The French Diploma 2009 - Ronnie Johnston

[willie reynolds]

The French Diploma is very much part of the National scene having been presented by Ronnie Johnston to the winner for some years now.

In all the years it has been up for competition I would safely say it has never been a closer finish between three lofts Ronnie williamson, Bondhill 8th Open NIPA St Malo OB National and 10th Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup. Jim Robinson, Edgarstown 6th open NIPA St Malo OB National 9th Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup, in any other year either of these fanciers would have won the French Diploma but not this year, so its congratulations to the winner Robert Russell of Beech Park Social 2nd Open NIPA St Malo OB National and 5th Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup.

NIPA St Malo OB National was the first leg of the Diploma and Robert clocked a pencil tip hen bred to win 2nd Open flying 447 miles. As a young bird she flew most of the Inland Programme and was then raced as a yearling, her best performance being timed in the prizes from INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National. In 09 she flew two races from Tullamore and Talbenny and was then flown one hour morning and evening round home. Now for some details on her breeding.

Sire is a gifted late bred from Davie MaWhinney INFC Treasurer that contained Alan Darragh bloodlines his nest mate bred 68th Open Talbenny for Robert. Davie purchased from Tommy McClean who this season won the new INFC Triple Crown Diploma. Bloodlines are the late Sam Buckley's Soontjens and her brother bred an NIPA Open winner for Niblock Bros & McClean. Now to the blue chequer cock 5th Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup, distance 484 miles, as a young bird he was trained only. As a yearling he flew Talbenny that turned out a very bad race and then Sennen Cove Yearling National with the INFC. 2008 was his only race from Bude as he was being prepared for the Kings Cup and as we all now know the race did not take place. This season he only had two Balbriggon Training tosses and then the Fermoy come back race with the NIPA. Robert gave him a few short tosses at about 15 miles and continued to fly at home one hour morning and evening. The sire is Bally Bay Tom a winner of 53rd Open Arklow 22nd Open Lamballe and 90th Open Talbenny, breeding Lovella Corbett Busschaert. The dam of Tom is from the lines of Prunty & Larkin from their famous one eyed hen that contains Ronnie Williamson bloodlines that have been so successful through to France. Dam of the Kings Cup pigeon come from a sister of Bally Bay Tom paired to a cock from the ace Dublin fancier Tom Nelson which again is the old Sam Buckleys Soontjen lines. Robert Russell can be very proud of winning such a coveted award.