MILBURN BASIL

Phils Creek Sam X Capree Misty II

Born: 10th May 1992

Michael worked a number of other good Kelpies after his wins with Noonbarra Butch and did well with them but his next really exceptional Kelpie was one he bred himself, Milburn Basil. In 1997, Michael Johnston working Basil won the big NSW State Yard Championship Trial. The same year he went and won the National Australian Open Yard Championship as well.

Milburn Basil has shown he is an outstanding Kelpie in the popular yard trials and is still winning new titles. Many people consider him the top Yard & Utility Trial Kelpie in Australia. In 1998, Milburn Basil placed 3rd in the Australian National Kelpie Trial. Back in 1996, Milburn Basil won the Scanlon Award at the National Kelpie Trial for best Cast, lift and draw. He has also won the National field Days Utility Trial at Orange as well as the Central Western Championships.

MILBURN BASIL - Trial results (Not yet completed) 

1994	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	West Wyalong Yard Trial	92/85
1994	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Woodstock Yard Trial	94/88
1994	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Canowindra Yard Trial	95/91
1994	6th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Monaro Yard Champ - Crookwell	81/75
1994	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Western NSW Championship
1995	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	SouthernNSW Yard Championship	194. 5
1995	3rd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Parkes Yard Trial	96/86
1995	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Canberra Yard Trial	92/94
1995	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Boorowa yard trial	92/91
1995	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Western NSW Championship - Nyngan
1995	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Yard Championship
1995	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Forbes Yard Trial
1996	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Southern NSW Yard Championship	185
1996	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Forbes Yard Trial
1996	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Yard Championship
1996	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Henty Championship
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Eugowra Yard Trial
1997	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	West Wyalong Yard Championship
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Nyngan Classic	162
1997	4th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Nyngan Yard Trial	92/92
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Eugowra Yard Trial	95/94
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	West Wyalong Yard Trial	91/94
1997	9th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Henty Yard Championship	167
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Australian Yard Championship - Vic	94. 5/94
1997	5th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Elmore Vic. Yard Trial	189. 5
1997	6th	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Millamolong Utility	?
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Young Yard Trial	91. 5/91. 5
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Forbes Yard Trial
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Western NSW Champion - Nyngan
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Canberra Championship
1997	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Title - Cowra
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Dubbo Show Yard Trial	193
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Central West Yard Championship
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	National Field Days Utility Trial
1998	3rd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Cootamundra Yard Trial	172
1998	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Carcoar Yard Trial	192
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Young Yard Trial	91. 5/ 91. 5
1998	3rd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	National Kelpie Trial	80/76
1998	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Nyngan Yard	170
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW Yard Championship	92/84. 5
1998	1st	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	Central Tablelands Championship
1999	2nd	Milburn Basil	Michael Johnston	Open	NSW State Championship - Canberra

In September 1998, Milburn Basil won the Central West Championship Yard Trial with a great final score of 97 points. The Milburn Stud also won the Improver Title with Bonorong Rex, 4 points ahead of his nearest rival.

"The biggest highlight of my career was winning my first Open class Yard Dog Title, which was the NSW State Championship - competing with the best dogs in the country and then going on to win the Australian Yard Dog Championship with Noonbarra Butch."

"I consider Milburn Basil and Noonbarra Butch to be my best dogs so far. .. A good temperament in a dog is very important. The dog has to have natural ability, stamina and a good presence on his stock, with a williness to please his handler. He should have a good amount of eye with the ability to force when required and good casting ability."

At the NSW State Championship held in Canberra February 1999, Milburn Darkie was placed first (owned by Jim Luce), Milburn Basil was placed second and Noonbarra Butch was placed third. Basil & Butch are both owned by Michael Johnston and Milburn Darkie was bred by him, in fact Basil and Darkie are full brothers.This was an outstanding success for the Milburn Stud and shows the huge influence the Stud has had on the trials.

Milburn Basil has been named the Yard Dog of the Year for 1999. This is the third straight year he has won the award as he was also successful in 1997 and 1998. Michael himself also won the Best Handler Award for 1999.