St Malo OB National - 29/06/14

[willie reynolds]

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 the chance 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.

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.