Mark Gilbert (L) and father (photo courtesy of Chris Sutton)
First open and first centre section was timed at the Windsor loft of Mark Gilbert. First to clock at just before 5am on the second day was a three year old , blue cock on 963mpm over 563 miles. Mark timed two further pigeons to take the next two section positions and third and sixth open on 728mpm and 701mpm respectively. Two further timings led to Mark also taking thirteenth and fourteenth open, fifth and sixth centre section. Mark's first pigeon home was bred from a son of Southfield Supreme when Supreme was mated to a daughter of Brockamp's George. The dam is a direct daughter of Brockamp's Perpignan 06 that won first national and second international Marseille and it is also a full sister to first international Marseille. Second in the clock was a three year old cock, the sire of which was a double grandson of Carteus' George. Third home was a hen, the dam of which is a daughter of Euro Diamond.
John Chipperfield & Son, Joe
Second open and first east section was a two year old hen on 807mpm over 560 miles for John Chipperfield of Herne Bay. This hen contains international winning bloodlines from Jacobs Brothers, Vertelman and Son and Jan Theelen. Both a first and a second international Perpignan winners feature in the bloodlines. Raced on the roundabout system, she was allowed in with her mate from the Sunday before basketing.
Alan Turner
A J Turner of Dover was fourth open, second east section with a seven year old cock on 706mpm over a distance of 551 miles. This cock was seventh open Perpignan in 2015. It was sent feeding a large youngster and its hen having laid the first egg at the time of basketing.
Robert Harris & son, Alfie (photo courtesy of Chris Sutton)
Robert Harris of Ramsgate was fifth open and third east section with a five year old, red cock on 703mpm over 561 miles. Raced on the roundabout system, this cock was sent to Pau sitting five day eggs on its first nest of the season. It was bred by Mark Powell and has Red Barcelona and Ctril Wells bloodlines in its pedigree.
Geoff & Clayton Preece
G M Preece and Son of Dover timed a six year old on 695mpm after 548 miles to take seventh open and fourth east section. Geoff and Clayton timed their great champion Wiggins, firty percent line bred to Bill Woodall's Dragon Boy whilst the other fifty percent is Stoffel-Hermes Marseille Star bloodlines. Wiggins has won twice from Perpignan, once on the day. The partners timed a second bird to also take seventeeth open. This timer contains Stoffel 270 and Hermes bloodlines.
Tony Coker
A B Coker of Wickford was eighth open and fifth east section with a three year old, chequer cock on 693mpm over 576 miles. Tony's pigeon contains the bloodlines of Ronnie Evans and Son of the Up North Combine.
John & Kath Lane
J Lane of Whitstable timed a two year old cock on 691mpm over 560 miles to take ninth open and sixth east section. This pigeon was unraced as a youngster but as a yearling was sent to the Agen international race. The sire is a Mark Cooper Delbar, which flew Thurso and the north road and Perpignan on the south. It had three channel races in preparation for Pau.
Lee & Kevin Buddle (photo courtesy of Chris Sutton)
Completing the top ten and in seventh east section are Lee and Kevin Buddle with a six year old on 666mpm over 456 miles. The partners clocked Tom, a previous winner of fifth St Vincent 2013, thirtieth Pau 2013 (on the day), fifteenth Pau 2014, twenty-second St Vincent 2014 and twenty-seventh St Vincent 2015. With this performance Tom will now qualify for a BICC certificate of merit award.
Around the sections
Cezar
Dorin Melinte of Stanmore took fourth centre section and eleventh open with a four year old cock on 651mpm over 573 miles. Dorin timed Cezar, a one hundred percent Van Lint pigeon, bloodlines that he obtained from Mr Riley. Cezar was the first pigeon Dorin purchased on entering the sport in the UK. The nest brother to Cezar broke Dorin's novice status in 2012.
Calum Edmiston
C Edmiston of Horley was seventh centre section and eighteenth open with a four year old on 608mpm over 543 miles. Calum clocked a cock bred by Dickie and Stebe Pearmain from Volkens bloodlines. It was raced on the natural system and sent feeding a squeaker.
Steven Rhodes and family
Mr and Mrs Rhodes of Aylesham clocked a eight year cock old on 648mpm over 552 miles to take eighth east section and twelfth open. This cock was bred from a Roger Senecourt Jan Aaarden, the dam of which came from George and Maureen Bates' T Jay and A Jay family. Sent natural and drivng his hen to nest, this cock was the partners' banker in case of a sticky race and with the heavy raing overnight it certainly was that.
First west section and fifteenth open was a six year old on 624mpm over 563 miles for Brooks Brothers from High Littleton. Rob timed Mendip Hope, a widowhood cock that is a full brother to Mendip Magic, first west section, second open Pau in 2014. Mendip Hope is Brooks Brothers bloodlines crossed with those of Geoff and Catherine Cooper. The brothers timed a second pigeon to also take fourth section.
Rob Brooks (c), Geoff (l) and Catherine Cooper (r)
Geoff and Catherine Cooper of Peasdown St John timed a three year old on 619mpm over 562 miles to take second west section and sixteenth open. First on the clock was a cock, the sire of which was a son of Euro Diamond. The dam is a daughter of Southfield Supreme, so a strong influence from Mark Gilbert. The Coopers timed further pigeons to also take third and sixth west section. Second to time was a bluer hen, flown on the widowhood system. The sire of this hen is a son of Starlight, second international Tarbes.
Gavin Duggan
G Duggan of Chipping Campden timed a five year old on 304mpm over 608 miles to take first north centre section. Gavin's plucky section winner contains Jan Aarden and Red Barcelona bloodlines and a full brother to this pigeon was eleventh open Agen in 2013.
That concludes the report on the provisional result of the British International Championship Club race from Pau, held in conjunction with the international race.