| Author: Joe Murphy | Title: SNFC - Alencon - Gold Cup 2005 |
| Date: 2005-07-20 00:03:44 | Uploaded by: webmaster |
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Update: Race Analysis
Before I give you this update on the section winners details I must thank my fellow SNFC committee members who have gone to verify the winners and have obtained this information, either they or the fanciers have filled in the questioner and posted it on to me. However there are still one or two people who have not supplied me with details and I cannot hold up this article on the winners who have done so however if these fanciers would like to provide me with the details of their winning bird I will add this into my next article.
SNFC Information
Convoyer Colin Gray liberated the convoy of 2245 birds entered by 598 members of this famous club at 13.15 pm at Alencon on Sunday 26th June 2005 into a east to north east wind. The total pools and prize money being flown for amounted to £44,499.25 with the winner of the Gold Cup race receiving £1,000 first prize with the members then competing for the remaining £10,000. We again must thank our Race Control team of Bobby Graham, Richard Combe and Jim Hannah who have done a marvellous job this year and up to now we have had 3 great races. We cannot forget our weather specialist Steve Appleby who has been tremendous to our race controllers and also to me as he supplies a detailed weather report for the SNFC web page. Last but not least our convoyer Colin Gray who looked after the pigeons so well after a 2 day hold over everyone has commented on how well their pigeons returned condition wise and this has to be credited to Colin. Now for news of the winning pigeons:
Frank Tarnawski of High Valleyfield
The winner of the SNFC Gold Cup race from Alencon is Frank Tarnawski of High Valleyfield in Fife who timed in his 5 year old light chequer hen at 09-37-35am flying 549 miles recording a velocity of 1084 winning the race by a margin of 14 yards.
(Photo of SNFC officials congratulating Frank on winning the Alencon race)
Frank has named his winner Marisia Nawski the first part is after his grand daughter and the second part is the nickname he calls his wife. As a youngster Marisia Nawski was entered into the Carter Bar race on the 29th of July she failed to home and was reported in Newcastle. Frank sent for her and she was never raced again that year. As a yearling she flew the full federation programme and was sent to the open race from Maidstone sitting 5 days on eggs and she won 1st west section 6th open. As a 2 year old she was entered for the inland SNFC race from Newbury on 8th June and she
returned the next day. She was then set up sitting 15 day eggs for SNFC Chenoise and she won 28th east section 40th open being clocked at 12.41 on the second day. (Photo of Gold Cup winner taken at 22.30 hours on day of race) She was set up the same in the same manner for 2003 again going to Newbury prior to going to Chenoise on the 2nd of July she failed to come home in race time and returned home on the 8th of July with an injured wing. As a 4 year old she was sent to the first SNFC Falaise race feeding a 3 day old youngster and she won 22nd east section 80th open. This year she had her first race of the season from Tow Law liberated at 07.30 she returned at 06.45pm in the evening. Her second race was from Wakefield again liberated at 07.30 she returned at 12.45pm. Third race was from Huntingdon liberated at 07.30 she arrived home at 07.00pm being 11 ½ hours on the wing. She then had 6 training tosses from Dunbar prior to going to the Gold Cup race with the last being on the Friday before basketing. She was then sent feeding a 4 day old youngster I verified Frank’s hen on the day he timed her in and she handled like a dream, she is small to medium in size with a pearl eye and lovely silky feathering, her 1st flight was nearly fully grown and she carried her other 9 flights obviously feeding the small baby help stop her throw her flight in the basket. She still had plenty of body and you would not think she had been out the loft she is a good looking hen and has what many fanciers look for in good hen’s tusks. See photo of Marisia Nawski which I took later in the day of her arrival and you will see the condition she is in. Sire of Marisia Nawski is a dark chequer cock who was entered in 3 SNFC races and just missed out on each one. His sire was one of a batch of six Stichelbaut bred youngsters purchased from Stile Lofts of J D Cutcliffe. This chequer cock was paired to a dark chequer Kirkpatrick hen a gift from Greig Houston from Laurieston near Falkirk. This pair of stock pigeons bred many club, federation and SNFC winners for Frank. The dam of Marisia Nawski is a silver hen a gift from the late Neil Brown of Whitburn, the breeding being Willie Bryston of Stonyburn. Fanciers may recall I did an article on Neil Brown a couple of years ago when I visited him and Brenda. I have spoken to Brenda and she is so proud of Frank winning the Gold Cup with descendants of Neil’s pigeons. He would be so proud and we can both see him sitting smiling from ear to ear happy in the fact that he had helped Frank achieve his dream of winning the National. Frank worked beside Neil and Brenda’s son David and during conversation pigeons were mentioned and Dave invited Frank to come and visit his dad’s loft. Neil gave Frank some give youngsters and the silver hen was one of them. Frank was so pleased to meet Neil and was impressed with his courage as he fought motor neuron that he had dedicated his pigeon winning the Gold Cup in memory of Neil Brown, which is a wonderful gesture. While dealing with an emotional issue I will continue in this vein by highlighting another coincidental fact. The last Fife pigeon to win the Gold Cup in the SNFC was Honeyman’s Dream back in 1992 for the John Honeyman & son of Kennoway partnership. Well on the day of the clock setting for this Alencon race John Honeyman had to take his national winner to the vet as he had not been too well of late. As the vet took the cock out of the basket he died in the vet’s hands, obviously John Honeyman is distraught which we all would be. However as one door closes then another opens and here we have Fife with another Gold Cup winner in Frank Tarnawski Marisia Nawski. It seems ironic that when one national winner dies another takes its place and you wonder if it was meant to be.
Another part of Fife history also transpired when the daughter of R Duncanson of Leven who won the Gold Cup in 1931 phoned Frank to congratulate him on winning this wonderful trophy. She had read in the local paper about Frank’s achievement and she wanted to send her best wishes. She remembers her late father having the trophy all those years ago and fanciers from near and far came to visit him to view his SNFC winner. What a wonderful thing for this lady to do and as I have stated many times over the past few months the history of the SNFC is PRICELESS. Here is a glaring example of someone who no longer has pigeons however she will never forget the pride and pleasure her father received from winning the SNFC Gold Cup. However never in my wildest dreams did I think a Fife fancier would pull off winning the Gold Cup in my first year as press officer. I assisted Frank organise a sale to assist his nephew a few years ago which many people may remember so it was good to shake his hand when verifying his pigeon and to congratulate him on his outstanding National Winner. I have had fancier from England on the phone saying how much they have admired this performance when so many of the birds liberated over the same weekend have failed to appear and they were only flying 300 miles or thereabout. To win a national flying nearly 550 miles in 14hours 52 minutes is a great achievement and Marisia Nawski is a worth winner of the Gold Cup race from Alencon. Frank has promised a youngster direct from his Gold Cup winner for the SNFC late bred sale. I visited Frank again in the presence of the SNFC official’s president Tom Davidson, senior vice presidents Malcolm Lawson and Dale Newcombe who came to congratulate Frank on winning the race and the Gold Cup. Frank says he still cannot believe that he has won the Blue Riband race into Scotland against a very good entry of 2251 birds. Our congratulations go to Frank on this outstanding performance flying into the west of Fife he wins the following trophies The King George Cup, The Gold Cup, The H A French Jubilee Challenge Trophy, The E T R D Newcombe trophy and the 1st section C trophy.
Brian Donnelly of Dundee
Second section C 8th open flying into the city of Dundee is Brian Donnelly who clocked a 5 year old blue hen bred by Martin and the late Bobby Adair of Cumbria.
As a youngster she flew 3 races to 100 miles. Then as a yearling and 2 year old she was only raced out to Leicester a distance of 278 miles. Then as a 3 year old she was entered into the SNFC Claremont race and she returned the next day. Last year she was raced from SNFC Falaise 2 and arrived at 05.34am and was clocked into Brian’s 2nd clock. Unfortunately due to work commitments he failed to have his 2nd clock read and deprived the blue hen of a SNFC diploma (Brian’s words not mine). This year 2005 the blue hen was raced from Ripon 1 & 2 a distance of 170 miles, Retford 235 miles, Huntingdon 307 miles and she took 7 hours 53 minutes to return which set her up for the Gold Cup race. The week prior to basketing for Alencon she received 3 training tosses from 20 to 25 miles from areas in Fife. She was then sent to the Gold Cup race feeding a 5 day old youngster with her first flight was ¼ grown on basketing.
When I visited to verify her a few days later she was still with the youngster and was very possessive toward it and Brian has allowed her to rear it for her effort in this race. She is a small to medium sized pigeon with a pearl eye with a full dark circle of coloration and she also possessed good feather quality. Brian has promised a youngster direct from this hen for the SNFC late bred sale in September for which I thanked him on behalf of the officials of the club.
John Duthie of Dundee
Third section C 18th open is John Duthie of Dundee who timed in his 5 year old blue white flight cock at 12.43 second day flying 572 miles 2 mile further than his good friend Brian Donnelly. John’s has named this blue white flight cock ‘As Good as it
Get’s’ which is a fitting name to this pigeon as you will soon find out from reading his performance as in my opinion he is a tremendous pigeon. (Photo of John Duthie holding his Gold Award winner and the other picture is of ‘As good as it Get’s’ on front of his nest box) He is a lovely handing pigeon with good feather quality and balance and is a medium to large type in the hand. He has 11 flights in his right wing and 10 in the other and his 1st flight was nearly fully grown on my visit. He has a rice pearl eye with plenty of colour. As a youngster he flew out to Northallerton he was then raced on widowhood as a yearling and has done so every since. He had every race as a yearling winning 4th club 7th Federation Ripon 2. He then won 1st club 4th federation 55th Amalgamation 7958 birds from Leicester. He then won 4th club 6th federation 13th Amalgamation 10,304 birds from Wakefield and then won 5th club Tow Law. As a 2 year old he again had every race and won 1st club 2nd federation Ridsdale and was sent over the water for the first time winning 2nd club 5th federation 36th east section 51st open SNFC Claremont from an entry of 2794 birds flying a distance of 542 miles and recording a velocity of 931 ypm in a very hard race. As a 3 year old he won 129th east section 171st open SNFC Newbury 5369 birds with a velocity of 1420, he then won 1st club 9th federation 14th Grampian Combine 78th east section 87th open SNFC Claremont 3257 birds recording a velocity of 1161 ypm. In 2004 he won 3rd club 8th federation Retford he was then set up for the first national race from Falaise and he won 32nd section C 96th open from an entry of 1,716 birds and recorded a velocity of 708 ypm. He was then sent back to Falaise 2 which is a duplicate race with the federation and SNFC and he won 6th club 11th federation 53rd section C 169th open from an entry of 3,025 birds and recorded a velocity of 1208. This year he has won 3rd club 4th federation Arniston 44 miles velocity 1159. Then 3rd club 8th federation Leicester 279 miles velocity 1806 and finally from the Gold Cup race he is 2nd federation 2nd section C 14east section 18open Alencon 2251 birds with a velocity of 934 ypm. The breeding of As Good as it Get’s is as follows, his sire was a red cock who won 5 x 1(2 of these from Sartilly a distance of 544 miles) and 10 x 2in club racing, he was retired to stock when John moved house in 1996. Sire of the red cock was a gift from John’s good friend Brian Donnelly direct from his Bobby Adair pigeons. The dam of the red cock was a red hen a cross from George McDonald and Jimmy Hamilton of Ferniegair. As a matter of interest George had three outstanding cocks that won from Nantes in the late 70’s and these are in the blood of the red hen.
Dam of As Good as it Get’s is a blue bar Busschaert hen who won 2 x 1st clubs for John. She is bred from a George McAlonie of Coatbridge pencil blue cock who topped the federation from Dorchester and also topped the federation 5 times. John said he was an exceptional cock and everything in the loft nowadays Joe is bred down from him. Dam of the blue Busschaert hen was bred by Kenny Coulston of Newcastle who is part of the famous Luke, Coulston & Thompson of the UNC fame, being bred from Quasimodo bloodlines. I think everyone who reads this must be impressed with As Good as it Get’s as he is some pigeon, he not only wins for 44 miles but from 572 miles as well. John has promised a late bred from him for the SNFC late bred sale in September and to any would be purchaser this will be ‘As good as it Get’s’. Thank you John, he has also asked if I could mention the great help he receives from Jimmy Green especially during John’s time in hospital.
Ralston Graham of Langholm
First section A 1st south section 2nd open is Ralston Graham of Langholm in the Scottish Borders who timed in his 5 year old chequer pied hen Eskvalley Jacky at 07-59am flying 483 miles velocity 1070.52 winning £1,503 for her proud owner. She is named Jacky as her sire was a gift from Jack Wylie of Newcastleton who unfortunately finished with pigeons a few years ago, sadly Jack passed away in 2004. Ralston took “Jacky' over to Newcastleton to let Jack see and handle her and he was delighted and said you will get her again, little did he know that she was going to be 2nd open SNFC in 2005. Eskvalley Jacky dam was bred by Keith Lynn from Dumfries and is from his Rex Doe Herbots lines. “Eskvalley Jacky' had every young bird race and took one prize a 3rd club in the federation open race from Worcester 206 miles she then went to the young bird national and homed the following day. As a yearling she won prize 16th sec 34th open SNFC Hastings 332 miles then as a 2 year old she won 10th club Ripon 2 and flew the SNFC Reims race returning home the next day
just missing out on the result. As a 3 year old she went to SNFC Reims and was timed the second day again just out of the open result. She was repaired and sent to the SNFC Clermont race sitting on eggs and was Ralston’s second pigeon winning 7th south section 139th open. Then as a 4 year old she flew the SNFC inland national from Newbury and was then entered into the SNFC Le Farte Bernard race where she won 2nd south section 12th open velocity 1103 and she won £723. She looked so good that she was sent back into the SNFC Falaise race winning 3rd south section 10th open velocity 1317 and won £749 for Ralston. For these performances she was runner up for the SHU Scotch Dewar Whisky Trophy in 2004. This year 2005 she was raced on roundabout as she has been all her life, Ralston pairs all his birds on February 14th a date he has used for many years. He was in two minds as to repair the birds for the Gold Cup race from Alencon but decided to only do this 24 hours before basketing. Eskvalley Jacky received 5 races prior to going to the Gold Cup race these were from 70, 93, 120,186 and 270 miles. From 186 miles she was 1st club 7th federation form an entry of 1738 birds. She had 9 hours on the wing from inland SNFC Newbury race which set her up for the sporting challenge 500 mile journey. The cock she is paired to was not sent to S N F C Newbury, so that he would be waiting for her on return home. Our congratulations to Ralston on being 1st section 2nd open winner and winning the following trophies in the SNFC The Percy Cameron Memorial trophy and the Mrs H A French Challenge Rose bowl and the 1st section A trophy. He is also the winner of the Joe Murphy/ BHW Sporting Challenge winner for the second time.
Mrs Margaret Graham of Annan
Second section A 2nd south section 5th open flying 475 miles and recording a velocity of 1032 is Mrs Margaret Graham of Annan. She timed in a 4 year old chequer hen flown on the natural system, she is bred from her old family of bird that have been cultivated for many years. The dam is a half sister to Margaret’s 6th open Reims winner. The 2nd section winner has always been a very consistent performing pigeon having already won 29th south section 148th open from the inland SNFC Newbury race prior to being entered for the Gold Cup race this year. Mrs Graham also timed in her second pigeon to win 29th open in the Alencon race, my thanks to David Smith for the details.
Billy Van Nuil of Gretna
Third section A 3rd south section 14th open flying 472 miles recording a velocity of 937 is Gretna’s Billy Van Nuil with his 2 year old Busschaert hen sent flying to chipping eggs on the day of basketing. Sire and dam came from Billy's good friend Dennis Kircup of Longtown in Cumbria. As a young bird she flew the federation race programme and then as a yearling she was flown through to Maidstone. This year she had 5 races to Leicester and then the Wakefield comeback race prior to going to the ‘Big One’, she returned from Alencon Gold Cup race with a full wing. Again I’m grateful to David Smith for obtaining details and sending me photos during the racing season of the south section winners.
Norrie Cochrane of Elphinstone
First section B 2nd east section 3rd open is Norrie Cochrane of Elphinstone in East Lothian who timed in a 3 year old blue hen at 09-22-19 from a distance of 533 miles recording a velocity of 1070.22 just being beaten by .3 of a decimal for second place. That is how close this race was and both are terrific pigeons. The first thing Norrie said to me when I phoned for details on the day he timed in was ‘Joe
my hen returned in immaculate condition and I cannot praise the good work done by our convoyer’ So a big pat on the back to Colin Gray as I know from handling the winner and with speaking to other fanciers they are happy with the condition their birds are in from this hard race. (Photographs of Norrie holding his 3rd open Alencon winner and the other is the hen sitting on the nest)
Norrie’s blue hen was raced out to the second last race as a youngster, as a yearling she flew out to the inland SNFC Newbury race. Last year she flew from Falaise 2. This year she was raced out to the inland SNFC Newbury race she then received 6 training tosses from Denholm (which is near Hawick). She was then entered into the race sitting 8 days on eggs with her 1st flight ¼ grown. Sire is Norrie’s stock Janssen cock who has bred over 30 SNFC diploma winners he was obtained from Jackie Allison and originally came from Danny Parker of Halifax in Yorkshire. Dam of the 3rd open hen is a chequer pied hen who has also won in the SNFC and is inbred on both sides of her pedigree to Davidson & Little ‘Five Times a Lady'. As a matter of interest Norrie clocked in a full sister to his winner just after 1.30pm on the winning day to record a 69th open win. Also full brothers and sisters to these two hens won 3 SNFC prizes in the Le Ferte Bernard race last year for Joe Allen of Easthouses. Our congratulations to Norrie on another wonderful performance in the SNFC anyone who studies the club results will have noticed his name for a number of years. My thanks to Karen Newcombe for emailing me the photo’s her husband Dale took when verifying Norrie’s winner.
John Bird of Preston Pans
Second section B 6th open Alencon flying 535 miles and recording a velocity of 1023 is John Bird of Preston Pans. (photo of John holding his winner and other is close up of 6th open SNFC Alencon winner for John)
John is one of the East of Scotland federation officials and is another tireless worker for the pigeon sport in general. John timed in a 3 year old dark chequer late bred in the year of his birth and therefore was not raced. As a yearling he was raced out to Maidstone. In 2004 he won 152nd open in the SNFC Newbury inland race also winning £379.00. He was then entered into the Gold Cup race from
Le Ferte Bernard and won 73rd open winning £363.00. Fanciers may recall that I put his photo in my column as he had been hawked and still managed to time in first thing on the 2nd morning. This year he has had 6 races to Peterborough then into the inland SNFC Newbury race returning at 17.00 hours. He was then left until the weekend before basketing and had 3 training tosses from Berwick on Tweed. He was then entered for the Gold Cup race from Alencon sitting 10 days on eggs and returned with his 2nd flight ¾ grown.
His sire is a Van De Pol cock direct from Belgium and was purchased at Danderhall at the end of the 2001 season. Dam is a Louella Pigeon World Martha Van Geel being a Pick of Six for £99.00. As a matter of interest John Bird time in his second pigeon to win 11th open in the Alencon race with his third entry some time later on, very good flying indeed.
Bobby Dickson of Preston Pans
Bobby timed in his 3 year old blue chequer cock to win 3rd section B 5th east section 7th open Alencon velocity 996 for the 535 mile journey. As a youngster he was not raced at all then as a yearling he had every race to the inland national from Newbury.
Last year he flew from Le Ferte Bernard and arrived home in the afternoon of the second day. (Photo of Bobby’s 7th open SNFC Alencon winner) This year he had every race up to and including the SNFC Newbury race. He then had 3 training tosses from Berwick on Tweed on Friday Saturday and Sunday with club mate John Bird and then on Monday morning he was given another toss from Selkirk with Peter March. At this point Bobby Dickson has asked me to publicly thank John Bird and Peter March for training his pigeons as he does not drive and his birds would not have been so high up in the result without the help from these two sporting fanciers. Sire is a 93 pigeon a gift from the late Matthew McEwan and was bred by his brother Tom from Elphinstone (this years SNFC Tours winner)
Dam of the chequer cock was a gift from the same Tom McEwan being a daughter of 137 who won 4 SNFC diplomas and unfortunately was lost from Rennes smash while going for a gold award. My thanks to Bobby for the information and the photographs of both his and John Birds pigeons.
Scott Gibson of Falkirk
Section D winner is Scott Gibson of Falkirk who timed his only entry a blue 2 year old hen at 09.55am flying 545 miles to record a velocity of 1050 and win 3rd east section 4th open SNFC Alencon. Scott only races his 30 darkness youngsters which are from his first round of babies; all other bred young pigeons are only trained out to 50 miles. As a yearling she was raced on roundabout and was nothing special until half way through the season Scott noticed something strange about her. While putting feeding into the hopper the blue hen kept coming over to him and touching his gutty (shoe for people who don’t know what this is or it’s other name is trainer) like playing up to his foot. So Scott gently kicked her away and she came back and he did this a few times. While driving at work he kept thinking about the antics of this hen playing up to his gutty and so he started to spend some time playing with her and he kept doing this every time he entered the loft. It was obvious that she had now fell in love with Scott gutty so he sent her to Buckingham which is a 300 mile race back to Falkirk, she won 1st federation by a wonderful margin of 55 minutes. Scott continued to keep this relationship going and the next week he sent her with the Scottish Central 3 bird club to Fareham on the south coast of England a distance of 375 miles. The blue hen came up trumps and won 1st prize and over £1,300 and a colour TV and was then named ‘The Gutty Hen’. Throughout the winter months Scott made up his mind that the Gutty hen was earmarked for the Gold Cup race for 2005. So when he paired up his race team she was kept separate and put in beside his darkness youngsters. Then half way through the season he paired her up then split her and played about with her prior to going to the Uttoxter race a distance of 225 miles and she came up and won 1st club. Two weeks later she was entered into the SNFC Newbury inland national a distance of 329 miles and she was Scott’s first pigeon winning 4th section D 45th open with a velocity of 1223 and she won £336. After the inland national the gutty hen was repaired to her cock and she then laid within 7 to 8 days. Scott then left her for a few days sitting and then gave her one training toss from each of the following points Kelso, Jedburgh and Dunbar. When the training was finished he took her cock away and played with her again with his gutty in the build up to the Gold Cup race. She was spot on and he had every confidence in sending only The Gutty Hen as his sole entry. She landed at 09.55am second morning and Scott had some fancier friends waiting with him, as he walked over to the loft speaking to her all the time she flew towards him and landed on the sputnik trap of the other loft right next to Scott. He put out his hands and picked her up and took off the rubber rings and timed her in. The lads with him could not believe what they were seeing and they all remarked that this Gutty Hen is in so much in love with him. Scott has been repaid for his dedication and commitment to this hen as she won over £2,468 for her efforts in this race. I know it doesn’t matter how much a pigeon wins but the point I am trying to emphases is that Scott observed that little thing in the loft as a yearling when the blue hen played up to his ‘gutty’ many people would have dismissed this however Scott took full advantage of this situation and by doing so he has reaped the benefits. Scott has told me that the money he wins in the Tours race will go to Cancer Research as he has won his share with the Gutty Hen in this race. I think this is a wonderful gesture from this man and I admire his values in donating this to charity. Any new starter reading this story should take note of the vital ingredient in pigeon racing ‘Observation’. I have said on many occasions, some fanciers see more in half an hour with their pigeons than others fanciers who are with their birds all day. If you keep too many pigeons and are constantly cleaning your loft you will miss little things like the above. Studying your pigeon’s behaviour is the difference between winning and being further down the sheet or even timing a pigeon in. Now for the breeding of The Gutty hen she is a John Bosworth crossed Billy Park of Busschaert fame. Sire was bred by John Bosworth and won 1st North West federation 4th open Scottish Central Combine from Sartilly. Dam is a dark hen who won 1st section 14th open SNFC Le Ferte Bernard last year’s Gold Cup race for Scott. Not bad going when you have a 14th open breeding a 4th open Gold Cup winners. Many fanciers would be grateful for just one of these pigeons in their loft never mind a mother and daughter, well done to Scott and many thanks for the details and his generous donation.
Dr Phil Lynch
Second section D 10th open from Alencon was the good Dr Phil who timed in a 2 year old dark chequer white flight hen doing a velocity of 955 for 549 miles. She was a late bred in 2003 and only trained to 40 miles in the year of her birth. Then as a yearling she was put on roundabout and flown to the south coast of England. This year she was paired up the first week in February sitting for 5 days and then Phil separated his team. They are all repaired on the 1st of April and again after sitting 5 days were separated and put on roundabout. Phil’s winner had six races and was then sent sitting 5 days on eggs to the inland SNFC Newbury race. On return she was given 30 mile training flights 2 days before basketing for the Gold Cup race and she was sent feeding a 4 day old youngster her first of the season. Phil says ‘Joe she has been a steady pigeon and has not won until she went to Alencon’, (these are the ones that matter Phil so I would not worry too much ) Sire is a dark chequer cock from De Kuyper bred by Louella Pigeon World while the dam is an inbred daughter of Calamity Jane who won 12th open SNFC Rennes for Phil. By this I mean she was bred from Calamity Jane when paired to a black cock that was bred off her Uncle and a sister pairing, my thanks to Phil for the details of his winner and for his kind words regarding my reports in the papers and on the web sites.
Tom & Mary Paterson of Plean
Third section D 13th open are the above husband and wife partnership who timed in a 2 year old blue hen flying 553 miles and recorded a velocity of 939. As a youngster their winner had 5 races and she was the partners 1st bird in the very first young bird race of that season. As a yearling she had 4 races and won 1st club 11th open Chichester a distance of 385 miles and recorded a velocity of 928, she was then stopped for the year. This year she had Garstang 145 miles, Leyland 169 miles, inland SNFC Newbury race a distance of 339 miles and she was the partner’s timer at 16.05 hours but failed to make the result. She then received 8 training tosses from 45 miles and one from Elphinstone while Tom was visiting a friend. On return from her last training flight which was the Friday before basketing Tom noticed that she did not go back onto her eggs and sat beside her cock on the perch. So he took a 5 day old youngster and put it in the nest pan, took the cock out of the loft and left the hen to take to the baby. He then replaced the cock later in the day and they both took to the baby. On the day of basketing he then took a newly hatched youngster and placed it under the hen and took the now 9 day old youngster out and put back into its own nest. The blue hen took to the new baby and this was how she was sent to the Gold Cup race. This is good management and I admire fanciers of this quality as they work hard to make sure things go right for their pigeons. No one can deprive this partnership this 13th open position or the other 2 section D winners as they have all explained in great detail how they used their skills as fanciers to bring the best out of their pigeons. Sire of Tom and Mary’s blue hen was a late bred cock from Dale Newcombe of Macmerry; he is from son of Matt McLaughlin & son Asterisk 1st open SNFC Rennes when paired to a daughter of Richard Combe’s Midnight Son. Bred in the purple as well you may notice. The late bred cock had 3 races to 170 miles as a yearling. Then as a 2 year old he won 3rd club 60th open from Maidstone in a very hard race, unfortunately lost at a training toss. Dam of the 13th open winner was a Van Wanroy from Ponderosa Stud being a grand daughter of the Black Giant that won 1st National 40,000 birds from Bergerac, 19th National 19,000 birds from Bergerac 41st open 15,500 birds Bergerac 1st combine from Ruffec. Some pigeon! As a matter of interest a son of the Black Giant was named Shaidani and he won 6th open Brive from 9,000 birds competing. To wet your appetite for more of the Paterson’s success a ½ sister to the 13th open Alencon winner won 1st club 4th open Salisbury 354 miles the week before Alencon for Tom and Mary. She is from the same dam with another Dale Newcombe cock this one bred from Kardale Style (Gold Award Winner) when paired to Regatta (Gold Award Winner). My thanks to Tom and Mary for the information on their winning pigeon and you will read more about this partnership as they are 3rd section D from Tours.
John & John Hood of Milton of Campsie
Section E winners are the father and son partnership of John & John Hood of Milton of Campsie near Kirkintilloch which is on the outskirts of Glasgow they also win
1st west section 15th open. The timed in a 2 year old blue bar cock at 11-57am flying a distance of 550 miles to record a velocity of 937. As a youngster the blue cock flew the full federation programme and as a yearling was raced out to Buckingham. This year he had 4 races out to Leicester which was about 3 weeks prior to the Alencon
race he was then trained for 8 days prior to basketing for the Gold Cup race, he returned with his 2nd flight just up. Dam was a gift from the late great Jock Allan of Symington whom we all know was one of the greatest fanciers to race in the SNFC. Sire was bred by George Rankin & son Gareth from their number one stock cock as son of Westbound Junior (Photo of happy John & John Hood with 1st west section 15th open winner.) (See my story on the Rankin partnership in BWH and I am going to add it to the web page once the old bird nationals are over and I have some spare time ha ha). Our congratulations to both John’s and I know they have tried hard to win the west section and this dream has now been achieved with the added bonus of 15th open as well. Both John’s will receive the A R Bowes Memorial trophy and the 1st section E trophy.
McQuire Brothers of Larkhall
The brother’s won 2nd section E 2nd west section 20th open with a 4 year old blue hen flying 533 miles and recording a velocity of 930. The winner was bred by Tom and William’s club mate Jimmy Wallace unfortunately they have no further details on her breeding. She was acquired as a 2 year old from Jimmy who had to give up the birds due to ill health. Tom McQuire does not want to bother Jimmy at the present time as he is just out of hospital after a major operation. Tom tells me that Jimmy has
successful obtained the site back in one eye which is great news. Tom and his bother William as well as all who know Jimmy Wallace wish him all the very best in the future. Tom and William broke her to her new loft location and she was then raced out to the SNFC Le Ferte Bernard Gold Cup race in 2004 she returned at 11.35am on the second morning the same time as she was timed from Alencon. This year she was raced from Ripon, Wakefield and then into the SNFC inland race from Newbury being the partner’s first bird to the loft. She then received 2 x 40 mile training tosses prior to basketing and was given 10 days rest with the occasional flagging with the young bird team at night depending on the weather. She was sent to Alencon feeding a 7 day old youngster her first of the season and obviously this was her motivating factor in doing so well. (Photo of Tom holding his 2nd west section 20th open winner) Congratulation to Tom, William and not forgetting Jimmy Wallace who will be over the moon at this performance.
W Rollo of Camelon
Third section E 30th open is Wattie Rollo of Camelon who timed in a 4 year old chequer pied cock flying 548 miles and recorded a velocity of 914. As a youngster he flew the full programme out to Garstang a distance of 113 miles. Then as a yearling he flew out to Maidstone 350+ miles. As a 2 year old out to Chichester 300+ miles and then last year he again flew Chichester before going to the SNFC Falaise race 3,025 birds were he won 27th east section 247th open velocity 1139 for the 520 mile trip. This year he has been raced from Lockerbie 60 mile, Appleby 70 mile, Garstang 113 miles, Uttoxter 270 mile and then into the comeback Lockerbie race. Wattie is a long distance lorry driver so he has the facilities to train from any point in the compass if he wishes and the birds received 10 x 35 mile tosses in a south and easterly direction prior to going to the Gold Cup race. Sire is home bred by Wattie from stock pigeons from his good friend Rickie Pearse of Oakley in Fife. Dam of the chequer pied cock was bred by Rickie to whom Wattie would like to thank for all his advice and help as well as some good pigeons over the years.
Carlin Brothers of Kilbrachan
Section F winner and 143rd open winners are Carlin Brothers of Kilbrachan in Renfrewshire which is west of Glasgow. They timed in a 4 year old late bred Grizzle hen that had to have an old ring put on her leg. She was unraced as a youngster due to being later bred and was only out to 100 miles as a yearling. As a 2 year old she was raced out to Claremont then this year she had Tow Law, Ripon, Leicester and the come back race from Otterburn club race and was flagged round the loft in the evening for an hour. She was entered for the Gold Cup race feeding a 4 day old baby with her 2nd flight just thrown. Sire is from Marr of Brechin while the dam is their own old family of pigeons. The Carlin Brothers win the SNFC section trophy (photo of David holding section F 148th open winner).
Welsh & Holland of Darvel
Second section F are the above partnership who timed in a 3 year old blue bar hen flying 529 miles and recorded a velocity of 644, winning nearly £300 for her efforts. I have tried to contact them on the telephone number the club secretary gave me but to no avail as the number is unobtainable. If anyone of the partners would like to contact me with details of their pigeon I will include them in a future report.
F Lawrie of Johnstone
Third section F is F Lawrie of Johnstone in Renfrewshire who timed in his 2 year old chequer pied hen flying 547 miles for a velocity of 628. I have phoned his number numerous times without any success, he is maybe on holiday. Would Mr Lawrie please contact me either by phone or letter with details of you winner and I will add it to my next report.
A & K Willox of Peterhead
First section G 1st North section 61st open is the A & K Willox partnership of Peterhead. They timed in a 2 year old blue hen at 16.16pm flying a distance of 632 miles to record 61st open which is a tremendous performance. The winning hen was raced out to the young bird national. As a yearling she flew the full programme out to Hastings were she won 2nd club. This year she was flown on roundabout for the first 5 races which was about the 220 mile mark. She was then repaired and was sent to Newark a distance of 300 miles however due to bad weather the birds were brought back to Northallerton a distance of 220 and this was her last race. She was then given one 60 mile training flight 2 days before basketing for the Alencon national. Sire is bred from Joe Shore crossed with the Spangles bloodlines. Dam was bred by George Brownlee of Carluke and is from Van Hee bloodlines. Congratulations to the partnership on this result and for winning the 1st section G trophy.
Jakie Ritchie of Inverallochy
Second north section 74th open is Jakie Ritchie who timed in his 4 year old blue chequer hen sent sitting 10 days on eggs. She covered the 644 miles to record a velocity of 847. As a youngster she flew out to 250miles and was stopped, then as a yearling she won 7th federation Newark 330 miles and was then stopped for the year. As a 2 year old she received a very bad injury by hitting wires and this also affected her wing so Jakie put her aside for the season as her brother and sister had already won 27th and 29th open SNFC Lille, so he knew how good this hen breeding was. As a 3 year old she was lightly raced with Jakie observing her on return from a training flight or race. This year she had every race on roundabout to Newark 330 miles, she then had one training flight from Brechin a distance of 70 miles single up prior to going to the Gold Cup race. Sire is a Dennis Dall of Ladybank stock cock while the dam is a grand daughter of Allochy Lass who won 1st north section 161st open SNFC Rennes in 1994 being the only north section bird on the day. Jakie says ‘Joe she is an honest doo as she has proved after the terrible injury she had’. My thanks to Jakie for supplying his details of his winner.
Dave & Callum McDougal of Peterhead
Third north section 93rd Open are the father and son partnership who timed in their 3 year old blue bar cock flying 633 miles for a velocity of 825. The partners only race a team of widowhood cocks and their winner was broken to their new location with his loft mates in March this year. His sire is from Sandy Robertson of Aberdeen and his dam is from the late Doddie Ross's lines, a pairing which has bred 3 birds to win 6 diplomas in the S.N.F.C from 3 years breeding. Dave and Callum’s bird had 3 races to 220 miles then into SNFC Newbury race a distance of 424 miles, where he was 6th North Section after being 12 ½ hours on the wing. This was his final preparation for the Gold cup race from Alencon as a matter of interest this cock has previously won 12th North Section Falaise in 2004 from 601 miles.
Conclusion
J D Robertson of Dunfermline wins the Kardale Trophy for the 1st yearling flying over 500 miles.
The SNFC are indebted to The British Homing World: - publication of results in BHW. Bamfords Feeds for supplying feeding for all SNFC races. Also to Alan McGonigal for sponsorship of Erskine Hospital prizes.
Other Snippets
After going over the open result it is obvious that the Alencon race was a hen type of race as the first 5 pigeons in the open are all hens. We then had 8 out of the first 10 hens, 13 in the first 20 and 26 in the first 40 in the open. Studying the first 40 open places we notice that 13 of these birds are 2 year olds, however the thing that caught my eye was 3 fanciers sent a 6 year old hen and each one of these hens won £496 - £682 - £703 respectively. So these 99 bred pigeons must have proved there worth over the years or their owners would not have pooled them. 3 fanciers in the first 40 sent 1 bird and they won 4th open Scott Gibson, 18th open John Duthie and 38th open T W Hopewell of Galashiels. There were 10 fanciers who sent 1 bird and made the open result which speaks volumes for their confidence in their pigeon and well done to each one of you. If we look at the amount of money won by individual pigeons we will see that 2 pigeons won nearly £5, 000 between them as they both won well over £2,000 +, 3 pigeons won between £1,500 and £2,000, while 19 birds won between £500 and £1,000 with 67 birds winning between £100 and £500 so overall a very worthwhile venture to these successful fanciers. If you have a good pigeon and you want a gamble on it then this is the race to do so as the pools came to nearly £34,500.
Personally it does not matter to me how much a pigeon wins as I look at the open result and credit the bird’s performance from this. However we are in a time within our culture where money is also a very important commodity and there are fanciers who look to see how much money a pigeon has won before looking at the open position. A glaring example of this is the next piece of information I would like to highlight. Willie Kinnear and Son Barry timed in Auld Reekie last years Gold Cup winner to win 24th open. When you look at Auld Reekie results he is an exceptional pigeon in that when he won 11th open Falaise his velocity was 993, then
2 weeks later he was sent back to win 1st open Le Ferte Bernard and recorded a velocity of 1153. In this Alencon race his velocity was 923 which proves he can win at any speed which speaks volumes for the Kinnear partnership as they must have had him ‘spot on’ when going to each of these SNFC races. Barry has recently told me that he is bouncing about the loft and is driving his hen to nest so it looks as if he will be going to the last national from Falaise on the 12th of July. What a pigeon and what brave fanciers I know that when I won the national I stopped my winner, whereas the Kinnear’s have great faith in this pigeon and I would not be surprised if they kept him racing until he won the Gold Award. If he does then he should be re named the GOLDEN COCK as he would have won the Gold Cup and a Gold Award. Now I don’t know if a Gold Cup winner has ever won a Gold Award maybe someone can enlighten me on this one if not then who knows Auld Reekie may be a history maker into the bargain. I remember Dave Woolf of Dunbar hen Deer Park Lady won the national and a gold award but I don’t remember a Gold Cup winner. Well done to Willie and Barry on another outstanding performance with a top quality ‘doo’. May I also wish Mrs Pat Kinnear all the best again and I am glad to hear that you are now feeling a bit better after another stay in hospital.
Compiled and copyright Joe Murphy
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The winner of 1st Section C 1st East Section 1st Open winning the SNFC Gold Cup is Frank Tarnawski of High Valleyfield with his light blue chequer 5 year old hen Marisia Nawski who recorded a velocity of 1084.
1st Section B 1st South Section 2nd Open is Ralston Graham of Langholm with his Sporting Challenge entry Eskvalley Jacky who recorded a velocity of 1070.52.
1st Section B 2nd East Section 3rd Open is Norrie Cochrane of Elphinstone with a blue 3 year old hen who recorded a velociy of 1070.22.
On behalf of the officials, management committee and the members of our great club we congratulate Frank, Ralston and Norrie on having 3 outstanding pigeons.
Joe Murphy SNFC Press Officer
First Times
I would like to thank the following people who supported me in phoning into the lib line service to update their pigeon. Well done to all who time in a bird in this very hard race.
South Section
Ralston Graham Langholm 07-59 with Eskvalley Jacky his Sporting Challenge Pigeon
Billy Van Nuil of Gretna 09-32am
White & Maxwell Gretna 09-41am
John Hodgson Kirkpatrick Fleming 09-43am
Angus Simmons Annan 09-51
W Gilmour Ecclefechan 10-06am
R J Rome Annan 10-38am
E Johnstone Annan 10-57am
J F McCarton Annan 10-50am
W Anderson Dalbeattie 11-37am
W Smith Dumfries 12-08
Mr & Mrs Graham Ecclefechan 14-24 & 14-36pm
East Section
Section B
Norrie Cochrane Elphinstone 09-24am
John Bird Preston Pans 10-06am - 11-20am -13-07
Bobby Dickson Preston Pans 10-31am
Wattie Hope Galashiels 11-16
Eggy Jamieson Galashiels 11-25
A Dewar Bonnyrigg 11-22
W Kinnear & Son Edinburgh 11-43am with Auld Reekie last years 1st open winner.
Andy Miller Edinburgh 11-52am
Stan Bonnington Loanhead 12-38pm
Mr & Mrs Williamson Pennycuick 13-13
Lee Graham 13-14
Mr & Mrs Ainsley Ormiston 14.44
Dale Newcombe Macmerry 14-52
Gordon Tulis Pathhead 15-00
Jim Sanderson Pathhead 15-06
C Dickson Bonnyrigg 15-45
Gus Munro Galashiels 17-22
R & B Hogan & Craddick Tranent 17-59
Section C
Frank Tarnawski High Valleyfield in Fife 09-37am
Brian Donnelly Dundee 11-34am
J Doig Cardenden 12-27
C W & L Jarvis Cardenden 12.30
Dan McNealy Oakley 12-42
J Duthie Dundee 12-43 (1 away going for Gold Award)
Brian Chalmers Kennoway 12-58
John Robertson Dunfermline 12-59
Kevin J Murphy Ladybank 13-25 with an inbred great grand daughter of Mystical Rose my 1st open SNFC Sartilly winner.
Mike Donnachie Kingseat 13-31 this pigeon is also related to Mystical Rose.
Len Downie Errol 13-35
A McCudden Freuchie 14-15
J & B Hunter Dunfermline 14-20
Keith Cochrane Crossgates 14-22
Rab Pearson Crossgates 14-48
Bill Dorward Arbroath 14-56 & 17-53 Bill’s 1st pigeon was the same hen he timed in at 23.00 hours last year Starlight.
Terry Turpie Pitlessie 15-27
J Hynd & Son Crossgates 15-49
A Nelson Tayport 16-20
J & G Peggie Methil 17-22
Mr & Mrs Cunningham Rosyth 17-48pm
Section D
Scott Gibson Falkirk 09-55am
Davie Jamieson EastCalder 11-33am
Dr Phil Lynch Larbert 11-37am
T & M Paterson Plean 12-01
J & W Strang & son California 12-51
Dorran Brothers Broxburn 12-48
D McKinnes Larbert 13-38
Section E
McQuire Brothers Larkhall 11.34am
J & J Hood Milton of Campsie 11-58am
Dave Gillespie Blantyre 12-08
David Allison Burnbank 12.10
W Rollo Carlin 12-38
Billy Allison Cambuslang 13-03
David Richardson Wishaw 13-17
R Richardson & Son Hamilton 13-46
Gordon Orr Eaglesham 15-45
A McInnes Blantyre 16-07
G Murray Chaplehall 17-00
Section F
R Jukes Jnr East Kilbride 18-24
Section G
A & K Willox Peterhead 16-16
Sandy Robertson Aberdeen 16-43
Liberation News
The convoy of 2251 birds were liberated at 13.15pm on Sunday 26th June 2005 into a North to North East wind. The convoy were liberated in sunshine with lovely blue sky at the liberation point. The weather report from Steve Appleby is as follows.
Weather Report
During Saturday night a large mass of cloud carrying some light rain developed over the Bay of Biscay. At 06:00 it was monitored moving across northern and central France. As a result conditions cleared progressively from the west. This movement after some considerable time effectively freed the race point of cloud cover allowing the SNFC to liberate. The line of fight from France to the channel was clear with varying amounts of cloud cover. The channel would present the greatest difficulty for the SNFC convoy of pigeons. The birds upon approaching the channel would encounter a force 4 north-easterly wind flow, on occasions gusting force 5. This wind will be the main factor deciding the success of the race. The northeast wind over the mainland is lighter, therefore affording some relief to the pigeons as they approach the English coastline. Visibility in the channel greatly improved during the early hours of this morning and is now 20 miles plus. Confirmation received from data recorded by the Channel Lightship. Weather conditions through England are very good although a light north easterly wind will prevail. A tough race in prospect all down to the north easterly wind flow, I must thank Steve Appleby our weather expert for all his help to the race control team of the SNFC, he is worth his weight in gold as are Bobby Graham, Richard Combe Jim Hannah and of course our race convoyer Colin Gray. Without the dedication to the club and the member’s pigeons we cannot THANK them all enough. Well done to each one of you.
With the late liberation there will be no pigeons into Scotland on the day so Monday will be a long wait for our birds. The good thing is that the good weather we experienced today Sunday will be with us again tomorrow so this will help the birds make it home, hopefully in good time.
I will now give you an update on other organisations that have been racing from France today Sunday 26th June.
From Fougeres flying into Wales there were no birds reported from a distance of 360 miles.
From Saintes into the West Midlands the earliest pigeon I heard about took 8 hours 35 minutes to cover the 369 miles with very few pigeons home.
The earliest pigeon into the Cumbria region from Fougeres was doing 35 miles an hour for this 400 mile race point but there are not many birds reported.
The Up North Combine liberated a convoy of 1300 birds at Bourges at 5.30am with the shortest fliers flying from 520 miles. At 22.00 hours there were no birds recorded into the combine.
We must thank our race convoyer Colin Gray who has worked so hard to care for the SNFC member’s pigeons. Also to our race control team who have spent hours each morning finding out weather reports and talking to fanciers from England and France in anticipation of a race. It is very frustrating for them and to you the members of the club with the whole weekend spoiled due to the weather. However as I have said on many occasions the welfare of the pigeons must come first and this is exactly what the race controllers and our weather expert Steve Appleby for all they have done. I know that I was confined to the house today and kept updating the lib line to try and inform our members on any progress. Our president has been up since 05.30am and has had to go to work night shift tonight so you can imagine how he will be feeling on Monday. Still if he times in a good pigeon then it will be well worth it. I would like to wish you all the very best again in this Gold Cup race. It is a long time since we had a mid afternoon or midday liberation so it will be interesting to see how this race spans out. The North lads have advocated for this for a long time and we will find out how their pigeons do tomorrow Monday.
Good Luck to all,
Joe Murphy
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