Brighton dog groomer wins at Crufts with Gordon setter

Ben Thorpe, from Brighton, clinched the award for best Gordon setter at Crufts with pooch Finlay.

The winning pair were supported in the show ring at the NEC Birmingham by Ben’s colleagues at Slobber and Chops Fran Ford, Emily Ponsonby-Way and Lucy Blundell, as well as the firm's owner Sally Keegan.

They were also cheered on by staff members Liam Beauchamp Jones and Cameron Simpson back in Brighton.

A lot of hard work went into grooming Finlay and it paid off when he beat 14 other dogs in his category.

Ben, who is head dog groomer and director of operations at the St James’s Street salon, said: "I am absolutely ecstatic. It was really a dream come true to show at Crufts but to win first out of 15 is a real honour.

Read more: Teenager stabbed in street fighting for his life as police search for attacker

"I first met Finlay through very dear friends of mine getting him as a puppy and them bringing to me for his first puppy groom.

"I could see from the moment I saw him he was special in his breed and our bond was instant. I took my dog Arnold to ring-craft training so invited them to come along too with Finlay.

"I handled him a few times there and we just hit it off. Now two years later, a junior warrant and winning over 20 championship shows, we are here winning his class in post graduate at Crufts 2024 after winning his junior class last year. I never thought we would do it for a second time.

Ben and Finlay with the Slobber and Chops team (Image: Submitted)

"The prep work before was three hours of hand stripping to get his coat in top condition. I then bathed and conditioned him in Artero "Detox" to get him clean. I added a new Artero product called Cubic to his feathers and dried it in to help with volume. Once he was dry I did his styling and then it was off to Birmingham.

"It was amazing to have such good friends ringside for support. They all went wild when it was announced that we had won. It made the whole experience so special to have the team there."

To celebrate his win Finlay, who is owned by Maggie Morgan and Miranda Ellis, enjoyed a fuss and his own steak dinner.