Vire 2013 Full Report

A Lightning Fast Vire Victory For Albert Farrow

 

for full report click below

 

Every year when the MNFC holds their ‘Double Header’ races it normally tends to highlight the differences between these Marathon and Middle distance events. This season’s races though did take me by surprise as the early leader on the now famed ‘Leaderboard’ in the middle distance Vire race stuck like glue to pole position. Whilst in the Bordeaux event the provisional winner changed several times and represented a game of ‘pass the parcel’. Why the different scenario is anyone’s guess?

 In this report I am covering the Vire race which attracted another fine entry with 4,379 birds being released at 7.00 am on the Sunday morning after a one day holdover. The convoyer Darren Barton reported excellent weather conditions and a helping South, South Westerly wind. The ‘first droppers’ in particular needed to be ’on their ‘nurky’ to avoid any danger of being caught out. Farrow vire Groom Bord13 002This was to prove to be sound advice as the race winner belonging to Albert Farrow of Irthingborough, which is near to Northampton, clocked his 4 year old Blue cock at a break-neck speed of 1815.7 yards per minute. The bird covering the 242 miles in just 3 hours 54 minutes! Over the next few hours the other members times came in but none seriously threatened Albert’s ‘arrow’. I travelled over to see Albert and his winning bird and it was no great surprise to hear that the pigeon was of Soontjen origins, a family of birds noted for being speed merchants and ideal for the conditions that prevailed on the day. The pigeon was actually bred by Corby fancier Josh Murphy being given to Albert’s club for a breeder buyer sale. I wasn’t told how the bird fared in that event but he made no mistake from Vire that’s for sure. Farrow vire Groom Bord13 005Albert told me that in the future he is going to concentrate more on the MNFC longer distance races and he has already tasted success in previous Bordeaux races with the club but felt that he needed more ‘distance’ blood in his loft so he has been and invested in a few longer distance type pigeons. So with this in mind we need to look out for the name Farrow on future longer race results.

At 2nd National and also from the same South East section as the winner were the Montila Brothers. These lads are the original ‘shrinking violets’ and so I have no details of their pigeon other than to say that it is a yearling Blue cock which records a velocity of 1798 for Peter and Robert. What I can tell readers is that the Montilas, who are previous MNFC winners are very fierce competitors who prefer their pigeons to do the talking - enough said!

In 3rd & 4th open positions and 1st & 2nd South Centre section is Mick Lennon of Nuneaton on 1794 and 1792 respectively. Mick has been flying exceptionally well with the MNFC for a few years now but I must admit that I expected to see the Lennon name in the longer Bordeaux result rather than from Vire. I had a nice chat with Mick and he was full of praise for the convoyers and the MNFC saying that his birds returned in excellent condition and that without a doubt that ‘ the club had got it right’. The two birds homed together and the first one being a Cassaert pigeon bred by Alistair Ewart from his No 1 pair the sire being a grandson of ‘Nasdaq’ and a daughter of ‘Limoges King’ which as many will know are two of the late Maurice Cassaert’s best ever pigeons. This cock wins the Massarella sponsored £500 Nomination. The 4th placed bird is a Roger Maris pigeon and won 3rd section in the earlier Fougeres race. His sire is a past winner of 1st section from Tours while his dam is a of Mick’s 2nd open Bordeaux winner. So is there any real shock to see these two figure so highly in the result?

It was just like Noah’s ark once again with another case of ‘two by two’ as in 5th and 6th Open places and 1st & 2nd North section is Simon Parkinson of Crowle. Simon also had two ‘roundabout’ hens drop together. The first to ‘clock in’ being a yearling which Simon told me has flown very well winning prizes in 10 out of her 11 races this season. She has five good results already in the MNFC with the best being 10th section and 45th Open from Caretan 3424 bird in 2012 as a YB and 10th section 49th Open this year from Fougeres against 6861 pigeons. Her breeding is Jochems-Van Hasselt being directly from Simon’s best breeding pair. In 2012 she 11th MNFC Ace Young Bird and she will be right up there this year also. Ever likely and she wins over £1140 for her owner. The loftmate clocked just 12 seconds later records 1786 just 1 yard behind the 5th Open winner. This one is also a yearling and is also a J-VH pigeon. Simon is one of the new breed of fanciers who spends much time studying the Belgian racing scene to pin point which lofts to visit.

7th Open and 3rd SC section is Coventry fanciers Gair, Son & Grandson. The result is dedicated to the senior partner Wally who passed away earlier in the year. In fact the 7th open winner is now known as ‘Wally’s Girl’. This bird is another ‘class act’ with a string of fine wins to her name which would be even more impressive but for faulty ETS pads. I was told that the birds were coupled late this year due to the Senior partners sad death and the early results were disappointing but the results have started to flow of late culminating in this great result. ‘Wally’s Girl’ is Van de Weyer x Houben/Staf Van Reet. Her father being an RPRA award winner ‘42’ which won 3rd section 14th Open from Bergerac a few years ago. Since then this cock has produced 4 generations of Fed toppers and birds to win from Bath to Bordeaux and this kind don’t grow on trees! The dam is from Barry Evans of Chapel End from his Ashby Gold Ring race winner who has amongst her wins, 3rd Open from Guernsey. This is also another very potent winning line.

Thanks are extended to Maurice Brown who lent the Gairs two ETS pads while theirs were being repaired and the person responsible for damaging Ian’s car while he was helping mark the birds at Atherstone marking station. ‘’I hope that they had the race they deserved’’ was Ian’s comment and I don’t think that he was being complimentary!!

Winning the East section and 8th Open we see a partnership that is normally at the shows manning their pigeon supply stand and this is Mr & Mrs Paul Newbold of Boston. Their bird is a 3 year old Blue hen that recorded 1780. She is of Soontjen breeding and a granddaughter of the couples ‘S ring’ a winner of 17 x 1st Prizes. I was also told that ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ and ‘The Docherty Cock’ are also prominent in the section winners pedigree. She was sent sitting 8 day old eggs.

Yet another loft to see double was D. & J. Hawkins & Evans who got a cock and hen arrive together. Their first timer that will be 3rd North section and 9th open is a Blue cock with an absolute string of brilliant performances to his credit (see photo) and is called ‘Cruise Missile’. He is 50% Vandeabeele from ‘Wittenbuik’ & ‘Ronker’ lines from Myrtle Lofts and a hen from J. & D. Staddon, a dtr of ‘Vale Diamond’x ‘Lady Supreme’ and a hen off Mark Gilbert’s ‘Southfield Supreme’. Their second timer which lays claim to 4th section and 11th Open is a lightly raced 4 year old hen and is a granddaughter of ‘Superman’ a brother of Morning Star and contains many of M. & D. Evans best birds in it’s breeding.

Sneaking into 10th Open and winning the North East section is G. & S. Daykin & Son who enjoyed a really good day with section wins from both Vire and Bordeaux. The Daykins in fact also take 3rd and 5th NE section. The first bird called ‘Blue & Black’ is a 2 year old hen which has been very consistent this year. It is one from Gary’s famed stock of Soontjens. The velocity is 1767.6 just ½ yard in front of the Hawkins’ 2nd timer.

Let’s scoot around the sections now first of all tidying up in the North and NE sections. First John Coxon who has been pushed down into 6th section due to the ‘double barrels’ of messrs Parkinson and Hawkins. This underlines my stance in refusing to write the full report until the final result is in print. John’s pigeon is a Cattrysse based pigeon obtained off the famed Cattrysse fancier Cannock’s Colin Lloyd. Back to the North East section now and a loft that is really enjoying a good season which is the Betts, Topham & Son team. Their timer on this occasion for 2nd section is a Blue yearling cock flown on the widowerhood system. This was his first channel race and he appears to like it. He is a homebred bird containing the Soontjen x Wildemeersche bloodlines that the partners have been racing for 20 odd years now. In 4th section is G. Inger & Son of Kimberley who clocked a yearling Blue hen on 1759. I simply couldn’t resist covering Rich Turner’s 6th NE section winner as he was extremely well fancied and is called ‘Hugh Heffner’ due to his antics as something of a pigeon playboy. This cock wins just short of £1,000 for his efforts. He showed his potential by winning 1st and 2nd placings in his previous two races. Hugh is a Leen Boers x Vandenabeele Richard’s best breeding pair.

Victorious in the South West is K. Smith and son who clocked a yearling cock bred by Michael Burnett of Malton and he is a Louis Leemputten bird the family made famous by my friends the Wright Brothers. Son martin tells me that this was this cock’s 7th channel race of the year! He had previously been 2nd club from Caretan and 1st club from Portland. A few weeks before the MNFC’s final race the loft encountered a bad channel race and the birds were rested and just given a couple of 30 mile training flights and given their hens on the eve of the Vire National and their good cock came out of batch of young birds to record 1764 and win the section. I’m told that Martin, a previous winner of the MCC, is now moving his lofts to his home just along the road but what an excellent way to sign off! In 2nd section is a man whose name I always look out for and that is George Crosby of Shareshill who was one of my first ports of call years ago when I first took over the reins as the MNFC press officer in 2003. ‘Hells bells’ that’s a long time ago isn’t it?. Ten years not out, not bad eh? Back on track George clocked a cross bred 2 year old Blue widower cock on 1754. He is off a cock containing A. & L. Painter blood when crossed with a Colin Lloyd Cattrysse x Jack Walker Soontjen. Well done George.

At 3rd SW section we see the ‘Nessies’ and I’m not talking about the Loch Ness variety but the partnership of Nesbitt & Sons of Rugeley. They clocked a 2 year old cock well fancied that will add nearly another ‘grand’ to the season’s kitty. Right behind we have another MNFC stalwart in the guise of Jonathan Hamphlett of Stafford. Jon’s yearling Blue hen just 1 yard behind the Nessies on 1742

Up to the North West section now and Mr & Mrs Andy Hargreaves take 1st section just one year after winning the 2012 Vire race. Their bird is a 3 year old hen. Her sire is the lofts No1 breeder, a dark cock off Cannock’s Walker & Booth ‘Shadow’ bloodlines. The dam is a Marc de Cock hen bought at a sale of Marc’s in the West Midlands. She is also mother of the lofts first bird from Fougeres which won 9th section a few weeks previously. Andrew tells me that he had to fetch his latest section winner. This goes to show that a good bird deserves to be nursed and this hen now named Isabel after the couple’s granddaughter has repaid the care bestowed on her. Andrew tells me that she is now going into the breeding loft. A very wise decision I feel. They are a long time lost mate.2nd NW section goes to Bill Turnock who only joined the club a few weeks previously, his reward was supplied by his 2 year old Dark cock which is predominantly Roger Sutton’s Van de Weyer blood with a touch of Keith William’s of Bamber Bridges good Mealy cock’s blood - this bird has 3x 1st Fed wins to his credit. Always consistent though a bad trapper he won 12th section L with the NFC sent sitting 6 day eggs and with a 25 day old baby. From the MNFC Vire race he was sent in the same condition and he repaid the boss’s faith with a nice cheque for nearly 550 ‘smackaroos’. Well worth joining us then Mt T! Bill sends his congratulations to the section winners Mr & Mrs Hargreaves. 3rd NW section is filled by one of our regular lofts that of Longton’s Adams Brothers They had a 2 year old chequer hen trap for a velocity of 1737. This hen which was bred by their good friend Gary Ayres is of Lambrecht origins and she has been a consistent performer for the partners and was one half a dozen of their shorter distance pigeons that were retained after the lads decided to concentrate on National racing using these birds for the shorter channel races. In 4th NW section is the Harriseahead team of J & R McLatchie who reformed in 2011 after a few years break while the birds took a back seat as the younger McLatchie raised his 3 young children. Their bird is 2 year old Braspenning cock which was purchased from Louella as a baby. The bird showed his rising form with 13th section from the recent tough Ancenis race. The bird is raced on the widowerhood system.

We need to head over the border into North Wales now where we find Derrick Jones on 1665 who the local scribe Jeff Reynolds dubbed the ‘Woodfield Wizard’ and after several great seasons for Derrick and his birds we are left in little doubt as to why he got that nickname. This latest West section winning bird is a 2 year old chequer cock which also did well in the previous Ancenis race when he was 10th section. The bird is bred from a Dutch cock from Heesters Brothers who are excellent Middle distance fanciers. I think that it is fair to say that Derrick has some of the very best from the brothers. The mother is yet another daughter from Derrick’s legendary ‘Niort Cock’. This bird was an excellent racing bird but an even better breeder and definitely one of the pigeons that helped turn his owner into a ‘wizard’.

2nd & 3rdsection is filled by another partnership that is always one to look out for and these guys are Noon & Callan. The lads first timer on 1651 is a 5 year old widowhood hen which I’m told has always been a very consistent performer. She is a Vandenabeele obtained from their good friends A & S Hughes stock. Nice one boys but next time send me a better photo because though the quality of the copy I received was poor you are obviously two handsome dudes. Unfortunately I have no details of their second pigeon which recorded 1647 other than it a yearling hen. 4th West section is filled by Chorley’s Little & Son who clocked a 4 year old Blue hen recording 1643 for the 340 mile race. It’s amazing how many hens are now winning big time since the advent of the roundabout and widowhood system no longer are hens the weaker sex!. I have included a photo of young Jamie Langrish who I am told is as keen as mustard and who will I’m sure become a force in the future.

Back to the East section in 2nd position is Richard True with a three year old Delbar cock bred down from Richards old family which originated from Northern Ireland’s famous Baliclaire race horse and racing pigeon breeders David McNeilly when crossed with Chatham & Drury’s Queens Cup winner which incidentally is also based on the McNeilly Delbars. The bird I hear has been hampered with injury and only had three races this season. So patience has been rewarded and this is Richard’s second 2nd section placing. So here’s hoping for third time lucky Richard. Just .3 of a yard behind on 1729.6 we have Burstwick fanciers Mr & Mrs Lister who timed a 3 year old Blue cock. Sadly I have no more information on this one. 4th slot is filled by Gary Hoyles & daughter. The bird that scored for them is a yearling Chequer cock which was previously flown on the widowerhood system when he won two 2nd prizes and is bred from a pair of Darren Peters pigeons which was purchased at Doncaster show a couple of years ago. For his first channel race he was sent sitting 14 day old eggs. Gary says that he has had a good year’s racing with the MNFC with good returns from all of the races.

Rounding up the South Centre section in 4th place is Leicester’s Barry Lovell on 1760 with a 3 year old chequer cock but no further info I’m afraid. While 5th spot is occupied by Dave Hardy who is a South road convert after previously flying on the North Road. The bird responsible for this result is a 2 year old Blue Soontjen cock bred by Gary Kent. Dave hopes that this is just the start of a new South Road racing career.

Back to the South East section now and in 3rd place we have J. & T. Gateley who cocked 2011 Chequer widower cock which records a velocity 1759 and the bird was bred by their good friend Jeremy Wright who is a past MNFC race winner and has a strong stock loft. The Little Harrowden loft of Lee Smith fills the next two places in the SE section. Lee like a few others saw two birds home together for velocities of 1747 and 1746. Both birds are yearlings and there ring numbers are consecutive ones so maybe a nest pair? Either way they are two very good pigeons.

Information from the East South East section seems very scarce for some reason but I would ask any fancier who is in the provisional top four section places to get in touch with me preferably by email or failing that by phone. I will give you these details at the end of this report.

Winning the ESE section is Colin Manly of Necton. Colin clocked a yearling Blue Chequer cock for a velocity of 1633. I’m sure that Colin will be delighted with the lovely trophy that will have his name on it at the Prize distribution at Doncaster on the 23rd November run in conjunction with the Old Comrades show it is a great pigeon weekend. 2nd section is Thom & Child of Clenchwarton sadly no more info other than it is a 2 year old Blue hen recording a velocity of 1625. One partnership who has been in touch with me are the 3rd section winners Mr & Mrs Pat Royle. They told me that they enjoyed a good day’s racing with a Perry Brothers of Kings Lynn Vandenbrouke yearling hen. They were also delighted to clock a good bird from Bordeaux so it was a case of happy days.

Finally on to the North North West section and leading them home here is Chorley’s Tim Webster. Tim’s bird is a grandson of his good stock cock ‘40’ which is a Vandenabeele pigeon. This cock has bred a large number of winners for both Tim and other fanciers. Further proof of this statement is the fact that Tim’s timer is off a son of ‘40’ with 4 x1sts to his name. On the dam’s side she is a granddaughter of ‘40’ and her nestmate won 1st central Lancs combine from Portland against 6800+ pigeons. 2nd NNW section is Geoff Spaven who due to a severe health problem has struggled to compete in much racing for a year or two now so his mate John Highley has stepped into the breach and racing has recommenced albeit in a different way to the system employed in the past. The bird responsible is a widowerhood cock and a J. L. Roberts Delbar that has served Geoff for many years now crossed with a Jan Polder daughter of his ‘Black Magic Woman’. Geoff sends his gratitude to the MNFC for the opportunity to give him the option of enjoying good channel racing. In 3rd section is Harrison & Hull of Bamber Bridge. Sadly they declined to send in any info because they would have been only 32nd in the old West section. Isn’t that exactly the reason why we have offered the chance for North Western located members to fly in their own section come on folks don’t miss this golden opportunity to race with the very best flyers in the best conditions possible. Our results and returns prove this not to be just press officer ‘spin’. The Midland National is the real deal. In 4th section is a fancier that totally agrees with my comments and this is Mr Howarth who flies with his partner as Howarth & Booth. They timed a yearling Jan Theelen x Jan Aarden which is from a pair that have bred other winners including a brother that won 1st from Niort 527 miles a couple of years ago. Mr Howarth was very positive about the new section and is sure that it will expand and grow as more members and federations join our ranks. That is what we want to hear.

Members please note

   Over the last couple of races we have had to disqualify a couple of fanciers for no print outs or missing clock strikes. Please remember that the onus to see all is correct is on the member so make sure that you get your copy of the print out or your pink clock receipt in the case of conventional timers. This is your insurance if the original copy goes AWOL

My email and telephone details This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

                                                                                                         Mike Lakin