A dual performance in the SCOTTISH NATIONAL RACING PIGEON CLUB
GORDON CAMPBELL
of Montrose
By Stuart Bowman
Dark Bull, owned and raced by Gordon Campbell, Montrose Angus. Winner of 22nd sect, 77th Open, Alencon, 582 mls, & 26th sect 54th Open Falaise 550mls in 2005, both with the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club.
During the 2005 racing season, there were some notable performances in the S.N.R.P.C., one of which was put up by Gordon Campbell of Montrose’s good cock Dark Bull. This pigeon was clocked twice within three weeks at 550 mls & over and was twice in the prizes. Both races were difficult, and say a lot for man and bird flying into Montrose.
Starting at the beginning, it was basically through Gordon’s father that the seed was planted. His father flew as B. L. CAMPBELL in the Carnwath club in Lanarkshire, roughly about 1960-1961, with some moderate success gained during that time. Gordon himself started about 1985, also in Carnwath, with birds from the club members. He just flew away with these birds for about the next 5 years. In 1988 a red cheq yb was 1 st Carnwath club, 1st Lanarkshire Fed, over 5,000 birds. This pigeon was bred from Jock Robertson of Montrose stock. Then in 1990 Gordon decided a move was the order of the day, and he and his wife Jean settled for Montrose. Much easier than farm work in South Lanarkshire, any day! He brought about 30 birds with him, the best being a cheq hen of Ko Nipius breeding who came from J. R. Turner & Son who won Nantes in 1953. He then went into partnership as A. White & Son, who were uncle and cousin. Then later Gordon flew as Campbell & White and had a few turns, with one of the best being a decent one in the YB National.
A view of some inmates at Gordon's loft
Since 1992 or so he has won most of the averages in the club, at one point in time or another. It is only in the last few years or so that Gordon has taken more of an interest in distance racing, especially in National racing. Most of Gordon’s pigeons originate from local flyer and good friend Jock Robertson, the strain names being Krauth and Busschaert. These pigeons have given Gordon some good fun, and a few good first prizes and fed positions have been won over the years right up until recently with them. One loft to win recently with one of Gordon’ s was none other than D.D. LIDDLE of Forfar, when Gordon’s yb was purchased at the Angus Fed breeder/buyer sale. This pigeon went on to top the fed, then sired the winner of 1st Angus Fed, 3rd Sect C , 8th Open SNFC Newbury 368 mls, 2005, for the Liddle loft.
Dark Bull
Now for some info on the Dark Cock, who won twice within three weeks at the distance, with the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club. “Dark Bull” was lost as a YB from only Newtongrange. However, he returned 3 or 4 weeks later and finally he flew the last race in the programme. As a yearling he bucked up his ideas and won 2 prizes in club and fed winning 2nd club, 12 fed Arniston, 2nd club 2nd fed Ripon. As a 2y he was tried on widowhood and won 2nd club Maidstone 395mls. As a 3y he won 2nd club Huntingdon 315 mls. Then a few weeks later he won 1st club Maidstone, 12 hrs on the wing, from 395mls. Three weeks after Maidstone, he was set up for Falaise 550 mls, and came up to win the club again. He had by now proved to Gordon that he was an excellent pigeon, and had learned from his mistake as a yb. In 2005 Gordon joined the newly formed Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club, to try some at the distance against allcomers, and he wasn’t to be let down! So as a 4y in 2005 Dark Bull was raced from Northallerton, Ripon, then the SNRPC Newbury Inland National 371 mls. He got some good hours on the wing from here and this seemed to set him up for the main Gold Medal race from Alencon with the SNRPC. He was sent sitting 12 day eggs, with only 5 short 15 ml tosses before basketing. A difficult race ensued, but Gordon wasn’t to be disappointed. Dark Bull was happily timed in to win 22nd Sect, 77th Open, vel 746 for 582 mls, and the furthest flying pigeon on the result. Still sensing something left in this game bird Gordon sent the Bull again, this time to Falaise 550mls. Sent again on eggs, and only 2 short 15 ml tosses, the Bull came good again, and put a smile on the face of the man who sent him. Dark Bull won a creditable 26th Sect, 54th Open, vel 787, and again was the furthest flying pigeon on the result, and made Gordon Campbell’s weekend. These two efforts by the same pigeon were, in my opinion, one of the best dual performances throughout Scotland during 2005, considering where the pigeon was flying to. The dam of Dark Bull was unfortunately lost off the loft, and was of Louella Busschaert lines. The sire is still there though, a nice dark cock like the Bull himself, with lovely silky feathering and a cracking eye for the eyesign exponents. This cock’s breeding consists of Busschaert x Krauth. The Dark Bull is of medium build, strong in the hand with good balance, good feather type, and sits nicely in the hand. There was no big step in the wing of this pigeon, which hardly matters when he has already been in the clock. While on my short visit there, I did notice though that the Bull was quite a character, showing his intelligence in and around the loft. Incidentally, a g.son of Dark Bull won the Montrose & Dist breeder/buyer and £140 from Northallerton 168 mls, in 2005, and later flew the SNRPC Y.B. National from Liecester 290 mls.
A happy G. Campbell poses for a second, with his good pigeon, Dark Bull
OB Methods
Gordon pairs all birds up mid February, and rears approx 30 ybs. Obs are exercised twice daily and scraped twice daily. Training starts 2 weeks before the 1st race Yearlings usually fly to Leicester, 290 mls, and Huntingdon 315 mls, with a few going to Maidstone 395 mls. Some 2ys go over the channel, but it is at 3y that they usually go. This seems to work, as it has been the 3ys which have won the longest races, from Beerstal and Falaise. The pigeons are fed Bamfords Top Flight all round mix, then maize after the 300 ml stage, plus a few peanuts for the channel birds. The OB loft is about 18 x 6 with 3 sections, 2 with nest boxes, probably 18 all told. The birds trap through big windows, although a stall trap is used in one of the sections. Some sand is used on the floor to help keep it dry.
YB Methods
Ybs are exercised twice per day, at which time they are scraped out, and fed in twice per day. They are fed the same mixture as the old birds. Their training starts 2- 3 weeks before the 1st race. All ybs usually fly the programme, just flying to the perch, and left to their own devices. Their loft is about 8 x 4, and with the loft not being very wide, it encourages them to be more on the tame side. They just roost on box perches. A couple of nestboxes are there if Gordon fancies trying a few paired, when the yb races extend a little. Again some sand is used on the loft floor.
I asked Gordon who he admired in the sport at the distance races. He replied, Eddie Mann, Johnshaven, John Ellis, Wellbank, Bill Doward, Arbroath, and Jim Donaldson, Peterhead. All of whom have had a turn at the top in National racing.
Gordon said he would like to see a lot more young fanciers in the sport, but said it would be difficult to see where they would come from. To find out Gordon himself went along to the local primary school with clocks, baskets of pigeons, squeakers in the nest and so on. After a discussion with the teacher and pupils, a demonstration was given on clocking in a bird from a race etc. Good luck Gordon, I hope it makes a difference in your area. I know I tried this in my own area, but I’m still hoping.
Black cock, always stock, sire of Dark Bull, twice in a winner in S.N.R.P.C. channel races in 2005.
Conclusion
Well there you have it then, a fancier who seems to be on the right road with his pigeons and knows what he wants of them. I’m sure we will be seeing some more of this loft in the not too distant future. Signing off now, I would like to thank Mr & Mrs Campbell for their hospitality while on my short visit there. I would also like to wish Gordon and his good pigeon Dark Bull good luck in 2006, racing with the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club.
