| The
Dordin Strain of France
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
 The
founder of this great world renowned strain
apparently would tap a walking stick and
just like a regiment of soldiers his pigeons
obeyed and done what was required of them.
Now I'm old enough in the tooth so to
speak and because of life experience I
would not doubt the veracity of the first
sentence. At any rate myths can grow around
a wonderful enterprise and that is what
I am writing about - the story of a great
enterprise in the sport of pigeon racing.
Pierre Dordin was a legend in his lifetime
and his racing and breeding lofts were
called 'Villa Patience' which stood below
the Church tower in Harnes, France. With
a background in farming prior to opening
a pharmacy Dordin no doubt had learned
much about animal husbandry for he was
a maestro at the sport. So much so that
his name is as revered as much as the
earlier Wegge, Hansenne or Gurnay.
 The
son of a fancier Pierre Dordin was born
into the sport which he loved and he knew
that in order to succeed in it one had
to have an abundance of patience and a
tight regime of management. Hence the
name of the lofts and the story of the
tapping control. As a master of his art
the founder of this strain knew that if
he put the best into management that in
turn his breeders and racers would eventually
reward him and this they did. His discipline
in his management, and it was hard, perhaps
also derived from the fact that he was
an ex- soldier who had answered the call
in defence of his country in the World
War.
Prior
to a regime of management however one
had to have pigeons to manage and the
Dordin base arose from his father's colony.
But we all know that we need crosses for
the benefit of our stock therefore pigeons
from the Commines, Hansenne and Stichelbaut
strains plus some stock from Felix Rey
were brought in. The latter contained
Grooter bloodlines and it apparently contributed
to an increase in the Dordins phenotype.This
would appear to be the main input but
I tend to believe that under the control
of Dordin and his great loft manager Guy
Barre other crosses were made if it was
warranted.
Initially
racing wise Dordin had some success and
it grew but it was in the decade of the
1960s which saw all his hard work come
to fruition. For in 1966 in a race from
Angouleme the Dordins took the first 8
positions which included such greats as
'Spahi', 'Papillion' and 'Ramses' from
an entry exceeding 3,000 birds. However
one could not imagine what the following
year would present to 'Villa Patience'
and neither could I believe Pierre Dordin
would either for in 1967 the new strain
won 4 Nationals and 2nd International
St. Vincent at a distance of 580 miles.
Yes, the Dordins had arrived!
The
following year saw more success with the
famous 'Scout' winning 1st International
San Sebastian whereas the 'Ut' in 1969
won the National from St. Vincent. In
fact 4 of the Dordin strain finished within
the first 8 in that race. In due course
as the Dordin success went into top gear
it is believed that many fanciers in France
and in other European countries at the
big races where in unison asking the question:
'What is Dordins time?' So many were his
successes that a list of them would exceed
the space which I have...
In
this insight into a great strain and as
a tribute it should be noted that it was
not easy for any French pigeons to overcome
the drag of other countries in the great
International races but Dordin proved
that it could be done if one had the right
bloodlines and a committed managerial
mindset. In a sense he was a pioneer and
I hope that his example and spirit will
influence the distance flyers of Britain
and Ireland to follow suit. For there
are more Internationals out there to be
won!
by: Liam O Comain
|
