Danny Vagenende Of Belgium - International Winner

[retired]

On Friday July the 4th at approximately 9-45am the pigeons from the International Barcelona race were liberated. They met a weak South-Easterly wind over France but inspite of the latter on Friday evening there hadn't been any pigeons reported but when Danny Vagenende (of the East Flemish Smetlede, municipality of Lede) before going to bed shortly after 11pm decided to have a final look, he observed a pigeon on top of his aviary. But as he was missing pigeons from the previous weeks race he thought it was one those and went to bed. Then at 2am he arose and went back to the aviary where he could see the pigeon still there. Again he went back to bed but arose at 4-45am. Then as daylight was breaking he recognised the bird as being a Barcelona candidate but in his panic scared the pigeon who in turn flew to a higher roof. Then with a stick he managed to make the pigeon take flight and land in front of the traps entrance. She then entered and was clocked 2 minutes and 25 seconds after 5am from a distance of 1,076,684 km, with a velocity of 1,357 m/min.

 

Then Danny telephoned to report his pigeon and was met with disbelief - a pigeon at that hour of the morning? Yes we have heard about night flyers but to many this was unbelievable. But it was true. The 2n International winner is Jean-Pol Van Kerckvoorde from Lovendegem, the same province, with a pigeon at 5-33am, to be followed by the great Robert Ben from Calais in France for 3rd place.

 

 

Danny Vagenende is a 46-year old pigeoner, whose late father Adolf Vagenende was a Barcelona achiever. His famous 'Briveman' was one of the best Barcelona racers ever. Ninety per cent of Dannys present colony contains the blood of 'Briveman' but this years International Winner who is named The Barcelona Hen rung B06-4359609, was summer born (a late bred?) in 2006. She carries the bloodlines of Piet Lazaroms Aardens on the sires side while the dam has Jan Theelen bloodlines. The dam is a H & R Wynands pigeon, which was gifted by Adri-Jan Hoes and who stems from the inbreeding of grandson and granddaughter of the famous stock cock Blauwe Vanoppen. This brave small chequer hen was entered for Barcelona for the first time when she was 18 months old and sent 12 days on eggs.

 

 

Liam O Comain