Blackpool & District Canine Society

 Blackpool Championship Show 20 June 2026 Irish Setters

This is a very lovely show! My thanks to the committee for their invitation to judge this well-run and immaculately presented show with its long and prestigious history. Special thanks to my steward who did a great job in running the ring single handedly most efficiently with good humour throughout the day. Above all my thanks go to the exhibitors who entered under me, accepted my decisions in a sporting manner and created a lovely atmosphere around the ring throughout the sunny afternoon.

I was very pleased with the quality of my entry which of course made for some very close and difficult decisions in many classes particularly in the strong higher classes. As there wasn’t a Yearling class some youngsters had to move up to Graduate which was a challenge for them.

I was looking for dogs full of quality with an aristocratic presence, most handsome, racy, refined and balanced and with sound free flowing movement. I was delighted to find this in my main winners and also in the higher classes where there were more high quality dogs than prize cards.

I love this breed and it's my view that the head and expression of an Irish Setter is second to none and needs to be treasured. It is the crowning glory of its breed type and so must be most beautiful; long, lean and refined in its structure with a melting expression. While I found many heads with the type and refinement I was looking for I did find some not typical of the breed with heads too short and/or too heavy in bone both over the skull and at the cheeks.

I was pleased to see correct sound movement in a good number of dogs. Some would have moved with better drive with firmer muscle development in rear quarters and some if handlers had moved out and back in straighter lines and with more purpose. However I do know this is easier said than done!

That said, the overall quality of my entry was high and truly I appreciated and enjoyed the privilege of being able to judge them all .

DOGS

Minor Puppy Dog No entries Puppy Dog No entries

Junior Dog, 5/5

1 Clarke’s Riverbrue Gives You Hell (Best Junior)

A racy youngster of outstanding quality and breed type who is now approaching the end of his Junior classes and is just right for his age. He has a racy, clean outline and all the refinement I was looking for with a beautiful lean head with dark eyes and a melting expression, He has a lovely arched neck flowing into well laid shoulders and a firm gently sloping topline which he held on the move. Straight front, strong loin, good rear end, well muscled and angulated thighs, good turn of stifle and excellent croup and tail set. He was one of the best movers of the day with a strong driving action. Well handled and presented with just the right amount of a good gleaming quality coat. Definitely a youngster to watch!

2 Henderson’s Sametsuz Speaks Volumes

Another lovely quality youngster with loads of promise. He has recently moved out of the puppy classes so is not yet as mature and well developed as 1. He is of excellent type, balanced, elegant and refined throughout. He presents a lovely balanced outline with classic typy head and soft gentle expression, nice reach of neck blending into good shoulders. He is well constructed and I liked his straight front with plenty of forechest, good depth of chest, good front and rear angulation with pleasing width across the thigh. He has a rich dark chestnut quality coat which already has plenty of feathering. Presented and handled well, he moved soundly but could not match the drive of the winner today. He is another one to watch for the future.

3 Hardy’s Cafotaliena Play With Fire

Graduate Dog, 7/7

1 Hemmings Orlanset Slave To Love JW

A lovely young boy who won this strong class on his overall elegant type and balance despite not yet reaching 2 years of age. He is just right for his age. He catches the eye with his lovely clean outline from his classic head profile flowing into good neck with nice length and well laid back shoulders. He has the correct topline with excellent width across the croup and good tail set. Super conformation with straight front, nice depth of chest and fore chest , strong in loin and well angulated rear quarters. His coat is developing well with lovely texture and deep chestnut colour. He covered the ground well with the correct driving action which was good to watch. Presented and handled well. He is another young boy who promises to have a great future.

2 Foster’s Ixia Boys Don’t Cry At Shanoah JW

Another high quality typy youngster who would only have been 2 months into the Yearling class if it had been scheduled today. Although he wasn’t always co-operating with his handler and not helped by the uneven ground, I saw plenty to like in his racy, elegant outline and beautiful refined breed type. He has the most gorgeous masculine head and expression with a hint of mischief in his dark eyes. Lovely reach of neck set cleanly on well laid back shoulders, correct topline, croup and tail set. Straight front, good depth of chest, nice arch to loin and good angulated rear quarters. He moved freely with lovely reach and drive. Promising boy. Good to see the depth of quality in this class.

3 Sheldon’s Bardonhill That’s All Right At Delsanto

Postgraduate Dog, 8/8

1 Russell’s Touch of Magic By Settesoli (IMP KCJ) JW

Super boy of lovely breed type and quality. He is refined all through, masculine but nothing overdone. He has a beautiful refined head, low set ears and dark eyes with a true Irish expression, which I loved. Elegant and racy in profile with good reach of neck set on nicely laid shoulders. Straight front, nice tight elbows and deep chest, well ribbed back and strong loin. Excellent croup and tail set. He moved well with animation and drive. Well presented in good condition with a lovely quality textured Irish coat.

2 Cole’s Riverbrue Ophelia Bobby

This quality boy is built on more substantial lines to the winner. He has a lovely balanced head with a soft gentle expression. He is so well balanced and of lovely type with excellent conformation and body properties which won him this placing today. The best of fronts, good lay back of shoulder, strong topline and well ribbed back with very good width and muscle across the first and second thighs and well turned stifles. He moved soundly although I would prefer more animation and feel he would benefit with carrying a little less weight.

3 Bentley’s Penclippin Jubilee Flame JW

Limit Dog 14/11

A very strong high quality class and I simply didn’t have the number of cards I would have liked!

1 Bott’s Bardonhill Million To One

Outstanding dog with an eye catching and beautifully balanced racy profile. I loved his dark chestnut coat and his style. He is refined without lacking substance. He has the most handsome head with raised brows and dark expressive eyes which is carried proudly on a lovely arched neck of good length set cleanly on well angulated shoulders. Good straight front with elbows well let down. He has excellent body properties, deep forechest with good arch to strong loin. Super flat croup and tail set. He used his wide strong well angulated hindquarters to drive around the ring, covering the ground with ease while maintaining his lovely topline. I considered him for top honours but he didn’t quite match his superb performance in this class when it came to the challenge.

2 Richardson’s Bardonhill McIntosh Red At Montgreenan JW

A handsome boy from the same well known and successful kennel as my winner. Like the winner he has a striking outline on the stack and he is balanced from head to tail. He is quite a charmer with a lovely masculine head, dark eyes with a soft melting expression and low set ears. Good length of neck with gentle arch. Not quite the overall maturity of the winner and I would prefer a firmer topline but he has a good deep chest, well ribbed back to his strong short loin and well muscled wide hind quarters with stifles well let down. Presented in excellent condition with his lovely gleaming chestnut coat and a good amount of feathering. He moved freely, with drive around the ring in a very exuberant style. He didn’t quite hold his topline on the move as well as the class winner today.

3 Kolbach’s Kerryfair Zoom In On Pawsword

This boy is one of my favourites and deserves a mention because of his lovely type and exuberant personality which he controlled well today. He moved soundly with style and with lovely front reach and drive.

Open Dog 3/2

Only 2 dogs in this class but both of top class quality, and I loved them both.

1 Dufrat’s Riverbrue Cast No Shadow On Haverley Dog CC and BOB

I have never seen this boy looking as good as he did today. He was simply stunning! He has been slow to mature but definitely worth the wait. He has a super racy outline but with good bone. He is so well made, beautifully balanced and presents a picture of quality and refinement from head to tail. He has a classic balanced long, lean Irish head. I loved his expressive eyes set under raised brows. Elegant length of neck with nice arch set cleanly on his well laid back shoulders. Straight in front, neat feet , good depth of chest. Wide well muscled thighs with stifles well bent. Presented in beautiful condition and coat which gleamed as he moved effortlessly with drive around the ring as one with his handler and owner. The best mover of the day. Delighted to award him Dog CC and BOB.

2 Beresford’s Sh Ch Jetsetter Wind Of Dreams (IMP RUS) Dog RCC

I love this boy’s elegant style and type and his free spirited attitude. He is gorgeous and a very worthy Show Champion. He has a beautifully balanced outline and a firm top-line which exemplifies raciness and quality. He is so refined, well built and he has good bone. He has a classic most beautiful balanced and refined head with lovely dark expressive eyes which show with just a hint of mischief. Good length of neck with nice arch flowing into his well-angulated shoulders. Excellent front construction, good depth of chest and well ribbed back to strong loin with good arch, well muscled thighs and good turn of stifle. He moved accurately with lovely reach in front and drive from behind. Beautifully presented with his quality dark coat. Splitting hairs for top spot with the winner who I felt just had the edge today with his sparkle and his flowing movement around the ring. Very pleased to award him Dog RCC.

Veteran Dog 4/4

It was a privilege to judge these top quality boys who typify the quality and endurance of this slow maturing and most beautiful breed.

1 Russell’s Sh Ch Lynwood Hocus Pocus At Settesoli JW

 Outstanding, top class, top winning boy who belies his 9 years of age, indeed he has got better and better with age. Presented in super condition, he is a credit to his owner and also to his breeder who has consistently produced top quality Irish over many years. Classic elegant, balanced outline, firm top-line, the best of heads with beautiful expressive eyes. Excellent front construction with good depth of chest and spring of rib. Beautifully balanced rear quarters, well angulated and good width across the thigh, lovely turn of stifle. I loved his wide flat croup and tail- set. Pushed hard for top honours today.

2 Boyd-McNeil & Edwards Gwendariff Beam Me Up Scotty

I really like this boy. He has matured into a very lovely 7 year old. I loved his type and conformation He is slightly longer cast than the winner but so well built and balanced. He has a racy, stylish outline with good bone and a firm top-line. Lovely balanced head with expressive dark Irish eyes. I just preferred the length of head of the winner. He is so well made with super body properties. I love the angulation of his front and rear quarters and his depth of chest with excellent forechest. Nice wide croup and muscular thighs with well bent stifle. He moved well with style and with good reach and drive. Presented beautifully with a lovely quality coat in super condition. Handled sensitively and to advantage by his handler and joint owner.

3 Hemmings Sh Ch Orlanset a New Flame

A lovely top quality Show Champion who I admire. I felt he didn’t quite have the sparkle of the winners today.

Special Beginners Dog/Bitch 4/4

The boys had the edge over the girls in this class with their movement today.

1 Hignett-Capper & Capper & Kassube & French’s Cararua Pearl Of The North (Dog)

Unplaced in a strong graduate class today but there is much to admire about this 2 year old boy. He has a decent balanced head with dark eyes and a soft expression. He is a well built young dog of a more compact type. His top line looked rather level today and I prefer a more racy type but he is balanced for himself with a lovely gleaming dark chestnut coat with plenty of feathering and well presented in good condition. I like his front construction with his good straight front and well laid back shoulders. Good depth of chest, nicely arched and short strong loin. Well angulated and well muscled hind quarters and nice and short from hock to heel. He was more settled on the move in this class and moved soundly with good purpose and drive. BSB and I was pleased to see he won a SB Group 4 placing. Well done!

2 Shepherd’s Casachared Mr Delaneys Son (Dog)

Reserve in a strong Junior class. A taller and rangier young boy with a pleasing outline who is still at a raw and immature stage in his development. He is a well-constructed upstanding lad with very good body properties. His head has good length and he has a gentle expression. Good length in his strong neck and clean over shoulder. Good straight front, very good depth to chest and well arched strong loin. I would prefer more angulation in his rear quarters but I think he still has scope to drop more behind to allow this to happen. He won his place in this class with his sound driving movement, covering the ground with ease.

3 Kassube & French’s Cararua Spring Pearl JW (Bitch)

BITCHES   I was delighted with the quality in both number and depth with my bitch entry

Minor Puppy Bitch 1/1

1 Bott, Allen & Morgan’s Glitterati Lofty With Quensha (IMP POL)

What a beautiful little girl she is, and so appropriately named! She has all the attributes I would hope to find in one so young and stands out for her balance and clean correct outline. I loved her pretty dark textured coat and the refinement in her pretty head with just the right amount of chiselling, low set ears and a sweet expression in her dark eyes set under nicely raised brows. Elegant arched neck set cleanly on well laid shoulders, good bone, straight front, tight feet and good depth of body with short strong loin . She has a lovely wide croup, correct tail set, strong wide rear quarters with just the right amount of angulation in stifle. I liked her style moving round the ring with lovely head and tail carriage. She still has a hint of puppy body roll on the move but she went soundly, with lovely head and tail carriage and looking like she was enjoying herself. She has style! BPB and BPIB

Puppy Bitch 2/2

1 Mutch’s Astleyview Dazzeling Moon

A lovely well made puppy with an elegant outline , firm top line and a most attractive glossy deep chestnut coat. She is well made with plenty of substance and potential. I liked her proportionate lean head with well defined occiput, good length, dark expressive eyes and low set ears. I would prefer less stop but this will likely change as her head continues to develop. She has a good length of neck with arch set cleanly on correct well laid shoulders. Good front construction with straight forelegs, good deep chest and body properties. I would prefer more angulation at the rear, however she is still developing and there is plenty of time for this to come. She moved soundly with animation, striding out in front with good drive behind to win this class.

2 Davie’s Zimbra Della Magna Sila At Lochfrae (IMP ITA)

A racy, nicely balanced and pretty puppy built on smaller lines all through than the winner but all in proportion with no exaggerations. Promising coat with appealing texture coming down her back. She has a pretty head, a gentle soft expression and the refinement over skull that I like. . Strong neck set cleanly on her shoulders and although I would prefer a better lay back of shoulder, there is no break and her top-line is correct. Straight front, deep chest and nice tuck up in loin. Good length and balance in rear quarters and good short hocks. She was less positive on the move than 1 today.

Junior Bitch 6/5

A very strong high quality class with 5 lovely girls.

1 Sketchley’s Sametsuz So To Speak

A beautifully balanced young lady, with an elegant flowing outline and firm gently sloping top-line, correct croup and tail set. She is refined and has plenty of substance and is well constructed. A very pretty head with low set ears, dark eyes and a melting expression. I liked her gently arched neck set cleanly on well angulated shoulders and lovely firm top line. Good front and rear construction. Straight forelegs , elbows well let down , deep chest, good strong loin. Best mover in this class with lovely front reach and rear drive. Well presented in very good condition and her super dark coat with depth and texture is very appealing. Promising future.

2 Bott’s Bardonhill As You Like It

A pretty girl, full of quality and of a lovely type. Beautiful dark glossy coat She was wearing her ‘naughty hat’ today and giving her handler a difficult  time! She is balanced all through with a lovely clean racy outline when settled, very refined and feminine with plenty of substance. Lovely balanced head, low set ears and a melting expression in her dark eyes which I loved. Nice length of neck and a good lay back of shoulder. Excellent front, straight limbs, neat feet. I like her depth of body and forechest. Rear quarters are wide and strong with good bend of stifle and short hocks. I saw enough to know she is sound on the move with good reach and drive although she was rather distracted today. Very promising.

3 Henderson’s Sametsuz Speak In Code

A lovely quality refined youngster with not quite the maturity of 1&2 but also well constructed with a beautiful feminine head. I see that she is litter sister to the winner today and indeed they do share many of the same quality attributes as would be expected from this breeder. Another promising young lady!

 Graduate Bitch 8/8

All first 3 place winners here were under 2 years old and would have qualified for a Yearling class. Their quality and performance on the day won them their placings.

1 Box’s Fernstart Heart’s Desire

Lovely well balanced and pretty, feminine girl who is now maturing nicely. She showed her socks off today! She has an elegant clean outline without exaggeration and is so well made. Pretty lean head of correct proportions , low set ears and a sweet gentle expression. Good neck set cleanly on her well angulated shoulders, good front construction and depth of chest and well ribbed back to her short firm loin. I liked the width and angulation across the stifle and her short straight hocks. She was presented in super coat and condition with plenty of feathering presenting a lovely picture. She was stylish and sound on the move . She held her topline as she moved positively and smoothly around the ring with good reach in front and drive from behind.

2 Boyd - McNeil & Edwards Glennlokhen Chasing Dreams

I really liked this sweet young lady. She is less mature in her development than 1 but has all the scope and attributes to reach the top when she is ready. I love her racy outline and her attitude. She looks ready to gallop across the moors if her owner is ready for the challenge! She has a lovely head with dark expressive eyes and low set ears making a true Irish expression. Good front construction, well laid back shoulders and nice tight feet. Nice deep chest, longer in loin than 1, good rear end with correct croup and tail set and nicely short from hock to heel. She was a little overstretched at times which affected the angle of her hocks. She moved accurately and freely around the ring, maintaining her topline and with lovely front reach.

3 Mutch’s Astleyview Crimson Moon JW

Postgraduate Bitch 5/5 A lovely class.

1 Sturrock and Watt’s Forfarian Fancy Me JW

Lovely elegant bitch of an excellent quality and breed type who caught my eye straight away with her striking outline and ring presence. She was presented beautifully in full dark glossy coat and with super ring presence. She has excellent conformation and is balanced throughout. She has a lovely head, refined over skull and very feminine with a beautiful expression hinting of a little Irish mischief. I liked her angulation at the shoulder and in hind quarters. Good length in neck which is set cleanly on her well laid back shoulders. Her front construction is excellent, straight limbs, nice tight elbows and neat feet. Good depth of chest and she is well ribbed back to her strong loin and has an excellent wide croup with correct tail set . Good width across second thigh, well bent at the stifle and short from hock to heel. She presented a lovely happy picture as she moved accurately and effortlessly round the ring, lashing her tail and keeping her topline. I considered her for top honours.

2 Hunter & Brown’s Glencarron Another Chapter At Braidmount

I liked this bitch a lot! Similar in type to 1 and she shares many of the same characteristics. She is well balanced throughout and presents a lovely racy outline. She has a gorgeous long, lean and refined head with low set ears, raised brows and a beautiful wistful expression. Her neck is moderately long and set without any break into her well laid back shoulders. Good front construction, depth of chest and ribs. Nice width across the croup and good tail set. Excellent width and length in hind quarters, lovely bend of stifle and short hocks. She moved soundly with good front reach and drive from behind. Just lost out to 1 today who had the greater ring presence and finish.

3 Peters Corranroo Viennese Waltz To Shirlilah

 Limit Bitch 12/10 A beautiful class with so many girls of the highest quality! My first three are all worthy CC winners and it was an honour and a pleasure to judge them.

1 Bott & Allen & Morgan’s Quensha Joker And The Queen

This lovely quality girl was a pleasure to go over and was on top form today to win this strong class. I have always admired her and now at 4 years she has matured and has the most beautiful balanced and proportionate flowing outline which catches the eye straight away. I would prefer just a shade more length in leg but like her moderate size and love her feminine refined head, with beautiful correct eye shape and the most wistful expression. She is so well made with good bone and body, an excellent straight front with very good angulation at the shoulder matched by her well developed hind quarters with lovely bend of stifle and short perpendicular hocks. Strong wide croup and on the move she carried her tail level with her back as she covered the ground effortlessly and smoothly using her strong rear quarters to drive from the rear. One of the best movers of the day and this gave her the edge to win this super class.

2 Bouttell & Burbridge’s Ixia Snow Vixen

A classic Irish beauty, very much of the type I like. She exudes quality, femininity, refinement and elegance in head and outline while still having good substance. Presented in gleaming coat with lovely depth and texture. I adored her gorgeous lean and proportionate head with its beautiful chiselling and lovely eyes with an expression so soft and mischievous it drew me in! She has a moderately long strong neck set cleanly on her well laid back shoulders and good balanced angulation, lovely straight front, neat elbows, deep chest and is well ribbed back to her strong loin region. Rear quarters are wide, strong and well bent at the stifle. Slightly longer in hock than 1 but not to distract from her overall super balance and shape. She moved happily and soundly with lovely tail action, keeping her top line all the way.

3 Danks & Kniveton’s Alolfrana Electra

Another lovely top quality 3 year old girl who I really liked . She just lost out on maturity and finish to the winners today.

Open Bitch 6/3 It was an great honour to judge these 3 beautiful Show Champions. Thank you so much for bringing them today.

1 Roffey’s Sh Ch Gwendariff Skys The Limit ( IKC)

A gorgeous young Show Champion of outstanding quality and personality as reflected by the many top honours she has already deservedly achieved. She is beautifully made with good substance while retaining her racy feminine type. Presented in great well muscled condition with a lovely dark coat and just the right amount of featherings. She has a lovely eye catching flowing outline and she holds her head high in a most regal manner. I would have preferred a little more length of leg but again this could not detract from her overall balance and she retains her gently sloping top line. I liked her well balanced head with raised brows, attractive chiselling and correct beautiful dark eyes with their soft expression and more than a hint of mischievous twinkle. She moved effortlessly with a super free flowing action around the ring showing great forward reach and drive. She pushed hard for top honours but was unlucky to meet the 2 veterans in the challenge today who were both in the form of their lives.

2 Watt’s Sh Ch Shenanigan Half a Sixpence

Close up on 1. A beautiful mature Show Champion who excels with her elegance and femininity so essential to this breed. She is well constructed with good substance and body properties and was presented in very good condition. Her lovely chestnut coat has just the right amount of pretty feathering to embellish her beautifully balanced body with no exaggerations. She has the prettiest of classic Irish heads, refined over skull with pleasing correct length and proportions , raised brows and her eyes have a beautiful soft expression. Her elegant strong neck has pleasing length with nice arch and flows smoothly into her well laid shoulders and gently sloping top line making a lovely outline. Front construction is very good with good chest depth and I liked her neat elbows and feet. She moved soundly with lovely tail carriage and action but could not match the flow and drive of the winner today.

3 Heather’s Sh Ch Sixoaks My Fair Lady JW

A lovely Show Champion of super type with the prettiest of heads which I love. Today I wanted to see more verve and and animation on the move.

Veteran Bitch 7/5 So much quality to see and a joy to judge these gorgeous girls in which their class and the longevity typical of the breed, was so clearly on view.

1 Hunter & Brown’s Sh Ch / Int Sh Ch Fairhaven Electra (IMP SWE) Bitch CC & Best Veteran

A stunning bitch with the sparkle and ‘look at me’ attitude which belies her 9 years. She keeps getting better and better and I loved her. Her head is gorgeous; most refined, long and lean with good finish of muzzle, low set ears and lovely shaped dark eyes with that essential soft but intelligent expression with a twinkle of mischief. She was presented beautifully in great condition and a super deep chestnut coat of quality. She is refined throughout and so feminine while retaining good bone and substance. She has the most elegant balanced outline which flows from head to tail. Her front construction is excellent with correct depth of body and spring of rib. I liked her strong angulated rear quarters with lovely bend of stifle and short hocks which she used to drive around the ring in free flowing style with super tail carriage and action. Delighted to award her the BCC and BVIB.

2 Sturrocks & Watt’s Sh Ch Forfarian Soo Lush JW Bitch RCC

Lush, she is! A gorgeous feminine refined bitch of excellent breed type with great style presented in super coat and condition. While she is built on more compact lines than 1 she retains her racy and elegant outline and she is beautifully balanced with no exaggerations. She has a free spirited and lively demeanour which I found most endearing. I just loved her pretty refined lean head, beautiful shaped dark eyes with their soft quizzical expression. Good front construction, straight forelimbs and correct elbows with nice tight feet, deep chest well ribbed back . Hind quarters are strong and wide and well angulated stifle and short hocks. Everything is in proportion with this pretty girl. She moved in a lovely flowing active style with the reach and drive that is so good to watch. I was pleased to award her the RBCC.

3 Heather’s Sixoaks Leading Lady

Judge: Lynn Morris (Brinara/Minsterlands)