National Bulletin 15 - 2004 DAX International Report
After last years great success in this race thoughts were on a much improved entry but that did not happen, this is more than likely a case of fanciers sending their best and looking for greater rewards in the pools systems available. Thoughts were also on could it happen again or would the excellent performances of 2003 be a flash in the pan, not likely the British fanciers were not going to sit down and rest on their laurels. 2004 has seen them come out stronger and more determined than ever to make the British fanciers a force to be reckoned with on the International scene.
This is where the birds came from for this second venture into European competition. Alveley Social Club 8/17. Crewe 20/43. Exeter 10/20. Frome 31/112. Stowmarket (B.I.C.C) 18/58. Ash (B.I.C.C) 22/83. Horndean 60/205. Sheffield 18/44, making the race totals 582 birds from 187 members. Because this is an International race we shall add a few more members than usual to the BEST OF BRITISH.
1st sec E 1st open 1st International Dax goes to the very likeable Mark Gilbert of Winkfield who clocked a 2y blue cock from the Van Elsacker lines and was 4th L&SEC yearling Derby, 16th Le Ferte Bernard also with the CSCFC. A full sister was 56th open Pau, 30th open Saintes, 12th open BBC Nantes and has also won well in the club. The preparation started with two training tosses at the beginning of the year. They do not get any more training during the season and are exercised twice daily, this being at both ends of the day and if they don’t cover the hour then they are flagged. They are fed on a mixture that is made up by Geoff Cooper which is made up of 3 parts maize one and a half parts maple one red band one buckwheat and one barley, the last 7 feeds prior to any particular race the barley is taken out and the maize and peanuts are added. Prior to basketing the cock was left with the hen for just one minute and then into the basket. Mark would like to thank everyone who worked hard to put the race on which made it possible for him to achieve a dream in his chose hobby. The perseverance of these people has taken the sport in the UK to new heights over the last two seasons for the benefit of the sport and the fanciers who compete in it. Having just spoken to Mark on Tuesday at 12noon and he said that it has still not sunk in yet, believe me Mark you have done it, well done.
1st sec G 2nd open 2nd International goes to last years winner Brian Sheppard from Trowbridge clocked a year old late bred widowhood cock at 18.18 called “Super Sumo” to win 2nd NFC Dax and 2nd International Dax. This cock is a half brother to “Legend” last years International winner. The sire of “Super Sumo” is a Jos Thone cock called “Sumo” and the Dam is a daughter of “Reggie”, who is from Brian’s own family of birds. “Reggie” was a super racing cock, winning as a young bird - 3rd open single bird Guernsey, 2nd open Farrington Gurney 2B Penzance & 12th West of England SR CombineCherbourg, then as an old bird, 1st West of England SR Combine Saintes, 33rd CSCFC Rennes, 17th CSCFC Bergerac, 14th CSCFC Pau & 6th Pau Classic. All the race birds were paired at the end of January and reared two young birds. “Super Sumo” had this season three Picauvilles, Nantes BBC and Nantes NFC where he came back hawked. He had another Picauville after this and then into Dax.
Brian was thrilled for Mark Gilbert to win the International and for Britain in general to have such a good International race. He just wishes all the knockers who tried to stop the NFC taking part in this race, will have a go themselves next year.
2nd 3rd 4th 5th sec G 3rd 5th 16th 18th Open (top20plus International pos) Geoff Cooper timed his last years 7th open Dax winner “Farm Boy” to win 3rd open NFC and 12th open International. “Farm Boy” went to Pau NFC this year where he won 132nd and he has also won for Geoff, 49th BBC Nantes, 56th NFC Saintes, 7th NFC Dax, & 475th International Dax. He is a grandson of Deweerdts International winner Emile. Geoff had another bird on the day, a 2y cock who is out of a son of Deweerdts “Emile” and a sister to “Nicholls”. At the time of writing, Geoff had timed seven birds; four will be in the first twenty of the NFC result. The first two will be 12th and 35th International.
2nd sec 4th Open (top 20 International pos) Mr & Mrs Kevin Hitchcock & Sons who clocked a 2y blue hen “Lady Becky” named after Kevin’s mother who passed away recently. This is a full sister to their 1st Open BICC Pau winner a few weeks ago and has really been tested this season. in the run up to this Dax race she went to Tours L&SECC 27th Open, then clocked at Nantes in the NFC. 215th open Pau NFC, home for 4 days and then sent to Bergerac 3rd club all pools after flying 13hrs 47mins. Then 4 days later basketed for this Dax International where she again made her presence felt. Sire is from Geoff Gilbert and is a pure Geoff Cooper pigeon while the dam is a De Klak from Terry Hudson. The partnership has had a real good season and has now decided to lock up the old birds and concentrate on the youngsters. Kevin did add that he would like to congratulate his good friend Mark Gilbert on a brilliant performance with the International.
J.W.Puddephatt of Ferring comes in with 1st section B 6th open we understand that this is one from his old family of Mitcheson/Southwell pigeons that have been cultivated over many years. John Tyerman also believes that it is a w/h cock and is one of the Pau pigeons clocked on the night. John just races to a small back garden loft with a small team of pigeons and has been in pigeon racing for over 50yrs. JW is one of the famous Puddephatt bros whose winnings are known world-wide. JW if you can send me a few more details I would appreciate it.
1st sec B 7th open sees J.R.Ayling of Fareham timed a half sister to his 2002 Pau NFC winner and she is also a half sister to his 29th Pau NFC 2004 pigeon. Her sire is from his Delbar based family and the Dam is from Norman Southwell bloodlines. She went to Pau NFC 2004 and was 340th on the result. For this race she was sitting 5 or 6 days.
In 8th open 1st Section F are Crowley and Green who timed a yearling dark pied hen sent chipping her first eggs of the season. This Dutch hen is one of their recent introductions of distance pigeons from the successful Harry Brakele. This pigeon had been flown on the roundabout system all season and paired up specifically with this race in mind. Prior to this race she had the preparation of 8 races including Picauville twice, Vains, Messac and Cholet. Richard recognised two years ago that although successful at 4 to 500 miles his big weakness was strength in depth over 500 miles and is relying on these Brakele pigeons to fill that gap.
Race advisor ray Barrington comes in with 1st sec D 9th open with a Jan Arden/VDW that is flown on widowhood. This is not the first time that this pigeon has come good having previously won 1st Section D 20th Open Saintes NFC. 4th Section D Saintes, 5th Section D Nantes, 9th Section Pau, 14th Section Pau. The preparation for Dax was in the Vaines Combine race then into the Nantes NFC before going to Lamballe with Devon and Cornwall Continental Flying Club. This section winner was not raced as a youngster. Feed for all widowers is Buxton Super Widowhood and Countrywide Irish Mix with the addition of Homoform fed at all times. The preparation obviously worked because he arrived in fantastic condition after 13 hours 40 minutes flying. The loft does not undertake any inland racing as all birds are raced out of Lamballe or Vaines with the Combine and Devon and Cornwall Continental Flying Club. Prior to Dax the loft has been 2nd Section Pau i.e. Saintes four times in the last five years.
1st sec L 10th open goes to Gordon Rigg of Congleton who we have not been able to get hold of, even his good friend Roger Sutton called round without success.
Dear Sir.
Could you please pass on my congratulations to Mr. Mark Gilbert on winning the International Dax, as I have no other way of doing it? And well done to all English fanciers on a fine race once again, just wish it was within our distance to do it up here in Scotland. There can’t be any better challenge in the sport than International racing. Well done again to you all.
Yours in sport. Davie Stirling.
After receiving the above, I first must give my congratulations to all the members who have timed in the Dax Nat. & Int. The National Flying Club are provisionally 1st, 2nd, 11th, 19th, & 34th International. A congratulations page will be set up on the National Flying Club website, anyone wishing to send their congratulations can do so direct to the secretary, e-mail sid.barkel@BTConnect.Com where your message will be uploaded.
The advert was, "YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!", and you've done your country and the National Flying Club proud! WELL DONE!
I also on behalf of the National Flying Club give thanks to all those that have supported and made the race possible. Just a thought, maybe we can run home internationals where Scotland, Ireland, Wales and all of England will compete against each other, race points to suit. We could truly find a real British Champion! Imagine the prize presentation with all British countries represented.
The mind boggles with what could be! Sid Barkel, Secretary.
I would also like to add my own congratulations to the winners who have kept the flag flying for the UK to prove that we can successfully compete against anyone in Europe. LJP.
To hit deadlines after the hold over there may be good performances missed so if your pigeons have put up one of those performances please send the details along to be added to a future article. We do appreciate that fanciers do have to go to work therefore are unobtainable at such short notice so please contact me for a follow up article.
News to Les.J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 ONJ. Tel/Fax; 01606 836036. Mobile 07742 072713. ljohnp@elimarpigeons.fsnet.co.uk
