Pigeon Network

Kings Cup Plaudren/Vannes Grand National - Friday 01/07/11

820 Members have entered 2,792 pigeons in the race from Plaudren and are competing for £38,561.50 stg. pools and prizemoney. The pigeons have been released at 6.00am on Friday 1st July, the wind at the release site was a very light Northerly. On the line of flight it will be North Westerly then turning Southerly. Grand National Kings Cup is sponsored by Samuel McCausland Ltd. Stopped Clocks - Full details re Centre Managers are in the race entry booklet.

The early news and results will be listed here, good luck to all competing lofts. HOMER.

LATEST UPDATE: Paddy Rock & Son Skerries 4.51pm flying 417 Miles. Gerry O'Reilly & Sons Malahide & Dist 5.30pm flying 421 Miles. Northern Ireland: N Black & Sons Dromara 18.40hrs 479 Miles. J & S Albert & Sons Ballylesson 19.30hrs 487 Miles.

Prov Top 10: 1. D Campbell Gilford 1157, 2.T Marshall & Son Newtonbreda 1155, 3. A Morgan Trim 1151, 4. A McAllister Glenavy 1139, 5. M Robinson Bondhill 1135, 6. J Mount & Son Milltown 1134, 7. T McClean Annaghmore 1134, 8. N Black & Son Dromara 1132, 9. N Black & Son Dromara 1129, 10. P Rock & Son Skerries 1129.



Pictured Dan in middle proudly displaying the winning hen, now named Margaret’s Dream after his late wife. Son Dan Junior to left holding his Yearling National club winner who finished 5th North Section & 19th Open INFC Sennen Cove this year netting £1,408. On the right is son Patrick holding the dam of the King’s Cup winner who he also timed at 9.00am on the second morning. This hen was previously 19th Open out of the Yearling National.

The winner "Margaret’s Dream" - This hen had this year alone been timed in Talbenny, the Yearling National and the Penzance OB Classic. She had no mate for 6 weeks and on the Monday before basketing her cock arrived home from Rosscarbery after some four weeks out of the loft. The hen was timed at 18.12.38 doing a velocity of 1157.

Breeding: Sire – A Belge cock purchased by nephew Martin from Andre Newlauerts and gifted to uncle Dan. Raced by Dan, this cock was 47th Open, 30th Section out of the Skibbereen Old Bird National winning £315. He was also 195th Open, 138th Section out of Sennen Cove Yearling National. Dam – Was bred by G & T Ritchie, Portadown. This two year old hen was 19th Open, 16th Section Yearling National winning £452. She has now been clocked in this year’s King’s Cup and likely to be in the prizes.

Dan also finished 51st Open NIPA from St Malo last week. An incredible performance from a loft starting out the season with only 20 racing pigeons. He now becomes the third Gilford man to win the King’s Cup following in the footsteps of Thompson Bros and Sean Doran. Very well done to all concerned.


Dan Campbell from Gilford, winner of the Kings Cup.


"Margaret's Dream" winner of the Kings Cup for Dan Campbell.

Clock Centre opening times for second day arrivals: Muckamore 1.00pm, Lisburn 12.00pm, Banbridge 1.00pm, Wexford Contact W Hore, Stillorgan 7.00pm, Balbriggan 1.00pm. Approx 150 birds were recorded on the first day.

The best two birds in the Muckamore Centre were in Belfast Bingham & Seaton of the Ligoniel & Dist timed at 18.48hrs to record velocity 1125 for the 491 miles followed by Brown & Anderson of the Shankill & Dist racing in the Ulster Federation timing at 18.53hrs recording velocity 1122 for 492 miles. Former winner Alan Darragh from Cullybackey timed at 19.28hrs recording velocity 1116 for 513 miles, 1st Cullybackey and best in Mid Antrim Combine. Results are very much subject to correction with a lot of the distances approx for a number of lofts.

Muckamore Centre Plaudren – Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1125, Brown & Anderson Shankill & Dist 1122, A Darragh Cullybackey 1116, Thompson Bros Crumlin 1114, T McCrudden Coleraine & Co Derry 1096, Collins & Pursley Doagh & Dist 1092, W McClure Kells 1089, D Jackson & son New Antrim 1083, M McGrandle Crumlin 1083, A O’Hanlon Andersonstown 1076, A Gault Ballyclare 1074, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1064, C Cameron Ballyclare 1059, J Kirk Ballyclare 1056, C Young Ahoghill 1032, J Kirk 1027, Cochrane Bros Cullybackey 1026, A Darragh 1019, J McAllister Carrick Soc 1018, A Thompson Ballyclare 1011, W McCaw Ballymoney 1010, S & A Leitch Doagh & Dist 999, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 996, P Elliott & Sons Andersonstown 996, A Darragh 983, A Donaghy Charlemont 944, J & S Graham Kingsmoss 940, D Jackson & Son 931, J Harkness Glenavy & Dist 916, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 914, Richmond Bros Ballymena 888.

Muckamore Centre more than doubled its arrivals on the second day, the total recorded now is over 70 birds, again the velocities are subject to change due to wrong or no distances on the Verification Cards.

Muckamore Centre Update – W McCaw Ballymoney 883, M/M D Suitters Doagh & Dist 818, C Cameron Ballyclare 814, B Ramsey Harryville 814, A & N Lewis Doagh & Dist 813, R Duddy Ballyclare 778, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 776, W Blair Ballymoney 774, J Anderson Cullybackey 760, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 753, R McCallum & Son Harryville 741, W Scott Cullybackey 739, A Darragh Cullybackey 723, H Nevin Coleraine Prem 714, Houston Bros Randalstown 713, Brown & Anderson Shankill & Dist 710, D Houston & Son Broughshane 709, C Young Ahoghill 695, V Thom Cookstown 694, Nevin Bros Coleraine Prem 691, F Simpson Doagh & Dist 684, V Thom Cookstown 680, A & N Lewis 676, J Harkness Glenavy & Dist 672, Grattan Bros Eastway 671, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 664, Doey & McCluggage Larne & Dist 660, C Greenfield Carrick & Dist 659, C Moore New Antrim 659, S Laverty Ballymoney 658, Doey & McCluggage 656, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 646, R Duddy 633, Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 626, J Kirk Ballyclare 624, N Armstrong Shankill & Dist 620, R Johnston Glengormley 618, A & N Lewis 600, T Shanks & Son Kells 596, S & S O’Toole & Sons Horseshoe 571, R Telford & Son West Belfast 559, A Darragh, Mrs M Smyth Broughshane.

An excellent King Cup event the Grand National of the old bird season was flown from Plaudren close to Vannes in Northern France the big entry of 2,800 birds from across Ireland were released as planned on Friday 1st July at 6.00am in a Lt Northerly wind. Prizes and pools were close to £40,000 and on a great day weather wise early pigeons were recorded in all parts of Ireland, some 150 birds recorded on the day and approx 500 during the race over three days. The best bird locally was timed by former winner and record winning loft of Alan Darragh who clocked in Cullybackey at 19.28hrs recording velocity 1116 for the 513 miles. He was third best in the Muckamore Centre behind the Belfast lofts of Bingham & Seaton of Ligoniel, best in East Antrim doing velocity 1125 having timed at 18.48hrs flying 491 miles and close neighbours Brown & Anderson of Shankill & Dist timing at 18.53hrs for velocity 1122. Bingham & Seaton who were best in East Antrim finished approx 12th Open and Brown & Anderson were best in the Ulster Federation. The overall winner was Dan Campbell from Gilford doing velocity 1157 after timing at 6.10pm. It was a great France double for Gilford & Dist with Tom Wilson winning 1st Open NIPA from St Malo. Billy McClure from Kells & Dist was nest best having timed at 19.44hrs to record velocity 1089 and this one might well have qualified for a France Diploma. Others to record birds on the day included Charlie Young 1st Ahoghill (1032), W & W Gilbert 1st Randalstown (996) and Richmond Bros 1st Ballymena & Dist (888) this bird timed at 22.56hrs.

Mid Antrim Combine Plaudren – A Darragh Cullybackey 1116, W McClure Kells 1089, D Jackson & Son New Antrim 1083, C Young Ahoghill 1032, Cochrane Bros Cullybackey 1026, A Darragh 1019, W & W Gilbert Randalstown 996, A Darragh 983, D Jackson & Son 931, Richmond Bros 888, B Ramsey Harryville 814, Reid Bros & McCloy Cullybackey 776, J Anderson Cullybackey 760, R McCallum & Son Harryville 741, W Scott Cullybackey 739, A Darragh 723, Houston Bros Randalstown 713, D Houston & Son Broughshane 709, C Young 695, J & M Milliken Rasharkin 664, C Moore New Antrim 659, M/M Robinson Ahoghill 646, T Shanks & Son Kells 596, A Darragh, Mrs M Smyth Broughshane 571, J & J Greer Cullybackey 500, J & N Simpson 450.

East Antrim Plaudren – Bingham & Seaton Ligoniel 1125, Collins & Pursley Doagh & Dist 1092, A Gault Ballyclare 1074, M/M C Hayes Ballyclare 1064, C Cameron Ballyclare 1059, J Kirk Ballyclare 1056, J Kirk 1027, J McAllister Carrick Soc 1018, A Thompson Ballyclare 1011, S & A Leitch Doagh & Dist 999, J & S Graham Kingsmoss 940, C & L Woodside Ballyclare 914, M/M S Suitters Doagh & Dist 818, C Cameron 814, A & N Lewai Doagh & Dist 813, R Duddy Ballyclare 778, C & L Woodside 753, F Simpson Doagh & Dist 684, A & N Lewis 676, Grattan Bros Eastway 671, Doey & McCluggage Larne & Dist 660, C Greenfield Carrick & Dist 659, Doey & McCluggage 656, R Duddy 633, Bingham & Seaton 626, J Kirk 624, R Johnston Glengormley 618, A & N Lewis 600, S & S O’Toole & Sons Horseshoe 571.

North-south Federation Plaudren – J Murtagh 1113, H Walsh & Son 1107, M Maguire & Son 1105, Mark Maguire & Son 1061, M Maguire & Son 1025, Mark Maguire & Son 1013, N Murtagh 997, M Maguire & Son 965, C O’Hare & Daughter, M Maguire & Son 840.

Prov Top 10: 1. D Campbell Gilford 1157, 2.T Marshall & Son Newtonbreda 1155, 3. A Morgan Trim 1151, 4. A McAllister Glenavy 1139, 5. M Robinson Bondhill 1135, 6. J Mount & Son Milltown 1134, 7. T McClean Annaghmore 1134, 8. N Black & Son Dromara 1132, 9. N Black & Son Dromara 1129, 10. P Rock & Son Skerries 1129.

IRISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB – KINGS CUP report by Brendan McLoughlin

The Irish National Flying Club held their blue riband event of he year on 1st July when the pigeons were in Plaudren-Vannes for the King’s Cup. This is the most prestigious race of the season for fanciers throughout Ireland and we couldn’t have asked for a better day, with light winds and clear skies throughout the day.

820 members sent 2,792 birds and were competing for £37061.57 in pools and prizes. This was another great entry for the race, which is the highlight of the season for most fanciers. The pigeons were released at 6am in a light northerly wind that was to turn northwesterly on route and then change to southeast in the evening. This was to prove to be a good honest test for the pigeons with 160 birds timed on the day and with 550 recorded before noon on the second day.

The race produced several Hall Of Fame and Triple Crown winners and a special mention has to be made of Jackie Waring, Lisburn who won a Gold medal for a bird timed four times in the prizes from the Kings Cup. I hope to cover all these birds over the next few weeks.


Dan Campbell from Gilford, Kings Cup winner from Plaudren.

The Kings Cup winner this year is Dan Campbell from Gilford a club that now boasts three Kings Cup winners.

1st North section, 1st Open D Campbell Gilford on 1157 flying 481 miles, winning £2,487 and the King George V Challenge Cup and the McCloud Cup for first Yearling

This has been a wonderful season for Dan who was 5th North section, 19th Open in the Yearling National, winning £1,408 in the process and just when he thought it couldn’t get any better he timed here at 6.12pm to win the King’s Cup and £2,487. Dan has named the winning pigeon ‘Margaret’s Dream’ after his late wife.
The winning pigeon is a yearling hen that this year alone has been timed in Talbenny, the Yearling National and the Penzance Classic before being sent to the King’s Cup. She had seven races altogether this year and came to the fore very much when the birds went on the channel. As a young bird she was in both the young bird Talbenny and the Young Bird National from Penzance, a race from which Dan timed 5 birds out of 5 entries.

Her preparation for the for the channel seemed to take a bit of a setback when she lost her mate in Rosscarbery but he arrived home on the Monday before basketing for the Kings Cup after some 4 weeks out of the loft. This gave her the perfect lift for the big race and the rest as they say is history.
The sire is a Belgian cock purchased by Dan’s nephew Martin from Andre Newlaerts and gifted to his uncle Dan. Raced by Dan this cock was 30th section, 47th Open out of the Skibbereen Old Bird National winning £315. He was also 138th section, 195th Open Yearling National from Sennen Cove.
The dam was bred by G & T Ritchie, Portadown and was timed on the second morning of this race at 9am but just missed out on the result. She was 19th Open in the Yearling National last year.
Training throughout the year is carried out with Ron Williamson and then the birds are flown out in the evenings. Dan is a firm believer in giving the birds plenty to eat when they exercise well as he believes they will burn off the fat and that it sticks by them when they are longer on the wing.
Dan would like to thank all those who have called to congratulate him on his success, with a special thanks to his nephew Martin for the gift of the sire.


Tom Marshall & Son, 2nd Kings Cup for the second time.

2nd North Section, 2nd Open, T Marshall & Son Newtownbreda on 1155, flying 484 miles winning £1,566, the Gilliland Cup and the Eat Down Cup.

I doubt if there is a fancier in the U.K. who has not heard or read of Tom Marshall & Son David of the Newtownbreda club. Their C.V. especially from the French races is outstanding and 2011 has proved no exception with the partnership almost achieving a lifetime ambition to win the King’s Cup. This year saw them in runners up position after in previous years having been 3rd, 4th (twice) and just about every other position you could name. This result comes just 1 week after winning the East Down Combine Old Bird Derby from St. Malo for the third year in succession and now having won this event 5 times.
The partnership make no secret of the fact that these are the races which matter most to them and so they believe in having a good entry, this year they entered 20 for the event and recorded no less than 8 of these in the prizes. For in addition to 2nd Open the Marshalls were 41st, 42nd, 77th, 120th, 161st, 192nd, 249th Open with the bird at 41st being their single bird challenge and winning 5th prize in this.

So now to the pigeon itself and it is a yearling as was this year’s St. Malo winner. A black cheq cock this is a real character of a bird and here is his story - A late youngster in 2010 he was too late to race and was reared in the stock loft which has a large aviary attached. When he was weaned off he refused to stay in the young bird loft and returned to the aviary of the stock loft (outside it, not in it for he refused to go in) and here he stayed for the next few months living free flying as and when he wanted with Tom’s other son Colin feeding him daily or at least Colin was feeding the dog and the black cock now named “Colin’s Friend” ate form the dog’s dish and this he did for the next few months until eventually he did go in and was paired up at the start of this season like any normal bird and settled down ,was trained and raced up to Talbenny and was then sent to the INFC Yearling National and was much fancied being their all pooler and he finished in the Open prizes in this race. After this he was trained extensively as are all the Marshalls prospective French Candidates getting his last toss 1 week before the King’s Cup, this one being from up in the north of the country as Tom believes for these races you work them hard and feed them well. For the King’s cup this cock was sent sitting 7/8 days on eggs. The breeding is the Marshalls own family which is founded on the de Baere and Desmet families, this cock being ¾ Desmet x ¼ de Baere, the sire being a black cock and the dam an Ash Cheq hen.


Katie & Anthony Morgan from Trim, Co Meath. Winner of Single Bird Challenge.

1st South section, 3rd Open, A Morgan Trim, on 1151, flying 437 miles, winning £3,360.14 and the Billy Ingle Trophy

1st South section 3rd Open is Anthony Morgan from Trim, a few miles from Navan. Anthony races with the Trim club and South Road Fed and wins the cup for the first bird in this organisation. Anthony also wins the Single Bird Challenge, to add the £500 first prize for the Challenge to the £3360 in the main race.
Anthony's winning bird is a two year old blue cock called "Katie's Lad", after his daughter Katie. Born and reared in Dromara Anthony started racing in Dromara H.P.S, where he raced very successfully before moving to Trim about 12 years ago after marrying his wife Aine who came from the Trim area. Anthony was instrumental in starting the club in Trim and is a great supporter of the INFC. Being very friendly with the Black family since his days in Dromara, Anthony would like to thank David Black for all his help and advice over the years. Indeed his winner contains some of the Black's bloodlines. The sire which was 34th Open INFC Yearling Nat coming from them, with her sire coming from the late Eric Carlisle, Dundrum. The sire of "Katie's Lad" was 3rd Open ISRF Barley Cove in 06 and his grand-sire was a gift from good friend Colm Reid of Balbriggan and was bred down from Alan Darragh's "Richards Pride". "Katie's Lad" was hatched in April 09 and was raced on natural as a young bird with 4 races up to Rosscarbery, winning 3rd club Mallow. As a yearling he raced on widowhood the full inland programme and was 266th Open Yearling Nat flying 9 1/2 hours. This year again on widowhood he raced all the inland races and finished in the top 20 of the ISRF Sennen Cove Open flying 10 hours. He was then re-paired and sent to the Kings Cup sitting eggs 12 days, he had no training tosses or races after Sennen Cove, but was flown with the young birds around the loft twice per day. Anthony uses Frazers widowhood mixture plus some of Frazers other supplements

3rd North Section, 4th Open A McAlister Glenavy, on 1139, flying 488 miles, winning £2,383

Andrew McAlister of Glenavy is a small team fancier starting the season with 28 old birds and rearing 40 young birds. Andrew timed here at 6.34pm to take 4th Open, after losing a bit of time but not enough to have moved him up the result. Andrew said he was glad that the lost time made no difference, as he would always have been thinking ‘what if’.
The pigeon timed is a two-year-old Soontjens bred by Andy Milliken, Lagan Valley who is a cousin of Andrew’s father. This pigeon has a wonderful race record having been 183rd Open in the King’s Cup last year having already been 60th Open from Rosscarbery. As a young bird it was 2nd club Clonmel, 5th club Talbenny, 4th club Fermoy and 6th club Rosscarbery when it was also in the Open result.
This bird was raced on the natural system all year and was sent to the King’s Cup sitting on eggs for 10 days. In preparation for the race this cock was given the first five inland races, the Skibbereen Old Bird National and Penzance. After the Penzance race he was flown with the young birds for an hour to an hour and a half every night.

Last year Andrew was 15th Open in the Yearling National with another one of Andy Milliken’s pigeons.
When Andrew is working his father Sam gives him a hand around the loft, which Andrew says is a great help to him.
Feeding throughout the racing season is Frazer’s Supreme Champion.


Malcolm Robinson from Bondhill, 5th in Kings Cup.

4th North Section, 5th Open, M Robinson Bondhill on 1135 flying 488 miles winning £1369

Malcolm Robinson of Bondhill is another fancier whose chief goal in pigeon racing is success in the French races. Over the years Malcolm has had many good results from the King’s Cup including winning a car in 1996 and like the Marshalls has come near to winning the cup on a number of occasions and this year finishes in 5th Open, 4th North section with other birds at 27th Open, 124th Open, 168th Open and 246th Open.
Malcolm’s first bird is a two-year-old Dk cheq cock. His sire is from John Lovell of Lincoln crossed with birds from Mike Young and Smyths of Ballymena and this pair was selected for Malcolm by Davy Strain. From this pair Malcolm has bred 11 birds to fly France for him. On the dam’s side the 2011 5th Open bird is Gerard Schlephorst x Martha van Geel making him a half brother to Malcolm’s car winner.

This 5th Open pigeon flew Talbenny before the King’s cup this year and was Malcolm’s first bird home. Two weeks before the King’s cup he had 4 tosses from Balbriggan. Fed on McCausland’s Hi Velocity all year he went to the race on his first pair of eggs and on his return from the race Malcolm noticed he had stopped off for a drink as both feet were covered in mud.
Malcolm’s next bird at 27th Open 24th North section was his single bird challenge pigeon and wins 4th in this. A five-year-old this was it’s 3rd time in this race having been 62nd open last year and is from birds from Malcolm’s great friend Davy Strain of Ballyclare.
It’s difficult enough to get more than one bird in the result in this premier event and as we saw the Marshalls getting 8 in this year’s race. Malcolm Robinson also achieved having 8 in the result in 1999 from Redon when he won 36th, 47th, 79th, 131st, 140th, 142nd, 153rd, and 175th.


J Mount & Son from Milltown in Banbridge, 6th in Kings Cup.

5th North Section, 6th Open J Mount & Son Milltown on 1134.93, flying 480 miles winning £220

For 6th Open we move to the Milltown club, just outside Banbridge in Co Down to the lofts of Jim Mount and Son (also Jim). When I
phoned Jim Snr on Tuesday he was celebrating his 77th birthday and the King’s Cup result provided him with an early birthday present. As well as timing at 6.25 to take 6th Open the two Jims had three more the next day before 1pm and had another reported in Dublin out of an entry of nine.
The pigeon timed here is a yearling blue cheq hen. She didn’t race much as a young bird as she got hurt and had 6 races this year as a yearling, Roscrea, Clonmel, Fermoy, Fermoy, Talbenny and Penzance from where she was 5th club and 4th club in the Classic.
The Mounts loft was in form at this time as they were 1st club, 141st Open NIPA from St Malo the week prior to the Kings Cup.
The pigeon timed in The King’s Cup was bred by Rod Wilson originally from Ashfield near Dromore but now living in East Ayrshire in Scotland. Rod and Jim have exchanged young birds this past three years. The breeding is Louis Verotte x Janssen (019 Merx), and also including a touch of Van Loon. The dam was a 1st Fed winner in 2008 for Rod.
She was raced on the roundabout all year and then let in with the cocks four days before basketing and she was very keen on 3 or 4 cocks.
Feeding is from Henry Beattie & Son Feeding and is their budget racing mix.
The partnership would like to thank Rod Wilson and all their other friends that have given them young birds over the years.


Tommy McClean from Annaghmore 7th in the Kings Cup.

6th North Section, 7th Open T McClean Annaghmore on 1134.63, flying 488 miles winning £1081.

Tommy McClean Annaghmore is 6th North section, 7th Open this year. The Annaghmore club is one of the strongest clubs in the country for National racing with many club members featuring in the result here. When you are the first bird in this club you know you won’t be too far away.
Tommy used to race in Newry in the Niblock & McClean partnership, a partnership that won five Opens in the NIPA including a Young Bird Talbenny. They were also 2nd Open in the Young Bird National from Penzance.
The pigeon timed here is a two-year-old hen that was raced on the roundabout all year. She had every inland race this year and then the three channel races and was in the result from Bude. After Penzance she had three tosses from Clougherhead in preparation for this race.
To motivate the hens for the King’s Cup Tommy paired the cocks to some spare hens about a week before the race and then let the racers back into the cocks just before sending them to the race.
The pigeon timed here is a pure Soontjens from Jim Newell Annalong. Jim and Tommy are very good friends and I know that Jim sends a few pigeons to Tommy’s loft every year. Tommy timed another one of Jim’s pigeons to take 29th North section, 32nd Open. This one was from Jim’s ‘Night Flyers’, bought in Blackpool a couple of years ago.


The high flying N Black & Son team from Dromara in Co Down.

7th and 8th North Section, 8th and 10th Open, N Black & Sons on 1132 and 1129.37, flying 479 miles winning £875 and the Harkness Rose Bowl

8th and 10th Open are N Black & Son of Dromara H.P.S, bringing the loft' s haul of top ten positions in the King’s Cup to 15. Previous winners in 1996 and runners up in 2000 they were 6th last year. They also win the Harkness Rose Bowl for the fourth time. They already held the record number of wins at three - 1993, 1994 and 1996, and all these wins were achieved with two birds in the top ten. The partnership timed five birds on the day, their fourth bird was 6th last year and wins a merit award. They also timed a 6th bird at 6.16am to win a Hall of Fame, having previously won two Hall of Fames in 1995. As most people know the Black family have been cultivating this family of birds for over thirty years. The base of the birds coming from George Casement, South Belfast, Jim Moreland, Dromore and John McMullan, Carnlough.

The first bird timed was a two-year-old blue cock, his sire is a son of the loft's 1st and 2nd Open Kings Cup paired together, while the dam is a half sister to "Annie Mary", a pigeon that was 4th and 8th Open for them from Messac. This cock was raced natural as a young bird and had two races from 120 miles. As a yearling he had three inland races plus Talbenny, then the Yearling National from Sennen Cove where he was 71st Open flown roundabout. This year he was paired in February but not allowed to rear any young-birds sitting two rounds of eggs, he was then separated and raced roundabout for three inland races and Talbenny. He was re-paired on returning from Talbenny and sent to the Kings Cup on a 1-day young bird, his first of the year.

The 10th Open winner is a two-year-old blue cheq cock hatched in June 2009. It was unraced as a young bird but had five or six tosses up to 25 miles. This cock's nest mate was 19th in last year's Open Yearling National and a full sister was 21st Open Penzance young-bird last year. This cock's sire is a half brother to the loft's "Annie Mary". Incidentally "Annie Mary" is the grand dam of D. & J. Caskey's 10th Open Vannes last year and is also the grand dam of B. & M. Gilmore's Gold Award winner which was in turn is the grand sire of their 1st section St Malo this year. The dam of 10th Open cock is a daughter of H. Silcock's good hen "Pine Hill Lass", 27th and 35th Open Kings Cup. This cock had four inland races last year and also went to the Yearling National where he was just out of the prizes. He had the exact same preparation as the 8th Open cock this year and like him was sent on a 1-day young bird. After Talbenny both cocks had plenty of training from 50 miles plus flown night and morning for an hour. The feeding is all Frazers, mainly widowhood plus some Energy mix. All Frazers supplements are used which the Blacks think are a must.

2nd South Section, 9th Open P Rock & Son ECF Skerries on 1129.48 flying 417 miles winning £798 and J Cullen Memorial Cup.
This is another loft with a superb record at National racing, including winning the King’s Cup in 1997. This year was to be no exception with four birds in the Open result at 9th, 83rd, 159th and 166th and had seven in the south section of the result at 2nd, 8th, 22nd, 25th, 45th, 57th and 62nd.
Their first pigeon timed this year is a blue cheq w/f yearling cock racing on widowhood. His preparation for the King’s Cup was six inland races as far as Barleycove 202 miles. He was sent to the INFC Yearling National and was their first bird home winning the club and finishing 116th Open. He was then sent to Penzance and was their eighth bird home getting 6 hours 45mins on the wing. His next race was the King’s Cup when he was first club again but even better he was 2nd South section, 9th Open.
He was raced on widowhood and shown his hen before each race and for the Kings Cup they were together for about 1/2 an hour before basketing. He was fed all year on a mixture of Versele Laga Gerry plus, Superstar plus, Beyers Double U, Vanrobaeys Caseart and when they hit the channel some Vanrobaeys fats were added.
The breeding of this bird is super as he is a son of their Kings Cup winner of 1997, "Champion Jack" when paired to a Jimmy Anderson hen they bought at Jimmy's clearance sale a few years ago. Champion Jack was 16 when he bred him but hasn't filled this year; hopefully he left them with something good.

Thanks to Samuel McCausland Ltd for sponsoring the race. Thanks to all who helped in the preparation of this report especially Clifford Browne and Davy Black, and all those who helped with the photographs. I hope to cover the Silver Medal winner, all the Hall of Fame and Triple Crown winners over the next few weeks.

Brendan McLoughlin
INFC Press Officer