UkPigeonRacing

Precisely, so buying from a 5 year old hen that's done precisely nothing of note is an investment I'd swerve (personally).

When I raced in the 80’s and 90’s no one had or wanted Grizzle pigeons they were seen as the old man’s 2 day 500 mile pigeons I can’t remember anyone in fed racing ever doing a thing with a team of pigeons of the Grizzle colour
During that period none of the pigeons purchased in Belgium by studs ever seemed to be grizzles thinking of Herman’s verheyes etc at Louella who at the time had the in thing
I personally can’t stand them as most know but that’s a personal choice from probably being brain washed into thinking there crap and just plodders
So I get that it’s fashion now and fashion is what it is
The bit I don’t understand and it could well be obvious if my memory is correct and there were very few grizzle sprint pigeons even 15 years ago where or how has the colour developed
No denying they have and they seem to win well
What was the origin and how did Grizzles suddenly become a sprint fashion

MIL wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:03 am Precisely, so buying from a 5 year old hen that's done precisely nothing of note is an investment I'd swerve (personally).

I think there are a lot of pigeons moved on or given away that have bred club 2 or 3 club winners
I myself have 2 fed winners away in July one of which bred a 2nd fed winner in his first year at stock for me

Here is a video of some great grizzled lines.

https://youtu.be/2Ia-f-uBgTI?si=esfoFBbG0U7t8Piv

This may help with your Question Neil.

https://www.pipa.be/en/articles/tournie ... cing-21441

Devo1956 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:32 am This may help with your Question Neil.

https://www.pipa.be/en/articles/tournie ... cing-21441

Lovely article only had a quick scan
Not really sure it answers my question though Devo
I will read it fully though for sure
I just can’t think what grizzle sprint pigeons there were between 83 - 93 when I packed in maybe it’s my memory

NeilA wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:38 am

Devo1956 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:32 am This may help with your Question Neil.

https://www.pipa.be/en/articles/tournie ... cing-21441

Lovely article only had a quick scan
Not really sure it answers my question though Devo
I will read it fully though for sure
I just can’t think what grizzle sprint pigeons there were between 83 - 93 when I packed in maybe it’s my memory

This may help Neil.

Dare I put one of my own pigeons in my sprint ‘SIX OF THE BEST’. Well he was a bit special! My best pigeon of the 1980’s and probably my best of all time was our famous champion ‘Kenny’ and this Denys Brothers grizzle cock won 37 positions in the first six, including thirteen times 1st. club, also 3rd., 5th. and 9th. in the very strong Surrey Federation. This ‘once in a life time’ pigeon was eventually put to stock, breeding many winners and his daughter bred a pigeon to win 2nd. open Up North Combine for a fancier in the north east of England. His grand dam was the champion stock hen, ‘Little Mo’, bred in 1972, by the Denys family in Belgium and I purchased this great hen off the late Alec Martin of Worpledon. The ‘Little Mo’ Grizzle bloodline produced a density of premier racers, including Geoff Snelling’s Amalgamation winner in the 1970’s. Geoff's 1st Open Amalgamation winning pigeon was his yearling red grizzle cock called 'Magri' which won the Amalgamation by 31 y.p.m., earning him an RPRA Southern Region Award. 'Magri's' sire, a Denys Brothers grizzle, was bred by Bernard Miles from the two champion stock pigeons 'Grey Flight II' and 'Little Mo', both from Denys Brothers in Belgium.

Champion ‘Kenny’ had several outstanding brothers, the best one being another grizzle named ‘Warrior’, and he won seven times 1st. club, also 2nd, 3rd. and 15th. in the Surrey Federation. These brilliant cocks were raced on the natural system and never raced further than Plymouth (180 miles). A third brother, ‘Double Top’, won three times 1st. club, including 1st. club (by 75 minutes), 5th. Surrey Federation, 7th. open S.M.T. Combine Penzance. The 1980’s were a golden decade for our loft at Claygate, winning up to ten firsts in most seasons and were the premier prize winners in the Surbiton F.C. three years consecutively.

CH. ‘TOM THUMB’ - Vic Shaw of North London.

I remember the pigeon Devo
I could put 1000 pigeons non grizzle on from that period though
The odd pigeon can obviously be found
I’m not sure when you raced but I guess it was 80’s 90’s do you remember many top lofts having a team of widowhood Grizzle cocks
Thinking busschaerts / fvw / Janssen/ van loon etc I can’t remember grizzles like they are now not for sprinting
Louella lofts seemed to be grizzles in Kirkpatrick they had another distance family Delbar but was in Bel? Like Belange Delbers I can’t remember the name
I guess I’m saying in the period you didn’t go to your club and the ace fliers turn up with a basket of grizzles

NeilA wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:53 am I remember the pigeon Devo
I could put 1000 pigeons non grizzle on from that period though
The odd pigeon can obviously be found
I’m not sure when you raced but I guess it was 80’s 90’s do you remember many top lofts having a team of widowhood Grizzle cocks
Thinking busschaerts / fvw / Janssen/ van loon etc I can’t remember grizzles like they are now not for sprinting
Louella lofts seemed to be grizzles in Kirkpatrick they had another distance family Delbar but was in Bel? Like Belange Delbers I can’t remember the name
I guess I’m saying in the period you didn’t go to your club and the ace fliers turn up with a basket of grizzles

Well Neil, I had different strains when I first started up in the sport. Delbar, Sions, Busschaets, Kirkpatrick Grooters. at that time there were a lot of sadlebacks. Also the white Logens that was doing well.
I would have to say, we were so far behind on what was going on in Europe. And don't forget at that time everything was Hush.
I think Louella I did visit early years, but everything else was from the paper The racing Pigeon.

The Delbar , Sions Grooters Kirkpatrick Logan’s were not sprint pigeons though Devo ? Well not here
were they sprint pigeons in your area during the 80’s 90’s my memory would be people like Len Clarke winning with the Marcellis reds cheq and mealy or Pauline Arkers with the Busschaert and from memory I don’t recall her having Grizzles but you would know more than me about the area
Are you saying the Belgium’s in the 80’s were winning out of turn with Grizzles and sending us the other colours to buy ? Not sure what you mean Hush