Penzance 2010 - Top 10 Report
Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 1:00 pm
Birds for the INFC Penzance were race marked one day late due to an unfavourable weather forecast, liberation for the Blue Riband YB event and Old Hens was Thursday 9th September at 8.30am in a Lt North West wind. A hard race was expected, 487 members sent 2,432 birds competing for £20,828 and in the Old Hens Nat 102 members sent 291 birds competing for £1,738.
Gregg Bros & McCandless timed their old hen at 15.20hrs flying 311 miles to be best in the Muckamore Centre, next best Danny Dixon had the best young bird timed at 16.05hrs flying 339 miles. Both birds did in fact top the Open Result for 1st National. For Gregg Bros & McCandless it was a dream winning the race for the second year on the trot, I believe this bird was 6th Open last season and what about Danny Dixon. He is still coming to terms with this latest success and joins a select few that have won both YB Nat events with the INFC, his bird had flown well all year and was in Talbenny. Dixie Chick was one of the longest winners of the event at 339 miles into Dunloy in Co Antrim, local ace Jim Lennox won the race into Rasharkin a number of years back with his famous “Belmont Blue”. Double winners of the YB Nat events include Kelly Bros Malahide, T Patterson & Son Muckamore and G Buckley & Son Annaghmore and I have a feeling we also had a Brown from Belfast in the early days.
Danny has had a best ever race season that includes 2nd Open NIPA on three occasions and a record number of 1sts covering his local club Ballymoney, Mid Antrim Combine and the NIPA Section B. The YB Nat from Penzance was a race which lofts in Mid Antrim had enjoyed great success, if not winning 1st Open the early bird into the area was always well placed. It recent years this has slipped a bit, I suppose it was just about time again to record the overall winner.
Danny Dixon 1st North section, 1st Open
As I said earlier Danny has enjoyed a great season, I would think it ranks with the best ever, he is without question the loft to beat each week and added to the above he also has 4th Open NIPA in the OB Inland Nat from Rosscarbery. He has purchased the best bloodlines that money can buy, and is a dedicated trainer, not missing my collection once during the young bird season. His winner a lovely Blue Pied hen, small to medium in size raced the programme including Talbenny YB Nat with the NIPA. A Darkness youngster she was racing to the perch, she has now been named “Dixie Chick”. He joins an elite few that have won both YB Nationals with the INFC, he won 1st Open from Skibbereen in 1998 and where he is positioned a fantastic performance to achieve 1st Open. The Penzance Nat winner is the top Frans Van Wildemeersch bloodlines, the sire coming through Langton x Ingram (England) and the dam from A Cousins & Sons who have the best stock from the late B Fletcher & Son this one the lines of “Plantation Ranger” x “Fletchers Dream”.
Furphy Bros Lurgan Social 2nd North section, 2nd Open
This partnership is actually a father and son partnership consisting of James and Joe Furphy. They don’t normally send to this race but on this occasion their birds were in such good form following the Talbenny Derby that they just had to send. This proved a very good decision and they were absolutely delighted with the outcome timing their two birds in the result taking 2nd and 77th Open. The first pigeons winnings were £1382 but I know from talking to Joe that the joy of watching these two birds come home and do so well means so much more to them the money.Their first bird is a hen on the darkness. The young birds are left together and are raced naturally. The dam was a gift bird from Billy Geary Lurgan and is a daughter of ‘Pied Piper’ and was 4th Open in the Penzance Classic. The sire is a Willy Jacobs from Mr & Mrs Delaney’s Oroory Hill Stud. James and Joe would like to thank all those who took time to congratulate them on this great result.
G & C Simmons Edgarstown 3rd North section, 3rd Open
The G & C Simmons team are top racers in the Portadown based Edgarstown HPS, competition in this area is just as competitive as any other. Gary & Colin timed a Blue cock at 3.27pm flying 304 miles. He was sent on chipping eggs and had been in all races prior to the YB National. His breeding is Soontjen x Van Wildemeersch through Frank Sheader and the late J Castles & Son, Lurgan. The dam was 26th Open Wadebridge YB National 2004 and the sire had wins from Mallow 5 Bird, Rosscarbery and Bude. The Gary & Colin Simmons partnership has been 7th Open Yearling National this year, a season to remember. Over the same weekend the partners had 1st Club, and finished 42nd Sect E 103/1063 in the NIPA Rosscarbery YB National. Many thanks again to Andrew for the bird info and photo.
John Patterson Ballylesson 4th North section 4th Open
What a magnificent record John has from this race having been 6th Open last year. John had four entries in this year’s race and had all four home. His first bird was 2nd Open in the East Down Combine from the Talbenny Derby while his second bird was 15th Open in the same race. John’s first pigeon in the YB National is Soontjens x Grondelaar while his second pigeon is Jan Arden x Kenyon. The dam of the first bird was also the dam of his Skibbereen National winner in 2008
John races his young birds on the darkness and they are separated throughout the week and let together before basketing.
K Henderson & Son Lurgan Social 5th North section 5th Open
Kevin timed here at 3.27pm to take 5th Open for another superb result. This bird is the same way bred as the bird that was 2nd Open in the Old Hens National last year. She was bred from a son of the loft’s good blue cock, a winner of 3rd Open INFC Yearling National. Another bird bred from this cock paired to a different hen was 12th Open in the Yearling National last year. The dam was Jan Aarden from birds obtained from Rob Jones of Wales. Kevin’s old family of birds were McNeilly Delbars and they came through John Geary of Lurgan.
G & L Simpson Ligoniel & District 6th North section 6th Open
I met up with Old Hand Geordie at the Emerald Classic final race and he was pleased to hear he collected most cash in the race at £1721, only three birds away he timed at 15.38hrs flying 310 miles. He started racing in the Brookfield in 1963 and then later joined the Ligoniel & Dist when they themselves were with the Ulster Federation. His eyesight is not the best and he relies on brother Leslie to carry out loft duties, his Black Cheq cock bred from all his old bloodlines gave the loft a best ever result. The bird flew the programme and had been timed in the Fermoy 5 Bird.
S McLaughlin & Son Glenavy 7th North section 7th Open, and 16th North section, 16th Open
The McLaughlin’s had the race of their lives here timing 4 birds in 20 minutes out of an entry of seven with the first of their birds timed at 3.34pm. They take 7th, 16th, 45th and 52nd Open and win the best two bird average. This was quite a feat considering that Steven and the lads only race 25 young birds. They started off on the roundabout but let the birds go down on eggs for Talbenny and they were sent to Penzance still sitting on these eggs. All four birds timed were hens. These pigeons are all down from a Ron Williamson cock that was purchased at a charity sale organised by Gary Shaw in 2004. This cock is now the father of the loft and his breeding is in most of Steven’s pigeons. All the best racing hens are paired to this cock on the bull system and he has bred at least one winner every year. The first pigeon timed here is a grand daughter of Williamson’s cock while the next two birds are direct daughters of it and are nest mates.
Russell Bros Cullybackey HPS 8th North section 8th Open
Russell Bros in Cullybackey have been on the go as long as I can remember, Len and Bill are both retired now and have a lot more time to enjoy the birds. In the good old days the loft won the NI Fancier of the Year award and can still race a good bird from any distance. Last year they came very close to winning St Malo Nat finishing 1st Sect B & 3rd Open NIPA with a single entry. Russell Bros timed their young Blue hen at 4.09pm flying 331 miles sent to Penzance racing Roundabout. She flew the first six races and then the Tullamore Comeback event. The sire was presented by James Anderson, a local club-mate and good friend over the years. Not surprising he contained the very best of the lofts long distance family which have scored at the distance especially France over many years. Parents of the dam were Verheye purchased from John Wheatcroft of Notts in England. What a record this bird has, 12th North Sect & 15th Open Yearling Nat in 2008 and then last year 3rd Open NIPA St Malo, total winnings over £1,800. They have bred a lot of good birds from this Verheye line obtained from John, both he and Len have a fantastic interest in Eyesign.
Tony Simpson Rasharkin & Dist 9th North section 9th Open
Tony Simpson is President of the local club, his lofts located behind the house on the Main Street and close to Jim Lennox who gives him a hand and is good pigeon company. Jim of course is a former winner of Penzance YB Nat, his “Belmont Blue” the winner in 1994 the season the late Henry Beattie won the Kings Cup with “Laurel Queen” For Tony who achieved a best ever result it was a dream come true, his Blue cock he has named “Church View Lad”. The bird had most of the programme including Talbenny and Fermoy winning 3rd Comb, 5th Sect & 19th Open in the 5 Bird Classic. He was flying to his hen sitting eggs, the weekly training paid off.
Carroll Reynolds Beech Park Social 10th North section 10th Open
Carroll Reynolds races with the new Beechpark Club in Lurgan, he recorded velocity of 1261 flying 301 miles with a Blue cock. The sire is one of the old Horn Busschaert’s x Flor Engels cross which won three first clubs as a young bird and then put to one side. He is on the small side and although lightly bred off has produced several first prize winners down Ireland. The dam is a Staf Van Reet and was a gift from Willie Smith of Dumfries. Willie had these birds from Jimmy Dalglish, a SNFC winner with Tranquility Boy. Carroll don't often send young birds to Penance as he thinks it is too far but this year had started racing 38 y/b's and hadn't lost any. He made a last minute decision to send six. In fact they had been in Castlebellingham that morning on Ivan Mawhinney's transporter. The Blue cock, a Darkness youngster, he was sent sitting eggs about ten days. He got a second bird which just missed the result which is from a sister of the 10th Open winner. He thanked all helpers and officials involved at the marking stations, without them no race would be possible.
South Section Penzance YB National
In the early part of this particular race you never can tell how the race will develop and if the longer flying lofts can make up time on birds timed earlier on the day. The early bird into Dublin was timed by Noel Deegan who races in Finglas at 1.56pm flying 231 miles. He records velocity 1246 to take 1st Irish SR Fed, 1st South Sect & 18th Open INFC. Next best were Billy Harris & Son racing in Dublin NE recording velocity 1231 for the 227 miles finishing 2nd ISRF, 2nd South Sect & 28th Open INFC. This game little Blue hen flew every race in the ISRF program up to Talbenny where she was the lofts 3rd bird home. After this race she took to a cock and went to the YB National on eggs. She is 100% Willy Van Herck breeding coming down from the lofts of P & J Boal, Dromore Co Down. The sire is a yearling Blue cock bred by Philip and he is a 1/2 brother to a East Down Combine winner 7000 + birds, 1/2 brother to 1st Club, 1st Sect D, 13th Open NIPA. Also uncle to 1st Club, 3rd Sect D, 12th Open NIPA, both races had 20,000 + birds. The dam also a yearling was bred by Billy from stock obtained from Philip who has the best.
INFC Penzance Old Hens National – Top 10 Report
The Old Hen National was flown in conjunction with the Blue Riband YB Nat Penzance, this season it did not count towards the INFC Nat Championship, 102 members sent 291 birds and liberation was at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind. This race was sponsored by Gem Supplements and BHW, Gregg Bros & McCandless win the Alan Darragh Challenge Cup for 1st Open. Gregg Bros & McCandless and J & D Braniff win the Gem Supplements Ltd Vouchers. The Blue Riband YB Nat is kindly sponsored by Natural Granen and Veterinary Services for Birds (Dr Francis Scullion). The JMK McGugan Perpetual Cup for 1st Open was won by Danny Dixon. William Erwin Mem Cup for 1st South Sect was won by N Deegan Finglas. De Scheemaecker Trophy for Best 2 Bird Ave was won by S McLaughlin & Sons Glenavy & Dist. Jarvis Cup for Best Ave Penzance & Skibbereen YB Nat’s was won by Danny Dixon. Natural Granen Specials won by D Dixon NIPA, J Patterson EDC, G & L Simpson Ulster Fed, N Deegan ISRF, P Rock & Son ECF and S & M Neary SLF. Veterinary Services free health check for all the 5ths up and including 95th.
Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel & District 1st, 2nd & 8th Open Old Hens
When this card arrived at Muckamore Centre we knew immediately it would take some beating, the partners had timed five old hens and finished Best in the Centre. The three birds placed in the Top 10 were timed at 15.20pm, 15.46pm and 15.54pm, flying 311 miles, the winner recorded velocity 1334. For good measure all five birds were placed in the result, 1st, 2nd, 8th, 16th and 27th – what a card! The partners have been household names for years, starting at Shankill & Dist and then moving to Ligoniel & Dist, an ace racing loft in the Ulster Federation. The bird that won this season was 6th Open in the same race in 2009 season, it’s a race that Paul & Steven have mastered despite the many problems getting old hens prepared. All the birds timed are from good friends Ron Williamson and Frank & Ann Tasker, they would like to thank both lofts for supplying the parents and grandparents of all birds timed.
J & D Braniff Wheatfield 3rd Open Old Hens
The Braniff’s are having another dream season. The current Ulster Fed Fanciers of the Year won the Young Bird Derby from Talbenny a couple of weeks ago and followed that up with another Fed win from Fermoy, their sixth Fed win of the season. I noticed when looking through the King’s Cup result that they had at 3 birds in that result too. The pigeon timed here to take 3rd Open in the Old Hens race is three- year-old sent sitting on a seven-day-old young bird. Having had a few prizes on the channel this bird was sent to the King’s Cup this year and took a couple of weeks to come out of it. On returning from the King’s Cup she was flown out with the young birds and tossed along with them. She was sent to this race with five flights to go and in great condition. The sire is from their M & D Evans’ Vandenabeeles and is exceptionally well bred being a son of ‘Solitaire’ and ‘Band of Gold’. The sire is a daughter of Higginson & McMeekin’s Penzance Millennium National winner and also contains the best of Alan Darragh’s bloodlines.
C O’Hare & Dtr Ballyholland 4th Open Old Hens
This is another loft with a terrific record at National level this year having been 5th and 22nd Open in the King’s Cup to win the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for best 2-bird average. They were also 147th Open in the Young Bird National on the same day as the Old Hens race. The pigeon timed in the Old Hens race was a yearling and is a half sister of the pigeon that was 5th in the Kings Cup. They have the same dam, which is line bred from Alan Darragh’s ‘Ranger’. The sire is a grandson of M Maguire & Son’s ‘Home Alone’. This one coming from former Annalong fancier Liam Morgan who had obtained some very good pigeons from the Maguires. The sire was a super racer and has won from Rosscarbery, Skibbereen, Talbenny and Penzance. This yearling timed here hasn’t been raced since the old bird racing this year. She was paired to a young cock and flew with the young birds. She was sent to the race sitting a young bird just hatched.
D Ferran & Son Fortfield 5th Open Old Hens.
The Ferrans had another super race here to take 5th Open in the Old Hens race. They have been doing really well in the Nationals and were 69th in the King’s Cup this year. The two- year-old hen timed here is actually a half sister of the pigeon that was 69th in the King’s Cup while another half brother was timed on the second day from the King’s Cup. The grand-sire of this pigeon was 5th Open King’s Cup in 2004 so there is a lot of National blood here. The breeding is their own breeding which is generally Busschaert. This hen had a couple of races in the old bird programme before being hawked and taken off the road. She was trained up with the young birds when she was fully recovered and had two races with the young birds from Kildare and Thurles. She had been a widowhood hen and had reared one young bird in January. She didn’t rear any more youngsters until she was sent to this race sitting on a six-day-old youngster.
M Maguire & Son Millvale 6th Open Old Hens
This was another great performance from the Maguire partnership. The pigeon timed here was the four-year-old hen, ‘Lady Rose’ that was 2nd Open Friendship National last year when they timed two birds within seconds of each other to take 21st and 2nd Open. This hen has the fantastic "Home Alone" in the pedigree being a direct Daughter of "Home Alone", responsible now for well over 35 first prize winners at various levels of competition including 1st National. “Lady Rose” was named after Malachy's late mother who always knew he was destined to win an Irish National. Following last years success this hen was put in the stock loft but during the old bird season Malachy’s grandson let it out. They decided to try and get her racing again and her first race this year was Bude followed by Sennen Cove, St Malo and the King’s Cup. While she wasn’t in the result she showed good form and it was then decided to prepare her for the Old Hen’s race. They had another bird in the result at 12th Open. This one was a yearling Jan Arden from Bob McDonald Fraserburgh stock. Both parents were bought at the Charity Sale in Blackpool, one in 2008 and one in 2009. These birds were bought with their good friend Jocken McKavanagh, Balbriggan and paired together. They are very pleased with this pairing and as they were new stock they had to prove their worth. A full brother had every race on the card including the three French races and was in the clock in every one of those except for the Friendship National when it arrived on the 5th Day.
Alan Darragh Cullybackey 7th Open Old Hens
Alan Darragh is ever present and a former winner of this event. Only sent two birds this time and his Blue Cheq yearling had been in the prizes in Penzance earlier in the season and was flown with the young birds sent to a few of the early races. The bird was timed at 16.18hrs and recorded velocity 1238 for the 329 miles good enough for 1st Mid Antrim Combine. How many of those has he not won racing with the INFC?
Ron Williamson Bondhill 9th Open Old Hens
Once again it is a pleasure to report on another magnificent result for Ron Williamson who was 9th Open and had another two birds at 13th and 14th Open. All three birds were widowhood hens that had never been raced until they were raced with the young birds this year. The first and third birds are yearlings while the pigeon at 13th Open is a two-year-old. All three birds are direct off Open winners as all Ron’s widowhood hens must fill this criteria, such are the standards that are set here. The three hens timed were all prepared in the same way and were sent sitting on 5 or 6 day old young birds.
Stewart Bros Randalstown 10th Open Old Hens
Top competitors at the distance the Stewart Bros from Randalstown are always pleased to record an arrival in the major races. Last season they won a Hall of Fame Diploma for the second time and it was the first occasion the winning bird was the same way bred as the previous winner. Their bird this time, the second arrival into Mid Antrim was timed at 16.18hrs recording velocity 1222 and flying 325 miles to The Grange just outside Toomebridge. This yearling Blue hen was prepared with just private training to the coast, four tosses in all and sent to the race feeding a 7 day youngster. She raced steady as a young bird and was through to Bude in the old bird season winning some minor prizes. She is a full sister to the lofts Tullamore 1st Sect winner, the sire Grondelaer, and dam Soontjen, a very good mix.
South Section Penzance Old Hen’s National
The best bird in the South Sect was P Rock & Son from the Skerries, they had a fantastic Penzance. The hen which was 1st East Coast Fed, 11th Open INFC Old Hens National is a yearling sent on week old young bird. She wasn't raced during the old bird season and darkened same time as the young birds. When the days began to get shorter her loft was put on summer time hours light which helped keep her moult in check. Her sire won the East Coast Fed from the Portsmouth Friendship National 2007 and her dam flew France for this very successful partnership.
Willie Reynolds
INFC Press Officer.
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
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Danny Dixon has had a best ever racing season, winning the YB Nat Penzance with "Dixie Chick".
Furphy Bros from Lurgan Social, 2nd in the INFC Penzance YB National.
Winner of 3rd North Sect & 3rd Open INFC Penzance YB Nat for G & C Simmons of Edgarstown.
Adie with John Patterson of Ballylesson, 2nd Open Skibbereen last year and now 4th Open Penzance.
Good pals from Lurgan Social, Denis Lyness (l) winner of 5th Yearling Nat
with Kevin Henderson 5th YB Penzance.
The G & L Simpson team from Ligoniel & Dist top cash winners in the Penzance YB Nat.
Len Russell of Russell Bros Cullybackey, 8th North Sect & 8th Open YB Nat Penzance.
President of Rasharkin & Dist Tony Simpson (l) a best ever 9th Penzance
with former winner Jim Lennox his near neighbour.
Blue cock, winner of 10th Open Penzance for Carroll Reynolds of Beech Park in Lurgan.
Billy Harris from Dublin NE in the young bird loft with children Ross and Laura.
Winner of 2nd South Sect & 2nd ISRF Penzance YB Nat.
Paddy & Martin Rock from Skerries had a super Penzance YB Nat
winning 1st & 2nd in the East Coast Federation.
Gregg Bros & McCandless timed their old hen at 15.20hrs flying 311 miles to be best in the Muckamore Centre, next best Danny Dixon had the best young bird timed at 16.05hrs flying 339 miles. Both birds did in fact top the Open Result for 1st National. For Gregg Bros & McCandless it was a dream winning the race for the second year on the trot, I believe this bird was 6th Open last season and what about Danny Dixon. He is still coming to terms with this latest success and joins a select few that have won both YB Nat events with the INFC, his bird had flown well all year and was in Talbenny. Dixie Chick was one of the longest winners of the event at 339 miles into Dunloy in Co Antrim, local ace Jim Lennox won the race into Rasharkin a number of years back with his famous “Belmont Blue”. Double winners of the YB Nat events include Kelly Bros Malahide, T Patterson & Son Muckamore and G Buckley & Son Annaghmore and I have a feeling we also had a Brown from Belfast in the early days.
Danny has had a best ever race season that includes 2nd Open NIPA on three occasions and a record number of 1sts covering his local club Ballymoney, Mid Antrim Combine and the NIPA Section B. The YB Nat from Penzance was a race which lofts in Mid Antrim had enjoyed great success, if not winning 1st Open the early bird into the area was always well placed. It recent years this has slipped a bit, I suppose it was just about time again to record the overall winner.
Danny Dixon 1st North section, 1st Open
As I said earlier Danny has enjoyed a great season, I would think it ranks with the best ever, he is without question the loft to beat each week and added to the above he also has 4th Open NIPA in the OB Inland Nat from Rosscarbery. He has purchased the best bloodlines that money can buy, and is a dedicated trainer, not missing my collection once during the young bird season. His winner a lovely Blue Pied hen, small to medium in size raced the programme including Talbenny YB Nat with the NIPA. A Darkness youngster she was racing to the perch, she has now been named “Dixie Chick”. He joins an elite few that have won both YB Nationals with the INFC, he won 1st Open from Skibbereen in 1998 and where he is positioned a fantastic performance to achieve 1st Open. The Penzance Nat winner is the top Frans Van Wildemeersch bloodlines, the sire coming through Langton x Ingram (England) and the dam from A Cousins & Sons who have the best stock from the late B Fletcher & Son this one the lines of “Plantation Ranger” x “Fletchers Dream”.
Furphy Bros Lurgan Social 2nd North section, 2nd Open
This partnership is actually a father and son partnership consisting of James and Joe Furphy. They don’t normally send to this race but on this occasion their birds were in such good form following the Talbenny Derby that they just had to send. This proved a very good decision and they were absolutely delighted with the outcome timing their two birds in the result taking 2nd and 77th Open. The first pigeons winnings were £1382 but I know from talking to Joe that the joy of watching these two birds come home and do so well means so much more to them the money.Their first bird is a hen on the darkness. The young birds are left together and are raced naturally. The dam was a gift bird from Billy Geary Lurgan and is a daughter of ‘Pied Piper’ and was 4th Open in the Penzance Classic. The sire is a Willy Jacobs from Mr & Mrs Delaney’s Oroory Hill Stud. James and Joe would like to thank all those who took time to congratulate them on this great result.
G & C Simmons Edgarstown 3rd North section, 3rd Open
The G & C Simmons team are top racers in the Portadown based Edgarstown HPS, competition in this area is just as competitive as any other. Gary & Colin timed a Blue cock at 3.27pm flying 304 miles. He was sent on chipping eggs and had been in all races prior to the YB National. His breeding is Soontjen x Van Wildemeersch through Frank Sheader and the late J Castles & Son, Lurgan. The dam was 26th Open Wadebridge YB National 2004 and the sire had wins from Mallow 5 Bird, Rosscarbery and Bude. The Gary & Colin Simmons partnership has been 7th Open Yearling National this year, a season to remember. Over the same weekend the partners had 1st Club, and finished 42nd Sect E 103/1063 in the NIPA Rosscarbery YB National. Many thanks again to Andrew for the bird info and photo.
John Patterson Ballylesson 4th North section 4th Open
What a magnificent record John has from this race having been 6th Open last year. John had four entries in this year’s race and had all four home. His first bird was 2nd Open in the East Down Combine from the Talbenny Derby while his second bird was 15th Open in the same race. John’s first pigeon in the YB National is Soontjens x Grondelaar while his second pigeon is Jan Arden x Kenyon. The dam of the first bird was also the dam of his Skibbereen National winner in 2008
John races his young birds on the darkness and they are separated throughout the week and let together before basketing.
K Henderson & Son Lurgan Social 5th North section 5th Open
Kevin timed here at 3.27pm to take 5th Open for another superb result. This bird is the same way bred as the bird that was 2nd Open in the Old Hens National last year. She was bred from a son of the loft’s good blue cock, a winner of 3rd Open INFC Yearling National. Another bird bred from this cock paired to a different hen was 12th Open in the Yearling National last year. The dam was Jan Aarden from birds obtained from Rob Jones of Wales. Kevin’s old family of birds were McNeilly Delbars and they came through John Geary of Lurgan.
G & L Simpson Ligoniel & District 6th North section 6th Open
I met up with Old Hand Geordie at the Emerald Classic final race and he was pleased to hear he collected most cash in the race at £1721, only three birds away he timed at 15.38hrs flying 310 miles. He started racing in the Brookfield in 1963 and then later joined the Ligoniel & Dist when they themselves were with the Ulster Federation. His eyesight is not the best and he relies on brother Leslie to carry out loft duties, his Black Cheq cock bred from all his old bloodlines gave the loft a best ever result. The bird flew the programme and had been timed in the Fermoy 5 Bird.
S McLaughlin & Son Glenavy 7th North section 7th Open, and 16th North section, 16th Open
The McLaughlin’s had the race of their lives here timing 4 birds in 20 minutes out of an entry of seven with the first of their birds timed at 3.34pm. They take 7th, 16th, 45th and 52nd Open and win the best two bird average. This was quite a feat considering that Steven and the lads only race 25 young birds. They started off on the roundabout but let the birds go down on eggs for Talbenny and they were sent to Penzance still sitting on these eggs. All four birds timed were hens. These pigeons are all down from a Ron Williamson cock that was purchased at a charity sale organised by Gary Shaw in 2004. This cock is now the father of the loft and his breeding is in most of Steven’s pigeons. All the best racing hens are paired to this cock on the bull system and he has bred at least one winner every year. The first pigeon timed here is a grand daughter of Williamson’s cock while the next two birds are direct daughters of it and are nest mates.
Russell Bros Cullybackey HPS 8th North section 8th Open
Russell Bros in Cullybackey have been on the go as long as I can remember, Len and Bill are both retired now and have a lot more time to enjoy the birds. In the good old days the loft won the NI Fancier of the Year award and can still race a good bird from any distance. Last year they came very close to winning St Malo Nat finishing 1st Sect B & 3rd Open NIPA with a single entry. Russell Bros timed their young Blue hen at 4.09pm flying 331 miles sent to Penzance racing Roundabout. She flew the first six races and then the Tullamore Comeback event. The sire was presented by James Anderson, a local club-mate and good friend over the years. Not surprising he contained the very best of the lofts long distance family which have scored at the distance especially France over many years. Parents of the dam were Verheye purchased from John Wheatcroft of Notts in England. What a record this bird has, 12th North Sect & 15th Open Yearling Nat in 2008 and then last year 3rd Open NIPA St Malo, total winnings over £1,800. They have bred a lot of good birds from this Verheye line obtained from John, both he and Len have a fantastic interest in Eyesign.
Tony Simpson Rasharkin & Dist 9th North section 9th Open
Tony Simpson is President of the local club, his lofts located behind the house on the Main Street and close to Jim Lennox who gives him a hand and is good pigeon company. Jim of course is a former winner of Penzance YB Nat, his “Belmont Blue” the winner in 1994 the season the late Henry Beattie won the Kings Cup with “Laurel Queen” For Tony who achieved a best ever result it was a dream come true, his Blue cock he has named “Church View Lad”. The bird had most of the programme including Talbenny and Fermoy winning 3rd Comb, 5th Sect & 19th Open in the 5 Bird Classic. He was flying to his hen sitting eggs, the weekly training paid off.
Carroll Reynolds Beech Park Social 10th North section 10th Open
Carroll Reynolds races with the new Beechpark Club in Lurgan, he recorded velocity of 1261 flying 301 miles with a Blue cock. The sire is one of the old Horn Busschaert’s x Flor Engels cross which won three first clubs as a young bird and then put to one side. He is on the small side and although lightly bred off has produced several first prize winners down Ireland. The dam is a Staf Van Reet and was a gift from Willie Smith of Dumfries. Willie had these birds from Jimmy Dalglish, a SNFC winner with Tranquility Boy. Carroll don't often send young birds to Penance as he thinks it is too far but this year had started racing 38 y/b's and hadn't lost any. He made a last minute decision to send six. In fact they had been in Castlebellingham that morning on Ivan Mawhinney's transporter. The Blue cock, a Darkness youngster, he was sent sitting eggs about ten days. He got a second bird which just missed the result which is from a sister of the 10th Open winner. He thanked all helpers and officials involved at the marking stations, without them no race would be possible.
South Section Penzance YB National
In the early part of this particular race you never can tell how the race will develop and if the longer flying lofts can make up time on birds timed earlier on the day. The early bird into Dublin was timed by Noel Deegan who races in Finglas at 1.56pm flying 231 miles. He records velocity 1246 to take 1st Irish SR Fed, 1st South Sect & 18th Open INFC. Next best were Billy Harris & Son racing in Dublin NE recording velocity 1231 for the 227 miles finishing 2nd ISRF, 2nd South Sect & 28th Open INFC. This game little Blue hen flew every race in the ISRF program up to Talbenny where she was the lofts 3rd bird home. After this race she took to a cock and went to the YB National on eggs. She is 100% Willy Van Herck breeding coming down from the lofts of P & J Boal, Dromore Co Down. The sire is a yearling Blue cock bred by Philip and he is a 1/2 brother to a East Down Combine winner 7000 + birds, 1/2 brother to 1st Club, 1st Sect D, 13th Open NIPA. Also uncle to 1st Club, 3rd Sect D, 12th Open NIPA, both races had 20,000 + birds. The dam also a yearling was bred by Billy from stock obtained from Philip who has the best.
INFC Penzance Old Hens National – Top 10 Report
The Old Hen National was flown in conjunction with the Blue Riband YB Nat Penzance, this season it did not count towards the INFC Nat Championship, 102 members sent 291 birds and liberation was at 8.30am in a Lt NW wind. This race was sponsored by Gem Supplements and BHW, Gregg Bros & McCandless win the Alan Darragh Challenge Cup for 1st Open. Gregg Bros & McCandless and J & D Braniff win the Gem Supplements Ltd Vouchers. The Blue Riband YB Nat is kindly sponsored by Natural Granen and Veterinary Services for Birds (Dr Francis Scullion). The JMK McGugan Perpetual Cup for 1st Open was won by Danny Dixon. William Erwin Mem Cup for 1st South Sect was won by N Deegan Finglas. De Scheemaecker Trophy for Best 2 Bird Ave was won by S McLaughlin & Sons Glenavy & Dist. Jarvis Cup for Best Ave Penzance & Skibbereen YB Nat’s was won by Danny Dixon. Natural Granen Specials won by D Dixon NIPA, J Patterson EDC, G & L Simpson Ulster Fed, N Deegan ISRF, P Rock & Son ECF and S & M Neary SLF. Veterinary Services free health check for all the 5ths up and including 95th.
Gregg Bros & McCandless Ligoniel & District 1st, 2nd & 8th Open Old Hens
When this card arrived at Muckamore Centre we knew immediately it would take some beating, the partners had timed five old hens and finished Best in the Centre. The three birds placed in the Top 10 were timed at 15.20pm, 15.46pm and 15.54pm, flying 311 miles, the winner recorded velocity 1334. For good measure all five birds were placed in the result, 1st, 2nd, 8th, 16th and 27th – what a card! The partners have been household names for years, starting at Shankill & Dist and then moving to Ligoniel & Dist, an ace racing loft in the Ulster Federation. The bird that won this season was 6th Open in the same race in 2009 season, it’s a race that Paul & Steven have mastered despite the many problems getting old hens prepared. All the birds timed are from good friends Ron Williamson and Frank & Ann Tasker, they would like to thank both lofts for supplying the parents and grandparents of all birds timed.
J & D Braniff Wheatfield 3rd Open Old Hens
The Braniff’s are having another dream season. The current Ulster Fed Fanciers of the Year won the Young Bird Derby from Talbenny a couple of weeks ago and followed that up with another Fed win from Fermoy, their sixth Fed win of the season. I noticed when looking through the King’s Cup result that they had at 3 birds in that result too. The pigeon timed here to take 3rd Open in the Old Hens race is three- year-old sent sitting on a seven-day-old young bird. Having had a few prizes on the channel this bird was sent to the King’s Cup this year and took a couple of weeks to come out of it. On returning from the King’s Cup she was flown out with the young birds and tossed along with them. She was sent to this race with five flights to go and in great condition. The sire is from their M & D Evans’ Vandenabeeles and is exceptionally well bred being a son of ‘Solitaire’ and ‘Band of Gold’. The sire is a daughter of Higginson & McMeekin’s Penzance Millennium National winner and also contains the best of Alan Darragh’s bloodlines.
C O’Hare & Dtr Ballyholland 4th Open Old Hens
This is another loft with a terrific record at National level this year having been 5th and 22nd Open in the King’s Cup to win the coveted Harkness Rose Bowl for best 2-bird average. They were also 147th Open in the Young Bird National on the same day as the Old Hens race. The pigeon timed in the Old Hens race was a yearling and is a half sister of the pigeon that was 5th in the Kings Cup. They have the same dam, which is line bred from Alan Darragh’s ‘Ranger’. The sire is a grandson of M Maguire & Son’s ‘Home Alone’. This one coming from former Annalong fancier Liam Morgan who had obtained some very good pigeons from the Maguires. The sire was a super racer and has won from Rosscarbery, Skibbereen, Talbenny and Penzance. This yearling timed here hasn’t been raced since the old bird racing this year. She was paired to a young cock and flew with the young birds. She was sent to the race sitting a young bird just hatched.
D Ferran & Son Fortfield 5th Open Old Hens.
The Ferrans had another super race here to take 5th Open in the Old Hens race. They have been doing really well in the Nationals and were 69th in the King’s Cup this year. The two- year-old hen timed here is actually a half sister of the pigeon that was 69th in the King’s Cup while another half brother was timed on the second day from the King’s Cup. The grand-sire of this pigeon was 5th Open King’s Cup in 2004 so there is a lot of National blood here. The breeding is their own breeding which is generally Busschaert. This hen had a couple of races in the old bird programme before being hawked and taken off the road. She was trained up with the young birds when she was fully recovered and had two races with the young birds from Kildare and Thurles. She had been a widowhood hen and had reared one young bird in January. She didn’t rear any more youngsters until she was sent to this race sitting on a six-day-old youngster.
M Maguire & Son Millvale 6th Open Old Hens
This was another great performance from the Maguire partnership. The pigeon timed here was the four-year-old hen, ‘Lady Rose’ that was 2nd Open Friendship National last year when they timed two birds within seconds of each other to take 21st and 2nd Open. This hen has the fantastic "Home Alone" in the pedigree being a direct Daughter of "Home Alone", responsible now for well over 35 first prize winners at various levels of competition including 1st National. “Lady Rose” was named after Malachy's late mother who always knew he was destined to win an Irish National. Following last years success this hen was put in the stock loft but during the old bird season Malachy’s grandson let it out. They decided to try and get her racing again and her first race this year was Bude followed by Sennen Cove, St Malo and the King’s Cup. While she wasn’t in the result she showed good form and it was then decided to prepare her for the Old Hen’s race. They had another bird in the result at 12th Open. This one was a yearling Jan Arden from Bob McDonald Fraserburgh stock. Both parents were bought at the Charity Sale in Blackpool, one in 2008 and one in 2009. These birds were bought with their good friend Jocken McKavanagh, Balbriggan and paired together. They are very pleased with this pairing and as they were new stock they had to prove their worth. A full brother had every race on the card including the three French races and was in the clock in every one of those except for the Friendship National when it arrived on the 5th Day.
Alan Darragh Cullybackey 7th Open Old Hens
Alan Darragh is ever present and a former winner of this event. Only sent two birds this time and his Blue Cheq yearling had been in the prizes in Penzance earlier in the season and was flown with the young birds sent to a few of the early races. The bird was timed at 16.18hrs and recorded velocity 1238 for the 329 miles good enough for 1st Mid Antrim Combine. How many of those has he not won racing with the INFC?
Ron Williamson Bondhill 9th Open Old Hens
Once again it is a pleasure to report on another magnificent result for Ron Williamson who was 9th Open and had another two birds at 13th and 14th Open. All three birds were widowhood hens that had never been raced until they were raced with the young birds this year. The first and third birds are yearlings while the pigeon at 13th Open is a two-year-old. All three birds are direct off Open winners as all Ron’s widowhood hens must fill this criteria, such are the standards that are set here. The three hens timed were all prepared in the same way and were sent sitting on 5 or 6 day old young birds.
Stewart Bros Randalstown 10th Open Old Hens
Top competitors at the distance the Stewart Bros from Randalstown are always pleased to record an arrival in the major races. Last season they won a Hall of Fame Diploma for the second time and it was the first occasion the winning bird was the same way bred as the previous winner. Their bird this time, the second arrival into Mid Antrim was timed at 16.18hrs recording velocity 1222 and flying 325 miles to The Grange just outside Toomebridge. This yearling Blue hen was prepared with just private training to the coast, four tosses in all and sent to the race feeding a 7 day youngster. She raced steady as a young bird and was through to Bude in the old bird season winning some minor prizes. She is a full sister to the lofts Tullamore 1st Sect winner, the sire Grondelaer, and dam Soontjen, a very good mix.
South Section Penzance Old Hen’s National
The best bird in the South Sect was P Rock & Son from the Skerries, they had a fantastic Penzance. The hen which was 1st East Coast Fed, 11th Open INFC Old Hens National is a yearling sent on week old young bird. She wasn't raced during the old bird season and darkened same time as the young birds. When the days began to get shorter her loft was put on summer time hours light which helped keep her moult in check. Her sire won the East Coast Fed from the Portsmouth Friendship National 2007 and her dam flew France for this very successful partnership.
Willie Reynolds
INFC Press Officer.
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07939 684876
E-mail: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.infc.co.uk
Danny Dixon has had a best ever racing season, winning the YB Nat Penzance with "Dixie Chick".
Furphy Bros from Lurgan Social, 2nd in the INFC Penzance YB National.
Winner of 3rd North Sect & 3rd Open INFC Penzance YB Nat for G & C Simmons of Edgarstown.
Adie with John Patterson of Ballylesson, 2nd Open Skibbereen last year and now 4th Open Penzance.
Good pals from Lurgan Social, Denis Lyness (l) winner of 5th Yearling Nat
with Kevin Henderson 5th YB Penzance.
The G & L Simpson team from Ligoniel & Dist top cash winners in the Penzance YB Nat.
Len Russell of Russell Bros Cullybackey, 8th North Sect & 8th Open YB Nat Penzance.
President of Rasharkin & Dist Tony Simpson (l) a best ever 9th Penzance
with former winner Jim Lennox his near neighbour.
Blue cock, winner of 10th Open Penzance for Carroll Reynolds of Beech Park in Lurgan.
Billy Harris from Dublin NE in the young bird loft with children Ross and Laura.
Winner of 2nd South Sect & 2nd ISRF Penzance YB Nat.
Paddy & Martin Rock from Skerries had a super Penzance YB Nat
winning 1st & 2nd in the East Coast Federation.