Every breeding programme reaches a moment when hope becomes reality. For Batorok, that moment was Celeste.

Celeste was the very first Hungarian Vizsla we retained under the Batorok prefix, making her one of the most significant dogs in our journey. Born as a singleton to Armani, she inherited much of her mother's calm nature while adding a spark and enthusiasm all her own. During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Celeste's earliest days were filled with love, care and countless hours by Kirstie's side, creating a bond that remains as strong today as it was the day she was born.

Although the pandemic delayed the beginning of her show career, it certainly didn't slow her down. At just eleven months of age, Celeste earned her Australian Champion title, having already taken her very first Best in Group award from the Puppy Class before going on to win Puppy in Show - the first major milestone for the Batorok prefix. She would go on to qualify for the prestigious Puppy of the Year competition on multiple occasions, giving us an early glimpse of the remarkable career that lay ahead. As she matured, Celeste continued to exceed every expectation, progressing to Australian Grand Champion, Australian Supreme Champion and Asia, Africa and Oceania Champion while becoming a multiple Best Exhibit in Show winner. Her beautiful movement, light footfall, far reaching gait and effortless outline are everything we hoped to preserve from Armani and continue to value in our breeding programme today.

If Armani laid the foundation, Celeste proved the versatility of the Hungarian Vizsla. With the same enthusiasm she brought to the show ring, she has embraced every new challenge placed before her. From Rally and Trick Dog to SprintDog and Scent Work, Celeste has approached each discipline with confidence, intelligence and an unwavering desire to work alongside her people. Her particular passion has become Scent Work, where she gained her Scent Work Novice title in just three weeks and has continued to progress through the levels while consistently demonstrating the trainability, adaptability and natural working ability that make the Hungarian Vizsla such an exceptional all-round breed. Whatever challenge is placed in front of her, Celeste's answer has always been the same - she throws herself into it wholeheartedly.

Away from competition, Celeste is an exceptional mother and one of the most influential girls in the Batorok breeding programme. She absolutely dotes on raising her puppies and approaches motherhood with the same confidence and devotion she brings to every other part of her life. Her quality as a dam has now been formally recognised with her Dam of Merit title, awarded after producing five Australian Champion offspring, including an A2O Champion Supreme Champion, multiple performance titled progeny and with another generation of young Batorok dogs already beginning their own journeys. Today, every puppy carrying Celeste's influence also carries a little of Armani with them, while adding something unmistakably Celeste - a willingness to embrace every challenge with confidence, enthusiasm and heart.

Today, although she is retired from the conformation ring, Celeste has no intention of slowing down. Whether she's searching for odour, racing down a SprintDog track, learning a new trick or simply cuddling with Kirstie at home, she approaches every new adventure with the same enthusiasm she has shown since she was a puppy. She is, in every sense, the dog who proved that the Batorok dream could become a reality.

Some highlights include:

First Hungarian Vizsla retained under the Batorok prefix.
Multiple Puppy of the Year qualifier.
Queensland's Number Two Rising Star Gundog 2021.
Multiple Best Exhibit in Show winner.
Runner-Up Best Exhibit in Show winner.
Royal Queensland Show - Multiple Reserve Challenge winner.

Official titles:

Australian Champion title – 11 months old.
Australian Grand Champion title – 2 years, 2 months old.
Australian Supreme Champion title – 4 years, 1 month old.
Asia, Africa and Oceania Champion title - 4 years, 4 months old.
Dam of Merit title - 6 years, 2 months old.
Rally Novice title.
Scent Work Novice title.
Scent Work Advanced title.
Scent Work Excellent title.
SprintDog Novice title.
SprintDog title.
SprintDog Advanced title.
Trick Dog Starter title.
Trick Dog Novice title.