SCOTTISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB
Report by Joe Murphy
EASTBOURNE
For the last race of the old bird season the national had to change their race programme due to the HN51 ban on channel racing. The management committee decided to go to Eastbourne as this would give the members the ultimate inland distance from the English south coast. The majority of fanciers in Fife were on the 400 mile mark with the north section lads flying miles and this would be a good test for the birds. The convoy of 2009 birds were held over on the Saturday due to prevailing weather conditions and with the amount of rain we have all experienced these past few months it looked like a long holdover was on the cards. However, Sunday dawned with a large improvement and Colin Gray cut the strings at 08.00am into a south west wind.
As I was working over the weekend my wife Margaret assisted me by taking on the job of updating the Lib Line service and, going by the kind remarks from the winning fanciers and others, she did a first class job and I personally would like to thank her. She says her reward was seeing our son obtaining his best position in national racing in this race.
Section Winners
1st section B 1st east region 1st open is Andrew Lees of Eyemouth who is a past SNFC winner. Andrew timed in a yearling chequer cock that was bred in July last year so had no training or racing in the year of his birth. He completed a full moult and this year was one of 12 spare cocks flying to a section in Andrew's loft and has never been paired up or introduced to a hen. He had 4 races out to Maidstone 350 miles with the SNFC on return he was left for a week and then the following Saturday was racing from Melton Mowbray 240 miles where he won 2nd club. Andrew then gave him 2 training tosses from Alnwick which is 40 miles and then lifted him right into the Eastbourne race. He saw him coming right out of the south and he landed on the trap and dropped right in. Andrew told me: ‘Joe he was in perfect condition on his return so much so that he could have gone back today’ (which was the next day). He asked me to congratulate Colin Gray on looking after our prize assets, as a matter of interest I have had these same comments from many fanciers who have timed and Margaret my wife said after seeing our son Kevin’s entry that it looked a ‘picture’. Well done Colin. Another important factor in helping the birds retain their condition was the decision by the management committee to cut down on the number of birds per baskets for this inland race, which we may have to think about introducing at the A.G.M.
Andrew Lees
Sire is a Stichelbaut crossed Janssen stock pair that Andrew received from his good friend and near neighbour Steve Aitchison who lives 5 houses away. As you may remember Steve won 1st open SNFC Alencon a few weeks ago. Steve and Andrew continually swap youngsters with each other to test them out under different management systems. As a matter of interest the dam of Andrew’s winner is a sister to Steve’s 2nd open Rennes winner of a few years ago, so you can bet he is happy at Andrews’s success as well.
Dam of the winner is a Bricoux bred by Andrew from a gift cock direct from Francis Butler of Sheffield while the dam was purchased from an advert in the fancy press from John Owen of Wales. Andrew was telling me that this pair of birds has bred some very good winners of club and federation positions over the years. Andrew was also 43rd & 181st open and he has asked me to publicly thank his club mates Steve Aitchison, Jim Wilson and Robert Walker who all train their pigeons together and each loft has done exceptional well over the past few years and you only have to see the results in the SNFC, Andrew also sends his congratulations to all his club mates who had a good race from Eastbourne as everyone of them timed in 2 or 3 pigeons. This is typical of Andrew Lees whom I have known for more years than I care to remember but one thing that never changes with this man is he is a ‘GEM’ of a man who is so thoughtful of everyone else’s feelings. He was the skipper of a fishing boat many years ago and when he docked at Aberdeen would often bring a basket of birds from Larry Campbell with him and release them at Eyemouth and you just have to go back over the old SNFC results to see how well both Larry and Andrew did at that time. It was also coincidental that Larry timed in 2 birds to win 11th and 12th north section in this same race well done my old friend. My next statement is in no way a slight on any past SNFC winner but this win could not have happened to a nicer person as Andrew Lees is ‘incomparable’ as he is a proper gentleman and it is a pleasure to call him a true friend.
2nd section B 2nd east region 2nd open is Colin Crees of Coldstream who timed in a 2 birds to win 2nd & 87th open his winner is a 2 year old blue cock that also has a story attached to this win. As a youngster he was raced with the UNC to Epping a distance of 300 miles winning 2nd in the breeder/ buyer competition winning £150. Then as a yearling he flew a couple of inland club races before going to Newbury with the SNFC and he was lost for a week. On return he was given time to recover and then entered into a come back race before being stopped for the season. This year he had 5 races winning 1st club Huntingdon, 3rd club Eastbourne (being 7 hours on the wing in this race) both with the UNC he was then entered into the Melton Mowbray race the week prior to Eastbourne with the SNFC and he was well behind the team being Colin’s 4th or 5th bird as a matter of interest Colin was 1st and 2nd club in this race.
He had paired up to another hen as his mate had gone down at an earlier race. He was given a couple of 20 mile tosses and low and behold 3 days before basketing for the National his old hen reappears and he leaves his eggs and new hen and starts driving his old hen to the nest and this was how he was entered into the race. The blue cock was purchased at the Norham Club breeder buyer sale and was bred by Johnstone and Johnstone of the same club. Sire is a Houben while the dam is a Camphius Janssen. Here is another twist to the story when Colin phoned the Johnstone partnership to tell them he was 2nd open they informed him that a full sister to the blue cock had topped their federation from Eastbourne on the same day from an earlier liberation than the SNFC birds. My thanks to Colin Crees for the information on his winner and it was nice to speak to him as he was still on a high, he told me he had phoned Andrew Lees to congratulate him and like me says it could not have happened to a nicer man.
Colin Crees
3rd section B 3rd east section 3rd open is Brian Kelly of Chirnside who timed in 2 pigeons to win 3rd and 135th open his winner is a 2 year old red chequer hen sent sitting 16 days on eggs. As a youngster she only had one race from Thirsk then as a yearling was raced out to Melton Mowbray winning 1st club and Brian noticed that she was very keen on her eggs. This year she was sent to Melton Mowbray on the 19th of May with her mate who failed to make it home. This was a big disappointment to Brian as they were both earmarked for Alencon.
The red hen was then entered into the Huntington race on the 16th June and on return started to mate to a new cock. She was then entered into the Melton Mowbray race 3 weeks ago with her new mate being entered into the UNC Maidstone race and she laid her first egg the day before basketting. The new mate failed to return from this race, but fate played a part in this hen’s preparation as her old cock (lost at 1st Melton Mowbray) returned on the morning of the Alencon race and he then started to cover the eggs she had just laid with the new cock. So as she became keener on the eggs Brian decided to earmark her with Eastbourne in mind. She was given a toss with the youngsters and Brian noticed she was well off the pace so he changed her feeding to Verse Laga Junior Plus and then gave her 3 more 35 miles tosses with the youngsters and this time she arrived with the youngsters. She was then entered for the SNFC Eastbourne race and the rest is history well done to Brian and again it shows how important observation plays in preparing national candidates for these classic events. The red hen is bred from Brian’s old established family of pigeons that have been tested over and over again at the distance. SNFC president Tom Davidson was ill on Monday however he has visited the first 3 in the race and was to send me photographs however as I go to print I have not received them so will add them into the Eastbourne article on the www.snfc.co.uk web site article section.
Brian Kelly
1st section A 1st south region 4th open is Jimmy Dalgliesh of Ecclefechan who timed another bird to win 17th open his winner is a 2 year old blue bar cock again observation by a good fancier comes into play. This 2 year old had flown natural all season having 8 races out to Alencon where he returned 4 days later however he lost his mate at the Cheltenham race so was therefore spare. Jimmy gave him 2 tosses from 40 miles and then 2 days before basketing he put him in a section with 6 hens. Then he let him into the nest box section prior to basketing and when Jimmy went out to basket his national entries the blue cock had 3 hens in his box and they were climbing all over him and this is how he was sent to the race no wonder he was motivated to race home. As a youngster he was raced out to the young bird national from Cheltenham then last year he was raced to Mansfield a distance of 250 miles. Sire is a son of a full brother to Tranquillity Boy when he was mated to a daughter of the Mardon Cock. This is the same mother to Jimmy’s 3rd open SNFC Maidstone this year. Dam of the 2 year old blue cock was also bred by Tony Mardon and her sire is a son of Rockcliffe while her dam is a daughter of Extra Special. My thanks to Jimmy for supplying the details on his winning pigeon and congratulations to him once again on taking the top spot in the south section.
Jimmy Dalgliesh
2nd section A 2nd south region 5th open is Bill Pirie of Eastriggs who has had an exceptional season as he was 3rd Section 3rd open Newbury and then 5th section 9th open Maidstone and now 2nd section 5th, 31st & 179th open in this race great results when you think that the birdage has been in excess of 12, 000 birds in the 3 races, so well done to Bill. He timed in a yearling blue chequer white flight hen as a young bird she was raced consistently every week and was entered into the 2 young bird nationals from Leicester winning 2nd south section in the SNFC Leicester in what turned out to be a very hard race. This year she sent to the first race from Shap on the 21st of April and returned injured and therefore did not race again until the 2nd of June when Bill sent her to Wanstead Flats a distance of 272 miles and she won 7th south section but was omitted from result in error. The following week she went to the SNFC Newbury race a distance of 260 miles on return she was given 2 week rest before being entered into the Eastbourne race. She was sent feeding 2 x 12 day old youngsters with her 2nd primary bursting through. Sireis from Toey Fantastic when paired to Reflection the grand parents are Toey x Routine & Ranger x Resolve. Dam of the 5th open winner is from Ringside crossed Redress and the grand parents were Toey crossed Regality & Rikki Tikki crossed Rosie all bred by Tony Mardon and these were purchased in 2004 by Bill. My thanks to Bill for the information on his pigeon as his kind comments on the work I do on the SNFC web site my thanks once again Bill.
Bill Pirie
3rd section A 3rd south region 9th open is Bill Smith of Dumfries in the west side of the county Bill timed in a 3 year old blue cock whom he had earmarked for Tours however with the ban on channel racing he gave the pair a youngster to take the soft milk away. As a youngster the blue cock was raced down the east side of the country to Ripon, then as a yearling down to Cheltenham. Then as a 2 year old he raced with the West Cumberland combine down to the coast. This year he had 3 races to Newbury where he homed at 19.00hours so had plenty of time on the wing that day. As I said he was going to Tours so had 2 x 35 mile trainers and it was a exasperated Willie who gave the pair a youngster to take away the soft milk. Willie was down for a few days but when word came that the national were going to Eastbourne he gave his entries a couple of 35 mile tosses then entered them into the race. The sire is from top west section loft of George Rankin & son Gareth of Larkhall being from their Westbound Lines, while the dam is from Willie’s original family that have been tested at the SNFC races for many years.
1st section C 4th east region 6th open is John Duthie of Dundee who timed in a 3 year old blue bar widowhood cock whose first flight was half way up. This is an exceptional racing pigeon that has had EVERY race this year. As a youngster he only had 2 races then as a yearling out to Maidstone where he won the yearling nomination £20 side bet. This competition was run by Bruce McKenzie with the federation fanciers having to nominate their yearlings prior to the season beginning. John’s blue cock won the award as it had collected the most points throughout the season with many minor positions. As a 2 year old he again flew out to Maidstone winning 7th open in the federation. This year he won 1st club 4th federation Retford 200 miles, he then won 46th section C 252nd open SNFC Newbury, the following week 1st club 1st federation 1st Grampian Combine Stowe (come back race) he was then John’s second bird in the SNFC Maidstone race winning 57th section C 310th open. The following week he won 1st club 1st federation Witton Castle 135 miles before being given his hen for a day prior to basketing for Eastbourne as it was the last race of the year. He came up trumps as he wins 1st club, 1st federation 1st Grampian Combine 1st section C 4th east region and 6th open SNFC 2099 birds competing. He was bred by Ralston Graham of Langholm and is bred in the purple. Dam is an 03 hen who won 1st club 1st federation Cheltenham and 10th open SNFC Alencon in 2006 this year she won 1st club 1st federation Worcester and 42nd open Alencon, she is a direct daughter of Eskvalley Champion 1st open SNFC Reims for Ralston. Sire is from Eskvalley Mark winner of 11th open Rennes and Eskvalley Niall winner of 2nd open SNFC Messac.John timed his 4 birds in to win 16th , 73rd, 137th & 163rd open which was outstanding racing and congratulations to John on his great result and I thank him for contacting me with the details of his winner he was another who was going to email me with a photo but it has not arrived.
2nd section C 5th east region 7th open is Ian Scott of Forfar with a 3 year old hen sent feeding a 2 day young bird this year she was raced on Widowhood and had every race except the first old bird race and she won 1st club 5th federation Maidstone. She is a Busschaert (Joe Russo) crossed Leon Boars.
3rd section C 6th east region 8th open is Davy Glen of Forfar who timed in another bird to win 47th open his winner is a 4 year old red widowhood cock who also had every race this year and he won 1st club Witton Castle when Davy was also 7th, 9th, 10th & 12th club. This red cock also won 2 x 1st, 3 x 2nd, 1 x 3rd, 2 x 4th in cluband federation racing in the past 3 years. He is a Crowder Busschaert his grand sire being Pluto crossed with Tommy Larkins also Busschaert bloodlines. My thanks to George Briggs for obtaining the details of Ian and Davy for me when he verified these winners.
1st section E 1st west region 28th open is Tom Peden of Plains in Lanarkshire who timed in a 3 year old red chequer cock flying approximately 395 miles. He was sent to the race feeding 2 large young birds and ready to drive his hen to nest again. This cock had 3 races to 100 miles as a young bird and Tom liked him so much he put him to stock. The cock was brought back into the race team this year and had all races with the Scottish Midland Federation up to and including Uttoxeter 223miles. He was privately trained by Tom's good friend and neighbour Martin Hilley in all directions, Haddington to the east and Ayr to the west and then the week before the national the cock was trained from Eyemouth. Sire was a gift from the late great Jock Allan of Symington this came about when Tom was fitting new windows in Jocks house and jokingly he said to Jock ‘That’s a young bird you owe me’ The following week a young bird was delivered to the Peden household and here he is he sire of a west section winner. Dam of he winner is a red chequer stock hen bred down from Eck Mathieson of Greengairs old distance family. Tom had great respect for Eck Mathieson and thought he was one of the best fanciers he had ever met.
Mr & Mrs Peden, winners of 1st West Section Eastbourne
Tom flies the natural system to a very small loft and he only breeds a small amount of youngsters and all his birds run together. The partnership have had great success in the past from the classic races and long may this continue as Tom and Elizabeth Peden epitomise what this great sport of ours is all about. When Derek Hay was verifying this winner he remarked in his report how proud and emotional Tom was and how much pleasure he received from this achievement and what timing in the national meant to him. May I say Joe that this is exactly what winning at SNFC level is all about and they have kindly donated one off the section winner to the SNFC sale in August.
1st West Section
2nd & 3rd section E 2nd & 3rd west region 39th & 40th open is one of the best long distance men in the west of Scotland Andrew Lockhart of Larkhall who even after the amount of winners he has timed in was very excited when he phoned the lib line with his arrivals. This is what timing a pigeon is all about and the day you are not excited is the time to try something else. Andrew timed in a 3 year old chequer pied hen first she is a Jan Arden who was purchased from Steve Wright; she has flown with the Lanarkshire federation as a young bird. Then as a yearling was raced out to Newark a distance of 223 miles this year she had 3 races to Leicester and was set up for Maidstone with the SNFC where she took 5 days to return (a bad race), her eggs were then lifted and she was given 2 tosses from the ski slopes on the Edinburgh by pass along with Andrew’s other candidates which is a distance of around the 35 miles prior to being entered for Eastbourne sitting 10 days. Sire is from “Champion Classic” who was the winner of the Pigeon Sport one loft race in 2002 winning £10,294. Dam is from Vlekji 964 sire of 1st prize winners when paired to Kuif Vlekji who was also the dam of many 1st prize winners. Andrew’s second pigeon is a blue 4 year old cock who had a couple of races as a youngster and as a yearling he was flown to Huntingdon then stopped for the rest of that season. As a 2 year old he was entered into the Lanarkshire federation race being Andrew’s 3rd pigeon home the following year he was 2nd pigeon from the Lanarkshire fed Falaise winning 9th club flying 504 miles. This year he had 3 races to Biggleswade after this he was set up for the Tours race which was cancelled on the day of basketting which left Andrew extremely disappointed as he had a strong team of 8 pigeons going to this race. He was then given 2 tosses once again from the ski slopes in Edinburgh before being sent sitting 9 days at Eastbourne. Sire is bred down from the brother to W & M Wilson’s famous pigeon the “Swan” winner of 1st west sect 5th open SNFC Nantes plus many other top performances when paired to the Rennes hen who won twice from the SNFC Gold Cup Rennes race. Dam of the blue cock is a blue hen who won 22nd sect & 43rd section Falaise in 2004 her sire is Andrews good breeder who was bred by Jim Hannah of Blantyre that is responsible for many good pigeons to win from SNFC races across the water my thanks to Gareth Rankin for supplying the details and photograph on Andrew’s pigeons.
Mr & Mrs Lockhart with their winners.
1st section D 22nd open is Rab Hamilton of Cambus who was also 90th open his winner is a 2 year old red hen bred by Ian Gibson of Longriggend being from one of Rab’s own birds (Billy Napper Hen) crossed with one of Ian`s own birds. The section winner was sent to the race on a new youngster hatched on the day of basketting. Rab`s 2nd pigeon is a 4 year old chequer hen who won 5th section D and 90th open and is a half sister to his section winner, being bred from the same hen my thanks to Allan McGonigal for obtaining details on Rab’s winner.
2nd section D 50th open is J Ferguson & son of Broxburn we all know Hamish whom I spoke to regarding his winner. He also timed in other birds to win 128th and 27 section D. Hamish’s winner is a 3 year old blue hen who has been a ‘Good Steady Bird’ for him. She was not raced as a youngster and then as a yearling was given 4 races including the federation open race. As a 2 year old she had every race which amounted to 7 races. This year Hamish has not been keeping too well and he missed 3 races in the middle of the race programme so the blue hen only had 2 early races. She was entered for Maidstone and homed ok then was set up with her eggs due to hatch for the Eastbourne race her 2nd flight was just coming up. This hen has never reared a youngster and even when she came home as did her mate they have gone back on the drive and she will not go to next years national on the same condition so here we have a fancier using his skill to make sure he obtains the ultimate from his pigeons. How many of you would have a bird at 4 years of age not rearing a youngster? Sire is from Derek Irwin of Hexham being from his Marcellis family that have done a power of winning for him over the years. The dam is a Mark & Willie Verhede and was purchased direct on the advice of Derek and Kent Springkett when they visited this loft and both fanciers were impressed with the quality of birds. My thanks to Hamish for the news on his winner and we look forward to seeing if his hen produces the same type of result in 2008.
3rd section D 54th open is Robbie Martin of Plean with a 2 year old blue pied hen as a youngster she flew the full programme and competed on a weekly basis as a yearling. This year as a 2 year old her cock was lost at the first race so she was flown spare and she won 2nd club 20th federation Otterburn and then 2nd club Otterburn (2), 1st club 2nd federation Wakefield; 2nd club 20th North West federation open race from Newark; 4th club Thirsk and 2nd club Otterburn (3). Her winnings to this point were over £700:00. She was paired and sent to SNFC Maidstone race but did not arrive until 06.00 am the next morning. Her cock had taken up with another hen so she was once again single, and in her preparation training she was beating the rest of the loft by 10 to 15 minutes so Robbie decided to send her to the Eastbourne National because of the excellent condition that she was in. She was bred by past SNFC secretary Allan McGonigal from Carronshore her sire is a son of Allan’s chequer hen who won 1st North West federation open race from Maidstone. She then won 1st NW federation 5th Scottish Central Combine Maidstone the following year the bloodlines are Peter Vd Eijnden crossed Jan Arden into 2 Scottish families Robert Cormack & John Strang of California. Dam of the 54th open winner is a blue hen 4647 who is a winner of 6th open NW federation Maidstone, 7th open NW federation Maidstone and 13th open NW Federation Chichester her breeding is Peter Vd Eijnden when crossed into the Jan Arden family my thanks to Allan McGonigal for supplying me with the details and congratulations to him and Robbie on the breeding and racing of this 3rd section winner.
1st section F Davie Kane of Galston in Ayrshire is a 66 year old fancier who timed in a 4 year old dark chequer cock to win section F. He was only trained as a youngster and has a yearling he was flown from Otterburn, Doncaster and his last race was Leicester 250 miles. In 2006 he flew Falaise winning 2nd club and was also on the federation result. This year he had 4 races to Maidstone with the SNFC were he won 4th section F. He then received a few odd tosses and most of his training consisted of flagging round the loft. He was sitting 16 days on eggs and Davie slipped a small youngster under him on the day of basketing and he took to it well, that this was all the motivation he required and again good management skills by Davie to bring the best out of his chequer pied cock. Sire is a Jan Aarden bred down from Clwyd Lofts direct purchased in 1993 and the dam is from Dennis Anderson of Annan again Jan Aarden from his Clwyd Loft strain. My thanks to Jim Hannah for the information and the photographs to go with this article on the section F fanciers.
2nd section F is Steve Boyce of Patna who timed in a 2 year old chequer hen she had 5 races winning 2nd club Leicester and 3rd club Newbury. She was sent to Eastbourne sitting on 12 day eggs. Her dam was Steve’s 2nd bird from this same Eastbourne race that was bred from an unrung mealy cock gifted to Steve from the late Matt Jamieson of Annan. The sire of the 2nd section winner was a red chequer bred by Paterson and Cannon of Maybole no more information on this breeding sorry as a matter of interest Steve sent 3 birds and had them all home my gratitude to Graham Mitchell for sending in the details of Steve.
3rd section F is the partnership of White, Baird and Barlow of Dumbarton who timed a yearling mealy hen on 9 day eggs she is now named Gilly after Graham White’s fiancée. She is bred from a mealy cock on loan from Phil Coils of Sacriston near Durham, who flies in partnership as Coils son and grand son; she is bred from their Bourges winning cock. The dam is a blue white flight from the late Jimmy Cowan of Shiremoor this blue white flight and her nest mate were promised to me by Jimmy andit just so happens that the weekend I went to collect the two youngsters in 2004, their sire was 2nd Up North Combine from Bourges for Jimmy. Graham thought thenthat there was no way he would get them direct from the winner but Jimmy being the gentleman that he is said, ‘I promised you them Graeme, so they are going back to Scotland with you’. These 2 youngsters and 4 yearlings were brought back with him and are turning out to be exceptionally good as they are breeding cracking distance pigeons as the partnership recent results prove! The 3rd section winner also won 3rd section from the young bird national in 2006 and she just missed out on the Newbury result by a couple of minutes. The intention was to send her to Alencon but she broke her 6th flight on a training toss and it was probably a bit of luck as she'll now have a better crack at the Gold Cup next year with the experience gained from this Eastbourne race behind her. She was sent training with theyoung birds and she had 7 single ups from Airdrie a distance of 25 miles, then rested 6 days prior to basketing.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally Joe for the time you spent compiling the reports and for the publicity not only my birds but the other members of the SNFC received we all appreciate the hard work both you and Andrew Garven have put in over the season it doesn't go unnoticed.
1st section G 1st north region 88th open was John Williamson who flies in the Aberdeen & District R P C his 3 year old blue chequer hen was bred by Sandy Robertson from his Robert Venus stock. As a young bird she went to every race in the Aberdeen Federation and also flew the young bird national with the SNFC winning 127th open. As a yearling she won 1st club 4th federation Leicester a distance of 320 miles, then 1st club 2nd federation Huntingdon a distance of 340 mile and then 2nd club 12th federation Maidstone a distance of 450 miles beaten by her brother.
John Williamson of Aberdeen.
As a 2yr old she was 3rd club 16th federation Hastings a distance of 450 miles again beaten by her brother. This year she had 4 races then into the SNFC Newbury race winning 4th North Section she then flew the federation Hastings race winning 6thclub and 20th federation she was then entered into the Eastbourne SNFC race on a three week old youngster all in all she has been well tested by the race basket and you must all agree she has responded very well. Her Grandmother andsire all flew Sartilly as a matter of interest John sent 7 birds to the Eastbourne race and had them all home our congratulations to John on this section win and if you may remember he won the section last year in the final old bird national as well quite an impressive record well done and my thanks to Ian McKay for supplying the details.
2nd section G 2nd north section 165th open is Alec Rae of Aberdeen with a yearling blue bar cock he was raced as a young bird without setting the heather on fire. As a yearling he has been a very steady bird but not quite quick enough to win club prizes he was sent to Newark and returned shattered 2 days later. Once he picked up he was sent to Maidstone with the SNFC and returnedat 08.00 am the second day he was then given 2 tosses prior to basketing for Eastbourne. Alec has moved house so he has raced all his old birds out as far as he couldagain my thanks to fellow committee member Ian McKay for supplying the details on Alex winner.
3rd section G 3rd north section 180th open are Dave & Calum McDougall of Peterhead who timed in a 2 year old blue pied cock flying 476 miles. This cock was bred from their own line of birds which goes back to Jan Aarden and Doddi Ross of Aberdeen bloodlines. This cock has previously raced well having been 8th section G in the SNFC Newbury race (423 miles) last year as a yearling. This year he flew the first couple of club races up to 125 miles before returning injured he was then given several weeks to recover before being jumped into a 340 mile race from Leicester. Subsequently he was then entered into the federation race to Montrose (60 miles) and Hastings (470 miles) for the latter he was timed in to win 3rd club 9th federation. The intention was that he would have 2 weeks rest before going to the last channel race, but despite the change of race point, he was sent to the last SNFC race a decision which was vindicated with his performance my thanks to Dave and Calum for contacting me as they had been on holiday and only returned on Friday.
Conclusion
This turned out to be the best race we have had all year with the open result over within an hour which is exceptional when you consider how we and other organisations have suffered due to the severe weather during 2007. Fanciers have also reported that the returns are better in this race with many having 100% home which is also a good point as they will be our candidates for next years national races. I always think that if you have a good race from this last race then it will carry you throughout the winter months and the old adage ‘you are only as good as your last race’ is the lasting memory of the 2007 season for many fanciers. On a personal note we are happy to see our son Kevin win his highest every position within the club in 24th open and to say he is over the moon is an understatement. This is his first full season racing in Arbroath and he has won 2 diplomas as he was also 107th open Alencon in the Gold Cup race. I’m also happy to see my mate Dave Davidson of Methilhill win 51st open with a chequer hen that I bred for him. She is from an Ian Low of Methil red cock (whom I gave back after Ian started back into the sport) and the dam is from Andy Miller of Edinburgh’s Dennis the Menace 2nd open SNFC Reims. Last but not least a very special Happy 70th Birthday to Bob Armit of Newburgh who, along with his wife Rosie, is a great assistance to the SNFC race marking station in Fife. Without people like Rosie and Bob the sport would be deprived of first class true sportsmen/ woman. I worked with Bob many years ago and we experienced some laughs along the way and it will give me great pleasure in raising a glass to toast his birthday. Enjoy you day and have a good time pal. As I say this is the end of the old bird season and now we go into the mad mad world of young bird racing. I have heard already that some fanciers have been cleaned out and we are only at the 1st or 2nd race.
To all the members of the SNFC who have assisted me in compiling my reports throughout the season can I again thank them and the staff of the pigeon papers who have given us first class coverage. To ALL the winners of the races and the prize winning diploma fanciers well done on this most testing of seasons and enjoy looking at your winners, as they are the important aspect and is why we keep racing pigeons as a sport.
Compiled by Joe Murphy, SNFC Press Officer
27/7/07
