Mark Gilbert

[Buster121]

I read his story on PIPA just been looking for it again but cannot find it

[Buster121]

Mark Gilbert - Southfield Lofts

·
Well what can I say but it seems our amazing season has just got even better. I still don’t think what unfolded last night has even sunk in.
Anyone who knows me will tell you how much I want to win Barcelona in the UK and how I have always said with the right conditions, right preparation and more importantly the right pigeons we could get a day pigeon on the clock.
Well last night we made history at Southfield managing to clock the very first pigeon on the day from Barcelona. They were liberated at 6am and after flying 698 miles in 15 hours and 51 minutes we managed to win 1st National and 6th International from 16,561 birds.
‘Southfield History’ as she is now called was paired up earlier in the season and sent on a 5 day baby and she pulled out all the stops to get home to that baby. We decided to have a go at the Internationals on Natural only this year and it has really paid off as we were also 1st National, 6th International from Pau.
Even though she is only 2 years old she does have previous form. Last year she flew the National Flying club Pau race and after flying 570 miles in just over 15 and 1/2 hours scored 10th section, 33rd National. Incidentally in the same race her nest mate scored 4th section, 19th Open. Not bad for a pair of yearlings.
Her Father is Son Naomi of Cor de Heijde 6th Int. Barcelona and her Mother won 17th Int. Barcelona for Twan Bongers so the apple didn’t fall far from those trees.
I would just like to say thanks so much for all the messages I really do appreciate them but there are so many I would be here for days trying to answer them all.

[Andy]

Thanks for putting that on Buster. A very good piece from Mark.

[Murray]

A historic event alright. There are not enough superlatives to describe that.
Interesting that the winner is a two year old, having flown 570 miles as a yearling.

[DarkPiedCock]

Amazing breeding.

[Trev]

Mark Gilbert - Southfield Lofts

·
Well what can I say but it seems our amazing season has just got even better. I still don’t think what unfolded last night has even sunk in.
Anyone who knows me will tell you how much I want to win Barcelona in the UK and how I have always said with the right conditions, right preparation and more importantly the right pigeons we could get a day pigeon on the clock.
Well last night we made history at Southfield managing to clock the very first pigeon on the day from Barcelona. They were liberated at 6am and after flying 698 miles in 15 hours and 51 minutes we managed to win 1st National and 6th International from 16,561 birds.
‘Southfield History’ as she is now called was paired up earlier in the season and sent on a 5 day baby and she pulled out all the stops to get home to that baby. We decided to have a go at the Internationals on Natural only this year and it has really paid off as we were also 1st National, 6th International from Pau.
Even though she is only 2 years old she does have previous form. Last year she flew the National Flying club Pau race and after flying 570 miles in just over 15 and 1/2 hours scored 10th section, 33rd National. Incidentally in the same race her nest mate scored 4th section, 19th Open. Not bad for a pair of yearlings.
Her Father is Son Naomi of Cor de Heijde 6th Int. Barcelona and her Mother won 17th Int. Barcelona for Twan Bongers so the apple didn’t fall far from those trees.
I would just like to say thanks so much for all the messages I really do appreciate them but there are so many I would be here for days trying to answer them all.

Thanks Buster
Outstanding pedigree and performances by the birds and fancier alike
It takes years of hard work and dedication to get a team of pigeons that you can rely on year after in competitions like these so well done to all.

[Buster121]

It certainly does take years, I watched a video once on Marks loft etc and was surprised how let's say unclean his lofts are to say he has a loft manager as well, but yes praise of the highest on his achievements

[Andy]

Very good results from a very good fancier. But when you breed 700 youngsters like he does you would expect to have the odd good ones. He certainly prepares them well and tests them hard so you can’t take that away from him. If we tried doing that with the small team we keep we would be wiped out in a few weeks. He can afford to push them hard as he has plenty left to fill in later.

[Murray]

That is so right, Andy. When you have a massive operation like that you will come up with some exceptional pigeons, by sheer weight of numbers. But still, Mark has chosen to put the resources into it, and he is reaping the rewards.
The same thing is happening on the Continent too, so I read. Professional flyers entering huge numbers and cleaning up the prizes. People complain about it, but the big team operators are keeping the sport alive. Without them the cost of racing would probably be impossible.
The horse racing is the same. The big stables have hundreds of horses in their systems, and provide the animals to fill the races in the modern industry, which is racing every day nearly.
Those of us who are small loft hobby fanciers, need to accept that the big guys are the life blood of the game, and realise that without them there wouldn't be a sport anymore.

[Buster121]

Don't forget he works it the other way as well sending only 1 and still wins