Tarbes 2024 - Superb!

[NeilA]

I think all you do is be at your best and hope it works on the day
Mark Gilbert will 9 times out of 10 have pigeons in one top 10 of nationals but not always win it , there be other birds amongst the top prizes
You mention Mark Bulled well he won the bbc fougers and the NFC Tarbes in a week
He works full time and races from his garden

[Murray]

My goodness - and here's me just trying to get a bird home.
You gotta hand it to mister Gilbert. The sire of this bird is an exceptional specimen.

I think it’s the blood Dave and he has the best
Along with perfect loft conditions and other advantages like being a top fancier
Mark Bulled always tells me it’s the blood at the distance that is the most important thing above feeding etc

Absolutely right, Neil, I totally agree.
BECAUSE Mark Gilbert is a top flyer, top of the heap, he has excellent lofts to house the best pigeons he can find. The pigeons don't make him a top flyer, it starts with him being a top flyer.
I believe that's the order.
First you must be a fancier who has an aim, and be prepared to go to great lengths to achieve it.

[Diamond Dave]

I think all you do is be at your best and hope it works on the day
Mark Gilbert will 9 times out of 10 have pigeons in one top 10 of nationals but not always win it , there be other birds amongst the top prizes
You mention Mark Bulled well he won the bbc fougers and the NFC Tarbes in a week
He works full time and races from his garden

Have to agree Neil. I guess we all have our own aspirations and mine are completely different to his.
Am I jealous? ................................................................. Hell, you bet I am!!!

[Andy]

Was told the other day by a good friend of Marks that his corn bill is £2,000 a month. I don’t either earn that much.

[goose1]

Just looking through the ped of Southfield Darren and cant help but notice all the top names in it.
Gyselbrecht
Alex Rans
Jelle Jellema
Nico Volkens
Batenberg.
Its great for MG, but if Im honest, it gets me thinking - how do "normal" fanciers compete with that?. I couldnt even afford the import cost on one of those birds.
You all agree with Mark Bulled that blood counts when it comes to the distance, well theres not many ppl that can afford the best in Europe to that degree and I wonder will mr Gilberts' sheer dominance have a detrimental effect on distance flying in this country.

Mark Gilbert like everyone else is beatable. He did not have a good season (certainly by his own standards) in the BICC International races last year. It took him to the last International race to actually win the BICC. He was on record as saying the distance pigeons just didn't come into the form he would expect last year. It happens to everyone.

[NeilA]

Was told the other day by a good friend of Marks that his corn bill is £2,000 a month. I don’t either earn that much.

That’s about 20 plus bags a week isn’t it
Be about 1500 pigeons seems a lot
I thought he had about 300 old birds 400 young birds I wouldn’t have a clue how many breeders though

[Andy]

Was told the other day by a good friend of Marks that his corn bill is £2,000 a month. I don’t either earn that much.

That’s about 20 plus bags a week isn’t it
Be about 1500 pigeons seems a lot
I thought he had about 300 old birds 400 young birds I wouldn’t have a clue how many breeders though

I think a lot of his stock birds are housed at Nigel Langstaffs place in Fontwell, West Sussex.

[NeilA]

Was told the other day by a good friend of Marks that his corn bill is £2,000 a month. I don’t either earn that much.

That’s about 20 plus bags a week isn’t it
Be about 1500 pigeons seems a lot
I thought he had about 300 old birds 400 young birds I wouldn’t have a clue how many breeders though

I think a lot of his stock birds are housed at Nigel Langstaffs place in Fontwell, West Sussex.

I hate breeding to the ybs are about 18 days , do you think he will find room for my 9 pair of stock

[MIL]

Just looking through the ped of Southfield Darren and cant help but notice all the top names in it.
Gyselbrecht
Alex Rans
Jelle Jellema
Nico Volkens
Batenberg.
Its great for MG, but if Im honest, it gets me thinking - how do "normal" fanciers compete with that?. I couldnt even afford the import cost on one of those birds.
You all agree with Mark Bulled that blood counts when it comes to the distance, well theres not many ppl that can afford the best in Europe to that degree and I wonder will mr Gilberts' sheer dominance have a detrimental effect on distance flying in this country.

If you look at the big 2 results from 2024

Mel King won the NFC Tarbes sending 6

Andrei Bargaoanu won the Barcelona sending 2

In the 2024 Barcelona race there were 8 guys (including the winner) in the top 19 who entered either 1 or 2 pigeons





I would say focus on yourself, dare to dream, and dreams can come true

As for Mark having a "detrimental effect" I would say exactly the opposite actually

I would say his inspirational performances are driving a resurgence in racing at the distance

[goose1]

Just looking through the ped of Southfield Darren and cant help but notice all the top names in it.
Gyselbrecht
Alex Rans
Jelle Jellema
Nico Volkens
Batenberg.
Its great for MG, but if Im honest, it gets me thinking - how do "normal" fanciers compete with that?. I couldnt even afford the import cost on one of those birds.
You all agree with Mark Bulled that blood counts when it comes to the distance, well theres not many ppl that can afford the best in Europe to that degree and I wonder will mr Gilberts' sheer dominance have a detrimental effect on distance flying in this country.

If you look at the big 2 results from 2024

Mel King won the NFC Tarbes sending 6

Andrei Bargaoanu won the Barcelona sending 2

In the 2024 Barcelona race there were 8 guys (including the winner) in the top 19 who entered either 1 or 2 pigeons





I would say focus on yourself, dare to dream, and dreams can come true

As for Mark having a "detrimental effect" I would say exactly the opposite actually

I would say his inspirational performances are driving a resurgence in racing at the distance

Absolutely bang on Mike.