hansenne

March 26, 2009

does anyone know who owns top hanssenne or gurney pigeons as they are the same.

Tony C · March 26, 2009

There's a fancier in Wales that still races the Hanssenne's , if the name comes to me I'll post it on here. The name Cunnicliffe rings a bell :-/

PATTY BHOY · March 26, 2009

Alexander Hansenne was from Verviers in Belgium and before he died in 1903 he had moulded a strain of outstanding racing pigeons. In fact the late AH Osman attributed the Hansennes as being the primary base of the then emerging Englishstrains atthe beginning of the last century. In his writings the same authority

believed thatHansenne was the greatest long distance racer of his day.

Some of Hansenne's best birds included 'Le Criquet' who was hatched in 1877 and as a racer was 1st National from Paris, 1st from St. Benoit and 3rd from Tolosa. There was also an outstanding racer known as 'Calvi' who amongst other successes was 1st from Calvi. There was also the great 'Le St. Vincent ' which was 2nd St.Vincent and 1st St. Benoit and Agen respectively.

Alexander Hansenne was known to have bought up more than one loft in his pursuit ofa particular bird or birds, culling the others in the process. Wherebreeding wasconcerned he had a policy of never breeding off a cock until it wasraced hard atthe longer races. As a family they were composed mostly of dark chequers

with tracesof bronze and short in legs and necks. Chest wise they were not so broadas otherfamilies of the time. His commitment to the long distance races was extreme by reputation and there is no doubt although he would not have been aware of it, that this contributed to the advancement of the long distance and marathon type of pigeon racing which we are witnessing today.

The Hansenne bloodlines lies at the base of many of the old Belgian, British and other world strains. Indeed this maestro was a pivotal figure in our sport and Wanroy, and Aarden etc, and others of today owe much to this outstanding pioneer.

PATTY BHOY · March 26, 2009

Renier Gurnay of Verviers, Belgium, began in the sport as a runner for the great Mons Hansenne of world wide pigeon fame. A teenager in the time of no timing clocks in the 1870's he relished the tasks that he had to do for Hansenne. For his love of pigeons had started early in life and this was stimulated by Hansenne whose own sons had no interest in the sport.

In due course Gurnay received pigeons from his mentor and as Hansenne died in 1903 he purchased some very good stock of the latter's lofts because of his inside knowledge and began a journey which saw him in the eyes of others eclipse his mentor. His foundation hen called the 'Old Blue Hen' whose progeny won over 500,000 dollars was the base of a wonderful and prosperous pigeon career although he was a successful business man in his own right as a merchant in tailor linings.

It is estimated that since he started racing pigeons in 1886 until 1936 Gurnay had won 600,000 dollars in prize money. A phenomenal sum in those day at the beginning of the 20th century. In fact in his first season his birds won 160 prizes in one of the largest pigeon bodies in Europe and we should bear in mind that his successes were achieved when Bricoux and other giants of the sport were at their best.

One could say that fate had dealt a very good hand to Renier Gurnay for as some believe he had everything handed to him on a plate because of the genius of Hansenne and their relationship. Yes, I have no doubt that Gurnay was a good pupil and because of his role as a runner he was constantly taking in what Hansenne was freely giving and of course the obtaining of the best of stock. However there is something born within oneself which is a necessary prerequisite to possess in order to form a loft of winning pigeons at the distance especially if one wants to reach the heights of Hansenne and Gurnay. Of that Renier Gurnay definitely possessed.

And I believe that this was reflected in the fact that he was a hard culler based upon a very strong love for and commitment too the sport. And this involved a loft of about 20 to 30 inmates and no matter what the bloodlines if one had to be culled it was culled. This was necessary for he was also a very close inbreeder who in the main kept his birds until they were 2 years before they went to the races. Again like many maestro's of the fancy acknowledging the need for maturity.

Gurnay was acknowledged as the official champion in Belgium for over 30 years which is testimony to how he was thought of and to how brilliant he was as a pigeon fancier, breeder, and racer. And I know that myths can be created or grow up around the exploits of any fancier but the evidence available would suggest that Renier Gurnay was an outstanding participant in the sport of the common man.

In other insights into various strain makers I have outlined some results but in the case of this master it is not I think a necessary practice. In fact I knew of one deceased fancier of my youth who was nicknamed 'Gurnay' and this was in the 50s of the last century which would imply that in the consciousness of the ordinary fancier Gurnay is a legend otherwise why use his name to describe the modest achievements of another?