Distance Birds

[MIL]

Thanks for your comments and that information Mike, they are phenomenal pigeons and performances.
I quite agree with you, he does have an outstanding record and is undeniably an excellent pigeon man, and of course I know he also works hard for the BICC and the sport in general.
The Preece's, the Staddons and the May's are others who spring to mind along with the late Ian Crammond, all outstanding pigeon fanciers with large teams. As you say, it's not like the old days when we only had half a dozen or so big classic races to compete in, it is relentless these days.
There is no denying either that this sport does need these big lofts to help keep the sport alive.
I know I did mention Mark by name but wasn't just aiming my comments just at him, there are plenty of others out there like Mark.
I'm just putting other thoughts out there for people to think about and am interested in hearing their comments too.
I shall never achieve what these fanciers do year after year, but also admit that I just don't have the desire or drive that they do either.

Yes Trev I know and appreciate that - I was just adding a bit of "meat to the bone"

[MIL]

I think a lot of the top continental lofts seem to have massive teams and fantastic set ups with loft managers or people to clean etc
Marks really just doing that here so perhaps stands out as others are not and he’s set up is to compete with his equals on the continent if we had 30 blokes doing it then it would be normal to see
It wasn’t uncommon in London sprinting years ago to have a near professional fanciers set up or fanciers not need to work with a large team and set up to match
We still have that now but a lot less like there are less of all fanciers

You're bang on Neil

Mark's desire and ambition is to be feared/respected on a European level not just a UK level

Therefore he has to fight fire with fire

It's impossible to be high in the International result each time - the variables of the race doesn't allow it

All he needs to ensure is that if he does get a whiff of a chance at International level then he's gotta be good enough to take advantage of the opportunity - same for all UK lads really

[Trev]

I think a lot of the top continental lofts seem to have massive teams and fantastic set ups with loft managers or people to clean etc
Marks really just doing that here so perhaps stands out as others are not and he’s set up is to compete with his equals on the continent if we had 30 blokes doing it then it would be normal to see
It wasn’t uncommon in London sprinting years ago to have a near professional fanciers set up or fanciers not need to work with a large team and set up to match
We still have that now but a lot less like there are less of all fanciers

You're bang on Neil

Mark's desire and ambition is to be feared/respected on a European level not just a UK level

Therefore he has to fight fire with fire

It's impossible to be high in the International result each time - the variables of the race doesn't allow it

All he needs to ensure is that if he does get a whiff of a chance at International level then he's gotta be good enough to take advantage of the opportunity - same for all UK lads really

Very true, all any of us can do is try to ensure that our birds are good enough, fit enough and mentally prepared enough for the job in hand, then keep our fingers crossed that the elements and variables go our way.
We owe it to our birds to ensure they have everything they need to give them a fighting chance, anything else over those distances is bordering on cruelty.

[MIL]

Here's another example

This hen has been to Barcelona in 2023 and 2024 performing well

Her reward is to see Barcelona again in 2025

[Devo1956]

307 I would say if she comes back in 2025. Put her away for breeding she will have earned her rewards.

[MIL]

307 I would say if she comes back in 2025. Put her away for breeding she will have earned her rewards.

Like I said before Devo one thing about Mark is he's pushing the boundaries all the time

Getting them to score great once - lovely

The definition of a superstar though is those that go to the well time and time again

[Buster121]

Great bird with great performances, I wish her the best to continue it

[Trev]

Here's another example

This hen has been to Barcelona in 2023 and 2024 performing well

Her reward is to see Barcelona again in 2025

Very nice looking bird and very impressive results, as you say, most of us would lock them away lol.
I do have a couple of birds here who have flown 400+ miles a couple times, one has had a 2nd Club from Perth the other a 1st club from Bordeaux, not quite as impressive I know but both have been again since.
I did have two hens back in the 90s who won the club from Thurso, 552miles, and Banff, about 470miles and both were carded on return visits, the Banff winner, in the same season, had also been carded from Berwick 4th club (348mls) and Stonehaven 2nd club (431mls) over a 5 week period, but both were lost from a bad Elgin race, 485miles, that is only true smash I've ever raced in, not one bird in whole Federation, made it home in race time.
As you say, having a bird in your loft that's done it once is special, but several that have done it time and time again is certainly extra special, especially at that standard of racing.

[NeilA]

Here’s a interesting thing
The great Misty Lady won the London combine Thurso twice when it was hot in the early 70’s
She was timed both times next day just gone 8am I was told 4 mins apart from one year to the next to win the race
She flew Stonehaven and was timed around that time and behind as it’s only 380 miles
She flew all the Scottish races before her wins arriving next morning
2nd combine was Alf Hornsy
His pigeon had been 100 miles twice then to Thurso 500 miles
I believe this was around 1972 could be a bit later
I only got told that info last night obviously I new she was a double combine winner bit not the facts

[NeilA]

Here's another example

This hen has been to Barcelona in 2023 and 2024 performing well

Her reward is to see Barcelona again in 2025

Very nice looking bird and very impressive results, as you say, most of us would lock them away lol.
I do have a couple of birds here who have flown 400+ miles a couple times, one has had a 2nd Club from Perth the other a 1st club from Bordeaux, not quite as impressive I know but both have been again since.
I did have two hens back in the 90s who won the club from Thurso, 552miles, and Banff, about 470miles and both were carded on return visits, the Banff winner, in the same season, had also been carded from Berwick 4th club (348mls) and Stonehaven 2nd club (431mls) over a 5 week period, but both were lost from a bad Elgin race, 485miles, that is only true smash I've ever raced in, not one bird in whole Federation, made it home in race time.
As you say, having a bird in your loft that's done it once is special, but several that have done it time and time again is certainly extra special, especially at that standard of racing.

Birds to be proud of Trev
One day I will give it a try
Problem I have is the nrcc programme is at 320 miles when we are 150 miles and our combine only goes over 300 miles twice
The thought of training ybs south north of London after work I just can’t face yet
North I do 20 miles in 30 miles south it’s 45/50 them the same back