
Not separately Classified classes count as breed classes with the same rules applying.
It is just the variety classes proper that you can withdraw from, so yes you were quite right.
I had a similar situation at a championship show.
My Jozi gets very OTT, and is better after she has settled down, so a stakes class was perfect for this.
The champion stakes was on first long before our breed classes. I didn't fancy my chances in breed with an out of coat bitch so took her in, and obviously didn't win, actually was unplaced.
In the breed she won Open, then got the bitch CC, and BOB, so we couldn't represent the breed in the Group.
I have also placed 4th in Open and then gone on to win Champion stakes of the day and then coming back on last day to win overall.
Personally I think stakes should be separate competitions and the beaten dog rule not apply, but that is because I love stakes classes