Excellent Weekend Ahead

 

NIPA & AROUND

BY ADIE

EXCELLENT WEEKEND AHEAD

The long awaited PigeonNetwork.com Quiz Night of the Year will finally take place this Friday 2nd November in the  Ballyclare Comrades Football starting at 7.30pm Sharp visitors are expected from all over Ireland with guests travelling from England also. Demand has been high for tickets so much so that extra space has had to be secured at the Football Club. The PigeonNetwork Quiz will then travel to the Sarsfield RPC in Dublin on Saturday kicking off at 4.30pm again with visitors expected from all over Ireland at this one, the Sarsfield Club have been very kind in getting us fitted into the Saturday afternoon slot and we are hoping for the Network event to wrap up around 9.30pm to allow the visitors time to enjoy the live entertainment. The afternoon quiz in the Sarsfield will be chaired by Mr Eugene Fitzgerald, while the one in Ballyclare will be chaired by fellow RP Scribe Mr Ronnie Johnston. An Auction of Birds will also take place at both venues to raise funds for the Network Site and these have very kindly been gifted by many of the great fanciers around the country and are currently available to bid on via the Pigeonnetwork.com site were you will find interest has been very high with many of the Gift Birds getting a high level of attention. We decided to cap the lots at 42 this year and would thank the many other fanciers who have offered pigeons for the site the response has been tremendous so much so we plan to run the PigeonNetwork.Com quiz nights of the year annually find as follows a list of birds that are on offer on www.pigeonnetwork.com

 

From (L) Adie of Pigeonnetwork.com pictured with Emperor Andre Roodhooft from Belgium and good friends Greenaway & Leonard of Dromore.   

Lot.1 * Blue (c) GB04H 18819 Hartog. What a lot to start with presented by Celestial Lofts (Lisburn). Very few of this quality ever go on the market now - a direct son of the HARTOG No 1 Pair of Colin McBride (Harryville) sold at his Entire Clearance Sale in Blackpool 2007 for approx. £7,000. Blue Bull x Blue Diamond are responsible for numerous winners and this line continue to produce winners for others, including 2007.This Blue cock is a true reflection on the sheer class of the parents.

Lot.2 * Gifted from Ian Gibb & Sons - Derriaghy HPS, Six 2008 bred youngsters to be sold as one lot. Ian Gibb & Sons have enjoyed excellent levels of success this year, after focusing the last few seasons establishing a superb Stud filled with the best that money can buy, including many of the best Soontjen currently available in the UK. This loft along with partner Henry Byrne (Dublin) won the Europa Classic One Loft Race on 9th September and the racing lofts of Ian Gibb & Sons look good to be crowned Top-Prizewinners in the Derriaghy HPS after completing a white wash winning all Y/B Races in the Club with many top Section D and NIPA Open Positions won in the process - Birdage up to 27,000. The Gibb loft has also won the 0-250 RPRA (Irish Region) Mileage Award and also the RPRA Irish Region Best Y/B Performance of 2007. You can be assured of six superb bred youngsters from one of the best Small Studs currently in Ireland.

Lot.3 * Eddie McKnight - Portadown Inv HPS. Very kind gesture by Eddie after winning the Talbenny Y/B National he offered the first youngster of the winner 'Blue Jean' next year so a direct 2008 youngster from the National winner which you can be sure will be paired to something special. Breeding of the winning hen 'Blue Jean' is as follows: The sire a good racer himself was 300th Open in the Yearling National and went on last year to be 52nd Open INFC Kings Cup bred down from excellent stock purchased from the Pau National winner Fred Bloor (who will be on the Quiz Panel the night of this very Auction). The Dam also from Fred Bloor top lines has proved herself at the distance finishing 4th Club St Malo, the McKnight loft finished 4th Open that particular year.

Lot.4 * Gordon Parker & Son - Glenavy & Dist HPS. Top Prize-winner in 2007 with a record amount of 1st prizes won by this fantastic loft. Gordon has promised the purchaser a couple of 2008 youngsters with one coming of his Number 1 Pair and one also of his Number 2 Pair. You can ask for no better from a loft that has excelled over the last couple of seasons.

Lot.5 * Greenaway & Leonard - Hills & Maze HPS. Blue GB07H 27921 bred in The Purple, the top bloodlines of Marcel Sangers and Bert Camphuis. SIRE NL06-1843724 from the Super Breeder direct from the No I breeder of Sangers paired to Azira the winner of 1st Nat NPO Orleans 7,784 birds flying 580km in 2003. The Super Breeder is a fantastic breeding pigeon sire of many National winners and top breeders. Sire of Tommy Gun 8 x 1st and Ace Bird Combine, Red Lola, Top Hen 051 - 2 x Nat Top 10, Time Gun, Mealy 715, Magic Gun, Talita etc. G/sire to Eagle Eye 1st Nat Ace Bird and 1st Nat Chateauroux 2000, Nina 1st Nat Bourges 2006 etc. DAM GB05S 75141 Late Forty One. Her sire Red Cheq Camphuis super breeder of winners, a full brother to the World Famous “Wonderboys” Wonder Red has bred Nat, Comb & Fed winners, sons and daughters are super breeders of many winners. Her dam Blue Ch Camphuis purchased from B Camphuis as a youngster. From a top cock he won many 1sts and was 3rd Best Pigeon in Combine 3,500 members from the Krome Couple and the hen was the one Bert calls the Super Hen, all the old original Champuis bloodlines. .

Lot.6 * Allan McDonald - Portadown Inv. Blue Cock 05P02192 Unflown. SIRE: 03 S 25378 Sootjen bred by Frank Sheader, Grandson of the famous “Just a Kid” 1st UNC 26,159 birds and “Dockerty Cock” 1st UNC 27,616 birds. 03 S 25378 has won 2 X 1st Club and 2 x 2nd Club plus finished 1st Portadown Centre 7th Section Roscarbery and 20th Section 133rd Open Sennen Cove Classic. Put to stock in 2007 and breeding excellent young birds. DAM: Blue WF 02 P 616. Bertie Fletcher Busschaert/Van Wildermeersh, Only flown as Y/B. Proven breeder and already Dam to 3 different prize winners. Sire “04” 3rd Section, 78th Open Rosscarbery (injured) nestmate “05” was 31st Open. Both are direct from “Young Barron” Sire and G Sire to over 20 prize winners, including 2nd Open, 3rd Open and 8th Open. Dam of 616 is Dam and Grand Dam to a number of prize winners.

Lot.7 * Spence Bros - Lisburn & District HPS and Lagan Valley RPC. Blue Cheq GB07L 25318. SIRE Cattrysse Blue Cock GB06L 07852 winner of 5th & 8th Club. Grand Sire Blue Cock GB05 L 24578 winner of 1st Club 1st Open Ulster Federation, 10th Club, 3rd Club, £rd Open Ulster Federation, 1st Open Clare Branniff 5 Bird, 1st Club, 2nd Section D 4th Open NIPA. Grand Dam Blue Belg 00 5187192 winner of 1st, 13th, 4th and 7th Club this Cattrysse hen has bred 1st prize winner from Tramore, Fermoy and Penzance. DAM Blue Cheq Cattrysse/Sootjen GB06L 07861 winner of 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 9th Club. Grand Sire Blue Cheq Cattrysse GB02 L 21835 (Always stock) fantastic prize breeding pair when mated to Blue Sootjen Hen GB01 L 67601 winner of 4th and 2nd Club then retired hurt. Former Ulster Federation Fanciers of the Year this partnership are now entering their 40th year of racing and what a record they have. See Loft Feature under Adie's Banner on front page of Network.

Lot.8 * Mr & Mrs Davy Suitters - Doagh & District HPS. Former Irish National Flying Club Champion and a super long distance loft, the Suiter’s offer the following youngster GB07 D 09684 Cheq Hen (Flew all Y/Birds races with the exception of Nationals) SIRE Cheq W/F GB 05 Z 73044 – Louella Jan Arden Already breeding winners including 1st Club Tullamore 2007. DAM Red GB 05 D 10077 racing won 2nd Club in 2006 from Sennen Cove this pigeon is bred down from a pair of stock birds purchased from Mr & Mrs K Hine of Middlesex.

Lot.9 * P & J Boal - Dromore HPS. Blue (h) GB07D 38604. Philip and Joe offer a Full Sister to this years RPRA (Irish Region) Meritorious Award winner for Section D of the mighty NIPA. This special award is presented for individual Bird performance from two cross channel events namely this year Sennen Cove and Talbenny (2). The Meritorious Award winner has been named ’Brother 32’ the performances that merited him this top award were as follows from Sennen Cove he finished 1st Club, 1st Section D finishing 4th Open 798 members sending 7,991 birds. Sennen Cove Classic 1st Club, 1st Section D 4th Open once again with 2,821 birds competing. From Talbenny the same pigeon finished 1st Club, 2nd Section D finishing an impressive 28th Open with 8,302 birds in competition. This same pigeon was already a winner having topped the Club last year with many more prizes to his name. Philip & Joe Boal have spent a Kings Ransom bringing the absolute cream of the Wily Van Herck family to Northern Ireland. These birds are just not winning for the Boal Brothers but winning Open's around the country with various organizations. Once again see Adie's article listed on the front page or click into the Boal Advert Banner on the Top Right Hand Corner. This is a one off opportunity to purchase a pigeon the same way bred. The Sire has already previously been sold to a fancier in Dublin namely Dave Cloney. 

Lot.10 * Allen McBride - Harryville HPS. Brother of the Hartog specialist Colin McBride, Allen has enjoyed yet another wonderful year racing with the mighty Harryville HPS in Ballymena. His gift bird is as follows: Blue Hen GB 05H 09529. SIRE Blue is the brother of Blue Bull, Colin McBride No1 stock cock. DAM Blue is the sister of Blue Diamond, Colin McBride No1 stock hen. See lot one for further info relating to this lot. REMARKS The dam of GB05H 09529 bred Harry Richmond’s 1st Mid-Antrim Combine, 5th North Section Yearling National in 2007. She was sold at the Blackpool Clearance Sale for Colin McBride.

Lot.11 * Malachy Maguire & Son - Millvale HPS. Former OB Derby winner. (Bird detail to follow).

Lot.12 * D & J Campbell & Bigger - Glengormley HPS. Current NIPA Section C Fanciers of the Year, the biggest Section in the mighty NIPA with between 5,000 to 8,000 birds weekly. Pick of a 2008 youngster from the loft, sure to please.

Lot.13 * Alan Darragh - Cullybackey HPS. Swallow Brae Lofts needs no introduction to the racing world. The only fancier in Ireland at this present time to have won 5 x 1st Open Nationals with the Irish National Flying Club including the Blue Riband Kings Cup. Former NI Fancier of the Year and in the NIPA 6 x times Sect B Fancier of the Year inc. 2006 and 2007. The loft have won numerous Bronze Diplomas, 3 x Silver Diplomas and 2 x Gold Diplomas & Gold Medal, half the number presented. Alan has presented something very special, Bred in the Purple. Blue (h) GB07C 01867. SIRE GB06C 26721 has won 127th Open INFC Sennen cove YB Nat and 77th Open Portsmouth Friendship Nat 2007. His sire is a direct son of Ronnie Williamsons Nat winner paired to a hen off Swallow Brae Dawn and the 3rd Open Lamballe Hen. DAM GB05C 09276 has won 4th Open Old Hen Nat 2006 and 16th Open Portsmouth Friendship Nat 2007. Her sire was off Richard’s Pride and Swallow Brae Lass the two 2nd Open NIPA Derby winners when paired to a hen that won prizes in three National races and is the dam of 1st, 2nd and 3rd National. Study that for a record.   

Lot.14 * Leonard & Greenaway - Arklow Utd. ** What a Class Lot We Have Here**
Blue Cock IHU 07 S 1278 - Stripe Nose !! Sire of this pigeon is WHITE EYES IHU 05S 111624, he is a son of the Golden Pair Hofken x Janssen. Grandsire THE GOLDEN COCK Full Brother to 036 who is the only pigeon in the history of the Antwerp Union to win 1st Ace pigeon Twice. The Grand Dam LADY MOONSHOT, she is mother to the Terminator Line and has bred first prize winners in every nest. Dam of the gift bird is a pigeon called BABY LOU 6381759/2005, who in turn is a DIRECT DAUGHTER of the famous breeding couple owned by LOU WOUTERS. Grand Sire is 6482206/1999 The Top Breeding cock for Lou Wouters Sgravenwezel. The Grand Dam 6475877/2000 The Famous Breeding Hen for Lou Wouters. Remarks by Sheldon Leonard This Cock 1278 is a Grandson of Lou Wouters Famous Breeding Couple pigeons that are very much sought after on the Open Market.

Lot.15 * T & K Mawhinney - Donacloney HPS. Winners of the final race of the 2007 season namely the Irish National Flying Club Y/B National Skibbereen. Timmy has offered the buyer of this 2008 youngster a choice you can have one direct of the National winner or one the same way bred, just lift the phone and let him know very kind offer from one of the top lofts in Northern Ireland in 2007.

Lot.16 * Ronnie Williamson - Bondhill HPS. Without doubt one of, if not the best Pigeon Fancier in the World. 49 times x 1st Open NIPA against birdage exceeding 33,000 and 4 x times 1st National. Ronnie has put up something special for the Network Site. Cheq W/F Cock (Late Bred) down from his best Distance Stock Pair. SIRE – “LEADING BOY” Cheq Cock GB 97 D 88626 winner of 4th Open INFC Friendship National 446 miles in 1999, then went on to win 33rd Open in the same race in 2002, G.SIRE GB 92 B 66612 Cheq Full Brother of 2nd and 9th Open Dinard 446 miles, G.DAM “LEADING LADY” Cheq W/Head GB 90 B 30843 winner of 1st Open NIPA Dinard 446 Miles. DAM of the youngster Cheq W/F Hen GB 02 B 30013 winner of 2nd Open Penzance Y/B National 301 miles, also Full Sister of 3rd, 4th, 7th, 26th and 67th Open Kings Cup. G.SIRE Cheq W/F Cock GB 98 X 94267 Full Brother of Champion “Double Top” winner of 2 x NIPA Open’s. G/DAM GB 98 X 93491 (Bred for stock) Ron Williamson’s No 1 Stock Hen.  

Lot.17 * Robert McMeekin - Kingsmoss HPS. Winner of 14 x 1sts in 2007 and a top class finish to the young bird season. From Rosscarbery 2nd Sect C & 2nd Open NIPA, and from Skibbereen North 2nd North Sect & 2nd Open INFC. His 2008 youngster will be the top winning lines of Leo Van Rijn from the stock lofts, the best bloodlines of Benjamin and Keizer that have done so well for Robert in a short space of time.

Lot.18 * A & N Lewis - Doagh & District. A special gift from this top East Antrim loft, topped the NIPA Sect C in the last two OB (French) Nationals for the NIPA - St Malo in 2006 and Lamballe in 2007 winning the new Campbell Memorial Cup for the second time. They also won the highly prized Devine Memorial Trophy for Best 2 Bird Ave in Lamballe. Sure to be a class youngster in 2008. SIRE – “LE GRAND” Blue Cock GB 05 D 10213 winner of 1st Club, 1st Section C NIPA 4th Open Lamballe O/B National this year also this pigeon won 187th Open Yearling National 2006. Also won RPRA Award for best Single Bird Performance over 451 miles. G.SIRE “LE PREMIER” Blue Cock GB 04 D 00373 winner of 1st Club, 1st Section C, 5th Open St Malo O/B National 2006. G.DAM Blue Cheq Hen BELG 5058810 a Panis direct Bred Pigeon kept for stock. DAM of this special 2008 youngster Blue Hen GB 07 D 09521 (Bred for Stock) G.SIRE “LE BLEU” Blue Cock GB 05 D 10230 winner of 61st Yearling National 2006 and same pigeon finished 2nd Club, 3rd Section C & 10th Open NIPA Lamballe O/B National in 2007. G/DAM Blue Hen GB 04 C 13327 bred by Alan Darragh a special Nephew/Aunt Breeding from Swallow Brae Lofts. Just confirmed that A & N Lewis have secured Top Prize-winner in Doagh & District for the first time.

Lot.19 * Geoffrey Douglas - Wilton Cross HPS. Former Kings Cup winner Geoffrey Douglas is without any doubt one of the most consistent racers in Northern Ireland over the last number of years. Scoring every week from any distance in any wind, and what a class youngster he has promised - DAM NL00-2178220 direct out off Wal Zoontjens loft, direct daughter of 1st Chateauroux National winner 7,238 birds NL96-9618821 when paired to "Blauw Pikkerke" NL89-1694285. SIRE GB06L27792 out of Joop Koch's Favourite Son Nl00-0083413 which in turn is bred from "Blauw Favoriet" NL98-9886765 winner of 1st National Ace Sprint Champion and 3rd National Ace Middle Distance Pigeon all Holland 1999 when paired to "Last Lady" GB03 C53785, last daughter of the super Wal Zoontjen breeding couple "Vechter and Bonte 797" Remarks by Geoff himself - These Wal Zoontjens were obtained from Peter Fox of Syndicate Lofts at great expense, they are winning for myself and other fanciers throughout the U.K. and Ireland with more recent success with the same family enjoyed by Gibb & Byrne winners of the Europa Classic 2007 and D & J Armstrong of Carrickfergus winners of the Rosscarbery Y/B National.

Lot.20 * Tom Marshall & Son - Newtownbreda HPS & Dromara HPS. Top racing loft winning from all distances and major success in a number of organizations inc. Irish Nat FC, NIPA and East Down Combine. Has won 1st Open in them ALL, and approx 40 x 1sts in the East Down Combine! Tom and David have presented a good one Red (c) IHU06N 5382 (bred in 2007). SIRE is the last son of his famous De Baer pair that are responsible for countless winners going back as far as I can remember. DAM has won 4th Open INFC Kings Cup, this hen is from a son of David Black’s Kings Cup winner paired to a daughter of the two Hall of Fame birds of T Marshall & Son. Have a look at this one!

Lot.21 * Herbie Philips - Lagan Valley RPC.  One of Northern Ireland's most respected Stock Men and Champion Breeders. As local scribe for the Racing Pigeon I have lost count just this year alone of how many winners this man has been involved with. His orders books are filled year in year out, Herbie has promised a 2008 youngster from his best pair of Luc Geerinckx this same pair bred a 1st Section G, 2nd Open Pilmore Beach NIPA 24,862 birds competing this year from T B S McKinstry of Ashfield

Lot.22 * Donnelly Bros - Newry City. One of, if not the best racing lofts currently in Northern Ireland, the lofts of John & Richard have enjoyed a record amount of NIPA Open Success's 27 in total with only one man winning more Ronnie Williamson. This year alone the partnership won 7 x 1st NIPA Section's and 2 x NIPA Open's as well as 1st Open Glenavy Gold Ring Race and are once again NIPA Section G Fanciers of the Year. Its not often you see birds from this partnership on the Open Market and what a bird the brothers have gifted. GB 07B 66767 Black Hen. SIRE "No Norman" 1st Section, 1st Open NIPA Tramore 21,704 Birds, 2nd Section, 22nd Open NIPA Talbenny Y/B Derby 3,716 with many more Section and Open positions. G.Sire is top stock cock "North West" responsible for 4 x 1st NIPA Open's. DAM (Daughter of "North West") is the mother of "Pin Point" one of the best racing pigeons with the NIPA winner previously of NIPA Y/B Of The Year and going on to win the RPRA Award. G.Dam is a former 1st Open Talbenny Y/B Derby with the G.Sire on the Dam's Side himself a twice winner of NIPA Open's. Class pigeon with a pedigree full of multiple winners.

Lot.23 * D & J Armstrong & Son - Carrick & District HPS and Carrick Social RPC. Something for the sprint fanciers here! This highly successful partnership have set many records with their Louis Cooremans stock, which has seen them winning 25 x 1st prizes at club level during 2007. This included 1st Open NIPA Rosscarbery YB National with “Too Hot to Handle” and in 2005 the loft won the NIPA Section C Fanciers of the Year. They have donated a 2008 YB out of their stock birds. These birds are selling for in excess of £200 at other auctions.

Lot.24 * Grattan Bros – Eastway HPS. WHITE HEN BELG 03 2121250 (Bred by the famous Jef Van Winkel of Tielt in Belgium. Grattan Bros have offered this good stock pigeon that has already bred the Brothers many winners but now have enough children at Stock. One particular youngster last year in the last three races won 3rd Club Fermoy, 11th Open Rosscarbery National  4,143 birds and finished 180st Skibbereen North National the following week 4,011 birds competing. The pigeon in question is a Grand-Daughter of the famous Witten. SIRE is a son of the Famous “De Witten” owned by Flor Engels. Dam has all the top bloodlines of “Zwarte” and the “De Favorie”.

Lot.25 * Mr & Mrs Colin Gibson - Corcreeney HPS. Colliemore Lofts have kindly presented Blue Cheq GB07C 39387. Sire GB02F135 winner of 1st Club, 1st Sect & 1st Open NIPA Penzance OB Classic 3,295 birds, also 1st Club, 1st Sect & 1st Open NIPA Penzance 8,450 birds competing. DAM was always stock. G/sire won 1st Open NIPA Tramore 24,368 birds and 1st Open NIPA Barley Cove 7,586 birds. G/dam won 1st Open NIPA Arklow 23,824 birds and 3rd Open NIPA Barley Cove 7,586 birds. The youngster on offer here has 11 x1st Open NIPA winners in its pedigree with up to 30,000 birds competing – OUTSTANDING!

Lot.26 * Sammy Rodney & Son – Ballyclare & District. 2007 NIPA Section C Fancier of the Year (Bird detail to follow).

Lot.27 * R H Clements - Harryville HPS. Former YB & OB National winner, plus NIPA Sect B Fancier of the Year. Late Bred a 3rd round youngster, same way bred as the lofts 2nd Club, 2nd Comb, 2nd Sect & 6th Open NIPA Rosscarbery YB Nat when beat by a loft-mate. SIRE is from a son of Adam paired to his own sister a super cock purchased at a Louella All-Fair Auction when paired to a daughter of the Favorite hen from Ron Williamson. The DAM is a Dark Cheq from the lofts No 1 Pair of birds, all the top lines of Ron Williamson Champion Heartbreaker.    

Lot.28 * Ron McKelvey – Newry & District. Detail of 2008 young bird as follows :- SIRE is the Bridget cock 98F38665 purchased at the Moore, Ogden & Goodwin clearance sale for a large sum of money. He is Sire of Federation and RPRA Award winners and his Dam has bred two N.W. Grand National Winners for Wall, Lutt and Green. DAM of the Y/B will be a super Cheq Hen 03H 79465 one of my very best stock hens being Dam & Grand Dam of winners for me, she contains all the top bloodlines of Brasspenning including Champion De Felle ,Van Moorsel. etc. A Detailed pedigree will be supplied to the lucky buyer. Reserve price on this Y/B is £100.

Lot.29 * Young McManus & Sons – Ahoghill Flying Club. Top racing stable in Mid Antrim Combine. Top Prize-winner on numerous occasions, several winners every season, up to and including 1st Open NIPA. His stock is purchased regardless of cost, Paddy as usual, has presented a super gift here. A late bred from a pair of birds put together for the first time in 2007, in one racing weekend the loft won 1st, 2nd and 4th Club and all three birds were from this pair. The SIRE is Huybregts from Herman Beverdam, a new introduction kept for stock this bird, and the DAM is from his own famous Red Busschaert family of birds. This good Red hen has won 1st Club herself from Talbenny in South Wales, and she is dam, g/dam and g/g/dam of many winners.

Lot.30 * Burgess & Brennan - Bangor. Cheq Cock GB05 X 94134 Mike Lycett. SIRE - Hillcroft Sensation Acquired from D & E Armstrong and actual half brother to M & D Evans great breeding hen 'Carrie'. Since being put to stock in 2003 Sensation has bred winners with different hens. His Grand Sire is 'Schone Wittenbuik' Belg 93-3354688. Grand Dam No 1 breeding hen 'The Golden Hen' for D & E Armstrong before their entire clearance sale. She was responsible for over 50 x 1st Fed/Amal winners. Great Grand Sire 'Wittenbuik' B88-3206112. DAM - Hagrids Nest Sister A Sensational Pigeon - again bred by M & D Evans - a direct daughter of the ace breeder 'Benetton'. As a racer this hen was only raced as a youngster winning 44th open National against 4000 birds. In her first year at stock 4 youngsters were taken from her and 3 of them won 1st prizes. Also direct mother to 9th Open Midlands Continental Classic Flying from Portland. In 2 years breeding she is Dam G Dam of winners. Grand Sire 'Benitton' and Grand Dam 'Devon' - speaks for itself.

Lot.31 * Christopher Tweed - Rasharkin & District HPS. The NIPA and RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year in 2006 & 2007. Each year the RPRA accepts nominations from the Regions for four categories in the Young Fancier Section, Short, Middle and Long Distance performances and the Guy Barrett Trophy which is awarded to the young fancier considered the most outstanding overall, both on performance and attitude to the sport. Christopher won the Guy Barrett Trophy in 2006 and should have a super claim again in 2007. Young Christopher has kindly presented a top class youngster in 2008.

Lot.32 * Mr Doonan - Dromore County Down. Cock Crow Breeding Lofts have kindly presented a Kit of 6 Youngsters in 2008 from their top sprint to middle distance birds. They have the very best of Troyes, Louis Wouters, Janssen, G & P Lindelauf, Wal Zoontjens, Van Loon and Herman Custers. Wayne has just established his new Breeding Lofts.

Lot.33 * John H Boyd of Highbanks Breeding Lofts has very kindly donated a free entry to the Emerald Classic 2008 One Loft Race. See the details on the Front Page www.pigeonnetwork.com

Lot.34 * Mike Flannery has very kindly donated a free entry to the Galway ONE LOFT Races 2008. See the details on the Front Page www.pigeonnetwork.com

Lot.35 * Martin Graham – Ballymena & District HPS. Winner of 1st & 2nd Open National. Martin seen the Auction on-line and kindly wanted to offer the following class youngster to help out the Network Site. Cheq Hen GB 07 B 06081. SIRE GB 05 B 14144 winner of 3rd Club Penzance in 2005 and put to stock as the last son of 1st National winner “Champion Siobhan” G/sire Cheq Cock GB 98 D 35623 purchased at Norman Thompson’s Clearance Sale for a vast sum of money - he is the last son of the Old Walkingshaw Ash Hen. G/dam Cheq Pied Hen GB 01 L 16307 “Champion Siobhan” winner of 5 x 1st’s including 26th Open Penzance and 1st Section & 2nd Open NIPA Lamballe 2003. Dam of the youngster presented is Cheq Hen GB 05 B 14130 she was 2nd Club, 5th Section & 35th Open Lamballe 2007. Sent one bird and timed on the night beat by seconds for 1st Club. G/sire Red Cock on loan from Jackie Waring of Lisburn this cock was timed twice in the money from the Kings Cup. G Dam of the G.G.Sire has in total bred 17 pigeons to fly France in the money. G/dam Cheq Hen GB 02 H 84090 a daughter of the “Broken Winged Hen” owned by Norman Thompson this hen has bred for me 35th Open this year from Lamballe and a pigeon to win 92nd Open in the Y/B National in 2006.

Lot.36 * M & R Hamilton – Coalisland & District. Mighty NIPA Section A Fanciers of the Year 2007 once again after winning the award in 2005, Micky & Ronan have offered a super 2008 youngster of their top stock. The have the best of Ponderosa Van loons and an excellent family of Hartogs. See the Articles section of pigeonnetwork.com for an article of the partnership.   

Lot.37 * Ashtree Hill Lofts, Tandragee County Armagh. GB 07 L 06173 Ash pied hen SIRE GB 03 E 89387 LONESTAR 1 89th open INFC Penzance yb Nat.Vel 638 ypm,141/2 hours on wing . Sire of Lonestar 1  is HW NIPA Bronze Diploma winner. 10th Sect & 31st Open Dinard vel 932ypm and 36th Section & 113th Open Sartilly vel 668 Sire, g/sire and g/g/sire of Cross Channel winners. Dam of Lonestar 1, is the old Walkingshaw hen, a winner herself and dam and g/dam of channel winners. Dam of 06173 is Dark Cloud. Sire of Dark Cloud is HW (see above). Dam of Dark Cloud is Dependable, her wins include, 119th Open INFC Penzance YB National, 100th Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National and 31st Open INFC Fougeres Friendship National.

Lot.38 * Henry McLaughlin – Coalisland & District. Top Class HARTOG fancier Henry has promised a 2008 youngster from his best stock. This loft has an excellent record over the last few seasons winning no less than 20 x 1st NIPA Section A diploma’s including winning a RPRA Meritorious Award in 2002. Countless winners reported around the country including Liam Prunty, Portadown 1st Irish National Flying Club, Tom Nelson, Dublin 1st Irish South Road Federation, Kevin Carolan, Coalisland 2nd Open O/B Picauville National; Glen Buckley Annaghmore, 2nd Open INFC Y/B National 2006; M & R Hamilton (Lot 36) 2 X 1st NIPA Section A, Henry Beattie, Laurelvale 1st Section E, 6th Open Kilkenny 25,214 Birds; Willy McCartney , Dublin 1st Open South Road Federation Talbenny. Richard Corey, Coalisland 1st Section A Kilkenny, 1st Section A, 24th Open Bude 2005. This is just a small amount of fanciers to enjoy success from Henry’s Birds.   

Lot.39 * A & R McAuley – Coleraine Premier & Ballymoney HPS one of the top racing lofts in the mighty NIPA both racing and breeding winners for fellow fanciers around the country. The partners have donated a youngster from their prized stock (take your pick). Winners every year, Christopher Tweed had several 1sts on his way to Young Fancier of the Year.   

Lot.40 * Harmony Lofts, John & Viv Abernethy Ballynahinch County Down. The team have kindly presented a pair of 2008 youngsters the top bloodlines of Harmony lofts that will also be included in the on going Hot Spot Races of the young bird season in 2008.   

Lot.41 * Terence McCrudden – Coleraine & County Derry, home of the famous Oisins First.The two year old Chequer cock racing on widowhood won a host of titles for his very proud owner Terence McCrudden who races with the Coleraine & Co Derry RPS. Racing with the NIPA Champion Oisins First won the Surgenor Cup for best average Talbenny (2), Bude & Sennen Cove. He also won the Major Lewis Cup for best average in all races from England & Wales. When the tally was done it was no surprise that the bird was to win the J Moreland Memorial Trophy for NIPA Old bird of the Year in 2004. He took the RPRA (Irish Region) Meritorious Award for Sect A and was the overall winner in the NIPA recording velocity 1233. All these awards were presented at NIPA Ladies Night. Better was to come when Oisins First won Best Bird in GB title at 251-450 Miles in the RPRA and brought back to Northern Ireland the highly sought after Preston Challenge Cup. Terence has presented a 2008 youngster from his famous family of Van Loon’s this family have produced countless winners over the last few years for Terence and other fanciers around the country.

Lot.42 * J L Madden – Coleraine Premier HPS. Leslie has kindly presented one of his famous Cyriel Lambrechts to be bred in 2008. Leslie won the Yearling Cocks Barleycove O/B National this year and also topped the Open in the area Y/Bird liberation from Mullingar with a pigeon now named “Red Baron” other performances by this top racing loft include :- 2nd & 3rd  Section A, 2nd & 4th Open Clonmel NIPA 28,928 Birds. 1st, 18th, 21st & 24th Section A, 6th, 58th, 64th and 69th Open NIPA Roscrea 28,036 birds. 1st & 2nd Section A NIPA, 12th and 13th Open Mullingar 5,243 birds. 1st and 2nd Section A NIPA, 10th and 12th Open Mullingar 4,362 birds. 4th Section A NIPA, 10th Open Mullingar 4,198 birds. 7th and 9th Section A, 114th and 120th Open Talbenny 8,300 birds. A Top Class Youngster from one of the leading lofts in Northern Ireland.