I grew up in the country surrounded by dogs! The first dog of my own was a gold English Cocker. When he passed away, my mother saw an advert in the local paper for English Springers and bought Gaytoun King sight unseen over the phone.
My father had a life-long involvement with working dogs and gundogs, and my mother had bred and shown Pekingese. My involvement with dogs was inevitable.
"Duke" was an excellent worker and great guard for the tack at horse shows. An English Springer exhibitor (who shall remain nameless to save her reputation..) saw him at a local agricultural show and approached me. She suggested I show him. Show him I did - an almost entirely white dog with a dudley nose and very average conformation!! By Oakspur Sovereign x Oakspur Soft Music, "Duke" had a moderately successful show career enough to get me "hooked". My father offered to buy me a bitch for my 14th birthday. Enter Gail Elsden and a tiny 5 week old bitch who was to become Ch. Bragninh Moonstone. From a father/daughter mating of Ch Tomara Ebony Squire (Ch Scottan Samson Imp UK x Cruchfield Only Olivia (Dr Primrose of Wakefield USA x Ch Majeba Mystery UK)), and from Ch Bragninh Regency Queen, "Gem" was the foundation bitch at Fraelighte.
This page was last updated on: May 5, 2009
The First "Fraelighte" litter..
My first litter was born in 1979, from "Gem" to the top winning dog in the State at that time. Ch Lionmhor Dannarra was owned by a lady who was to become a life-long friend, Val Spence. From this litter came NZ Ch Fraelighte Moonshine, who produced and won so well for the Dyers of "Marshfield" kennels in New Zealand. My parents kept a bitch Fraelighte Flamingo, and my sister Jayne retained the "runt" of the litter - he was to become the BIS winner and great sire, Ch Fraelighte Flashman.
I bred Flamingo to her half-brother, Val Spence's Ch Gecane Galant. From that litter came my first multi BIS winner, Ch Fraelighte Flame, and the springer who would hold the top winner spot in New Zealand for some years NZ Ch Fraelighte Firebrand. A bitch retained at home, Ch. Fraelighte Finesse unfortunately produced only one litter to Ch Equity Fine Distinction (Ch Special Edition of Cleavehill Imp UK x Cruchfield Ask Arabella).
Home...Friends..Hobbies...Work...
My sister Jayne is an integral part of Fraelighte, has returned from the USA, and is currently doing a surgical residency at the Murdoch Vet School in Perth. We miss her heaps!!!
A strong friendship and partnership with Margaret Whitfield of "Brynfield" kennels has enabled many recent breeding successes which would otherwise have been impossible given work and study commitments. Anita Robinson of "Apointess" has whelped several earlier litters while I was away showing the dogs, and is an ace handler. My friends Beverlee Duncan "Killibank", and Geoffrey Kill "Bifield" give love and support on a weekly basis (and bring me right down to earth when necessary...). Matthew Penman and Kristofer Crane are an important part of our team, and both fabulous handlers. I also couldn't manage without the support of my friend Simon Mills "Clayco" who puts in many hours at Fraelighte helping me with dogs and garden, and is a wonderful friend and companion on show trips away. Thank you all!
I hold a championship show judging licence for Gundogs, Hounds and Working Dogs and an Open Show Licence for Utility, Terriers and Working Toys. I recently passed my exams to elevate to championship level in for all Utility breeds, and enjoy my judging appointments in Australia and abroad.
A rather demanding job as Area Sales Manager with Mars Petcare keeps me occupied during the week, but ties in perfectly with my passon for and love of dogs.
Kaye McGhie
"Bob Sleigh"...
A trip to the UK in 1997 and a visit to my wonderful friend Jean Taylor at "Cleavehill" saw me return home with Ch Cleavehill Bob Sleigh - the Crufts Puppy Dog winner in 1997. Bob is typey to the Fraelighte ESS, and ties in to the back of their pedigrees via "Max". He won 2 Specialty Best in Show Awards in Australia, a Royal Best of Breed and several Group 1st Awards. "Bob" had a sensational record as a sire.
Bob Sleigh mated to Ch Brynfield Make Believe produced Robert & Yvonne Lauder's bitch Ch Fraelighte CentreFold, Fraelighte Far And Away (Res CC at the ESSAQ in 2000), and Terry Wesener's super all-round dog Ch Fraelighte Firestorm CD JD ET winning in conformation, obedience, agility and non-slip retrieving.
Bob Sleigh mated to "Madelaine" Grand Ch Fraelighte For Play produced a litter of 15 puppies in 1999!!! From this litter came the top winning youngsters Aust Grand Ch & SU(u) SW-03 Ch Fraelighte Full Frontal, owned by "Azucroft" and "Fraelighte". "Raptor" went to Sweden in 2003 and continued his BIS winning on his return home in 2004. Ch Fraelighte Full Flight "Felix" is also a top winning dog in this country. "Felix" is co-owned with my friend Toni Dennis of "Tarrendayle" English Cockers, and is a multi All Breeds BIS winner, and Dog Of The Year qualifier. Ch Fraelighte For Ever More, co-owned with Margaret Whitfield, was Gundog Puppy of the Day at Sydney Royal 2000 and RUBIS at the Queensland Gundog Show 2003.
In 2000, we had two litters. Both were sired by "Sam" Ch Tholia Takit To TheMax. From the first litter to Grand Ch Fraelighte Flame D'Amour, we kept a b/w/t bitch puppy Ch Fraelighte From A Distnce, who has won several specialty in-show awards and was CC Bitch both days at the Spring Fair in 2001.
The second litter was from the Bob Sleigh daughter Ch Brynfield Bobie Sox. Ch Fraelighte Full On Aces is owned by Annette Fazey (National Junior Handler winner) in Canberra. Ch Fraelighte Latest Flame co-owned with "Brynfield" is a Baby and Puppy in Show winner - including the ESSA of Qld in June 2001. "Cleo" was Res CC Bitch at the ESSAQ in July 2002.
We had only one litter in 2001 - Aust/NZ Ch Fraelighte Dr Feelgood was mated to Fraelighte For Leaf Clova. From this litter came Terry & Caroline Wilcher's very successful puppy Ch Fraelighte For OnthFloor - with many class in show awards to his credit. Also in 2001 David & Stephanie Rickard used Ch Fraelighte Full Flight "Felix" over their multi BISS winning bitch Ch Wongan Amazing Grace. We took a bitch from this litter - now Ch Wongan Airs N Graces. With 4 Baby and 6 Puppy in Show awards, she was also Res CC at the ESSA of NSW Champ Show in September 2001 - at only 7 months of age! Fallon has continued to breed on in her family tradition - her multi BIS winning sons Ch Fraelighte Fantom Menace and Ch Fraelighte Foreign Legion are currently campaigning in 2006.
"Lately"
A new and exciting venture started in 2003 - with the arrival of the MBIS and National BISS winning Am/Can Ch Willkommen Latest Edition "Lately". Barbara Turnbull kindly consented to her wonderful dog visiting Fraelighte from Canada for 12 months, which turned into 2 years! What a dog!! 43 BIS awards in under 2 years! R/U Show Dog of the Year, Best in Group Brisbane Royal, #1 ESS for 2 years and in the Top Five All Breeds - the greatest winning Springer Australia has ever seen. Lately has returned to enjoy retirement back in Canada, but has left an amazing legacy behind in Australia... I was so proud to handle Lately to his special wins and enjoy him in my life.. One of my "heart dogs".... Thank you so much Barb for letting him come.. Barb and I will be lifelong friends and partners in breeding, and this wonderful dog "Lately" brought us together..
2006 and beyond...
I'm so proud of the current team - Jessica Jolly & the current #1 ESS MBIS Grand Ch Fraelighte Formula One - BOB Brisbane, Melbourne & Sydney Royals.... MBIS MBISS Grand Ch Fraelighte Fantom Menace , BIS Grand Ch Fraelighte Foreign Legion and so many other BIS and champion kids. In Singapore Aust & Sing Grand Ch Fraelighte Fringe Benefit with my friend Chua Ming Kok. Youngsters in New Zealand, Hawaii, Singapore, Phillipines and of course my 2 girls doing so well in Canada and the USA...
Jessica Jolly is now a partner in Fraelighte kennels and I look forward to a long partnership with Jess in continuing to breed our wonderful Springers.
"Sam" and "Madelaine"...
I was fortunate to be entrusted with a black/white son from Max's last litter to Ch & Am Ch Ocoee Raven's Child owned by Jennifer Lawrence of "Tholia" kennels in Sydney. "Sam" was born in 1995, and won BOB and Group 2 at Melbourne Royal in 1998, 2000, 2001, BOB at Brisbane Royal 1998, 1999, 2000, Group 1 at the Spring Fair Classic 2000, and multi All-Breeds Ch. Best in Show Awards. He won BISS at the ESSC of Victoria in November 2002, and was retired that day.
I mated "Sam" to his half sister Grand Ch Fraelighte Flame D'Amour and in 1996 produced a very successful litter including Grand Ch Fraelighte For Play, Best of Breed at Melbourne Royal 1999, Adelaide Royal 2000 and with a current total of 14 Royal CC's - the breed record! A Specialty Best in Show winner "Madelaine" is arguably Australia's top winning ESS bitch, and certainly the most successful at Royal shows. Also from this litter came the MBIS and multi Specialty BIS winning b/w Grand Ch Fraelighte Fear No Evil, the multi BIS winning Ch Fraelighte Foto Replay owned by Manuela Harvey & Karen Barwick in South Australia, and the Perth Royal BOB winner Ch Fraelighte Feel Th Rythym, owned by Steve Warry of "Sabu" in Western Australia.
"Max" and "Holly"... "Tessa"....
I had seen a L/W dog that I admired very much he reminded me of the Cleavehill dogs in the UK. His name was Ch Azucroft Intouch. I booked him to use over Lady Rose, and the rest (as they say) is history!
Ch Fraelighte Flying Intime became Australia's all time top winning English Springer Spaniel 35 Best in Show awards, 2 Royal Best in Show, 6 Royal Groups, 4 Specialty BIS and over 150 Group 1st awards. His sister Ch. Fraelighte Infatuation holds the BIS record for bitches in this country with 16 Championship All-Breed Best in Show Awards. "Holly" also won 9 Royal CC's and 2 specialty CC's. Their sister Ch Fraelighte Fallin Inluv CDX won Bitch CC at the Canberra Royal in 1993 and excelled in obedience and agility.
Selwyn and Leslie Dyer of "Marshfield" in New Zealand made me the most remarkable gift - the specialty BIS winning bitch Ch. & NZ Ch Maketawa Mona Lisa - a grand-daughter of both Hawkhill Crepello Imp UK and Hilray's Meritorious Imp USA. "Tessa" was an amazing worker, having won in the field in New Zealand, and like her equally famous sister Venus Di Milo (owned by "Wongan" kennels) she was a fabulous producer.
To Flashe Gordon "Tessa" produced several top winners for other kennels, including MBIS Ch Fraelighte Flying Colors (the first ESS at "Norstock"), BIS Ch Fraelighte Fire N Ice (the first ESS at "Kaymi"), Ch Fraelighte Vanity Fair (the foundation bitch at "Larona"), BIS Ch Fraelighte Flashe Attack for "Kynadie"in Adelaide, and Ch Fraelighte Free For All for "Springlea" in Victoria.
When mated to Ch Fraelighte Flying Intime however, "Tessa" was most successful as a dam. Grand Ch Fraelighte Flame D'Amour was an All-Breeds Ch. BIS winner with 2 Specialty Best in Show awards and 2 R/U BIS to her credit. Ch Fraelighte French Lettre (the first ESS in Jennifer Lawrence's "Tholia" kennels) was a multi BIS winner. Grand Ch Fraelighte French Knikez owned by Sharyn Phillips of "Larona" is a multi BIS winner, and has won Bitch CC at Sydney Royal Show and the ESSA of NSW Ch. Specialty. Ch Fraelighte French Lace, owned by Anita Robinson of "Apointess" has also had a highly successful show career.
A strong producing bitch line is a Godsend, and I managed to obtain Tessa's niece Ch Babeuf All Things Nice. "Jasmine" was a daughter of Ch Maketawa Chambray Imp NZ, and a grand-daughter of Ch Clanach Wrath O'Khan. When mated to Ch Fraelighte Flying Intime, she produced the specialty Best in Show winner Aust & NZ Ch Fraelighte Dr Feelgood, owned jointly by "Fraelighte" and "Apointess".
Gwen Lutteral and I bred Ch Fraelighte Infatuation's first litter under the Fraelighte prefix. "Holly" was mated to her cousin, the Sydney Royal Show Best in Show winner Ch Azucroft Jumpin Jack. From this litter came the Specialty BIS winner Ch Fraelighte Field O'Dreams. "Timmy" was owned by Robert & Yvonne Lauder "Azucroft" and Joanne Reimer. He is the sire of Ch Brynfield Make Believe CC Bitch Brisbane Royal 1997, Ch Kynadie Bracken, winner of Best in Show at the ESSAQ in 1997, and the top all-breeds and specialty winner Ch Azucroft On The Prowl "Winston". Winston's progeny now span the globe.
"Max" Ch Fraelighte Flying Intime contacted lymphatic cancer at only 4 years of age and at the height of his show career. A long and heartbreaking chemotherapy program was unsuccessful, and he died in my arms just short of his 6th birthday. He posthumously won the inaugural "Australasian Gundog Sire of the Year" - his progeny won and won, and continue to breed on. There a few ESS who have had such an enormous impact on the breed in Australia, and I am proud to have bred and loved him - and to have partnered him to his many special wins.
To the UK, and home...
Three years living and working in the UK saw me return home in 1987 "on a mission". I had been exposed to some great English Springers and had the good fortune to form wonderful friendships with some of the great breeders including 'second Mum' Jean Taylor of "Cleavehill", Jenny & Don Miller of "Feorlig" and Tom & Dorothy Bury of "Lyndora". These people taught me a great deal during my time in England!
I leased a B/W/T bitch Blossommor Sugar Rose (Ch Gecane Galant x Ch Blossommor Mistry) and bred her to Ch Fraelighte Flashman. Enter Ch Fraelighte Flashe Gordon a multi BIS winner and great sire, but not quite the type I had expected.
Sugar Rose having returned to her owner, I was lucky to purchase her B/W litter sister Ch Blossommor Lady Rose from Judy and Barry Thompson. Whilst I was deciding on a stud dog for Lady Rose, a houdini act by Ch Fraelighte Flashe Gordon resulted in the birth of Margaret Whitfield's BIS and Specialty BIS winner Ch Fraelighte Jack Flashe B/W. Margaret and Lloyd then lived next door, and what better way to ensure a dog-loving neighbour than to give a puppy?? "Brynfield" kennels was born - and Lloyd has yet to forgive me.....
