Farming Life - Wednesday 09/07/14

[willie reynolds]

Hard National race from St Malo (France) –

The Annaghmore HPS in the Portadown area kept up its fantastic record in the NIPA Old Bird Nat, the feature race of the old bird programme has been now won for the 5th time in the last 10 years. Hector Cordner timed his Red Cheq yearling hen sent on overdue eggs at 11.08pm to record velocity 855, “Home Alone 46” wins pools and prizes of £872 taking 1st Sect E & 1st Open NIPA plus the News of the World, McComb Cup and Pigeon Portal.com Cups to collect at the annual Ladies Night. W G Neill won the race from St Malo in 2010 and before that Glen Buckley and Son won the event on three separate occasions. From Lamballe in 2004, Portland in 2005 and then from Lamballe again in 2007.

The winner had four races in Ireland plus Talbenny and the Yearling Nat Sennen Cove, 6th bird home. Birds are not usually trained after racing starts just flown around the loft but this year the five St Malo entries had on 20 mile spin. He missed the bird but found her in the corridor of the loft at dark to be timed in at 11.08pm and end up winning one of the hardest races in recent years from France. The loft is no stranger to top success just last season winning the INFC Blue Riband YB Grand National from Penzance. Breeding of the bird is Jan Theelan on one side through birds purchased from Ian Axe, the other side is his old Busschaert family of birds going back to a batch he obtained when starting the sport again in 1997 from Wayne Kane who was leaving the sport. His 17 birds cost £90 and that included nest bowls and a hamper. Ond Black hen has produced over 30 prize-winners, Hector will tell the whole story in his Year Book article. Many congratulations Hector, two big race wins in just two seasons is more than most could wish for.

NIPA Open St Malo 404/1304 –
1-1E H Cordner Annaghmore 855, 2-1B D Dixon Ballymoney 842, 3-2E J Greenaway Bondhill 829, 4-1C D & J Campbell & Bigger Eastway 810, 5-2C S Beattie & Daughters Carrick & Dist 781, 6-D M Mairs Hills & Maze 774, 7-2B R H Clements Harryville 742, 8-3E Capper Bros Bondhill 732, 9-1A P O’Connor Coleraine Premier 725, 10-3C M/M B McNeilly Doagh & Dist 693, 11-1G D Carroll Millvale 692, 12-4C J & R Scott Doagh & Dist 678, 13-5C T Mullen & Sons Larne & Dist 678, 14-4E B McNeice & Sons Lurgan Soc 647, 15-2A K Shannon Dungannon 662, 16-3B Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 659, 17-4B M Graham Ballymena 653, 18-5B M Graham Ballymena 651, 19-5E P Dunlop Edgarstown 643, 20-2G K Sands Ballyholland 643.

Best in each NIPA Section:
Sect A 47/139 – P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 725, K Shannon Dungannon 662, K Morton & Sons Cookstown 600.
Sect B 73/214 – D Dixon Ballymoney 842, R H Clements Harryville 742, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 659.
Sect C 82/272 – D & J Campbell & Bigger Eastway 810, S Beattie & Daughters Carrick & Dist 781, M/M B McNeilly Doagh & Dist 693.
Sect D 21/54 – S English Lisburn & Dist 602, M O’Reilly & Son Lisburn & Dist 602, G Benson Lisburn & Dist 592.
Sect E 89/371 – H Cordner Annaghmore 855, J Greenaway Bondhill 829, Capper Bros Bondhill 732.
Sect F 14/31 – J Crossan Downpatrick 633, C & L Fryers Dromara 523, J Hannity & Son Downpatrick 504.
Sect G 36/123 – D Carroll Millvale 692, K Sands Ballyholland 643, P & C Swindell Newry City 611.
Sect H 41/95 – B Page Foyle 585, A Kelly Omagh & Dist 575, J A Whiteside Omagh & Dist 476.

Loughgall Centre St Malo – H Cordner Annaghmore 855, J Greenaway Bondhill 829, Capper Bros Bondhill 732, G Buckley & Son Annaghmore 589, W G Neill Annaghmore 577, W G Neill 573, M Robinson Bondhill 560, W G Neill 542, G Buckley & Son 521, M Robinson 511.

Coleraine Centre St Malo – D Dixon Ballymoney 842, P O’Connor Coleraine Premier 725.

Cullybackey Centre St Malo 54/161 – Roy Clements Harryville 742 Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 659, Martin Graham Ballymena & Dist 653, 651, McAlonan Bros Ballymena & Dist 599, Hugh Boyd Randalstown 566, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 474, William Livingstone Ahoghill 474, Wendal Scott Cullybackey 357. A Barkley & Son Kells & Dist 295.

Coalisland Centre St Malo – K Shannon Dungannon 662, K Morton Cookstown 600, A Kelly Omagh & Dist 565, S Hughes Coalisland 575, K Carolan Coalisland 565, J Whiteside Omagh & Dist 476, Speirs & Campbell Cookstown 418.

Foyle Centre St Malow – Billy Page Foyle 585.

Muckamore Centre St Malo – Kenny Galloway Crumlin & Dist 538.

Mid Antrim Combine St Malo 55/167 – D Dixon Rasharkin 842, R H Clements Harryville 742 Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 659, M Graham Ballymena & Dist 653, 651, McAlonan Bros Ballymena & Dist 599, H Boyd Randalstown 566, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 474, W Livingstone Ahoghill 474, W Scott Cullybackey 357. A Barkley & Son Kells & Dist 295.

Coleraine Triangle St Malo – P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 725.

NIPA Race/Date: St Malo – Sunday 29/06/14

NIPA Sect A Clubs

Coalisland & District – S Hughes 575, K Carolan 565.

Coleraine Premier – P O’Connor 725.

Cookstown Social 9/25 – K Morton & Sons 600, Speirs & Campbell 418. Kenny Morton takes 1st Club and the consistent Speirs & Campbell win their third Silver Diploma despite the fact the bird returned injured. Well done.

Castledawson – S McFlynn 530.

Dungannon – K Shannon 662.

NIPA Sect H Clubs

Foyle RPS – B Page 585. Well done Billy Page, this cock was in 2011 75th Open Tullamore, 2012 78th Open Rosscarbery and 8th Section St Malo, 2013 2nd Section H & 75th Open Portland, 2014 1st Section H & 36th Open St Malo. This pigeon was gifted to Billy by club mate Jim Diamond.

Omagh & District – A Kelly 575, J A Whiteside 476. Omagh and District members Allen Kelly timed his Blue Cheq Pied cock winning 1st Club, 2nd Section & 40th Open St Malo and Jim Whiteside timed Blue cock "Kelly's Hero" a Silver
Award winner - 1st Section & 100th Open St Malo 2012, 1st Section & 39th Open Portland 2013, and now 3rd Section & 68th Open St Malo 2014.

NIPA Sect B Clubs

Ahoghill Flying Club 7/15 – W Livingstone 474.

Ballymena & Dist 12/36 – M Graham 653, M Graham 651, McAlonan Bros 599. Martin Graham times 2 birds within 4 minutes to finish 17th & 18th Open NIPA St. Malo and is favourite to win the coveted 2 Bird Average. The Cheq hen which was
first to the loft had previously won 1st Club from Penzance YB Nat 2012. Not raced as a yearling was put back on the road this year with her perpetration being 4 inland races before being prepared for St. Malo. Her breeding is Frans van Wildermeersch and is a g-dtr of Sunny Hill Producer. The Pied cock which is paired to the hen is also Frans van Wildermeersch he was 3rd Club, 132nd Open INFC Yearling Nat 2013. The sire is a son of Fletchers Dream which was on loan from club mate Bertie Blair. The dam is a half-sister to Sunny Hill Producer.

Ballymoney HPS 10/32 – D Dixon 842. Only bird in race time. Danny times a two year old Cheq cock off his Verschelde/Invincible Spirit bloodlines to win 1st Club, 1st Section & 2nd Open St Malo. This widowhood cock was 8th Club Talbenny and 2nd Club Truro before being sent to St Malo. The “Danske Kid” as he has been named had all the races in Ireland and also flew the hard Bude.

Cullybackey 13/49 – Reid Bros & McCloy 659, H & R McCloy 474, W Scott 357.

Crumlin & District – K Galloway 538. Fantastic result in Crumlin for Kenny Galloway, only bird in race time is some achievement.


Harryville 5/21 – R H Clements 742.

Kells & District 8/19 – A Barkley & Son 293.

Randalstown 6/18 – H Boyd 566.

Rasharkin & District 3/9 – Danny Dixon 842.

NIPA Sect E Clubs

Annaghmore – H Cordner 855, G Buckley & Son 589, W G Neill 577, 573, 542, G Buckley & Son 521, W G Neill 476, R Telford 456, G Buckley & Son 378. The club with the big race record, congratulations to all those that timed arrivals, especially Hecton Cordner who won the race and was ahead of two previous winners. Four birds for Willie Neill and 3 for G Buckley & Son.

Armagh 4/14 – A Geraghty 343.

Beechpark Social – R Bothwell 618, S & J McCullough 538. Beechpark 2 Bird Club – S & J McCullough 538. Congratulations to Roy and Joe on clocking from what turned out a very difficult race.

Bondhill – John Greenaway 829, Capper Bros 732, M Robinson 560, 511, John Greenaway 444. Two former race winners placed again, John Greenaway and Malcolm Robinson.

Edgarstown 12/54 – P Dunlop 643, P Hope 456, P & D Stewart 346.

Gilford & District – C & H Beattie 512, S S Cairns 437.

Laurelvale HPS – A Neill 523, W Gillis & Sons 465, A Neill 465.

Loughgall – S Corrigan 336.

Lurgan Social – B McNeice & Sons 674, 574. Congratulations to Francie and Sean on this fine performance following on from their Penzance success.

Tandragee – T McKinstry 574, 414.

Markethill HPS: News flash due to unforeseen problems the closing date has been put back to the 1 August 2014. First prize will be at least £500 hopefully this will rise depending on the amount of birds entered. MARKETHILL GOLD RING RACE - Hampering through your own club and to be liberated with the NIPA birds in FERMOY which will be flown on AUGUST 23rd 2014 £10 per Ring. Minimum £1000 prize money. More rings sold the bigger the prize fund. Any member of Markethill pigeon club will the ring cards for sale. Also for sale in H. Beattie & Son Portadown, Frazer's Banbridge, Telfords Annaghmore, Donnelly's Newry. On completion of the race, velocity’s to be with A Humphries within 4 days, signed by your club secretary. For any other info Tel: 07716585335. All ring number cards to be returned - No later than the 1st AUGUST 2014.

Danny Dixon best in Mid Antrim -

The Premier Old Bird National & Derby from St Malo in France followed the trend of the earlier races of the cross channel season, very hard and a lot of empty perches. Liberation was at 7.30am on Sunday 29th June in a Light West, NW wind having been held over the previous day due to poor conditions over the route. Only one bird was timed on the day of release in the NIPA, Hector Cordner of Annaghmore in the Portadown area timed what was to be the eventual winner at 11.08pm to record velocity 855. One of the best birds early on the second morning was timed in Dunloy by Danny Dixon of the Ballymacaldrick Lofts, he wins 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect B & 2nd Open NIPA doing velocity 842 winning £800.

Mid Antrim Combine arrivals on the second day – Danny Dixon from Ballymoney timed at 5.53am followed by Roy Clements Harryville 7.41am, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 10.17am, Martin Graham Ballymena & Dist at 10.17am & 10.21am, McAlonan Bros Ballymena & Dist 12.33pm, Hugh Boyd Randalstown 1.13pm, William Livingstone Ahoghill 6.27pm and H & R McCloy Cullybackey 6.38pm.

Mid Antrim Combine St Malo 55/167 – D Dixon Rasharkin 842, R H Clements Harryville 742 Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 659, M Graham Ballymena & Dist 653, 651, McAlonan Bros Ballymena & Dist 599, H Boyd Randalstown 566, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 474, W Livingstone Ahoghill 474, W Scott Cullybackey 357. A Barkley & Son Kells & Dist 295.

Cullybackey Centre St Malo 54/161 – Roy Clements Harryville 742 Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 659, Martin Graham Ballymena & Dist 653, 651, McAlonan Bros Ballymena & Dist 599, Hugh Boyd Randalstown 566, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 474, William Livingstone Ahoghill 474, Wendal Scott Cullybackey 357. A Barkley & Son Kells & Dist 295.

Mid Antrim Clubs St Malo

Ahoghill Flying Club 7/15 – W Livingstone 474. William Livingstone is another loft that enjoys the longer races, he had the only bird in Ahoghill timed at 6.27pm on the second day. This one is bred down from his good bird “Peanuts”, well done William.

Ballymena & Dist 12/36 – M Graham 653, M Graham 651, McAlonan Bros 599. Martin Graham times 2 birds within 4 minutes to finish 17th & 18th Open NIPA St. Malo and is favourite to win the coveted 2 Bird Average. The Cheq hen which was
first to the loft had previously won 1st Club from Penzance YB Nat 2012. Not raced as a yearling was put back on the road this year with her perpetration being 4 inland races before being prepared for St. Malo. Her breeding is Frans van Wildermeersch and is a g-dtr of Sunny Hill Producer. The Pied cock which is paired to the hen is also Frans van Wildermeersch he was 3rd Club, 132nd Open INFC Yearling Nat 2013. The sire is a son of Fletchers Dream which was on loan from club mate Bertie Blair. The dam is a half-sister to Sunny Hill Producer. Chairman Tom McAlonan timed an arrival at lunch time on the second day, McAlonan Bros have a big record at the distance over the years including in Cullybackey and I am sure a lot more to come.

Ballymoney HPS 10/32 – D Dixon 842. Only bird in race time. Danny times a two year old Cheq cock off his Verschelde/Invincible Spirit bloodlines to win 1st Club, 1st Section & 2nd Open St Malo. This widowhood cock was 8th Club Talbenny and 2nd Club Truro before being sent to St Malo. The “Danske Kid” as he has been named had all the races in Ireland and also flew the hard Bude.

Cullybackey 13/49 – Reid Bros & McCloy 659, H & R McCloy 474, W Scott 357. Reid Bros & McCloy were in early on the second day, this is the same bird that won 1st Comb & Sect last season from Portland and will collect the Bronze Diploma. Look at this for the record: 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect B & 20th Open NIPA Portland 482/1697 vel 1083 in 2013 and then 1st Club, 3rd MAC, 3rd Sect B & 16th Open NIPA St Malo 404/1304 vel 659 in 2014. His dad who topped the Comb & Sect from St Malo in 2012 was well placed again and Wendal Scott got one on the third day.

Crumlin & District – K Galloway 538. Fantastic result in Crumlin for Kenny Galloway, only bird in race time is some achievement.

Harryville 5/21 – R H Clements 742. Only one bird home in race time for Roy Clements who over the years dominated in this particular race, won the INFC Friendship Nat from Sartilly and 20 years ago this weekend finished runner-up in the Kings Cup from Rennes just behind the late Henry Beattie of Tandragee. His Blue hen was bred from two direct birds obtained from Ron Williamson, the Clements loft has a good line of these birds. Champion Leeder on one side winner of 1st Open NIPA and Lady Helen the Friendship Nat winner. The Blue hen was late in 2011 and unraced just trained, had Talbenny and Bude last year and Bude again this year before St Malo sent on eggs 9 days.

Kells & District 8/19 – A Barkley & Son 293. Only bird in the club, wins the Silver Diploma, timed this year on the third day. 2012 St Malo 11th Sect B & 72nd Open NIPA vel 1177, 2013 Portland 14th Sect B & 143rd Open NIPA vel 448, 2014 St Malo 12th Sect B & 100th Open NIPA vel 293. What a bird, well done Alan.

Randalstown 6/18 – H Boyd 566. Hugh has a good recent record in this race, winner last year from Portland and only bird in the club from St Malo.

Rasharkin & District 3/9 – Danny Dixon 842.

Coleraine Triangle St Malo – P O’Connor Coleraine Prem 725.

Best in the Coleraine Triangle - Blue hen 5 year old old, clocked @9.04 St. Malo winning 1st Club, 1st Section & 9th Open NIPA ,also winner of Portland last year clocked @10.56pm on liberation day only bird in race time in Coleraine Premier for Paul O’Connor. This is now her 10th time in the clock in cross channel events. Dam a Chris Houston (Ballymena) Busschaert J. Eagleson & Sons line. Sire Busschaert of Diamond Bros (Coleraine). Paul said he was unable to clock on a hard day until he got pigeons from Chris Houston. The loft won Penzance last week with another Chris Houston Busschaert. Paul O’Connor of Coleraine Premier only bird in the club last two seasons. Only bird on the day from Portland in 2013 timed at 10.56pm and only bird in race time again from St Malo timed at 9.05am on the second day, just two arrivals in the Coleraine Centre. Well done to Danny Dixon, only bird in Ballymoney HPS finishing 2nd Open in the NIPA and to Paul O’Connor best in the Coleraine Triangle.

Race Sheets and Vaccination Forms need to be with member clubs two weeks prior to the young bird racing, Ballymena & District members should return same to either W Reynolds or J Harris. Homer will start training Tuesday 15th July collecting at usual points. Lost: Red Pied GB13F 31754, check lofts please and telephone 07538 238364. RPRA award claims should be made to Robert Reid immediately, best individual bird performance from Talbenny & Penzance. Also the distance awards for both Adult & Young Fancier. Full report on the final France races next week, INFC will have both the Kings Cup from St Allouestre and Friendship Nat from Quimper. Herbison Feed Stores in Ballymena will close for July holidays at 4.45pm on Friday 11th July to re-open on Monday 28th July. Ballymoney HPS have rings left, contact Derek McMullan Tel: (028) 20 741284.

Photo Captions -

Hector Cordner from Annaghmore, only bird in the NIPA on the day from St Malo.

Paul O'Connor only bird in the Coleraine Triangle from St Malo.

Billy Page from the Foyle RPS in Derry, with his father and brother.

Danny Dixon best in Mid Antrin from St Malo with grand-children Dan Dixon and Darryl O'Hagan.

Roy Clements from Harryville, best in Cullybackey Centre.