T Barrett of Portsmouth timed two pigeons in quick succession to take first and second open, first and second SE section. First was a three year old hen and second was a yearling hen, both clocked on the velocity of 1292ypm over a distance of 312 miles. The winner has now been named Hayley Triple X and was purchased in a kit of thirty that Gary Tomlinson sent down for Tony and his friends Jason Ross and Mark Drackett to race. The birds were divided up equally between the friends with them each picking one out in turn. Tony raced roundabout earlier in the season, but then paired up his pigeons as he was having a week's holiday whilst his friend Nicky Wilson looked after his birds. Hence his winners were sent sitting ten to twelve day eggs. Second open, named JG was bred by Tony from pigeons he had from his friend John Gerard.
Wojciech Blachut of Trowbridge was third open and first NW section with a two year old on 1289ypm over a distance of 358 miles. Wojciech timed a second pigeon shortly afterwards, another two year old on 1188ypm, it was thirteenth open and second NW section. This is Wojciech's third section win this season and his timer contains the best of Brian Sheppard bloodlines crossed with those of his friends Robert and Patryk Sulkowski, top Polish fliers. When he moved to England Wojciech was helped back into the pigeon sport by Brian Sheppard and before Brian passed, he promised him he would race his pigeons well. His winner has now been named Brian in tribute.
P Basham of Southampton timed a yearling hen on 1279ypm over 318 miles to take fourth open and third SE section. Paul's hen was on her first channel race. The sire is a son of Mister B, his second open Bergerac winner, whilst the dam was purchased from David Coward-Talbot and contains Brian Long's Jos Thone Poco, Pauline and Emperor x daughter of Sars bloodlines. Paul timed a second pigeon shortly afterwards which will be fifth open and fourth SE section. Both the sire and dam of this one were bred by Geoff and Catherine Cooper.
David and John Staddon of Shepton Mallett timed two yearlings to take sixth and seventh open, first and section SW section. Both clocked on a velocity of 1250ypm over the distance of 350 miles. Father and son sent a team of chaos widowhood pigeons and clocked six of their fifteen entries in the top ten of the section. First on the clock was bred from their number one breeder, The Real Miracle, whilst the dam is a Frans Zwols hen purchased from Formula One Lofts. Second to time was bred from their best long distance bloodlines with the sire being Rembrandt and the dam Blue Gem, a daughter of Freelands Gem 6 x Tarbes NFC.
Mike Moody of Southampton was eighth open and fifth SE section with a yearling on 1244ypm over 320 miles. Mike clocked a second pigeon, a yearling on 1202ypm to also take eleventh open and sixth section. Mike's first pigeon was sent on a newly hatched squeaker and was bred from a son of Licence to Thrill x Eddy Janssen hen. His second was bred from Thrilling Fred, first open classic x 2nd open NFC Cholet.
Mr and Mrs Kenny and Family of Wantage clocked a two year old on 1243ypm over a distance of 366 miles to take ninth open and first NE section. The section winner is a chequer hen which they bought from Roger Lowe as a youngster. The sire is a double son of Mark Gilbert's Southfield Supreme and the dam is a daughter of New Laureaat, first international Barcelona.
Mr and Mrs Gower of Fordingbridge timed a two year old on 1204ypm over 327 miles to take tenth open and first SW section. Mark and Julie purchased this pigeon at the Watchfield breeder buyer sale. It was bred by Mark Brown out of his Gert Heylen stock. Mark timed a second pigeon, a Herman Ceuster bred from Premier Stud bloodlines.
Around the sections
Flying a distance of 402 miles, Booth and Roper of Tewkesbury were third and fourth NW section. The first arrival for them was a two year old cock on 1073ypm, followed by a three year old on 1017ypm. Trevor and John's first timer was bred from their old Van Den Bosch / Dordin bloodlines and was flown on the roundabout system. They had eight out of nine birds home.
Roger Lowe of Reading was second NE section and twentieth open with a five year old cock on 1119ypm over a distance of 354 miles. Roger's timer was raced on the roundabout system and bred from a direct Freddy Vandenheede cock, New Kid on the Block when paired to Going for Gold, first open Carentan.
That concludes the report on the Central Southern Classic Flying Club race from Poitiers.