Golden retriever ‘Breeze’ was crowned overall winner of the BASC gamekeepers’ classes at Crufts 2019 last night.
Two-year-old Breeze beat off tough competition from five other finalists in the main arena to win the Northesk Memorial Trophy.
Owner Richard Mace said he was ‘elated’ to have won and Breeze took it ‘all in her stride’.
“She’s only two-years-old and she’s so versatile,” he said.
“We show her at shows as well. When she’s out picking-up she’s so happy to do it. She’s so special to us, we bred her and she’s a brilliant all-round gundog. She took our time in the main arena all in her stride and wagged her tail.”
Retired gamekeeper Richard has been competing in the BASC gamkeepers’ classes at Crufts for 19 years – taking first place three previous times with Breeze’s great-grandfather ‘Hail’ and second place twice with Breeze’s father ‘Twister’.
“We keep on coming back because of the atmosphere,” he added.
“It’s a really good day, BASC look after us so well and everything is so well organised.”
Richard, who co-owns Breeze with his wife Jenny, has also been a judge in the gamekeepers’ classes in the past.
He and Breeze were presented with their trophy in the main arena by BASC vice chairman Eoghan Cameron, who said: “This has been an absolutely inspirational event.
I was very, very impressed by the dedication shown by everyone who has competed. It has been a joy to see dogs being worked to such a high standard. Overall it was a very exciting, somewhat mindblowing event.”
BASC’s gundog officer Kate Dymock said: “It was a fantastic day which served to demonstrate an array of working gundog breeds in their prime to a global audience. Everyone who took part did fantastically well and a big congratulations to the winners across the three rings especially the overall winner of the gamekeepers classes.”