Kelvin Sharman of Syleham was first open and first north-east section with a three year old on 1104mpm over 585 miles. Kelvin timed GB17N064844, a blue chequer cock, the sire of which was bred by Bob Besant and Son with Cooper Deweerdt and Euro Diamond in the breeding. The dam was a great grandchild of Southfield Supreme from Mark Gilbert. The pigeon had two inland races, then Poitiers and St. Philbert with the BICC in preparation for Agen. It was raced on the widowhood system.
Mark Gilbert of Windsor clocked six pigeons in the top ten of the result. First was a two year old on 1093mpm over 528 miles to take second open, first centre section. This was a direct daughter of Golden Barcelona, the sire of Southfield Hugo. The dam is a daughter of Jelle Jellema's Kleine Jade. Mark's second pigeon was a three year old on fifth open and second centre section on 1039mpm. This cock is a grandson of Golden Barcelona and Kanibaal Barcelona. Sixth open and third centre section was a two year old on 1023mpm. Another cock, this contains 100% Jelle Jellema bloodlines. Eighth, ninth and tenth open were three two year olds on 965mpm, 810mpm and 809mpm respectively.
A and T Wright of Norwich were third open and second north-east section with a four year old on 1086mpm over a distance of 600 miles. Their blue cock was bred from Jelle Jellema pigeons. The partners timed two further pigeons to also take third and fourth north-east section. First was a four year old on 652mpm, bred from a cross of Jelle Jellema, Freialdenhofen and Buyl Ruffin and Luc bloodlines. Next on the clock was a two year old on 583mpm. This timer contains Freialdenhofen and Buyl Ruffin and Luc blood.
Mick Parish of Great Burstead was fourth open and first east section with a two year old on 1043mpm over 534 miles. Mick's section winner was raced on the natural system and sent sitting eggs. Mick timed a second pigeon, another two year old on 634mpm, to also take second east section and seventeenth open. This was also raced on the natural system and sent sitting eggs.
D Watson and Son of Ashford Common were seventh open with a six year old on 1012mpm over 525 miles. Dave timed a blue cock containing the same bloodlines as all his Agen pigeons, that go back generations. It has had numerous positions in channel racing in previous seasons.
Around the sections
G Townsend of Orpington clocked a two year old on 633mpm to take third east section and eighteenth open. Graham timed a grizzle hen containing Fear Brothers' bloodlines.
Strawbridge and Williams of Newport were first west section, twelfth open, with a two year old on 726mpm over 566 miles. Ray timed a blue cock, raced on the roundabout system. The sire was bred by Gareth Watkins out of a daughter of the Padfield's Iron Lady when paired to a son of Matt Rake's Indy crossed with a daughter of Ray's Tom Thumb. The dam is out of a son of the Padfield's Barcelona winner, Mr Impossible and also contains Indy and Iron Lady bloodlines.
Geoff and Catherine Cooper of Peasedown St John were second west section, thirteenth open, with a two year old on 683mpm over 537 miles. The Coopers clocked a widowhood cock, Farm Jelle 71 containing mainly Jelle Jellema bloodlines.
David and John Staddon of Shepton Mallett clocked three pigeons to take third, fourth and fifth west section. First on the clock was a yearling on 498mpm over 526 miles and which was also fortieth open. The sire was bred down from Southfield Pau and Southfield Supreme bloodlines, whilst the dam is a grand-daughter of Freelands Gem. Second to time was bred from a son of Mark Bulled's Legacy when paired to a daughter of Freelands Gem.
John Black of Hitchen was first north-centre section, twentieth open, with a two year old on 726mpm over 566 miles. John timed a blue widowhood cock on its third race of the season. The sire was bought in a National Flying Club auction from Justin Bernard of Portsmouth and was bred from his Tarbes section winner. The dam came from Terry Robinson of Cuffley, from his Brian Denny x Motivator bloodlines.
Mr and Mrs Errington of Rushden were second north-centre section with a five year old on 339mpm over 585 miles. This cock bird has flown the channel many times, usually on the widowhood system. However, this year because of the late start it was raced on the natural system. Its sire was 15th Open, 1st NC Section from Agen in 2016, and its breeding is the Erringtons own family of pigeons, a mixture of stock birds and performance pigeons from middle and long distance blood lines.
That concludes the report on the provisional result of the British International Championship Club race from Agen, held in conjunction with the international.