Wasabi, a Pekingese dog, wins Best in Show award at the Westminster Dog Show

(CNN) – A Pekingese dog named Wasabi won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club’s 145th Annual Dog Show on Sunday.

The reserve position, or runner-up, went to Bourbon, a whippet.

The Westminster Dog Show is the second oldest continuous sporting event in the United States, after the Kentucky Derby. It has survived world wars, pandemics, and economic depressions. Last year, amid the covid-19 pandemic, the event was moved to June.

The competition was held at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York. It was the first time the competition was held outside of New York’s Madison Square Garden, where it has been held every year since 1877. It was relocated this year due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Patricia Craige Trotter, a veteran judge and coach, announced the winner just before 11 p.m. ET Sunday.

“Without question, the entire dog sport is grateful to the Westminster Kennel Club members and their staff for persevering through difficult times to bring us to this beautiful place and create this spectacle for all ages. We thank you all for all you have done, ”said Trotter.

Trotter thanked the dogs, trainers, breeders and organizers for bringing the show to fruition through tough times.

As dog lovers, we love all dogs. Mixed and purebred breeds. They are all pets. Now, not all pets may be a show dog, but rest assured that every show dog is a pet.

The judge noted that she was happy to see this year’s dogs, some of which are descendants of dogs that competed before.

“I have seen the ancestors of several of these dogs over the years. So for breeders, owners, keepers, trainers and conditioners, you guys are on top. All of you, ”he said.

Wasabi will celebrate his victory

Wasabi’s breeder, David Fitzpatrick, told Fox’s Sara Walsh that he and the 3-year-old Pekingese would celebrate overnight.

“He’ll have a filet mignon and I’ll have champagne,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick, whose other dog, Malachy, won Best in Show in 2012, attributed Wasabi’s victory to his individuality.

“He is just a wonderful dog and it is done correctly. He has a talent for the show, ”Fitzpatrick said. «It conforms to the breed standard. It has that little extra detail, that little shine that distinguishes a dog.

When asked if he will carry Wasabi after Sunday’s win, Fitzpatrick replied: “As much as I need. He deserves his own float.

Group winners

Before a dog can be selected as Best in Show, it must win the Best of Breed category and then the group category.

The winners of each group on Sunday were:

Hound group: Bourbon the whippet, who won the reserve spot, or runner-up

Grupo toy: Wasabi the Pekingese, who won Best in Show

Non-sporting group: Mathew the French bulldog

Herding Party: Connor the Old English Sheepdog

Sports group: Jade the German shorthaired pointer, whose mother, CJ, was crowned Best in Show in 2016

Task Force: Striker the Samoyed

Terrier group: Chico, the West Highland white terrier