INFC King's Cup St Allouestre was flown on 2nd July with an entry of 1913 pigeons liberated at 6.00am and again a very difficult race ensued which saw 100 birds home in racetime. Again the English brothers were in the mix timing their very good four yearold Blue Cheq. Cock to take 33rd North Section 41st open. This pigeon was 17th Sect. 201st NIPA ST Malo National in 2020 and the following year took 17th North Section 25th Open in the King's Cup. At the start of the 2022 season he was being set up for the King's Cup again only to suffer a serious foot injury that resulted in him being withdrawn to fight another day. That other day came this year when he did the business once again finishing 41st to become a French race 3 times prize winner, a very good pigeon which my well now be earmarked to try to emulate his great grandfather 'Let Down' who won an INFC Hall of Fame Award for a pigeon 3 times a prize winner in the King's Cup. Like myself you may find 'Let Down' a strange name for a pigeon, the story being that Willie was watching for the pigeon on it's third attempt at the King's Cup, having won prizes on it's first two, when he was distracted for a few minutes by one of his grand children. Some time after returning to keep watch he heard a bit of a comotion in the loft and went in to investigate to find his King's Cup Cock fighting with an interloper who was trying to claim his nestbox. Not having ETS timing much time was lost with the bird still taking a top position in the race as well as gaining a Hall of Fame. Understandably Willie was gutted and felt he had let the pigeon down by not playing his part in the race by being there to time the pigeon when it had flown almost 500 miles on the day to race home. Fingers crossed we hope if he goes next year he will bring a second Hall of Fame to the Loft. As stated his Sire is a G.Son of 'Let Down' who was of Robert Kirkwood / Newcombe blood, his Dam is also a Kirkwood Hen. Robert and wife June run the local pigeon corn store and have bred many excellent pigeons for other fanciers, myself included. Sadly Robert is not in the best of health at the moment and has arranged an auction of approx. 35 Stock Birds on the second Saturday of December, with all proceeds going to Charity.
The INFC Friendship National St Malo had 993 birds liberated at 6.00am on 7th July and with a helping wind a totally different type of race saw high velocities for the winning pigeons. Sam & Willie clocked a nice Yearling Cheq. Cock to take 93rd Open with two other of their entries homing on the day to round of very good long distance racing season. This one's Sire is Jan AArden / New Laureat, the Dam being a G.Dtr of 'Let Down'.
The English loft has put up quite a few really good performances from the distance over the years, and maybe has'nt got the publicty that some other men in the area get, so good luck to Sam and Willie and their team of very good distance pigeons. . Milne Mairs
Willie English holding St Malo Section winner.
St Malo 1st Section D Winner NIPA.
Three times France prize winner.
93rd Open INFC Friendship National.