Casterton Kelpie Muster

Casterton Kelpie Association president Karen Stephens was thrilled that the event continues to grow in popularity with an estimated 5000 to 6000 people watching the exciting and diverse events, including a street parade and feats of speed, power, agility and endurance.

She said part of the credit lay with the weekend's beautiful weather.

"We’re a community of farmers, so we love our rain but we were wearing out our knees for fine skies during the weekend and it was delivered," Ms Stephens said.

Nudge, owned by Ian Roberts, Grassdale, was crowned King of the Kelpies by winning the triathlon that combined the performance of the 50-metre dash, high jump and hill climb.

The black and tan dog placed third in the hill climb and equal third in the high jump clearing 2.3m.

In the 50m sprint down the town’s blocked off main street, Sally Henderson, Williamstown, was thrilled her god Jett lived up to his name and flew down the straight in 5.31 seconds.

Jett beat a record 80-dog field to win the race for the second consecutive time, making it two wins out of two times Ms Henderson has come to the event.

Click on image for gallery.

Another Melbourne suburb dog topped the high jump, which was also contested by a record 45 entrants.

Tegan Eagle, Croydon, was surprised that 2.5-year-old RV Bailey was the only dog to clear 2.53m, beating two-time winner Moe, owned by Jarrod Quick, Dean, who cleared 2.45m.

“Last year got out after first round, so this is crazy for him. I’m so proud,” the ecstatic owner said.

“Normally he’s scared of jumping and we tried to train him you know at playgrounds and fences, but he doesn’t like jumping.

“Nothing beats a Kelpie, they’re such good dogs.”

Bailey was bought as a pup from Michelle Wilson at Lancefield.

Casterton’s Shirley Foster who co-ordinated the high jump said there were so many people wanting their dogs to take the big leap that for the first time ever, the organising committee had to be very strict about only allowing purebred Kelpies compete.

The hill climb, River, owned by Jodie Dowling, Sunbury, won, beating Ozzie, owned by Luke Geddes, Glenmore in second.

There was a total clearance of the 62 Kelpies sold at the 19th annual Australian Working Dog Auction, and a record total of $220,650 made.

The average price was $3559.

Within this successful sale, the top-priced dog was Bagalla Bart, a 20-month-old red and tan Kelpie sold by Ian O'Connell, Strathkellar, to Angus Kirton, Walcha, NSW, for $11,000.

This is the second highest price in the auction's history.

Mr O’Connell said he only breeds one or two litters a year

At both the last two auctions, sold a full brother to Bart for $10,000 each, which Mr O'Connell suggested he was breeding the type of dogs people wanted.

"They love working, to get in there and move stock," he said.

"But they balance this eagerness and willingness to work, with an ease of control to stop them working too.

"They're suited to working both sheep and cattle and pretty much anything that moves, they’ll want to herd."

Bart is out of the bitch Marabou Zeena and by the dog Saltpan Laurie, both of which Mr O’Connell bought as pups.

"In my travels I look for dogs with the traits I like," he said.

Mr Kirton is a return client having bought a dog from Mr O'Connell named Grumpy in 2009.

"Every year I put in one dog for the auction to support the wonderful event, which puts Casterton on the map for many people and acknowledges the enormous contribution Kelpies have been making since they originated near Casterton some 140 years ago."

Other sale highlights included a 4-month-old pup Bonanza, sold by Paul McPhail, Welshpool, to Russell Kamp, Willalooka, for $5400.