26th April 2024 The only independent racing pigeon weekly - over 125 years serving the fancier
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Secures his fifth National victory with the 1st National Pau (also 1st International), all within a span of six years. AD FORTUIN Strijen, Netherlands
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THE RACING PIGEON 26 APRIL 2024
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BROWN, GARY – It is with great sadness to report the passing of my good friend and racing partner Gary Brown of Perry & Brown. He will be missed by many who raced alongside him in the Newham Pigeon Club. – Fred Perry & Family, East London OBITUARY
Established 1898
The Only Independent Racing Pigeon Weekly and e -edition Over 100 Years Serving You The Fancier Breaking news at www.racingpigeon.co.uk
26 APRIL 2024 Issue No 7377 The Racing Pigeon Co Ltd, PO Box 12760,
Colchester, CO1 9TZ Phone 01206 250880
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THE RACING PIGEON 26 APRIL 2024
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RIK COOLS
Talking with Rik Cools and his wife Mieke about our beloved pigeon sport is always a pleasure. Rik is a breeder who loves both breeding and racing with the pigeons. Heisa specialist and therefore more than happy about the announced changes at National level in Belgium regarding the difficult medium distance flights every two weeks. This not only brings more respect to the animals, but also the time they need to recover and participate with full energy in the next race. “In the future, we have to be more considerate of the high temperatures and make sure that our pigeons fully recover,” Rik says. “My favourite top products are Bt-Amin Forte and Mumm, which provide fast recovery and all the necessary reserves for the next races. In warmer phases I additionally use Avipharm or Elektrolyt3Plus.
In the days after the races the pigeons are given Avidress Plus, which protects them from infections, keeps them in better health and also has a positive effect on the intestines. Once the pigeons know this product, they drink it without any problems. I also use it throughout the year on the breeding loft. After that they get Gervit-W for one week and Bt-Amin forte (vitamins and amino acids) for the other week. A full week of Blitzform and an extra shot of iodine can also do wonders for white noses and nice pink breasts. During the racing season, I’ve been using Carni-Speed for the last few years, which leads to faster recovery and gives the birds plenty of energy in a short time. During the moult I use a lot of Taubengold in the drinking water and Hessechol with Pavifac Bierhefe over the feed. This makes it much easier for the pigeons to moult, and it gives them a wonderfully soft plumage.” Rik Cools, part-time advisor in a school in Aalter, remains at the top of pigeon racing. In 2005, he began racing pigeons by himself (it had always been in partnership before). He got off to a blitz start, by breeding together with Gaby Vandenabeele, he soon scored top results. Especially with the bloodlines of ‘Bliksem’ x ‘Frieda’ and with ‘Bliksem’ x ‘Bieke’, which are the stock of this super colony. These foundation breeders and those of Victor from Antoine Bennot of Nazareth are the most important in the breeding loft in Ruiselede.
Since then, many have had winners with Cools pigeons:
1st National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Young Birds 2014 – ‘Tarzan’ (Leo & Gerry Dockx) – 100% Rik Cools 1st National Limoges 2015 + 2nd National Ace Pigeon Long Distance 2015 – ‘Favoriet’ (Rudi De Saer) – 50% Rik Cools 1st National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Yearlings 2014 – ‘Carla’ (Freddy De Jaeger) – 50% Rik Cools 1st National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Young Birds 2013 – ‘Sun’ (Benny Steveninck) – 25% Rik Cools 2nd National Ace Pigeon Long Distance 2014 – ‘Gloria’ (Bert Van den Berghe) – 25% Rik Cools 3rd National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Young Birds 2015 – ‘Benji’ (Marnick De Neve) – 75% Rik Cools 4th National Ace Pigeon Long Distance Old Birds 2015 – ‘Impact Florian’ (Filip & Nicolas Norman) – 50% Rik Cools 4th National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Old Birds 2014 – ‘Christa’ (Chris Debacker) –50% RikCools 5th National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Young Birds 2015 – ‘Angelina’ (Marnick De Neve) – 50% RikCools 5th National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Old Birds 2014 – ‘Leila’ (Marnick De Neve) – 50% RikCools
2022 Highlights: Châteauroux (485 km) – against 1,402 old pigeons: 1st, 2nd & 3rd – 1st Nat zone against 2,630 pigeons. Châteauroux (485 km) – against 895 yearlings: 1st & 2nd Arras (120 km) – 412 young: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Clermont (200 km) – 894 young: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Fontenay (320 km) – 585 young: 1st Best flier 2022: ‘Felicienne’ BE20-3106463, she flew the following top prizes 5th Prov Châteauroux against 286 pigeons
2nd Blois against 6.112 pigeons 8th Bourges against 1.161 pigeons 27th CliBteauroux against 4.366 pigeons 41st Blois against 6,042 pigeons 44th Fontenay against 8,334 pigeons 60th Argenton against 4,095 pigeons
A Power with the Hens
Rik Cools is known for being a master in the game with his hens and he prefers participating in the middle distance races. Throughout the years, he has bred a ‘line’ of hen that is not so interested in same-sex pairing, accomplishing this by training and selection. They receive a light mixture and near the day of hampering, they get some extra corn, peanuts and sunflower seeds. Every week they have to participate in a race and on the day of their arrival, they receive Avipharm and Mumm (glucose and electrolytes) so that they regain their condition in no time at all. Next, he uses Gervit W and Avidress in the drinking water. The last two days, it’s Bt-Amin Forte (amino acids) and/or Blitzform (extra iodine). Apart from this, they receive Carni-Speed every day of the week during the season. This ensures that the birds recover faster and that their energy supply functions faster too. Following a difficult race, they are sometimes hampered for a short race of 100-200 km. He has had good experience using Blitzform for a whole week, which gives a nice pink breast and they recover better. The hens are free in the loft during the daytime as well as at night. Once the season is over, they move to the open aviary, where they can spend an ideal moulting period. During that time, they are given a good moulting mixture, seeds and Taubengold on a regular basis in their drinking water plus Hessechol + Pavifac Brewer's Yeast in their feed. The youngsters as well the old birds receive a lot of Jungtierpulver. To Rik it is also very important that they get fresh minerals every day; he prefers Reise-Mineral and Zucht+ Mauser-Mineral. A fresh portion daily ensures that their digestion is good.
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The Joe Murphy Column
(Gold Cup) again in 1982. Hendry says in his note that ‘Blue Blitz’ was beaten by the flap of a wing to win the Gold Cup for the third time, would he have got the Gold Cup to keep (erom the SNFC)? Don’t think this statement is correct Hendry, the year after ‘Blue Blitz’ won the Rennes race, W T Gardner of Lockerby won the Gold Cup the following year doing a velocity of 1094. John Kirkpatrick of Annan won Rennes and Nantes. Has any other fancier done this with the SNFC? Other double SNFC winners are as follows: Matt Jamieson of Annan won Nantes in 1969 & 1986 plus Sartilly in 1982. John MacGillivray & Son of Forth won Nantes in 1956 & 1958. John Robertson of Jedburgh won Nantes in 1970 & 1972. Jim Sanderson of Pathhead won Nantes in 1981 & 1982. John Fairbairn won Avranches in 1974 & 1978. Hope this helps you out with your question Hendry. There are other outstanding fanciers who have graced out wonderful sport over the years; but I’m sorry to say that I don’t have the time to look these up or to sit and write them all down Dewar Trophy Book Received an email from Bob Carter who wrote; ‘Hi Joe, Just to let you know that I have received the book and I’m enjoying reading it. You have certainly done your research. Some fascinating stories and facts about the Dewar
Received a card and lovely note from Etta & Henry Mair of Irvine saying; ‘Hello Joe & Margaret & Family – Hope you are all well, and keep up the good work for the sport in Scotland’. Love & Prayers & Best Wishes Hendy. There was also a note for the Joe Murphy
Column which is as follows. Enjoyed you Excellent Article on the two greatest pigeons to fly in the history of Scottish National Racing from France. ‘Fortune Lady’ and ‘Kingdom Spirt’ –both 10 times winners in the SNFC results, and both the only ‘ Double Gold Award Winners’ in the History of the SNFC. Jack Wylie of Newcastleton, ‘Blue Blitz’ that was beaten by the flap of a wing, to win the Gold Cup for a third time, would he have got the Gold Cup to keep (from the SNFC). I have my doubts as this trophy is worth a lot of money, and is irreplaceable to the SNFC. Joe who holds the record for National wins from Europe (France) into Scotland in the past 100 years. Could you give me a 1-2-3 if possible. (I think John Hodgson from Annan must be up There! John Kirpatrick of Annan won Rennes & Nantes. Has any other fancier do this with the SNFC. Wishing you and Margaret best wishes Yours Hendry.’ To answer Hendry’s questions: John Hodgson of Annan won the SNFC seven times . These were as follows: Sartilly (2) in 1986 & 1990; Sartilly (1) in 1987 & 1991; Rennes (Gold Cup) in 1990; Falaise 2008; Clermont 2010. Newcombe Brothers of Mackmerry – Cheltenham YB National 1972; Rennes (Gold Cup) 1979 & 1984 and Avranches 1980. Willie Kinnear & Son Barry of Edinburgh – Le Ferte Bernard (Gold Cup) 2004; Ypres 2009 and Reims (Gold Cup) 2020. Shillinglaw & Wylie of Newcastleton won Rennes (Gold Cup) in 1964; Falaise 1978 and Rennes Michael Thomas recieving 1st Nantes Trophy from Andrew Deans.
Joe & Margaret Murphy recieve trophy from Jock King.
received a warmer welcome and what a privilege and a pleasure it was. Happy days. Well, done with the book, Joe and thanks again. I wrote to Bob and thanked him for his nice comments and would he mind if I use them in my column (as to be honest the book is not selling as I hoped). Yes, it took me eight months researching the results and information on the winning pigeons to get the whole thing completed, as it was the 50th Anniversary of the Trophy I so much wanted to have this docu- mented to go into the history books. I’m glad Bob is enjoying it and thank him so much. Bob replied to me, ‘You are more than welcome to use my email
Joe, cheers Bob’. Obituary
I received a phone call from my dear old friend Jock Strang of California, who informed me that his wife Betty had passed away. They were married on the 21st October (the same date as Margaret and I but a few years earlier). We both visited each other’s houses over the years and have become great friends. (Even though Jock played for Rangers, ha ha). We have had some great banter over the years when it came to ‘Old Firm’ games. However, our friendship meant more to us than a foot- ball game. Many years ago, Jock
Willie Wilson of Larkhall with Joe Murphy.
Trophy-winning Champions and a timely, very well-deserved and fitting tribute to them all. A reminder, if one were needed, that some of the finest long distance pigeons (and fanciers) are to be found in Scotland. I made my very first trip to Scotland (a round trip of nigh on 500 miles) from my home city of Hull to see the first winner of the trophy having been so impressed by the performance of W & D Ree’s fine grizzle cock Champion ‘High Degree’. Still in my teens I couldn’t have
George & Gareth Rankin.
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phoned me up to see if I could meet his brother ‘Wull’ at the Forth Bridge as he had bred some youngsters for Kevin. I went and met up with Wull. When I looked in the basket there was a mealy with touches of blue on its wings, I took it out and asked Wull what was this about. He replied; ‘Oh this is a special one Joe’, it is red white and blue, the same as the Rangers. We laughed and laughed and I said to Wull, ‘It will never make the racing, it will be lost before then’. We named the mealy ‘JS’ after Jock Strang and it turned out to be a How to prepare for long distance racing. I quote from the article, written by Baker Brothers of Chesterfield away back in 1947 the year I was born, but believe me there is a lot of true and good common sense in this article. I hope some novice take notice. ‘After carefully examining each pigeon after the last racing season, with the moult finished we carefully examine each pigeon and dispose of any that do not come up to our standard. The moult indicated that the health of the pigeon, from now on we feed one meal each day with the birds given a full crop, with a slight purgative each weekend. But we cannot stress too strongly about regular times of feeding, so very important to success is regularity in times of feeding all the year round. The racers are allowed to rear one squeaker only each year, and then they are raced on dummy eggs, for we soon found out you cannot race and rear successive nests of squeakers, and win out of turn. The pigeons earmarked for the long distance races get slightly different treatment to coincide with date fixed for races, of later
very good pigeon indeed. Every time we timed him from a National race, we phoned Jock to tell him, for as an example as a yearling he won 23rd East Section 213th Open Cheltenham from a convoy of 3,780 birds. He then went on to win 20th East Section 130th Open SNFC Eastbourne 4,568 birds. He also won 11th East Section 65th Open from SNFC Ypres 2,347 birds; 27th East Section 37th Open SNFC Clermont with 1.741 birds competing and finally he won 107th Open SNFC Clermont from an entry of 1,622 birds. We are going to most important is the breeding of young from our stock birds, for we well know the loft would be put back two or three years by a setback during the breeding season. We leave all stock pairs along during incubation and rearing, and all squabs are weaned at from twenty-one to twenty-four days, when any not up to standard are quickly suppressed. We take no notice of wing condition of moult in our racers when basketing for marking, relying on general outward appearance to select our fittest candidates. Many fanciers will disagree with us in our method of selection, but our
Camelon Crematorium on the 19th April to pay our respects to Betty. Photos Everything is quiet just now and I’m awaiting the weekly results to start arriving to add to my weekly column, so if you wish your club or Federation to receive some publicity then send them to me by Tuesday of each week. One thing is guaranteed if I receive them, they will go into my column, and this will continue throughout the season if I receive them. Just now is so quiet, west wind on 13th April. Topping the Federation on this opening race was Graham Wardhaugh of Darlington with a yearling blue cock. His sire topped the Federation from Catterick and also won 3rd Federation from Billericay last year. Dam is from David Owen from Coldingham stock. Keith Howie had a great race winning 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th & 10th Open. With John Baillie in with a nice double winning 4th & 9th position. Grant French & Son of Haddington wins 7th open, completing the top ten are Mr & Mrs March of Prestonpans in 8th place. Prestonpans HS Winning 1st Club is Keith Howie with a two year old blue pied cock, he won 2nd Federation last year from Thirsk and he also won 20th Section 66th Open SNFC Brighton. His sire is a Vandenabeele from Graham Stewart. Dam of the winner is direct from Keith’s Champion ‘Blue Arrow’. Keith’s 2nd Club winner is a Vandenabeele bloodline, his dam is a full sister to ‘Blue Arrow’, this bird won 1st Club 2nd Federation from Catterick last year. Third Club is John Baillie with a blue cock bred by Freddie & Willie Robertson
however, I have found some old photo- graphs while going through old files, which brought back some happy memo- ries. I hope you enjoy seeing some old ‘superstars’ of days gone by. First one is of Michael Thomas winner of 1st Nantes receiving his trophy from Andrew Deans. The next picture is of Willie Wilson of Larkhall with Joe Murphy. Then we have Joe & Margaret Murphy receiving their trophy from Jock King. With the last picture of a relaxed George & Gareth Rankin of Larkhall with one of their winners.
always. Winning 1st Federation is Castlebrae Club Secretary Robert Sammels who timed his two year old hen on 1571. The sire is a De Bishop gifted by F & W Robertson in 2019 and the dam a Busschaert x Soontjen. She has been a good hen previously a winner of 5x1st Clubs and 3rd Open in the Danderhall Xmas race in 2023, she is also a full sister to 1533 the winner of 2022 Xmas race, so as you can see good winning lines. Well done Robert. Second place goes to W Kinnear & Son with T Nolan & Son winning 3rd, 10th & 11th places. Freddie & Willie Robertson are 4th & 5th with Helen Aitken & Sons taking the next two places, followed by L Affleck in 8th spot. Brown & Black win 9th Open.’ Photos Robert Sammels’ Pentlandhills Fed Winner. ‘Kardale Style’ winner of SNFC Gold Award bred and raced by the late Dale Newcombe. As a matter of interest his sire was a son of ‘Fortune Lady’. My next photograph is of ‘Bonnie Lass of St Vigean’s’ who was bred and race by the late Bill Dorward of Arbroath racing pigeon club. Last but not least is my old pal Walker Kennedy of Dunfermline with his good friend the late Eric Fox of Bakewell, who was a top NFC fancier. Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@ gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimar pigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland . Walker Kennedy of Dunfermline and Eric Fox of Bakewell.
‘Kardale Style’.
Champion cock had not thrown a flight when he returned from the Boudreaux races. This will confound the critics, who say a pigeon only starts to show his best form when it starts to moult. We would like to mention to our novice friends to make sure first they have the right pigeons to work on, good fancier-ship will not produce results, you must have the right tackle. Our simple methos on the right pigeons will produce results’. I hope someone gets something from the above as it is straight forward and good common sense.’ Weekly Results If any club wishes to have their weekly results published in my column, I require them by Tuesday of each week, as I have to have my column typed and forwarded to the paper on Wednesday. If you wish to have your Federation or club winners photo included in the column then please send it by email along with your result. Or fanciers themselves can forward their photography to me personally; remember to give me some details on the pigeon. East of Scotland News from Tom McEwan regarding the first race of the old bird season for 2024. The convoy was liberated at 7am into a
Robert Sammels’ Otterburn winner.
mating. These mating’s, as was our champion cock was allowed to rear one youngster to nine days when it was taken away from him and put under feeders. He was then allowed to go to nest again, and sent to Bordeaux sitting seven days, and had not reared a squeaker up fully in his life. Or method of training, in common with the majority of fanciers, are in stages of from five to forty miles, with old and young birds. Our Champion cock was given three tosses alone at 150 miles, which we feel sure these single up tosses teach then to be self-reliant when competing in the long races and the flocks split up. No mysterious potions, or pills, are ever used, they only impair the pigeon’s digestion, strict cleanliness in the loft, fresh water at each feed, best grain available, plenty of basket training, with an occasional tonic, is routine work with us. What we consider
‘Bonny Lass of St Vigeons’.
of Edinburgh from their Hereman-Ceuster bloodlines. Tom expressed the wishes and thoughts of all club members by saying; ‘It is very sad that John Bird from Prestonpans won’t be with us to enjoy the start of the sport he loved’. Pentlandhills Federation News from Andy Miller. ‘Here’s the news of the first old bird race of the year; which kicked off from Otterburn on 13th April, with a distance of 56-68 miles for the members. Liberated at 07:00 in a WSW wind, the leaders made short work as
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AD FORTUIN – Strijen, Netherlands
Last year, ‘Loyd Laureaat’ clinched the 1st National Pau (3,993 birds), which also secured the 1st International out of an impressive 12,631 pigeons. In addition to this remarkable 1st National victory, ‘Loyd Laureaat’ demonstrated exceptional top class performance as a yearling: 1st National Pau 2023, 3,993 pigeons (also 1st International 12,631 pigeons); 3rd National Bergerac SII 2022, 5,655 pigeons (also 27th National 25,618 pigeons); 159th National Agen yl 2022 6,174 pigeons. ‘Loyd Laureaat’ is a grandson of ‘Loyd’ (1st International Barcelona 2018, 15,707 birds) x ‘Dena’ (daughter of ‘Sumerain Fighter’, 1st International Barcelona 2017) on the paternal side. ‘Loyd Laureaat’s’ mother is a daughter of ‘New Laureaat’ (1st International Barcelona 2012).
Secures his fifth National victory with the 1st National Pau (also 1st International), all within a span of six years.
NL21-1178424 ‘Yfke’, 1st National SII Narbonne 2022.
Looking at the pedigree of ‘Yfke’, it's no surprise that she wins the 1st National SII Narbonne 2022 as she has a pedigree to die for. ‘Yfke’s’ father is ‘Son Special One’. ‘Special One’ won the 1st National Barcelona agains 19,083 pigeons. Moreover, ‘Special One’ is also the father of, among others, the 2nd International Narbonne 2017, 3rd National Barcelona 2019, 12th National Barcelona 2020 and 25th National Perpignan 2018. ‘Yfke’s’ mother is daughter of ;New Laureaat;, and ‘New Laureaat’ won the 1st International Barcelona 2012. ‘New Laureaat’ is also the grandfather of, among others, the 1st National Agen 2018, 3rd National Perpignan 2016, 2nd National Perpignan 2017, 8th National Narbonne 2016, 15th National Agen 2016, and 17th National Agen 2017. ‘Yfke’ herself achieved the following in just two years: 1st National SII Narbonne 2022 1,908 pigeons; 3rd National Narbonne 2022 6,260 pigeons; 3rd International YL
After securing the 1st National Agen in 2018 and the 1st National St Vincent in 2019, Ad clinched both the 1st National Perpignan and the 1st National SII Narbonne consecutively in 2022. Then in 2023, he did it again with the 1st National Pau, bringing his tally to five National victories in a span of six years. When Ad decided to fully focus on marathon races in 2012, success quickly followed with achievements such as 8th National Narbonne 2013, 9th National Perpignan 2013, 4th National St Vincent SII 2015, and 8th National Agen SII 2015. Much of these early successes were due to the influence of his good friend and international top fancier, Hugo Batenburg. Eighty percent of Ad’s pigeons are bred at the breeding loft of Batenburg-Van de Merwe. Additionally, Ad himself maintains a small breeding loft measuring 2.5 by 1 metre, housing six breeding pairs. These 12 pigeons all originate from 1st International and/or National winners, with most descending from ‘Willeke’ (1st International St Vincent 2019 10,597 birds) and ‘Miss New Laureaat’ (1st National Agen 2098 4,776 birds). Particularly when paired with several top cocks from Hugo, the offspring of ‘Willeke’ and ‘Miss New Laureaat’ produced a whole series of top pigeons such as ‘Maradona’, ‘Ad’, ‘Faas’, ‘Fleur’, ‘Venus’, ‘Isha’, ‘Talent’, ‘Louw Little Mamba’, ‘Raiman’, etc, all top flyers born in 2020, 2021 and 2022. As mentioned, over the last six years, alongside a series of top results, an impressive five National victories were achieved, which you can see listed below: National Agen 2018 – 911km 4,776yl: 1st, 17th, 32nd, 41st, 55th, 102nd, 146th, 169th, 189th & 201st etc. (Also fastest out of 10,530 pigeons).
National St Vincent 2019 – 999km 2,696 pigeons: 1st, 37th & 101st etc. (Also 1st International 10,597 pigeons). National Perpignan 2022 – 1,021km 3,805 pigeons: 1st, 3rd, 12th, 17th, 29th, 59th, 61st, 91st, 112th & 212th etc. (Also 2nd International 12,094 pigeons). National Narbonne SII 2022 – 962km 1,908 pigeons: 1st, 44th & 62nd etc. (Also 3rd National 6,260yl and 3rd International 12,281 pigeons). National Pau 2023 – 1,004km 3,934 pigeons: 1st, 49th, 277th, 296th & 437th etc. (Also 1st International 12,582 pigeons). Here is an introduction to some of the top performers from recent years who played a signifi- cant role in all these successes:
NL21-1178402 ‘Loyd Laureaat’, 1st National Pau 2023.
NL20-1481150 ‘Faas’, 13th National Marseille 2022.
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Narbonne 2022; 49th National Pau 2023 3,934 pigeons; 52nd International Pau 2023. On the Marseille race, which was a tough edition, ‘Faas’ won 13th National in 2022. ‘Faas’ arrived, after a release at 7am, with a speed of 1,072 meters per minute on the same day at 9.52pm at the lofts in Strijen. Only 37 pigeons managed to reach the threshold of 1,000 meters per minute. In the same year 2022, ‘Faas’ also was 738th National against 4,891 pigeons. Last year, he was once again at the top with the 287th National Barcelona out of 4,832 pigeons. ‘Faas’ is a full brother of ‘Ad’ (NL20- 1481285) who won the 1st National (also 2nd International) Perpignan in 2022, but also of ‘Fleur’ (74th National Marseille 2022).
NL19-1651295 ‘Mamba’, father of ao ‘Maradona’.
‘Venus’ (‘Mamba’ x ‘Little Inbred KJ’) with ao: 5th International Ace Pigeon yl 2022; 15th National Agen 2022; 123rd National Narbonne 2022; 281st National Perpignan 2023. ‘Fortune NL22-641’ (‘Mamba’ x BE20-649 PIPA Breeding): 2nd Hotspot 3,069 pigeons OLR Victoria Falls ‘Fortune NL23-104’ (‘Mamba’ x ‘Willeke's Laureaat’): 1st Final 650km OLR Ribera del Orbigo. Brillaint results in OLR In addition to the aforementioned top performers ‘Mamba’ and ‘Willeke's Laureaat’, you’ve already seen two children, both successful in One Loft Races (OLR). However, these are by no means the only achievements attained in this field in recent years. To conclude this report, below you'll find a selection of top rankings (all in 2023) achieved by Ad in OLR:
paired with ‘Little Inbred KJ’ (‘Kleine Jade’, Jelle Jellema) at that time. Additionally, we see the phenomenon ‘New Laureaat’ both on the paternal and maternal sides. As you've read above, both top breeders ‘Mamba’ and ‘Willeke’s Laureaat’ are the parents of ‘Maradona’. ‘Mamba’ is a son of two National winners, namely the 1st International Barcelona 2018 and the 1st National Agen 2018. ‘Willeke's Laureaat’ also has two International/National winners as parents, namely ‘New Laureaat’, 1st International Barcelona 2012, and ‘Willeke’, 1st International St Vincent 2019. ‘Mamba’ and ‘Willeke's Laureaat’ have since become parents of several top pigeons in their own loft, but we also see their offspring achieving top results in One Loft Races (OLR): ‘Maradona’ (‘Mamba’ x ‘Willeke’s Laureaat’) with ao: 3rd International Ace Pigeon Perpignan 2022- 2023; 6th National SII St Vincent 2023; 18th National St Vincent 2023; 29th National Perpignan 2022; 37th National Tarbes 2022; 127th National Perpignan 2023. NL19-1651313 ‘Willeke’s Laureaat’, mother of ao ‘Maradona’.
With ‘Maradona’, we’ve reached one of the most remarkable pigeons among the marathon pigeons in the Netherlands. Remarkable because, like Maradona, he had little interest in daily training, and after a hawk attack in April 2023, he hardly ever goes outside. Remarkable also because he possesses extraordinary qualities both as a breeder and as a racing pigeon. ‘Maradona’ is a son of the two super breeders ‘Mamba’ x ‘Willeke’s Laureaat’. ‘Maradona’s’ most notable achievements are: 3rd International Ace Pigeon Perpignan 2022-2023; 6th National SII St Vincent 2023; 18th National St Vincent 2023; 29th National Perpignan 2022; 37th National Tarbes 2022; 127th National Perpignan 2023; 333rd National Agen 2021; 590th International Narbonne 2021; 759th National Barcelona 2023. NL20-1481282 ‘Maradona’, 3rd International Ace Pigeon Perpignan 2022-2023
• In the OLR Ribera Del Orbigo, NL23-9300998 (‘Fortune 998’) secured the 19th position in the Final race (500km), finishing as the 2nd Ace Pigeon. • In the 3rd Hotspot of Victoria Falls, NL22- 8443641, ‘Fortune 641’ (half-sister of ‘Maradona’), won the 3rd prize against 3,069 pigeons over a distance of 318km. • In the final race (605km) of the OLR Afrika Pro, NL23-9317702 ‘Fortune 702’ won the 15th prize. • On the OLR Ribera Del Orbigo, NL23-9301104, ‘Fortune 104’ (full brother of ‘Maradona’), won the 1st prize in the Extra Final race (650km) on a tough flight. • On Monday 26th February, the NL23-9299071, ‘Fortune 071’, secured the 4th place in Hotspot 1 (Survival Race) between Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Jack van Eck
NL21-1178481 ‘Venus’, 5th International Ace Pigeon yearlings 2022.
The hen ‘Venus’ achieved remarkable results as a yearling in 2022, winning the 15th National Agen and the 123rd National Narbonne. With these two outstanding performances, she became the 5th International Ace Pigeon among yearlings. Also in 2023, she continued her success with the 281st National Perpignan. ‘Venus’ is a half-sister of the previously mentioned ‘Maradona’. ‘Mamba’ was
THE RACING PIGEON 26 APRIL 2024
8
Around the North East WITH BARRY PEARCE
this hen was a 1st Fed winner from Wetherby last year, so she’s shaping up well. The nearby allotment lofts of Graham, Gilchrist & Brennan were right on the tail of the winning two with two hens, the first a NP rung 2yo, the next a yearling to take 3rd & 4th Club and Fed on 1796 & 1782. Fed Secretary Tom Ridley shows up again with one at 5th Club and Fed, then it was John Walker at 6th Club, 6th Fed. We then head to Jarrow AHS to find Blackburn & Lewis at 1st Club, 9/127, 7th Fed then MB&K are back for more with 8th & 9th Fed and the top 10 ends with I & D Nelson with the Hebburn HS winner, 3/48. Thanks Steve. The Coquetdale Fed were on their way at 7.30am, a fly of 155 to 175 miles for Fed members, which they took in their stride, well the winners did. It was Kevin Moore who got two together, two yearlings on 1831 & 1830 to take 1st & 2nd Chevington Drift HS, 1st & 2nd Fed, and I’m told this is the lad that took over the highly successful loft that was flown last year under the Mallan & Mowbray banner. Not sure what came for Kevin, as I do know the two John’s left pigeons in situ for Kevin to fly, so were these two of them? Never mind, two good pigeons giving the lad a good day. Trevor Shell is always there or thereabouts with Alnmouth HS, Trevor is a friend from way way back, and here he is getting a yearling himself to take 1st Club and 3rd Fed on 1826. Adam Nichol is just about the farthest flying member in the Fed, he’s on 175 miles, but he certainly has some decent lines, for he’s never to far away, and he’s got no less than four in the first 10 from a 932 Fed entry. He’s 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th Alnwick HS, 5th, 6th, 8th & 10th Fed, with only Richard Murphy splitting him with 3rd Club, 7th Fed. Thompson & pearcebarry1946@gmail.com 15 Rossett Walk, Park End, M’Bro, Cleveland, TS3 7LX
Hope with Alnmouth HS are 9th Fed, and the father and son Amble HS part- nership of Ray & Leslie Hume are there for 13th Fed. Thanks KS. The Section 2 results now from John Cockcroft, the middle liberation at 7.50am. This result has five of the six Federations in the top six of the result, pretty fair result in my book. The one at the top, Morley & Son have been good competitors for quite some time, it’s one of those lofts I’d like to get to see, but as time and tide wait for no one, it’s just a question of when I can find the time. Nevertheless a clear winner for this good loft, against top class fanciers.
Monday 15th April, and its raining again, as if we haven’t had enough! February and March record rain falls, and we are still getting it. Pigeons? Ducks is what we should have! Before I start with results, the ‘scores on the doors’ I now have before me from Karen, the UNC Secretary of what the numbers are that were sent to the first two weeks racing. At Selby, it was seven Feds sending 6,077 birds from 219 members. At Wetherby it was a 16 Feds sending 11,246 birds from 363
job, which entails doing night shifts, and he has a young family, so help him, don’t hinder him. He’s put together the top 20 in the Section from Selby, and he’s also put on the result sheet those Federation winners that didn’t quite make the top 20, but nevertheless with over 6,000 pigeons being sent, what an achievement to be even mentioned on such a result. I’m not going to write it all out again, I’m sure it must be so much easier for the Editors or the people that deal with my efforts, to just put the result in as sent to me, rather than writing it all out again, well that’s my idea anyway. Thanks Matty, keep them coming mate. The second of the UNC’s 2024 races was due to be from Worksop, all Feds joining up together, but as Worksop tends to ‘hold water’ and wagons have got bogged down before on this site, it was onto Newark Cattle Market, and the GYA at Grantham. No problems with the liberations, with the UNC starting at 7.30am, a very fresh WSW wind to push them on again, but not as much as the week previous, but there was still plenty of leading pigeons breaking the 60mph mark. Let’s start with the Mid Tyne Fed result from Newark, they being up and on their way at 07.50, part of the second grouping. It was a 23/535 send, and it was the John & Ian Miller and Steve Kyle loft that was at the top of the result yet again, and they also got 2nd Boldon HS, 11/362, and Fed as well on velocities 1814 & 1797ypm. The first is a yearling blue cock, the sire being a full brother to a 2nd UNC winner, breeding being R & D Hunt VD Bulck’s cross a Redhill Farm lofts Lambrecht, and the one at 2nd, a yearling blue hen is from a son of a 2nd UNC winner, and also from a Redhill Farm Lofts Lambrecht hen, and
Lister & Walker’s winning hen (see text).
Now to the South East Durham Fed, part of the last grouping. There was 1,077 away, and they were led home by a Widowhood cock to the top Horden EEHS loft of Brian Harris and Alan Richardson. This former 1st UNC winning loft of 1st yearlings Eastbourne in 2008 wins with this winner from their well established lines won on a 1832ypm velocity, which was just in front of the Darren Roberts of Blackhall HS winner on 1828, and this was win number two following its win last week at Selby. What a result for Easington HS loft of Jimmy Lyons & Brace, the first five in the club with 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 9th Fed thrown in, a mixture of Bob McGillicuddy’s and Mickie Collins lines. We then have two former 1st UNC winning lofts at 7th & 8th Fed, the late Fred Basley and George Roberts at 7th with HEEHS, and Jimmy Richardson at 8th Fed with a Howard Jackson bred Horden HS timer. Neil Jones & Edwards were 2nd Club, 10th Fed behind JR, this a Ted Hickman pigeon that was 39th Fut last season. Looking further down we see Cartridge & Hall with last weeks winner, plus others from his number one stock pair, and the Fed winners got another one bred by Brian Hall of Gateshead. My late and much missed wife Shirley, when she couldn't sleep at night used to get a book out and read, she was a avid reader
Chris Robinson (see text).
lofts. In that Wetherby send there was a 97 lofts send of 3,193 birds, followed by Section 2 with a 266 lofts send of 8,047 birds. On to Newark, and it was a 23 Feds send from 670 lofts sending 20,271 birds, so make of that what you may. Before I start on Newark results, John Luke, the Thornley HS Secretary has sent me that clubs result from Wetherby, and from 117 bird send, Stan Frost and his son Robert are in the lead on 2172. This was a fast but erratic race, and this long time top loft, a previous 1st UNC winning loft which I visited at the time way back in 1977, won from Gwen Holden and Bobby Mitchell on 2037, then there was a drop to Nuttall Bros & Sons with two on 1967 & 1858. So onto Newark, and I’ll start this week with a Section result put together by Mathew Arkless, the East Cleveland Federation Secretary. This is of the last liber- ation of Group 3, it’s something I did some years ago but then I only did East Cleveland, North Yorks and Middlesbrough & District Feds. It will take some putting together, so I hope those five Federation secretaries help the lad, and I’ll remind you, Matty is a Fed Secretary, has a full time
THE RACING PIGEON 26 APRIL 2024
9
of all types of books. Now myself I do like a good book, Steven King being one of my favourite authors, but when I usually have some spare time (Busy Barry remember, as if!) or I can’t sleep, I end up doing what I’m doing now, writing! And what time is it BP? Half past three in the morning, that’s what time it is! Neil now on dyalisis, BP back on the computer after a short nap before getting up to take him to hospital, fun eh! Hartlepool now, Newark at 8.10am, a send of 34/1,038, which were shown the way home by 2yo flown by Hartlepool HS’s good loft of Paul Wells and Adrian Twidale, and the are a good team, very rarely missing the Inland Fed sheet, and I don’t think they bother at all with the Channel racing. At 2nd Club and Fed we have the Mick & Michael Lilley team, now they do like both the Inland and the Channel racing, and very rarely miss from both codes. It was close at the top 1816 v 1808ypm, then a slight drop to another HHS arrival, that of Dave & Iain Maddison,
for the top three pigeons on this result are the top three pigeons in the whole of the five Federations in this last group 3 Section. Now the three lofts at the top are good well run lofts, good fanciers each and every one that does its fair share of winning each season, and over many many years. Lister Bros & Walker, been there, done them. Frankie Birch, not yet, but? Moore Bros, been there done that, they were 1st & 2nd UNC way back in 1990 from Folkestone from over 25,000 pigeons, so they are good competitors, but the ‘head scratching’ part of it is because with the birds being liberated into it for in a fresh WSW wind, we all thought the top and fastest pigeons would be on the coast. The three lofts mentioned above are all Tees Valley lofts, all I’d say are about at least 10 miles plus or so from the east coast, and even when I contacted Crag Lister of the winning loft, even he said he was surprised the coastal pigeons weren’t taking the top Section honours. Anyway, from 7,422 pigeons 1st, 2nd & 3rd Section it’s
and like the two above them this loft is never to far away in these inland races. The Lilley & Son team then got another three arrivals to take Fed positions 4th, 5th & 10th with the winners again at 6th and I&DM at 9th. The Hartlepool
Supporters HS had the Mr & Mrs Brian Noble with two 2yo’s at 7th & 8th Fed. Stranton HS had Bob Trowsdales 2yo at 14th Fed. The Tees Valley Fed result now, and this result is a bit of a head scratcher,
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THE RACING PIGEON 26 APRIL 2024
10
Lister Bros & Walker, Hardwick HS; 2nd TV Fed but 1st Stockton WEHS we have Frankie Birch and 2nd HHS and 3rd Fed and Section it’s Moore Bros. Before I send this away I hope to have further info about the winning 2yo hen, bred by Ian Everington of Dormanstown HS, and bought by the lads at a B/B in which she won a ‘grand’ in, so she’s a canny one. The velocity of 1833.9ypm was put up by all three pigeons, only decimals between them, .6, .3, all so very close. At 1st Portrack HS we have Dennis Nicholson and Kevin Prest, then Alan Armstrong with Eaglescliffe HS at 5th; Speight & Son 6th, SWE; S & D Wilton HHS, 7th; Kev Ward, SWE, 8th, Moore Bros again at 9th and at 10th it’s Russell, Don & Ian McGlade with PHS. I’ll go with some club results now, and end with the Section 4 result from Wetherby, thanks Dave. Further infor- mation is now at hand about the above winner, named ‘Evos Girl’. In her year of birth 2022 she was to show she was going to be a good one taking a 2nd, 3rd and a 4th, and she won that £1,000 in a B/B. As a yearling she scored on a regular basis, including a 1st Club at Peterborough, and there’s TV Federation turns as well, and then now in 2024, this fantastic win, so we can all certainly say, she’s a good one. The Eaglescliffe HS result sees Alan Armstrong taking 1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th etc, and this after missing the first race as
he was in hospital, his good mate Paul holding the fort. It was a 9/185 bird send, and Alan’s first arrival was a year- ling blue hen, a Darren May & Son x Alfie Hawthorn blue hen on 1802 for 5th TV Fed. Phil Armstrong in 2nd for second week running, Phil’s arrival being a yearling blue cock on 1734ypm for 17th Fed, then it was Alan again for 18th & 19th Fed, two hens and at 5th a cock, a mixture of May & Son and Les Killick lines, and TV Fed figures were 45/1157. The Owton Manor HS saw the Graham Campbell and Kevin Hall team getting the red card with a hen on 1761, which got her 11th Fed, and then it was Jones & Son at 2nd Club, 19th Fed. Geach Bros, McKenna & Chapman take 3rd & 5th with Dawson Bros & Stephenson at 4th, and the send was 9/326. Can I thank Dave for sending me those results, for although he is no longer club or Fed Secretary, he has promised to send me results each week. And can I remind readers that Owton Manor HS was the very first club I ever presented prizes at, and the likes of Dave & Tommy Geach are friends of 50 odd years or so, cheers mucker. Two results from Middlesbrough HS, UNC and GYA results. The first is Newark last grouping, and it was a 8/193 send. As I wasn’t sending with the UNC, as normal I went along to my friends to watch the Cole & Wheatley Family
arrivals, and I was way out with my ETA this week, for about 15 minutes before my ETA, a bunch of about five or six came straight on line, and dropped to their loft with another going straight down into the near by loft of Keith Hodge and Dennis Potter, which was to win the club on 1819. Unfortunately the lofts blue pied hen of Alfie Hawthorn cross ‘danced awhile’ putting her back to 2nd Club, but that’s pigeon racing for you. Keith and Dennis got another one for 3rd Club as well, then it was Wellburn & Sons and then CW&F again at 5th, and they won the £10 single bird nom. The GYA were out of Grantham at 9.20am, same conditions as the UNC, but just a few miles further, so it was now back to my place for the first race of my season. At 11.20am, a yearling blue hen arrived, and that’s as good as it got, as she messed around some- thing terrible. Unfortunately as it’s me that takes them training, there’s no one at home to trap them, so although most do trap ok, some yearlings that flew to another compartment do dwell awhile when homing, and this hen that up to about 10 days before this race was feeding a YB in the YB section, she wanted to be in that. And no matter what I did to trap her, including opening up that section, she would not have it, so over four minutes was lost, and it cost me. I wouldn’t have won 1st, 4th or 5th yes, but that was last week, and
now its this week. Anyway, it’s hats off to Chris Robinson, won his first race last season, and now it’s another win, and 2nd Club as well, so well done that man. I asked about his winner, and he just pointed to our club mate Lee Crooks, so I take it it was one through Lee’s, and I’ll add Lee earlier had topped M&D Fed, so another well done that guy. So it’s Chris 1st & 2nd on 1683 & 1682, then Mr & Mrs Harry Heard with 3rd, Alan Crook 4th then Mr & Mrs Heard 5th & 6th with the winner being the fiver nom, 9/212 the send. Not to sure if there’s any more to come results wise, so as it’s going to take some sorting out by the Editors, I think this will have to be sent. I’m also working on a write up on last seasons TV Fed Champs, Amos & Son so I’ll switch my attention to that over the weekend, although Saturday and Sunday I try to stay away from this writing lark. It’s 8am now, and I’ve been on it since just before 7am, but thank- fully had a better nights sleep last night. Harry Doyle out in The Emerald Isle, nice to hear from you again, thanks for your kind words pal. Right, the UNC and The GYA are both due out of Grantham on the 20th, a head wind as opposed to the tail winds we have had at the first two races, so it’s going to be a tough one, let’s see shall we. BP
WITHOUT LIMITS
TEN YEARS OF TARBES
ICON OF THE SPORT – JIM BISS Jim Biss – Without Limits – The Ultimate Icon Written by Lee Fribbins – Editor of The Racing Pigeon, Racing Pictorial International
The epitome of distance racing in the United Kingdom for many is the Tarbes/Pau Grand National event. As editor of the Racing Pigeon Weekly and Racing Pigeon Pictorial International, I have been able to get a real insight in to the dedication and commitment of the fanciers that year after year strive to succeed from this race and win the ‘Holy Grail’. It is certainly not for the faint hearted and for those few each year that reach the pinnacle of success awaits a treasure trove of being presented with the biggest haul of silverware that can be won from any race in the country. The National Flying Club is steeped in over 100 years of history and proudly holds this most prestigious of premier events at the centre of its racing core. As you will see from this book, the Grand National is not just a
Jim Biss was one of if not the greatest fanciers to have ever graced our shores. The sport of pigeon racing in the UK had in Jim Biss an extraordinary talent that made him certainly one of the Ultimate Icons of his generation but also one of the greatest exponents in Europe of all time. Jim was one of those fanciers that didn’t just get a performance a season that for many would be once in a life time that those fanciers would be proud of but created a team of pigeons that achieved results many could only dream of on a week after week basis and season after season. * 1st, 2nd and 7th Pau Grand National in 1993. * The famous ‘Champion Natrix’ winning Marseille BICC National an incredible three years running. * 25x1st Nationals at middle/long distance events, 17x2nd National and 19x3rd National. * Kings Cup from Pau plus 12x1st Section NFC and 4x1st Open Midland NFC.
* 1976-1984 alone he won a staggering 9x1st
race; it’s a way of life. The trials, the tribulations the relentless pursuit of achieving the ultimate success combined with dedication, commitment and some of the finest performances by our pigeon racing athletes in the world makes this the race of all races. I hope by reading this book you will find it an informative guide with a look at the different loft designs, motivation techniques, training and racing methods as well as the strains of pigeons that are achieving special performances and some of the incredible individual multi performing pigeons. You will also find detailed feeding and supplement systems that are used to help fuel these birds to fly with vigour for up to fifteen hours a day in warm temperatures, head winds and then the English Channel that awaits before the home straight of a race ranging in distances from 550-750 miles for most. You will also meet the incredible characters that master this distance that I can only say have been an privilege to read, interview and write about. Strap yourselves in and get ready, as over the past decade this race has been a rollercoaster of a ride. It has had its highs and certainly has its lows but as pigeons fanciers we would expect nothing else from this Grand National would we. Congratulations to all the deserved winners and for those that dare to dream, remember dreams do come true. Lee Fribbins
National, 6x2nd National and 7x3rd National. * Winner of the coveted British Marathon three years in a row.
In this book I take a look at Jim’s life, his racing methods, his lofts and the infamous pigeons that made him a household name with descendants of his fine team still winning around the world today. A true gentleman and Icon of the sport.
RACING YOUNG BIRDS
Beautifully illustrated hardback book in full colour – 150 pages The third book in the Without Limits series written by renowned Champion Flyer, Pigeon Health Specialist and The Racing Pigeon and Racing Pigeon Pictorial International Editor, Lee Fribbins. This book looks at the system and racing of young birds to win. ***** Best pigeon books I've ever read and I've read a few! ***** ***** Top Read ***** ***** Well pleased...I've started winning! ***** ***** Great books for anyone to understand the feeding of sprint birds *****
Other books in the Without Limits Series… Racing Hens and Racing Cocks
HARDBACK 150 PAGES EACH
UK £22.95 EACH INCLUDING P&P For Europe and the Rest of the World applicable postage charges apply
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