman. I would love to be a referee, but I may be a little one-eyed.
''Shrek of course never claimed to have the heaviest fleece in the world.
''That's not what his fame was all about. It was the story and seven-year journey, raising profile and funds for [child health research charity] Cure Kids.''
Big Ben's owner, Mike Lindsay, of Omahau Hill station near Twizel, said he was not trying to replicate Shrek's fame and ''marvellous'' achievements.
''It's a bit like if you have a pop band and someone tries to reinvent the Beatles again; it's never quite the same is it?''
