When the Stichelbauts came to Sycamore Cottage
Part 3
The True Story of Champion Diabolos
My racing career commenced in 1977 in St .Lawrence Working Men’s Club in York. The objective for all the good old characters was to be top prise winner and to top The Yorkshire Middle Route Federation. In 84 and in the last race of the old club our Dots Delight won Melun 408 miles on the day in a Nor Easter on 1208 ypm,1916 birds, previously won in the Western Section in 1956.
Yorkshire Middle Route Fed 1990: Dorothy Emerton at 73 years young collecting a trophy from the late Mick Spaven Secretary
Mother was 71 and I was 35 with all guns blazing. We had a fire to do our best and aimed for the top. Now Mum brought the ideas of Bovril, yeast and peanuts back from her friendship with the great Eddie Newcombe at his villa in Malta. Additionally I was using, layers pellets and Chevita products in the water with great impact on results. A lovely dark cock was 2nd section behind Delight at Melun. As a yb he had been 1 of 5 to take the first 5 open in the Rievely Cup in 83.
The fire and dominance of the young cock was tangible and awesome. We specialised in that 1 bird in 85 as a 2yr old bird, with top open positions over the water at Clermont. There was strong rivalry at Strensall P.R.S. with Denney being the top dog of the time. The premier race was from Nevers 516 miles, and I sent Diabolos in fabulous condition, and accepted the wagers against him. In a Nor Wester - against the wind he won the western section, 6th open 2516 birds. Later we got him at Melun 408 miles to win the fed best performance trophy - Denney runner up. I knew I had a great pigeon direct from my no1 pair. Stopped for stock, and paired to Dots Delight, the inbred son Dark Dynamo and many others like Mystical Queen, Demon Seed, Velvet Destiny, Dark Velvet, have left a series of super birds from 71 to 879 miles, club to International level.
(Below is the front cover of the 1986 Gazette hosting Diabolos)
Rung GB83S35305 he is my greatest ever all round, key bird in my fabulous strain creation.
DIABOLOS is Greek for DEVIL
(Below Jim's photo from the article inside)
A man with plenty to smile about!
CLICK HERE:- When the Stichelbauts came to Sycamore Cottage Part 4
Jim Emerton.
