WELSH SOUTH ROAD NATIONAL
by Dixey
BORDEAUX - July 2012
The final old bird classic race for Welsh South Road fanciers took place from Bordeaux after a one day holdover on Sunday 29th July. Liberation took effect at 06.25 into south westerly wind, with the UK being basked in sunshine for most of their homeward journey with occasional showers. The leaders were clocked into the Principality from 18.00 hours onward and the probable winner is that excellent fancier from Gelligaer, David Evans. David timed in at 18.28 for a velocity of 1175 ypm flying a distance of 483 miles.
David Evans and granddaughter Casey holding their Welsh SouthRoad National Bordeaux winner
This is David’s fifth National win and deservedly so as he has been flying a very good pigeon in these south road Nationals this season. I and my grandson Regan took the half hour journey over to Gelligaer to pay David a visit. The last time I was visiting David was in 1995 to cover his big wins with the then giant Welsh North Road Federation for the Pictorial, and his winning the prestigious Silver pigeon for most points. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then with his loft being moved from the field where he raced due to housing development. He now races from his back yard to a double decker and although the structures of things have changed since those halcyon days his performances haven’t. In fact it is the same family of pigeons that are consistently winning for him, these being the famous Vernal Hansennes judiciously blended with Delbars and Janssens and a big influence of Lefebre Dhaenens. His Bordeaux National winner is something special, for this year this three years old light cheq has scored three times in this Welsh South Road National, these being 15th open Le Mans, 6th open Saintes and now 1st open Bordeaux.
The Welsh National Bordeaux winner
In fact this very good hen has been on the National results no less than nine times in her racing career. David has named her “Casey Louise” after his daughter and granddaughter. This team is raced on the roundabout system and they were paired up on the 3rd February. Over recent years David has suffered with his health and there can be no doubt that this big win is a wonderful tonic for this lovely gentleman of the sport of pigeon racing. We enjoyed our brief visit with him and his lovely granddaughter and handled some super pigeons while we were at it. Many thanks David and many congratulations, and thanks for the coffee and biscuits, and oh, also for the sweets for Regan.
Taking 2nd open is that remarkable fancier from Blaenavon, Dennis Ford.
Dennis Ford
Once again he showed us the calibre of his pigeons and the methods he races, and although suffering with ill health Dennis with the help of his wife still puts in a shed full of work in preparing his pigeons for these classic events and this has paid off with his phenomenal results. Dennis timed a three years old dk cheq cock raced on roundabout. This cock has been a consistent racer and his breeding comes down from Dennis’s old family. He fancied him to do well this year and paired him to his Messac Nat winner. His previous wins include 2nd Gwent Greater Distance club from Tarbes scoring in the BICC in 2011. He is a full brother to three Federation winners for Dennis.
The 2nd open Bordeaux winner for Dennis Ford
Taking 3rd open is Spencer Jones of Abersychan. Spencer has won a National previously this season and continues to show his class once again. He clocked 8 out of nine entries on the day, not bad for a near 500 miles by anyone’s standard. Spencer’s arrival is a Camphius Janssen x Brian Bolton Van Loon. Raced on roundabout, this three years old cheq hen had bit of a setback by having a night out in the recent Tours National, but she was put on one side until Spencer thought she was ready for another encounter in this Bordeaux race. Her previous wins include 3rd BICC Falaise 3.600 birds. She also has quite a number of good wins under her belt as well.
Spencer Jones
Taking 4th open is the Abertillery partnership of R Nicholas Son & Grandson. They timed a three year old Busschaert cock vel 1145. Senior partner Ray, his son Paul and grandson Craig have really flown a very good consistent pigeon in these Nationals this year. This cock has also been an excellent racer as well with national credits such as 17th Nat Carentan 2010. In 2011 he won 9th Nat Niort, 33rd Nat Carentan, and 22nd Nat Bergerac. This season he has won 16th Nat Saintes and now 4th open from Bordeaux. He was bred by Louella Stud from a kit of ten babies when they purchased these performance Busschaerts with three of these performing really well for the partnership. He is raced on widowhood and I should imagine he will be kept going for a few more years yet.
Taking 1st West section is Brian Williams & Son of Ysytradgynlais in the Swansea valley. This set up have previously won the BICC and have had other good performances over recent years. They timed a two year old cheq hen flown on natural and sent to this race sitting five days. This was her fourth channel race this year and she came home on the second morning from Tours two weeks earlier. She is a Wildermeesch x Van Reet, the sire a gift from their very good friend Eddie Keyte from the Midlands. The dam is home bred and is a daughter of their top mealy pied hen and is Van Reet that originates from Mr & Mrs Stanway from Manchester. The Van Reets have done very well for them scoring out to 500 miles in the past. The hen was fresh on her return and will be kept racing next year and a 600 miles race will be her target. Brian said she was well looked after and was in super condition on her return, and a big thank you must be given to the convoyers of this race.
B. Williams with grandson Morgan
Other leading times into the west section were C Bradshaw & Family and T S Fender & Son. The following are the leading open positions: Mr D Evans, Gelligaer 1175. Mr D Ford, Blaenavon 1162. Spencer Jones, Abersychan 1146. R Nicholas Son & Grandson, 1145. Scammel & Peploe, Garndiffaith 1130. Preece Bros & Son, Abertillery 1104. J & A Rake, Calidcot 1099. Owen & R T Evans & Son, Maerdy 1085. Mr B Williams & Son, Ysytradgynlais 1085. Mr K G Caldwell, Abertillery 1055. Mr G Treharne & Son, Nantyglo 1043. Mr J Plumley, Abersychan 1040. Mr & Mrs J Hooper, Cardiff 1034. J Courts & Son, Ogmore Vale 1032. D Smith, Cardiff 1001.
So concludes the old bird season for the Welsh South Road fanciers who I think will agree we have had some very good racing this year. Thanks go out to the convoyers and race controllers.
