WINE isn’t the only thing that Fermoy Estate wins gold medals for and exports to the US. The other is an Airedale Terrier appropriately named Margaret River. And it’s little wonder the prize-winning pooch is a champion considering her parents were named after swimming legends.

 

Her mother, owned by the Kellys at Fermoy, is named Susie O’Neil while the sire, owned by Victorians Anne and Ron Sorraghan of Old Iron Kennels, goes by the handle of Ian Thorpe. After Susie had six pups in February last year the Sorraghans took the pick of the litter.

They named her Margaret River and she cleaned up all the prizes at shows in Victoria. Visiting American judges were so impressed they told breeders at home about the dog and she was subsequently sold to the US. ‘Oldiron Margaret River’ is now the number one Airedale in America, having won Best in Show in the world renown Devon Dog Show held in Philadelphia earlier this month.  

 

There were 150 airedales in her group and over 3000 dogs in the show. Margaret River is the first Australian dog to achieve this in 35 years, and the first Australian bred Airedale ever to win Best of Breed. Margaret River then continued to take show honours in America, leading to a strong stream of inquiries seeking Suzie O-Ian T progeny. As a result Ian T made a return journey to Fermoy Estate last month to renew his acquaintance with Susie O. If all goes according to plan, the offspring will fetch handsome prices and find new homes in the Eastern States and America.