Jake, a Standard Poodle from Bristol, owned by Philip Langdon, has won the 150th Anniversary Celebration Stakes competition final at Crufts 2023 on Thursday 9 March.
The competition was held to mark the 150th anniversary of The Kennel Club, and saw eight dogs parade in the Resorts World Arena at the NEC in Birmingham. All eight had qualified for the stakes by winning Best in Show at a general championship show in the UK during 2022.
Jake (whose Kennel Club name is Ch Huffish Rewrite The Stars with Atastar (Imp Swe) is four years old and he and Philip wowed judge Zena Thorn-Andrews in the exciting final.
Philip said: “I am over the moon to win this special competition to celebrate The Kennel Club’s 150th anniversary, I can’t believe it. Jake is just like any other dog, he leads an easy lifestyle, we go for walks in the Cotswolds, he comes cycling with me - and this is just a wow moment.
“We have had a great year, winning three other shows in 2022 but nothing competes with going into the Main Arena at Crufts, it is scary but incredible. This is Jake’s last show, as he is going into retirement after this, so it’s just amazing.”
Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “Congratulations to Jake and Philip for their fantastic win. The calibre of all eight finalists were incredibly strong, but the pair’s wonderful bond was clear to see and they are so deserving of their award.
“This is a very exciting milestone year for The Kennel Club, and the Celebration Stakes was a fantastic event to mark such a special occasion. This really was a star-studded line-up, and all eight should be so proud of the hard work they demonstrated in the ring.”
Runner-up in the 150th Anniversary Celebration Stakes final was the Basset Griffon Vendéen (Grand), Getme (Dutch Ch Forget-Me-Not v Tum-Tum's Vriendjes (ATC Netherlands), aged five, owned by Anouk and Gwen Huikeshoven from The Netherlands.
The six other dogs competing in the final were as follows:
- Border Terrier, Ch Otterbobs Tolson, Mr J & Mrs H Gilpin
- Deerhound, Ch Ormanstar Dark Shadow, Mrs S Taylor
- Dobermann, Ch Manzart Wise Guy, Mrs A Everley & Mr N Hughes
- Great Dane, Ch Selmalda Jealous Guy (AI), Ms L & Mr A Chappell
- Weimaraner, Sh Ch Gunalt Hendricks, Messrs D Alcorn & G Ingram
- Whippet, Ch Crème Anglaise's Irish Cream (ATC Netherlands), Messrs J W Akerboom & K van der Schaaf