A V Isitto Belgium- Part1

Details: Published: 01 January 2020; Hits: 1102

South East Ireland

with

Billy Walsh

A Visit to Belgium - Part 1

South Central Super Club second old bird race from Ownahincha 30th April 30th saw a return to fast racing with the father and son partnership of S & J Leahy Na Deise topping the poll on 1830, a clear winner from club mate Ian Harty on 1813. Sean winner a 4 yo hen has crossed the channel several times now out to St Malo being of the old Delbar lines originating with Ian Sunderland in Scotland. th4e hen contains also the Van Reet lines of Maurice O Donnell, or "The Boxer Maurice" as he is known in the better parts of Africa, needs no introduction. In fact, the last time Dr Brockamp had his picture taken everyone wondered who was the baldy guy with Maurice. Credit where due, Maurice was instrumental in the decision of Mark Gilbert, Lloyd & Kelly and also Crammond and Langstafff to come on board with Irish Night with the Stars.

More on that event next week. It is, as promised, the event of 2016.

Back to the race, in 3rd spot comes Peter Whelan again from Na Deise before his good pal, Brendan Buckley, clocks two for in 5th and 6th with Derek Walsh in tth place. Sean & Jack Leahy complete the top 10 places with their Stickers Donckers which have done very well for them on this route.

In the Tower Invitation Brendan Buckley claims first position for the 3rd week on the trot Also claiming 2nd position with two yearlings cocks bred from stock obtained from Glen Buckley & Son in Northern Ireland, both birds containing the blood of the Lamballe cock who was 1st & 7th Open in the Lamballe in NIPA. Derek Walsh takes 3rd position with the consistent Passage loft of M&D Pepper taking the 4th position with their Heremen Ceusters.

In New Ross Shamrock club, Keith Gardiner reports, Mark Malone claiming the top two places on 1700 with a pair of Luther Vandross pigeons with John Fanning on saxophone in 3rd.

Now to change lanes. Before I restarted in pigeons I spent upward of two years re acquainting myself with the sport. I scoured, the results in UK, Belgium and Holland, took advice from people whose opinion I respected. At least fifty fanciers were looked at, many in great detail, to the point I knew more about their birds than they did themselves. Their origins, their progeny, their success in other lofts. Finally, for me, three names stood out, all for different reasons, but they all have one thong in common. The fanciers in question are first and second pigeon men. The meaning is apparent. Genuine and honourable and not consumed with the arrogance that too often follows with success. They each, have cultivated a family of birds built on a strong male line that has produced an exceptional number of true quality pigeons generation upon generation. A truly staggering % of winners and top racing pigeons.

Lofts at Grobbendonk.

I recently visited one of those names, Johan Donckers. The Dream Maker from Grobbendonk. Not my first visit, but my first on my own. Although living in Grobbendonk, a village also home to Dirk Van Den Bulcke, Jos Cools and may others, Johan still races in his birthplace just up the road in Pulle. Johan moved to Grobbendon in pursuit of his beloved and charming wife, Suzi, though he claims to remain "Pulle in his heart" . He played soccer there until his late 40s. He is a natural born competitor imbued with a terrific love of sport and of family. This is so apparent when it comes to his pigeons. When I visited Suzi, was in recovery from a an operation on a bad shoulder injury after suffering a fall Johan has taken over the household chores in addition to work and the also, of course, the pigeons. Our best wishes go out to Suzi for a speedy recovery.

No longer interested in the speed races from Quievrain, Johan some years ago moved up to the hafo and fond races and is a name name now grabbing considerable attention. Most will have become aware of Johan's name at this years Blackpool "A night with the Stars", where Johan's birds were the subject of great interest. Despite holding down a full time job as a school teacher, Johan regularly shows the sprint men of the Tienverbond the way home from Noyon with a team of cocks you would go a long way just to look at and handle. Not peas in a pod by any means yet all terrifically well muscled, like tennis balls in the hand, wide at the frost tapering to a single feather. The hens are typically apple bodied medium in size though some can fool you into thinking they are cocks until they develop into magnificent young hens built like brick outhouses. Blues dominates with the occasional chequers though the Laenen pigeons are producing the odd grizzle through the Pitbull line. Johan is becoming convinced it is the hens that will dominate the middle distances now in Belgium.. It is the future, he says with an eyebrow raised in my direction, part question, part statement of fact. He nods toward the hens section as we climb the stairway to the upper story where the race lofts are. The hens are kept on ordinary YB type perches with dividers between, the floor strung with thick elastic band as in a grill perhaps 4" apart a method also used Gaston Van De Wouwer. The cocks are raced traditional widowhood. Both cocks and hens are raced in the early races then once seen which are flying best the partners may well be kept at home. Everything is a judgement. Everything is kept simple. Good birds, hard work, observation. Always the inner eye is constantly at work.

Johan Donckers.

The Matador feeding system is strictly adhered to so feeding is essentially the same for all distances. The same basic family cultivated over many generations with introductions from the best local flyers being brought in, where it works they will go onto the family. Recently there has been an introduction Karl Laenen, All of which had been played with that season by Laenen and raced exceptionally well. Early indications are they will prove a shrewd investment. Selection, as ever, will be ruthless. The stock loft house only eleven pair with the Asduif and his son being given a hen every 2 weeks or so; they are allowed to rear the occasional nest before being put back "on the system". 2014 Saw Johan with 2 birds on the KBDB list for ace pigeon. A photograph of just one of them the 021 is included along with his G Sire the Zoon Asduid 048 and his G.G.Sire, Asdif. Also included is 1st Asduif OB Regio Mechelen 2015. Below are just some of the highlights of 2014 and 2015. Given, as I said, Johan works full time, and flies several disciplines, they are quite remarkable.