BBC Race program for 2023

[Andy]

The BBC are the first of the national clubs to put up their proposed race program for next season.
This has been posted on their website:


Race Programme for 2023 Bordeaux is back!!
Firstly, we begin with the great news that the BBC are racing from Bordeaux in 2023 on Saturday 15th July. The King Charles III Coronation Race from Bordeaux will be an OPEN race as well as a Club race, allowing any fancier with a CPH number being able to compete. We will have marking stations in at least 3 locations to enable as many fanciers as we can to join us in this special Coronation race. The overall winner will be awarded “The King Charles III Coronation Medal”. Entries will be unlimited at £6.00 per bird.
If any member would like help obtaining their CPH number, please telephone Clare Norman who will complete the registration form and submit it for you.
The full race programme for next season is:
1st OB Race – Saturday 20th May – WADEBRIDGE £2.75 per bird
2nd OB Race – Saturday 3rd June – GUERNSEY £3.50 per bird
3rd OB Race – Saturday 24th June – MESSAC £4.00 per bird
4th OB Race – Friday 30th June - PAU (with NFC) (birdage cost to be confirmed)
5th OB Race – (Date & birdage cost to be confirmed) – BARCELONA International 6th OB Race – Saturday 15th July – BORDEAUX OPEN RACE £6.00 per bird Young Bird Race - Saturday 26th August – GUERNSEY £3.50 per bird
Old Bird Any Age Race - Saturday 26th August – GUERNSEY £3.50 per bird
Annual Young Bird Sale
The Annual Young Bird Sale for 2023 will be an ONLINE SALE. The sale will take place in April between Sunday 9th and Sunday 6th April with all proceeds going towards the general running of the Club. More details on the sale in the New Year.
Clare Norman. Telephone: 02380 573919 Email; [email protected] 133 Laundry Road, Shirley Warren, Southampton, SO16 6AR.


Whilst this looks an interesting program it’s not one that I will compete in as I’m not going to apply for a CPH number with all the implications of vet visits etc. I could race Wadebridge and the Guernsey’s as these wouldn’t require a CPH number and marking would probably be more local. But I don’t think I want to be switching the birds routes, although I did this year without to much trouble. Wadebridge would be South West, Guernsey South and most of my intended racing with the CSCFC North.
The problems I see is that although they are saying they are having at least 3 marking stations where are they going to be? With 3 marking stations that would mean 3 vets at £500 a marking station. That’s £1,500 that they need to make before loading any pigeons on the transporter. At £6 per pigeon entry for Bordeaux that’s 250 needed just to cover the cost of the vets. I expect Pau and Barcelona will be quite a bit more per pigeon. I think these nationals are going to struggle to have enough entries to make them viable. Even £3.50 per pigeon for Guernsey is quite high. Especially as it’s only just over 100 miles for me.
Will be interesting to see what programs the other national clubs come up with.

[Buster121]

Seen it on chat a good selection but expensive, how do these compare to last years prices

[Andy]

Seen it on chat a good selection but expensive, how do these compare to last years prices

About the same as last year for the shorter races but I can see the longer ones being much more. The Internationals could well be £12/£15 per bird. But of course last year they also had the veterinary costs with only one marking station. The year before that, 2019, no channel racing in 2020 due to covid, they were at least 50p per bird less. The difference is that I can fly the shorter races for £2.75/bird, 400 miles for £3.25/bird 500 miles for £5.50/bird and 600 miles for £6.50/bird on the North road.

[Andy]

Let’s say I was to send 10 to the Bordeaux race. That would cost me £60. Plus probably another £60 in fuel to get to marking and having to take a day off work.

[Buster121]

Let’s say I was to send 10 to the Bordeaux race. That would cost me £60. Plus probably another £60 in fuel to get to marking and having to take a day off work.

Makes it a very expensive hobby mate

[George and Morgan]

Andy it's the end for many now north or south with clubs having only 2--5 members sending in last few races i don't think it will change much come next season we will find out when the new rings come on sale what may increase is fanciers buying in a team of ybs racing them then maybe keeping them or get rid of them in other words racing just ybs then no winter costs

[Andy]

Unfortunately that’s too true George. I don’t think there will be hardly any clubs/feds that will go over the channel due to the paper work and costs involved. As this would make long distance racing much harder for all those apart from those in the South or North of the country. This will lead to much more sprint racing and could result in the loss of a lot of good distance pigeons.
As far as young bird racing is concerned looking at the terrible young bird racing that has been happening this year with big losses in racing and training along with young bird sickness I see a lot of clubs were either unable to complete a full program or had very few in the last couple of races. I hear that quite a few are saying they may not race youngsters anymore. I think it could result in a shorter program of any age racing. As the race programs will result in a lot more short races it will be easier to bring youngsters in at any stage of the season.

[George and Morgan]

did i eead on pigeonchat of 2 feds who do AA races all season sure there has to be more of these races

[Buster121]

did i eead on pigeonchat of 2 feds who do AA races all season sure there has to be more of these races

Sure you did mate seem to remember it myself, think was up north but sure was one down south as well

[Murray]

did i eead on pigeonchat of 2 feds who do AA races all season sure there has to be more of these races

Welcome to pigeon racing in Australia.
All age racing, young birds being thrown in to learn their job on the job, heavy losses and a shrug of the shoulders.
I don't like it.