
Monday the 9th of December, these new auctions will start: Leo & Gerry Dockx (BE) , Jef & Wim Struyfs (BE), Mark Gilbert (UK), Jan Hooymans (NL), Adrien Mirabelle (BE), Rudy Van Reeth (BE), Hardy Krüger (DE), Tom Van Gaver (BE), Joël Verschoot (BE), Mike Ganus (US) & Ken Easley (US).
12 auctions came to a close over the past two days, and these had a total revenue of 753,700 euro for 270 pigeons, or almost 2,800 euro per youngster. We briefly discuss each auction below.
Today 4 auctions ended with a total of 77 pigeons. These raised a total of 195,325 EURO, or 2,536 EURO on average per pigeon.
In the next video from PIPA TV, Mark Gilbert tells the story of his favorite pigeon, Southfield Hugo.
On Sunday a total of 8 auctions ended on a total of 394,125 EURO for 195 pigeons, an average of 2,020 EURO per pigeon. Below a short report per auction.
Mark Gilbert was hopeful of a bird on the day, although the northerly wind was against the pigeons over most of the 539 miles (868 km) his entries had to fly home.
The National winner England from St.-Vincent in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Winkfield Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Sunday at 06:00:09 CEST after a race of 868.973 km, achieving an average velocity of 884.77 m/min.
Having been released at 7:15am British Time, the pigeons had to face a light head wind from the north east through most of France and indeed it was not until evening time that the French began to make their recordings around the Paris area.
The National winner England from Pau in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Saturday at 22:06:59 CEST after a race of 905.163 km, achieving an average velocity of 1087.96 m/min.
Several auctions closed on Sunday 10th of March, raising 295,300 euro in total for 144 pigeons, or more than 2,000 euro on average per bird.
Last weekend, pigeons were stolen from the lofts of Mark Gilbert. It concerns 18 pigeons whose ring numbers are shown below. Mark gives a reward of £ 20,000 for the tip that leads to the safe return of all pigeons on their loft.
It has been a fantastic auction weekend. The 138 birds that were put up for auction were sold for more than 3,300 euro/bird on average!
What can i write of the man who has won twenty seven 1st National events to date, clocking up six 1st Nationals and two 2nd National in 2018 alone. An achievement that very few fanciers, if any, can say they have done in a lifetime, let alone in one year!
Ten auctions ended on Sunday 18th of November, raising 513,375 euro in total for 177 pigeons, or an average sale price of 2,900 euro. We briefly discuss each auction.
It is my privilege to write once again about one of the UK’s most talented pigeon racing men. The combination, of not only Marks talent as the breeder and racer of the pigeons, but how he works so closely to the birds that he is able to coach them to levels of fitness and performance rarely seen in the UK at International level.
The National winner England from Perpignan in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Saturday at 19:54:22 CEST after a race of 1020.91 km, achieving an average velocity of 555.941 m/min.
Seventy-six members entered three hundred and fourteen pigeons into the British International Championship Club race from St Vincent, held in conjunction with the international. They were liberated at 07.00CEST into a light southerly wind. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
Only two days before the St. Vincent International I had the privilege of making a visit to the famous lofts of Mark Gilbert, with my good friend Mick Bunney, Life vice president of the BICC. One could describe it, as the complete pigeon day.
The National winner England from St.-Vincent in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Saturday at 08:45:26 CEST after a race of 868.973 km, achieving an average velocity of 710.855 m/min.
It is safe to say the 2018 Barcelona International, the greatest race in the world, was going to be a difficult one, for the birds would have to face predominantly NE winds and grueling temperatures.
The National winner England from Barcelona in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Sunday at 14:47:52 CEST after a race of 1131.89 km, achieving an average velocity of 800 m/min.
Mr "Supremo" Mark Gilbert does it again! Racing against the best in all Europe, on what must surely rate as the most testing weekend for pigeons we have possibly ever experienced.
The National winner England from Agen in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Saturday at 07:45:32 CEST after a race of 849.689 km, achieving an average velocity of 801.19 m/min.
Once again Mark Gilbert shows us how it’s done by timing a bird to win 1st National Pau, in the first of the International events in the UK. Clearly, Mark Gilberts gallant bird was one of less than a handful of birds that it could be said to have made it to the UK coast by nightfall, and then had to rise and shine the next day to achieve their results.
The National winner England from Pau in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Sunday at 06:55:45 CEST after a race of 905.163 km, achieving an average velocity of 841.42 m/min.
Supreme racer and breeder Mark Gilbert finished 1st in the British International Championship Club race from Poitiers, flown on Saturday 9th June.
The National winner England from Perpignan in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Winkfield). The pigeon was clocked on Saturday at 13:14:10 CEST after a race of 1020.91 km, achieving an average velocity of 712.844 m/min.
Fifty-nine members entered two hundred and seventy-eight pigeons into the British International Championship Club race from St Vincent, in conjunction with the International. They were liberated at 07.30CEST into clear skies. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications
Seventy members sent two hundred and forty-three pigeons to the British International Championship Club race from Perpignan held in conjunction with the international. They were liberated at 07.15CEST. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
Sixty-two members sent two hundred and seventy-seven birds to the British International Championship Club race from St Vincent, held in conjunction with the international. They were liberated on the 8th July at 07.15CEST into an easterly wind. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
The National Flying Club race from Saintes was held on the 2nd July 2016. The birds were liberated at 09.00BST and cleared well into blue skies. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
The National winner England from St.-Vincent in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Winkfield Windsor). The pigeon was clocked on Friday at 21:06:54 CEST after a race of 866.110 km, achieving an average velocity of 1041.12 m/min.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going and Mark Gilbert's pigeons definitely got going on their way back from Pau, despite the dreadful weather conditions they had to contend with on their journey home. This is another magnificent achievement for the Windsor Wizard!
One hundred and forty-four members sent seven hundred and seventy-one pigeons to Agen with the international convoy. They were liberated at 06.50CEST on Sunday 26th June due to bad weather throughout Europe on the previous days. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
The National winner England from Agen in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Winkfield). The pigeon was clocked on Sunday at 19:41:32 CEST after a race of 813.37 km, achieving an average velocity of 1054.23 m/min.
After a two day holdover the international convoy, including three hundred and ninety-one pigeons from the British International Championship Club, were released at Pau at 08.20CEST. There was heavy rain overnight and into the next day. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
After a days holdover due to poor weather, the National Flying Club pigeons were liberated from Fougères at 09.30BST into a light north-west wind. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
Four hundred and sixty-seven members entered four thousand three hundred and twenty-six pigeons into the British International Championship Club race from Alençon. They were liberated at 11.30BST into a light northerly wind. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
Five hundred and fourteen members entered four thousand, seven hundred and fifty-one birds into the British International Championship Club race from Alençon. After a one day holdover they were liberated at 07.30BST into light variable winds. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
Starting the 2016 national racing season with a bang, Mark Gilbert took the top three section and open positions from Falaise with the British International Championship Club. Mark left the opposition in no doubt as to the power of his pigeons and what a talented fancier he is.
Three hundred and twenty-six members entered three thousand, seven hundred and seventy-four pigeons into the British International Championship Club race from Falaise on 30th April 2016. They were liberated at 10.00 BST into light north-west winds. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
Many fanciers within our sport are content by achieving success in club and federation races. However some have aims beyond this. Mark Gilbert is one such fancier; his ambition at the beginning of every season is to win on the national and international stage.
The National Flying Club blue ribbon Tarbes race of 2015 was a testing event. The high temperatures, afternoon liberation and a near 600 miles of terrain all combined so that only the very best pigeons returned in good time. It proved to be the perfect hunting ground for Mark Gilbert.
The National Flying Club birds were liberated at 14.20BST into a light south-west wind and bright sunshine. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
In the national and international races of 2015 the pigeons of Mark Gilbert have again performed at a high level. Fanciers from across Europe have looked on in awe as the Gilbert name has appeared near to or at the top in the weekly events. There is a simple reason for this: Mark is a fancier who is always striving for perfection.
The birds for the National Flying Club race from Saintes were liberated at 06.30BST on Saturday 4th July 2015 into a light west wind turning south-westerley on route. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
One hundred and fourteen members entered three hundred and thirty birds into the British International Championship Club race from Barcelona in conjunction with the international race. They were liberated at 06.40BST. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
One hundred and eighty-nine members sent nine hundred and ninety-seven birds to Agen with the British International Championship Club race from Agen, in conjunction with the international race. They were liberated at 06.00BST. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
For the National Flying Club race from Ancenis, the birds were liberated at 06.00BST into a light northerly wind. The following is a report on the provisional result according to members' verifications.
The British Barcelona Club race from Messac was released after one day holdover on the seventeeth of May 2015. The following is a report on the provisional result accoding to member's telephone verifications.
Mark has set himself high standards of performance that each year he has to, and does, attain. He is proving that his family of pigeons are in fact the best tools to enable him to achieve this.
One hundred and forty two members sent nine hundred and eighty five birds to Guernsey with the British International Championship Club, They were liberated at 09.30am BST into clear skies and a light north-westerly wind. The following is a report of the provisional result according to members' verifications.
One hundred and thirty three members entered six hundred and seventy five pigeons into the British Barcelona Club race from Bordeaux. Following a holdover from the Saturday due to adverse weather, they were liberated on Sunday the 3rd of August 2014 at 09.00am BST. The following is a report on the provisional result according to members' verifications.
The birds for the National Flying Club race from Saintes were liberated at 09.15am BST into sunny skies with a light northerly wind. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
After a one day holdover, the three hundred and two birds entered into the international race from St Vincent were liberated on Saturday 14th July at 6.35am BST into a light west wind. There were no UK birds on the day, but day two brought the first, long awaited, arrivals. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
The national winner England from St.-Vincent in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Winkfield, Windsor).The pigeon was clocked on Sunday at 08:41:13 CEST after a race of 864.872 km, achieving an average velocity of 728.487 m/min.
Two hundred and twenty three members entered one thousand and ninety two birds into the race from Fougeres. After a holdover on the Saturday they were liberated on Sunday 6th July at 10.30am BST into a west north west wind. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
The British section of the international race from Agen was won, for the second week running, by Mark Gilbert of Winkfield. Mark clocked two pigeons to be 1st and 2nd open; edging out his great friends and rivals Geoff and Catherine Cooper into 3rd place.
One hundred and twenty four members of the British International Championship Club entered five hundred and thirty two birds into the race from Agen in conjunction with the international. Along with over nineteen thousand other pigeons, they were liberated on Friday 27th June at 5.45am BST into a light south west wind. The following is a report on the provisional result according to member's ...
Mark Gilbert enjoyed a wonderful day on Saturday 21st June; the titles of 1st national BICC Pau and 1st section (provincial) National Flying Club Messac made it a perfect day of racing for The Winkfield Wizard.
The national winner England from Agen in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Winkfield).The pigeon was clocked on Friday at 16:30:39 CEST after a race of 813.373 km, achieving an average velocity of 1259.77 m/min.
One hundred and seventeen members entered three hundred and seventy nine birds into the British International Championship Club race from Pau, held in conjunction with the International. They were liberated at 5.45am on Friday 20th June into sunny skies with east and north in the wind at the liberation point. The following is a report on the provisional result based on members' verifications.
The national winner England from Pau in the category "old birds" is Gilbert Mark (Winkfield).The pigeon was clocked on Saturday at 05:19:57 CEST after a race of 905.163 km, achieving an average velocity of 909.757 m/min.
One thousand, nine hundred and thirty four birds were entered into the British International Championship Club race from Poitiers on 14th June 2014. They were liberated at 6am into a north easterly wind with overnight showers having cleared the channel. The following is a report on the provisional result based on telephone verifications.
Three thousand, six hundred and forty one birds were entered into the British International Championship Club race from Tours. They were liberated at 6.30am into a light north easterly wind. The following is a report on the provisional result based on telephone verifications.
Six thousand, five hundred and ninety pigeons were entered into the British International Championship Club race from Alençon. They were liberated at 7am into bright sunshine and cleared the site well. The following is a report of the provisional result from telephone verifications.
Some names are synonymous with certain countries and sports. Pele, Brazil and football. Michael Schumacher, Germany and F1. Then there is Mark Gilbert, U.K. and pigeons.
This is a report of the British International Championship Club race from Guernsey for young birds which was liberated on the 25th August 2013. One thousand and forty eight young birds were liberated at 11.30am BST into blue skies and sunshine. The provisional result is as follows.
Seven hundred and twenty old hens were entered into the race and after a one day holdover due to poor weather, they were liberated at 11.30am BST into blue skies and sunshine. The wind was from the north west and expected to reach 17mph in the channel.
Two hundred and fifty two UK birds, from seventy fanciers, were entered into the international race from Perpignan. They were liberated at 06.15am BST. The prevailing weather conditions throughout the route meant that once again the east section dominated the top ten.
The British International Championship club race from Le Mans was held over until Sunday 28th July, when the 2,182 birds were liberated at 7.00am BST into broken cloud and partial blue skies. With the wind picking up over the channel it was to be a fairly fast race with the winners doing over 1700ypm.
Two hundred and five birds were sent with the British International Championship Club race from St Vincent in conjunction with the International. The following is a report of the provisional winners based on the early verified times.
It appears that every year at around this time we are reporting on the top performances of Mark Gilbert. Mark is a successful business man and a very dedicated fancier. It is his commitment to the sport and his pigeons that helps to bring him to the top of the pile every year.
Three hundred and four pigeons were entered into the British International Championship Club race from Barcelona, held in conjunction with the international race organised by the Cureghem Centre. The following is a report on the provisional result for the UK.
The members of the National Flying Club sent birds to Tarbes which were liberated on the Sunday afternoon following adverse weather forecasts on the Friday and Saturday. The following is a report of the provisional result.
One hundred and thirty one members of the British International Championship Club sent six hundred and fifty nine birds to Agen in conjunction with the international race. The winner in the UK was Mark Gilbert from Windsor!
The national winner United Kingdom from Agen in the category "all" is Gilbert Mark (Windsor, UK).The pigeon was clocked on Sunday at 19:55:51 CEST after a race of 819.266 km, achieving an average velocity of 1113.36 m/min.
Eight hundred and forty nine members entered six thousand, four hundred and sixty one birds which were released on 15th June 2013 at 07.00hrs BST and which cleared well to the north. The following is the provisional result.
The British International Championship Club sent 313 birds from 92 members to Pau in conjunction with the international race run by La Colombe Joyeuse. The provisional race result has the UK taking the top 4 positions on the international result!
The National Flying Club in the UK raced from Cholet on the 1st June 2013. 6,462 birds, sent by 865 members were released at 6.45am BST into a light north west wind with good visibility. The provisional result is as follows.
The British International Championship Club race from Alençon saw members send 4,791 birds which were liberated on Saturday 25th May at 9.40am BST into sunshine and a light north easterly wind. The provisional result is as follows.
Once again Pieter Oberholster, the UK’s PIPA agent, has been twisting a few arms to get hold of more excellent bloodlines from a selection of the Best of Britain. Included in the sale are birds from many fanciers who are fast becoming household names not just in Great Britain but all over the pigeon world.
The continuing success story of Mark Gilbert; the UK sensation. Mark Gilbert was born into pigeon racing; his father Geoff was and still is a very respected fancier.
It seems like no time at all since I wrote the last Best of British leader report. Once again Pieter Oberholster, the UK agent has pulled out all of the stops to obtain pigeons from fanciers from amongst the very best that Great Britain has to offer the world of pigeon racing. The lofts that I wish to inform you briefly about in this report are responsible for countless national, one loft and ...
One hundred and eighty five UK pigeons were entered along with sixteen thousand, nine hundred and twenty one European birds into the international race from Perpignan. They were liberated at 05.55 hrs UK time with a light north westerly breeze at the liberation site. This was expected to change to south westerly over the later stages of the race.
Two thousand, two hundred and fifty five birds were entered by two hundred and sixty one members for the British International Championship Club race from Le Mans. The birds were liberated at 9 am UK time, in sunshine and with light north westerly winds en route. The provisional result is as follows.
Seventy nine plucky British birds were entered for the race from Marseille. After a day's holdover they were liberated with over eleven thousand international birds.
Six hundred and forty eight fanciers entered a total of three thousand, six hundred and fourteen birds into the National Flying Club race from Saintes. The birds were liberated at 06.30 hrs UK time into light north to north west winds and good visibility. After gaining height they cleared well to the north.
Mark Gilbert from Winkfield wins the national race from Marseille in the UK. His pigeon arrived Monday morning at 10:41 CEST (9:41 UK time) after having flown 1051.260 kms home. Two weeks ago, Mark already won the national race from Barcelona with the BICC.
After another incredible season Mark Gilbert has won yet another 1st, 7th, 8th, 12th National Saintes (provisionally) in the National Flying Club 21st July 2012 against 3,614 birds.
Sixty five members of the British International Championship Club sent two hundred and eighty five pigeons to compete in the international race from St Vincent. The birds were held over on Sunday due to bad weather but were released at 6.00 hrs UK time on Monday.
25,348 pigeons were entered in the international race from Barcelona, including 279 pigeons from the UK entered with the British International Championship Club. They were liberated at 13.00 hrs UK time into a strong south to southwesterly wind with good visibility and a temperature of 25 degrees.
A fancier who needs no introduction thanks to his phenomenal success in national and international racing in the UK, Mark Gilbert and his pigeons are a force to be reckoned with. His latest success is first open UK from Barcelona with the British International Championship club and seventh open British Barcelona Club from the same racepoint on the same day.
Mark Gilbert from Winkfield, Windsor wins Barcelona National BICC in the UK. He clocked his pigeon Saturday afternoon at 16:21 CEST at a velocity of 940.470 MPM.
Seven hundred and thirty six pigeons were sent with the British International Championship Club to compete in the international race from Agen. The convoy was liberated at 6 am into excellent weather conditions.
The BICC were racing in conjunction with the international birds from Pau. Three hundred and sixty eight British pigeons were sent to compete with the best of Europe. The convoy was liberated at 5.45 a.m. into light variable wind conditions that were initially west in Mid France and then more southerly as the birds approached England.
The first race for the National Flying Club in the UK was held from Fougeres on Saturday 19th May. The birds were liberated at 07.30 hrs with a light south westerly wind and sunshine at the liberation site. Conditions along the route varied from a south westerly in southern UK to a north easterly further up the country. Towards the north of the UK the visibility and weather was expected to ...
In the first part of this article on one of, if not the most successful fanciers in the UK, I outlined Mark’s background in the sport and his loft set-up. In this, the second part I intend to outline Mark’s methods and the pigeons that have made him such a successful fancier.
The amazing success story of possibly Britain’s finest fancier continues unabated. The 2011 season must be ranked amongst the most successful ever for this quiet, unassuming yet outstandingly successful fancier. Not only did he win yet another National race, making it six in total, but he also won his second and third International races into the bargain.
What extra superlatives can there be added or said about Mark Gilbert of Windsor. After his birds' domination of yet another national race.
This last weekend will be one which Mark Gilbert will surely never forget even if he lives to be 150 years of age. On Friday the 1st of July he clocked a bird which looked likely to win 1st National Flying Club from Tarbes, the clubs ‘Blue Ribband’ race. Only to learn on Saturday morning that a fantastic bird up into Keighley, West Yorkshire had pushed him down into 2nd National position, a ...
When a fifteen year old boy witnessed his single entry to the Pau National dropping towards its home loft, after completing its 560 mile journey from Southern France, to eventually finish 233rd Open NFC, two things happened.