When the Stichelbauts
came to Sycamore Cottage!
Part 1
(Editors note: Jim has taken time out to illustrate for our readers, just how his family of 40 years standing was founded)
11 yrs old G.Son of Barcelona Dream x Oddball sits his two YBs.
When we moved from Southampton in 1976, I met my mentor in racing pigeons, Jack Ross of Holtby. On a race day his birds homed over Sycamore Cottage, the home of Mum, Dad and myself. Kind Jack took me in his care and set me off with racing birds and got me into the clubs. I saw an advert from Louella for Stichelbauts and from the image knew they were my future. The matched pair selected from the sales pens was GB 76 J90513, and GB76J90079. They were lovely, small dark chqs. and I had hit the jackpot with them instantly. They bred The Iron Man, and Iron Hen, 4th and 1st sect Clermont 350 miles. As brother and sister, when paired together they bred in Sept my No1 Stock Cock Dark Destiny and his brother No2. I had inbred, inbred birds with immediate super performances. At this time we were hungry to win club and fed races, with time and dedication we made good progress with many firsts and prizes.
Two more uncrossed DVH Stichelbauts were sent up by the great John Massarella-these were GB 81V60171- Dreadnought, and GB 80V84859 - Delilah. These 4 birds, based on Belgian sprinters all became prepotent producers under my evolving , ruthless, racing regime. In the early creative formation of my strain I used 3 more birds as follows; Belge 4415080/76 direct Emiel Denys, which bred the no 1 stock hen Dtr. of Darkness when paired to GB76J83650- LOUELLA extreme distance family, and NL 85 695044. I persisted with relentless ardour producing key racer producers from the No.1 pair like Diabolos GB 83S35305 - my greatest ever racing pigeon.
Over 40 years and rare intros from Stichelbaut based Denney and Hanby birds, and the great Jim Donaldson - Scottish Genius my birds won from 71 to 879 miles in the Bicc Barcelona Int. race. The strain is thriving as my partner and I have extended the sprint winning lines to sending every bird of my origin 710 measured miles Barcelona Int. Now with partners in Ireland we aim to crack Barcelona at around 850 miles - a noble ambition for little me and the birds I fell for 40 years ago - a true versatile strain of birds guided by the hand of a simple man.
CLICK HERE: When the Stichelbauts came to Sycamore Cottage - Part2
Jim Emerton
