LITTLE FOX of the BHW features P & J Boal

Philip Boal flies as P & J Boal in the Dromore area of Ireland. Philip has visited Willy Van Herck of Retie in Belgium for a few years now and owns some of his Champions, including the Ace pigeon ‘963’. The Cheq was Ace Pigeon at the Middle Distance in 2001, also the ‘950’, who was Ace Pigeon in 2002, both fabulous specimens of the Van Hereke bloodlines. Philip also has one of Willy’s ‘Dark Champions’ a Dark Cheq hen ‘403’, she was Ace Pigeon for the Yearlings at the Middle Distance. Remembering that these Championships hold a membership of 1,000 plus members, these birds are really something special.

These introductions amount to 65 direct from Willy and a fantastic race team in Ireland that are already paying their new owner back well.

Three examples of the ‘new generations’ are the ‘Good Yearling’ 03D 01302. This bird comes from the direct stock purchased by Philip in 2002. Sire BELG02-6085344, is a son of the Karl Meulemans cock that was purchased for him as a birthday present. He was paired to a hen that had achieved 5th & 7th Ace Bird in consecutive seasons for Willy, The Dam of the ‘Good Yearling’ is BELG-6085341, a full sister to the previously mentioned ‘963’ who was also an Ace Pigeon.

In 2004 alone, the ‘Good Yearling’ put up a string of good performances herself winning: 10th April from Mullingar – 2nd Club, 6th Section D (1,454 Birds) & 53rd Open (15,469 Birds); 8th May from Tramore – 1st Club, 3rd Section D (350 Birds) & 44th Open (28,463 Birds); 24th May – in the Skibbereen National – 2nd Club & 98th National (4,220 Birds); 5th June from Rosscarbery – 2nd Club, 8th Section D (2,142 Birds) & 46th Open (14,575 Birds) and 2nd Club, 10th Section D & 40th Open (2,625 Birds) in the Mallow 5 Bird Race.

We can easily see that these birds are not one-offs when we move to the ’Favourite’, a Cheq Pied hen GB04J 43572. Her Sire is ‘33030’, a cock to win 3 x 1st’s when racing. He is a half brother to ‘963’, the Ace Hen of Willy’s again and he was paired to ‘348’, a half sister to Willy Van Herck’s Ace Pigeon of all Belgium which is now at Gerald Delaney’s in Ireland. Philip has both mother and father of that Ace Bird, plus numerous relations, as with ’963’ as you have seen in these first two birds. The ’Favourite’ has shown as a youngster, this last season, that the world really is her oyster. With bloodlines to die for and results to match she is proving that these birds are really here to stay in Ireland, and maybe in the Mainland UK too. On 14th August from Kilkenny she gained 2nd Club, 33rd Section D (3,167 Birds) and 151st Open (28,526 Birds). She was to emulate this on the 28th August in the Talbenny National, 1st Club here, adding 2nd Section D & 58th Open (4,865 Birds). Remembering that she was only a youngster in 2004, these two results were outstanding, giving Philip more proof of these birds worth though she went on to claim 3rd Club & 176th Open (5,942 Birds) in the Rosscarbery Y/B National on 13th September. No wonder he called her ‘Favourite’.

Another 2004 youngster of note is the ‘Blue Maria’ GB04J 43577. This pigeon is truly bred in the purple, being a half sister of Willy’s Ace Pigeon ’950’. Remembering the ’950’ is also at Philips, along with the ’963’. ’Blue Maria’s’ sire is ’554’, a phenomenal cock that won 3 x 1st’s, 4 x 2nd’s and 3 x 3rd’s racing prior to breeding the ’950’ and this Blue Bar. The Dam is ’428’, an original purchase from Willy stepped in all his good lines. The ’Blue Maria’ gained 2nd Club, 14th Section D (3,383 birds) from Kilkenny on the 7th August added 1st Club, 7th Section D & 36th Open in the Rosscarbery YB National on the 13th September.

In 2002, most of Philip’s introductions were late-breds and with that 2003 saw a limited team in the NIPA for racing. The signs were there though, that these birds were something special. 2004 saw a small team of yearlings being aided with a team of youngsters, these came from original and further purchases that built the direct stock up to its 65 that Philip keeps. You have seen the results of just three birds in his family. Others have come to add to the spoils.

Not forgetting entirely that these lofts have other outstanding birds, I will concentrate on the Willy Van Herck birds for this report and list the other top NIPA results gained with these pigeons in 2004. We already have a hat-full of results that won’t be duplicated here: 24th April – 44th Section D (3,106 Birds); 1st May – 29th Section D (3,220 Birds); 22nd May – 8th & 10th Section D (2,086 Birds) plus 129th & 131st Open (17,358 Birds); 29th May – 13th Section D (470 Birds) & 126th Open (6,465 Birds); 5th June – 9th Section D (2,142 Birds), & 51st Open (14,575 Birds); 19th June – 32nd & 36th Section D (1,100 Birds) plus 166th & 217th Open (3,295 Birds); 25th June – 106th National (4,220 Birds); 12th July – 11th & 13th Section D (252 Birds) plus 42nd & 46th Open (2,625 Birds); 19th July – 16th & 17th Section D (232 Birds); 31st July – 2nd, 18th & 24th Section D (3,374 Birds) plus 23rd & 150th Open (33,096 Birds); 7th August – 14th Section D (3,384 Birds); 14th August – 27th Section D (3,167 Birds) plus134th Open (28,526 Birds); 21st August – 16th, 21st & 23rd Section D (2,727 Birds) plus 56th, 82nd & 89th Open (25,172 Birds); 28th August – 10th & 16th Section D (400 Birds) plus 153rd & 199th Open (4,865 Birds); 4th September – 8th & 24th Section D (1,898 Birds) plus 37th & 98th Open (15,137 Birds).

Look closely at those birds competing. You can see 33,000+, 25,000+ and many over 10,000 birdage. Phenomenal results when you have a new, young and inexperienced team adding that Philip works long hours as a Manager of a Building Company, the summer being an especially busy time in that trade.

LITTLE FOX.

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