The Joe Murphy Column

[Ian McKay]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

Received a phone call at the weekend from my good mate Guy Reed of the Isle of Wight who informed me he had timed in a yearling cock from the National Flying Club’s Fougeres race. This bird should make the open result but the good news was it was one of a pair of birds that I bred Guy last year and this was his first race of his life from an entry of over 8000 birds competing. The mother of this cock is the same dam of my son’s Kevin 2nd club winner this week in the Arbroath club. (See below in results) She was bred by Bernard Deweerdt being from a full brother to his famous champion ‘Iban’ when he was paired to a daughter of ‘Kedir’, again 2 of the top pigeons in the Deweerdt racing loft. The sire of Guy’s yearling cock is a mealy cock named ‘Mystical Joe’ bred by Sheldon Leonard of Arklow. His dam is a direct Daniel Aerens of Belgium being a full sister to his famous hen ‘I had a Dream’ winner of 1st international Hens, 5th international Barcelona. The sire of ‘Mystical Joe’ is De Barron’ a direct son of Daniel’s 1st open national Orange winner. So you can see Guy’s yearling is bred for the job and let’s hope he goes on to improve over the next few years. Before leaving the Fougeres race my I congratulate fellow Isle of White fancier Eddie Rann on winning 5th section B 8th open in this race. Guy was also telling me that a friend of his Bryn Holmes won 1st section 5th open Welsh South Road National Coutance this same weekend flying 207 miles with a cock bred from 2 of his Deweerdts. This is a brother to his 22nd open National winner from Tarbes in 2014 so Bryn is well pleased. I also noticed that my good friends Ian Crammond and Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell in West Sussex won 5th section 5th open BICC Alencon race. This is the same blue cock who won 2nd section 3rd open NFC Saintes last year for the partnership, well done lads.

 

Nigel Langstaff & Ian Crammond with Kevin Murphy

Sheldon Leonard bred Mealy Cock 'Mystical Joe'

 

Results

 

Angus Federation

 

The members sent 533 birds to Wakefield liberated at 08-30 hours into a south wind taking the first 4 places plus 8th & 20th are the Macaulay Fergusson & Curran partnership from Forfar. His club mages David J Liddle is 5th & 18th while Eric Galloway is 6th followed by Bob Baldie in 7th 15th 16th & 17th places. Charlie Cameron of Arbroath breaks the normal ‘stranglehold’ with Forfar dominating the result winning 9th place. Ian Scott of Forfar is 10th 11th & 13th places. Davie Glen of the same club is 12th and 14th with Gourdon members D & D Hay winning 19th place.

East section winners are as follows: 1st place goes to Charlie Cameron of Arbroath with D & D Hay of Gourdon in 2nd place Inchcape W Hamilton is 3rd with club mates Chic & Ann Carrie in 4th & 9th places Les McKay of the same club is 5th 6th & 8th with another Inchcape member K Gourley in 7th spot. Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath makes up the top ten winning the last remaining place.

Club Winners are as follows: Forfar 356 birds Macaulay Fergusson & Curran; Gourdon 32 birds D & D Hay; Arbroath 29 birds Charlie Cameron; Montrose 41 birds G Campbell; Inchcape 75 birds W Hamilton.

Arbroath RPS news from Charlie Cameron who tells us 5 members sent 29 birds to Wakefield liberated at 08-30 hours into a south wind. Taking the top spot is yours truly with a 3 year old. In 2nd 3rd & 4th places is Kevin J Murphy with the first bird a hen her sire is a Crammond & Langstaff and is the sire of 2 x 1st prizes last year he is inbred to Euro Diamond. The dam is also the mother of 2 x 1st prize winners and is a pure Bernard Deweerdt being from a full brother to his famous ‘Iban’ when he was paired to a daughter of ‘Kedir’, again 2 of the top pigeons in the Deweerdt racing loft. Kevin’s 2nd & 3rd birds are sisters being pure Leo Van Rijn from a direct Dutch cock named ‘Leo’ when mated to the mother of ‘Lucky’ a winner of 7 x 1st prizes and a 4 times SNFC prize winner. ‘Lucky’s mother (also a Leo Van Rijn) was known as ‘Jenny’ after Adrian Duggins late wife who bred the mother of Lucky.

 

Ayrshire North Road Federation

News from Andy Kyle who informs us that the federation was at Perth Racecourse on 14th May for the 3rd race with 42 members sending 690 pigeons: liberated at 08-00 into a light north wind. This race always seems to be a strange one with some returning well and others struggling along later as there are 2 valleys they can take and this is the probable cause however overall returns were good.

Valley North Club winner and 1st Federation with a winning velocity of 1487ypm; this bird is owned and raced by W McCann and A Brown. This pigeon won 2nd federation from Thurso in 2015 he is a 2 year old blue cock sired by a Sandy Owens pigeon bought at a young bird sale. The dam goes back into Bob MacDonald of Fraserburgh Jan Aarden stock. The grandsire had 66 races and was sired by James McCann’s good blue cock when paired to a Bob MacDonald Jan Aarden hen.

Cumnock Club winner and 3rd federation is owned and raced by Alfie Lawrence (see my report on Alfie in the BHW2016 Stud Book Joe M). His pigeon is a yearling blue cock bred from a Gerry Clements ‘Tracker’ lines crossed with Mark Gilbert of Southfield ‘Ted’ Deweerdt lines. This pigeon has previously won as a young bird and his winning velocity was 1455ypm.

Mauchline Club winner and 14th federation on a velocity of 1385 is Kory Galloway with his yearling dark chequer hen. This hen, as a young bird won Montrose and was a consistent flyer through-out the season. She was flying as a widowhood hen and this system is brand new to Kory’s lofts, but from the last 3 race results it seems to be working. Bloodlines are as follows sire and dam are both direct Lambrecht’s and this pair has bred 3 pigeons to win 5 races.

Carrick Club winner and 32nd federation is owned and raced by Mrs E Nibloe and he is a 2 year old blue cock, bred from their own family of pigeons. He has been a steady racer and his winning velocity was 1321ypm.

Stranraer North Road the winner is the partnership of Robertson & McCurdy with a yearling blue cock doing a velocity of 1405 and finally making it to the top step of the podium from Perth after being 6th from the 1st Stirling race and 2nd from Stirling last week. He is a Staff Van Reet bred from a stock pair. That’s it for this week Joe all the best yours Andy’.

 

East of Scotland Federation

News from press officer John Baillie of Tranent who reveals; We all received a text on Wednesday afternoon to say that basketting for the Newark race was to take place on the Thursday afternoon for a Friday race. This was due to the poor weather forecasted for the weekend and it was a great decision made by Bobby Graham the race controller. The birds were liberated at 10-30 into west to south west wind turning to south west on route. Taking pole position this week is the husband and wife partnership of Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston with a yearling cock, this bird scored earlier in the season winning 3rd open from the Ridsdale race. The partnership also wins 9th open in this race so well done from all concerned. The form loft of Jim McNeil from Tranent had a great race winning 2nd, 4th, 5th and 10th positions; great flying. John Bird of Prestonpans takes 3rd open and club mate Tam Waddell has 2 good birds in 6th & 8th positions, with Ronnie McIntyre filling the top ten winning 7th place.

Prestonpans Homing Society: winning the club this week is federation and club secretary John Bird with a 2 year old hen, this hen won the Pentland Midweek young bird race from Peterborough winning £1230 and also won 8th open from the yearling midweek Pentland race winning £375. She has also scoring 4th federation Peterborough, as well as being 48th open SNFC Portsmouth and 146th open Eastbourne in the Scottish National Flying Club. This week she was 3rd open Newark and is bred from John's number 1 pair of Vandenabeele’s bred by D & J Hawkins. Taking 2nd & 3rd positions is Tam Waddell with the bird in 2nd position was bought from G McLean of Duns and flew the Christmas race in December 2015 for Tam. His 3rd club position winner was a home bred bird: well that’s it for another week Joe yours John B’.

Fife Federation

Dunfermline LRPC news from David Kennedy who writes ‘Hi Joe from the Wakefield old bird race 11 members sent 189 birds. First place this week is Neil Jarvie with a velocity of 1264 ypm. He timed a 2 year old Busschaert cross flying spare, as it lost it mate the previous week. In 2nd place is Ricky Pearce with a velocity of 1249 ypm he timed a 2 year old cock flying to a big young bird, its bloodlines being Jocky King of Kirkcaldy stock as a matter of interest this cock won a SNFC Diploma from Portsmouth last year. In 3rd place is John Robertson with a velocity of 1236 ypm. John timed a 2 year old roundabout cock bred by Alistair Henderson from Langholm; this bird has been John’s timer on a few occasions. Eddie McWilliams wins this week’s nomination and Frank Mitchell takes the two bird prize, kindest regards yours David’.

Glenrothes & Leslie PC news from Rosie Armit who tells us that the members sent 197 birds to Wakefield and taking the first 3 places are the Turpie & McCord partnership. Their 1st bird on a velocity of 1343 is a yearling mealy cock flown on jealousy he was a gift bird from Alan Wright of Louth in Lincolnshire and is a Hugo Morris crossed Sion. Their 2nd bird on 1332 is a 2 year old blue pied cock sent sitting 3 day eggs he is a grandson of the Charlie Cameron Belge cock winner of 21 x 1st prizes. This grandson has already won 2nd club, 2nd section, 12th federation Berwick on Tweed this season and 2nd club, 2nd section and 6th federation from Alnwick in 2015. The partners 3rd bird on 1295 is a yearling blue cock sent sitting 12 day eggs & feeding a big young bird. He has already won a 2nd club last week from Ripon. As a young bird he won 2nd club, 1st section 9th federation Sedgefield: 7th club, 7th section Sedgefield and 5th club Ripon. His sire is a Braspenning and his dam is a Frans Leman gift bird from Dougie Barnes of Crossgates, all the best to you and Margaret yours Rosie’

 

North of Scotland Federation

 

Buckie RPC news from Gavin Russell who informs us 7 members sent 93 birds to Consett on 21st May a distance of 199 miles to most lofts. Taking 1st club 1st west section and 1st federation from an entry of 1027 birds is Hugh Broadley with a velocity of 1485 flying. He timed his 5 year old blue hen flying natural she is bred down through a granddaughter of the late Dennis Dall of Ladybank good hen ‘Rebecca’. The dam is a Jan Aarden flown the national 5 times with her best result being 11th north section. 2nd club is Ian Coull flying roundabout with his pigeon doing a velocity of 1135, sire and dam from Paul Woolliss from Grimsby.

3rd club is John Cummings with a Wildermeersch roundabout recording a velocity of 1132 sire and dam from Johnnie Strachan of Fraserburgh. Returns were ‘Sparse’ however this was a good win for Hugh Broadley being 1 hour 14 minutes clear of the next bird in the club. As a matter of interest this is also his SNFC Gold Cup candidate so good luck to Hughie with in the greatest race into Scotland.

 

Pentland Hill’s Federation

 

News from Andy Miller sends in the midweek yearling race held Wednesday 25th May; this is a week later this year due to the poor weather forecast last week. W Smith of Danderhall takes the first 2 places with a yard separating his birds the winner doing 1208 velocity and he collects £2400 for his efforts. Press Officer Andy Miller of Sighthill is 3rd doing 1199 velocity and wins £1270 for his efforts. Jimmy Pryde of Easthouses is 4th winning £870 with John Bosworth of Traprain takes the next 4 positions winning £1405. J Mark of Traprain is 9th winning £185 and John Baillie of East of Scotland is 10th winning £201. For the 6th race of the season from Newark due to a poor forecast for the weekend the officials decided on a Thursday race marking for a Friday race. This proved a good decision as returns were excellent with 15 clubs sending 2760 birds and winning 1st federation and New Lothian RPC is Mrs Ali Mitchell from Castlebrae club. She timed a Vandenabeele on widowhood doing 1217 velocity from stock obtained from GWP McAloney from their M & D Evans family. Second place is Willie Kinnear & sons from Danderhall with T Nolan & Son also from Danderhall in 3rd place. Bonnyrigg J Dewar is 4th with yours truly Andy Miller of Sighthill is 5th & 10th followed by A.W Robertson of Gilmerton in 6th place he is followed by Owenson Brothers of Danderhall while Willie Pryde & Son of Easthouses are 8th just ahead of Stevie Girdwood from Sighthill is in 9th place.

 

Club Winners are as follows;

 

Danderhall 495 birds; 1st Kinnear 2nd Nolan 3rd Owenson

Easthouses 271 birds; 1st & 2nd 3rd J Pryde

Edinburgh Premier 202 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Gilchrist

Castlebrae 94 birds; 1st A Mitchell 2nd Sammels & Lunn 3rd A Mitchell

Sighthill 148 birds; 1st & 3rd Miller 2nd Girdwood

Woodburn 190 birds; 1st & 3rd Allan 2nd Lapinski

Arniston 57 birds; 1st & 3rd Mercer 2nd Gibson

Gilmerton 139 birds; 1st & 2nd Robertson 3rd Bennett

Bonnyrigg 170 birds; 1st & 2nd Dewar 3rd Brown

Edinburgh West 140 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Lamb

Loanhead 161 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Simpson

Rosewell 71 birds; 1st & 2nd G Tytler 3rd Cunningham & Ness

Peebles 29 birds:

New Lothian 61 birds;

Traprain 485 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Thomson

Others 47 birds

 

New Lothian RPC

From the Newark race 69 lofts sent 1584 birds liberated at 10-30 am into a west to south west wind, winning with a velocity of 1434 is A Mitchell of Castlebrae lifting £104 into the bargain. 2nd is the Danderhall loft of Willie Kinnear & sons with T Nolan & son of the same club in 3rd place. J Dewar of Bonnyrigg is 4th with Andy Miller of Sighthill is 5th & 10th with A W Robertson of Gilmerton club in 6th spot. Owenson Brothers of Danderhall are 7th with W Pryde & son of Easthouses 2 yards behind the same yardage is the difference to Stevie Girdwood of Sighthill club who is 9th open.

 

Good SNFC Birds

 

This will be my last week of highlighting these Good SNFC birds this year as the first inland national is next week and I start to assist Kevin with his team of birds for the nationals. Plus some of these birds could hopefully improve their performances achieved so far in the club and can progress to greatness within the Scottish National (time will tell). The first of this week’s 3 birds belongs to Robert Reid of Beath in Ayrshire with blue bar cock SU13A 279. He won 21st section F from Buckingham in 2014 flying a distance of 298 miles to his home. Last year he won twice the first race from Portsmouth he won 3rd section F flying 370 miles and then he was doubled back into the Eastbourne race a distance of 401 miles and won 13th section F, so we wish Robert all the best with his blue cock in this year’s national programme.

We now come to the Aberdeen loft of A. A. Williamson with his chequer cock SU13AB 1353 in 2014 he was sent to Ypres a distance of 482 miles and won 5th section G 58th open, then in 2015 he was entered into the Eastbourne race (should have been Ypres but the race was changed) 454 miles and he won 7th section G. He then went to the last old bird national of the season from Clermont a distance of 571 miles and won 6th section G. So therefore he needs to win 1 more section prise from over the channel to achieve his SNFC Silver Award and we wish him all the very best in this new season. The last bird featured this week belongs to Jocky Scott of Kennoway with his blue bar cock SU11DF 2809 (who was bred by Bruce MacKenzie of Dundee). In 2012 he was entered into the Maidstone race a distance of 376 miles and won 14th section C 42nd open. Two years later he was sent to Ypres a distance of 444 miles and he won 8th section C 36th open. Then last year he was entered into the Billericay race point a distance of 349 miles and won 20th section C 73rd open, proving he is a very consistent cock and we wish Jocky all the best with him in 2016.

 

Joe’s Joke

 

A horse trainer is getting his horse ready to go down to the start of the big race. As he is leading him down one of the stewards stops him in his tracks and says ‘What are you feeding that animal?’. The trainer states it is only broken biscuits and the steward takes the biscuit and smells it. The trainer says ‘You can eat it guvnor, it is all on the level’ and with that the trainer eats a piece of the biscuit and the steward follows suit. When they get down to the starting line the trainer tells the jockey to ‘Keep him on hold lad and when 3 furlongs from home let him have his head and go for it. Get to the front and nothing will pass you’. If anything does it will only be me or the Duke of Norfolk’.

 

Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk and www.pigeon-chat.co.uk also www.pigeonbasics.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.

 

© Compiled by Joe Murphy