The Master Pigeoner - George Stubbs
By Liam O Comain
The subject of this piece is one person who should not be forgotten in the realm of pigeondom for he was a master of long distance and marathon pigeon racing, in fact, George Stubbs of England, was one of the greatest exponents of a difficult discipline. A pigeoner who can take his place in the pantheon of the world's best preparers and conditioners for the ultimate tests of flying endurance.An honourable place amongst the greatest since the origins of the sport. Also may I add that our subject bred and raced perhaps the greatest Barcelona pigeon ever.
George Stubbs apparently raced well into his 80s and held some of the records for distance flying into the island of Britain. A very patient and kindly person by all accounts, our subject built his family upon four pigeons bought in 1901 of the N. Barker family. Eventually a cross was brought in to consolidate his intentions and they were two grizzle Bovyns to be followed by examples of the Thoroughgood and the Tressider families. The latter being two of the best of British origin.
Some of the achievements of George Stubbs and his flying athletes includes 9th Open North Road Championship Club, Faroe Islands, in 1932. This was 802 miles and the longest distance then flown of north to south. And for 6 years the Stubbs small and humble loft was in the first 19 of the Open from San Sesbastian.Also the loft held the record for the greatest distance flown north and south from Faroe 802 miles and Barcelona 672 miles. The list of many honours won includes the following: 3 Gold Medals; English National Flying Club Section A Cup; the Dewar Trophy for the Best Two Bird Average for nominated birds from San Sebastian; the London Centre Trophy; the Hants Federation Bordeaux Cup; the Barcelona Trophy and the Medal of the International Organisation in Belgium, etc,.
George Stubbs accomplishments from the marathon of all marathons i.e. Barcelona must rank as some of the greatest in the history of the race, in fact, this success in the opinion of many counts as the greatest or at least one of the top three superb feats of racing from the Spanish race point in it history, when George Stubbs clocked to win 1st British Section and 4th International in 1931. A wonderful achievement when one considers that the one entry 'Barcelona' was in a convoy of 5,033 birds from the best of Holland, France, Luxembourg and Belgium, in a period of more primitive transport to the race point. The distance being 672 miles. And to prove that the event was not a freak the Stubbs loft was 19th Barcelona International in 1932. In that race the 'Barcelona' also scored 4th British Section. A superb thoroughbred! Perhaps the greatest Barcelona flyer ever?At least that thought raises itself often in my mind.The 'Barcelona's' 4th International however was accompanied with a 1st success from Marennes plus an 87th Open National Flying Club San Sebastian position. The 'Barcelona' also flew San Sebastian in 1930 when he arrived at 5am on the second day.Thus confirming that the 'Barcelona' was not a one race wonder.
His famous 'Trixie' however was George Stubbs favourite and after years of outstanding success flying she died at the age of 17 years. Born in 1924 from a pure white Bovyn hen and a Thoroughgood sire Trixie as a youngster was the first bird to the loft in two Nationals. Then in 1925 flew 225 miles from York. The following year 1926 this great flyer flew 475 miles from Banff and in 1927 flew over 600 miles from Lerwick. The following year as a 4 year old 'Trixie' was 1st from York and 3rd Open N.R.C.C.from Lerwick. She was then turned to the south road in 1929 and obtained good positions from Guernsey, Rennes, Nantes, and San Sebastian, 521 miles. But as stated in 1930 'Trixie' exhibited her greatness when she finished 9th in the north road Faroe Island race. Obviously under pressure for she had only three tail feathers upon her return alongside damage to one of her wings. An outstanding pigeon.
There is no doubt in my mind that George Stubbs was one of the greatest marathon racers ever in the history of the sport and on reflection upon the exploits of the 'Barcelona' surely the greatest of the greatest Barcelona flyers. And why? Because this brave pigeon had to break from the cream of the European continent and travel alone across the English channel on its way to the owner who loved and prepared it. A wonderful example of the relationship between a great pigeoner and a great pigeon. Yes, their likes are few and far between!
