BICC BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL RACE REPORT.
To many, the Barcelona International race held annually on the first weekend in July is the epitome of what long distance pigeon racing is all about. The competitive field is massive with, in some cases, up to 27,000 hand picked pigeons from the best lofts in Europe, vying for top honours over the arduous course, which in some cases measures more than 800 miles.
So it was that on Friday 2nd July, 19,083 pigeons from all over Europe were liberated at 6.40 am GMT to race the marathon course to their home lofts. Amongst this number were 331 pigeons entered by British fanciers including eight brave participants from Ireland. These were entered by Pat Nolan & Daughter of Crossabeg, County Wexford [ Let me say at the start, as I write this preamble some days before the actual liberation, I sincerely hope that I will be able to report on one, some or all of these pigeons on their home coming in the near future. A full loft report will be a priority].
The break down of entries from the various countries is as follows:-
Belgium 7,835 birds
Netherlands 5,182 birds.
France 3,134 birds.
Poland 1,276 birds.
UK 331 birds.
Luxembourg 30 birds.
BICC members will be competing for a number of trophies in this race and amongst these are four trophies with a total financial value of £3,500 generously donated by Jim Emerton. These are THE JIM EMERTON TROPHY,THE JIM EMERTON BARCELONA DREAM TROPHY,THE JIM EMERTON MENSA TROPHY for the bird recording the highest velocity into Cornwall and THE JIM EMERTON BELIEF TROPHY to be awarded to the bird recording the highest velocity into Ireland.
So to the Barcelona race itself, regarded by many as the greatest race on earth. With the helping south easterly winds for almost the whole of the course of the race it was thought that despite the stifling heat, one or two birds might get through to their home lofts in Northern France on the day. As it happened , one brave pigeon did make it home on the day at 19.57 pm GMT, to the loft of Cuffel & sons of Montivilliers near the French port of Le Havre on the north west coast of France. With this in mind it was thought that there was a very slight possibility that a bird making it across the English Channel by nightfall. Unfortunately this was not to be and the British contingent had to endure a “night on the tiles” accompanied by torrential thunderstorms and lightning.
The second morning of the race saw pigeons being clocked in France and Belgium from 6.42 am onwards and this stream of pigeons continued throughout the morning.
At 10.50 am the first British pigeon was clocked at the Rainham ,Essex loft of multiple BICC National winner and Pau King’s Cup winner Dave Delea. Given the terrible overnight conditions of torrential rain, thunder and lightening, the velocity of 857 mpm is an outstanding achievement. Dave has now won the BICC Barcelona race on three occasions and just look at this list of back up performances in this marathon event:-
2 x 2nd ;1x 3rd; 4th, 5th, 2 x 6th ; 2 x 8th, 15th, 17th etc ,etc, terrific performances over a long period of time at the extreme distance and these can be backed up by many other top performances with the BICC in International races. Dave’s brother Paul has also won the Barcelona race on two occasions so I suppose you could say that it’s a bit of a family affair this racing from the Catalan capital!
The winning pigeon is a three year old dark w/f hen sent sitting overdue. She was mated in March and has reared two nests of youngsters. In the build up to Barcelona she had three preparatory races from Fougeres, Tours and Ancenis along with regular 70 mile trainers from the south coast. This private training is carried out in conjunction with Dave’s brother Paul. The brothers also exchange pigeons from their separate line bred families with Paul concentrating on the old Kenyon lines and Dave developing his family of Champion Major and Tueman Dicken Bartholomew lines.
The Delea pigeons enjoy an open loft throughout the day and are fed to appetite as and when Dave enters the loft. An interesting fact emerged when talking to Dave and that was the fact that many of his top performers have emerged from the same small section and the same two nest boxes within that section. Whatever it is that they like in that secluded domestic environment, it continues to encourage top class performances from the individual pigeons nesting therein.
The latest news is that Dave’s brave hen looks to be 95th Open in the International field against more than 19,000 pigeons and should finish even higher in the Hens International. A top class performance from an outstanding long distance fancier and one of his long established family of marathon racers. Many congratulations Dave.
It was good to speak to Dave again on the occasion of his record breaking third Barcelona win and a full loft report will be on the BICC web site shortly.
Dave also asked me to congratulate the Padfield Family, Dave and Vince, on coming so close to winning and on their terrific team performance in this difficult race.
Next up at 2nd Open is a partnership which is one of, if not the very best practitioners of extreme distance racing in these islands – the Padfield family Vince and Dave of Cwmtillery way out west, deep in the Welsh Valleys. The recorded distance flown by their champion long distance racer in the Barcelona race is 757 miles. The actual distance flown ,if you accept that the British pigeons cross the English Channel in the Sussex- Kent area, is nearer 1,000 miles and yet this gutsy blue w/f cock recorded a velocity of 793 mpm over this marathon course and this against a 15 mph west south westerly wind!!
Just look at this great long distance racers list of prizes in International races with the BICC.
2015 2nd Open BICC International Barcelona 1st West Section also 1st NFC single bird National and 1st Gwent Greater distance Club flying 757 miles.
He is also a BICC Meritorious Award winner -3 times in the first 10 in the BICC international races.
2011 AGEN BICC International 4th Open 1st West Section in a very strong West wind.
2014 PAU BICC International 10th Open 3rd West Section.
2014 St Vincent BICC International 2nd Open 1st West Section in a west wind.
A multiple winner in addition to the 2nd 2nd 4th and 10th Nationals in BICC International races.
He has also won as a 2 year old 76th Open CSCFC Tarbes and as a 3year old he was 4th Section 5th Open Welsh South Road National Tarbes and 26th sections 205th Open NFC Tarbes 607 miles 2012.
He is bred from a Brian Leadbetter cock of Super Crack x Champion 48 bloodlines.
The dam contains the best of the Padfields Wim Muller Jan Aardens cross Morgan & Cook bloodlines. She in turn is a full sister to VINCE 1st Pau WSRN FC and 2000 Gold Cup winner and RPRA long distance award winner. Her sire was 8th Open WSRN FC Pau and his g/sire was 2nd Welsh North road National Lerwick.
A sister to the blue w/f 31 was 27th Open BICC International Barcelona 2014 and she in turn is the brothers’ third bird in the clock in the 2015 Barcelona race taking 9th Open BICC on 578 mpm.
This year the cock had a few inland races and then Carentan and Fougeres this followed by Tours with the BICC then into Barcelona. He has been raced on the roundabout system for all of the season but on the Friday before basketting on the Sunday he was left to run with his hen for two nights.
Vince and Dave’s second in the clock at 2nd west section 6th Open vel 689mpm is yet another outstanding long distance racer “Jean”. Her preparation this year has been similar to the blue w/f cock’s in as much as she has had a few inland races and then Carentan and Fougeres followed by Tours with the BICC then into Barcelona. She has been raced on the roundabout system for all of the season but on the Friday before basket ting on the Sunday she was left to run with her Cock for two nights. Jean’s previous performances include 1st WSRNFC Tarbes 2nd section G 27th Open NFC. Jean is a first cross with the old Wim Muller’s on the sire’s side and Ken Hine bloodlines on the dam’s side.
Congratulations lads on yet another outstanding performance at the extreme distance.
The Slough partnership od Jim and son James King come in next at 1st Centre section 3rd Open vel 702 mpm. The Kings clocked a five year old Jan Aarden chequer pied hen whose parents were bought as a kit of 12 babies from Louella. She has been a consistent racer for the partners and this year she’s had two club races through to 123 miles followed by three channel races from Carentan, Fougeres and Messac in preparation for Barcelona. Raced on the celibate system in the early part of the season she was mated and allowed to go to nest on her first set of eggs of the season and was sent to Barcelona sitting 10 day old eggs. As with all the racers she is fed on Countrywide mixtures with 50% maize added in the month before Barcelona. The birds are allowed an open loft to come and go as they please from 5.30 am until 2 pm each day with no forced exercise in the build up to the marathon races.
Finally a word or two from Jim King:-
“On my behalf please could you congratulate the International winner in France and to all the competing members of the B.I.C.C.
A big thank you to Mr Hughes for setting my clock and to all the Windsor club members for the standing ovation I received, true sportsmen.” Sorted Jim- well done.
In 2nd Centre section 4th Open position on 701 mpm is one to the Stanmore loft of Dorin Melinte. Dorin has put together an impressive list of prizes in long distance races during his short time in the sport and in the Barcelona race he clocked a 3 year old chequer hen that’s now been named “Call Spanish Princess” after competing from Barcelona twice and once from Perpignan. She has been a consistent racer in the loft from a baby. She previously scored at Agen International 2013 as yearling and then as 2 year old was 33rd open Barcelona with BICC and same season 7th Open Perpignan only to be beaten in the section by her own mate by 4 minutes. The hen has also scored in short and middle distance races from France on a number of occasions with the NFC ,BICC ,BBC and the Inter County south rod Federation . Bloodlines originate from the original pigeons that Dorin purchased from Mr and Mrs Riley. Her mother being a descendent of Bea of Van Lint 1st Nat Belgium Bourges 2005 as yearling. Her sire contains Jos Thone bloodlines. The hen returned in excellent condition and may well be pencilled in for a crack at Perpignan in 3 weeks time.
Dorin races the pigeons on roundabout at the beginning of the season after they rear a round of young birds. They are then allowed to run together once more prior to the marathon races so they can be on eggs or feeding a single youngster at the time of marking. The hen raced back to a 7 day old young bird in this year’s Barcelona race. The birds are fed individually in the nest boxes and on the floor with Versele Laga mixtures with Matrix Grit given after every feed.
Dorin is reluctant to treat with any thing apart from the annual Paramixo Vaccine jab as he believes that the birds must have a strong natural immunity if they are to succeed in these marathon races.
Mark Gilbert comes in next with a bird on 690 mpm for 3rd Centre section 5th Open. Mark clocked a second bird a little later for 4th section 7th Open vel 631 mpm. These two are widowhood hens and are sisters. Their sire is a son of Rutz & sons’ Barcelona winner. This cock is also sire of Mark’s great racer winner of 1st Marseille, 4th Barcelona with the BICC and 10th Open NFC Tarbes. The dam is a daughter of Brian Denney’s Dark Dancer. The sisters have had three short channel races through to Messac and then jumped straight into Barcelona.
The Padfield’s second timer takes 2nd west section 6th Open.
Elvington, Kent fancier Alan “Wally” Turner is yet another regular on BICC International race results and in the Barcelona race Alan followed up his 3rd Open BICC finish in this year’s Pau International race with one on 615 mpm to take 2nd East section 8th Open. Alan’s timer is three year old dark chequer cock bred from his great Barcelona cock winner of 3rd, 7th & 8th Open BICC Barcelona. The dam is a mixture of Denney ,Deweerdt and Delbar bloodlines. In preparation for this year’s Barcelona race the cock had one channel race with the EECC followed by BICC Poitiers. This was followed by a couple of 100 milers with the Wingham club and a few 50 mile private trainers. He was sent with his hen having laid again and with a big squeaker in the nest- one of Alan’s favourite conditions for long distance cocks.
The Padfield’s third in the clock takes 3rd west section 9th Open followed by one to the loft of Howes B aka Alan Howes on 572 mpm for 3rd east section 10th Open
This is what Alan had to tell me about his Barcelona timer:-
“She is a three year old Chequer Hen bred from a stray Belgium Cock which the partnership of Mudde & Herpst transferred to me - the pedigree supplied was full of long distance winners. I paired him to a Dark Chequer hen I purchased from Louella Van Geel. As a baby she was only sent on three occasions to Bedhampton (107 miles). As a yearling she was sent once again training to Bedhampton before having her first ever race with the BICC from Alencon 210 miles and two weeks later to Tours homing just off the pace on both occasions. As a two year old I decided to lay her out for St Vincent putting the loft on round-a-bout she once again had a couple of tosses from Bedhampton then into Alencon 210 miles, Tours 276 miles and Poitier's 334miles after which she was paired up to be sitting 8 days on basketing for St Vincent 544 miles. She arrived to record 1st Club, 1st Section and 5th open BICC. I only sent the one bird. Three weeks later I sent her to Perpignan 603 miles where she took 50th Open. This year Barcelona was her destination. She went through the same routine but was sent, on this occasion, feeding an eight day youngster-almost giving up she finally arrived at 21.05. I was so convinced that she would not let me down and for the first time in the BICC pooled her - initially up to £10 but found I had not enough money on me so deleted her from the £10 pool (she was once again my single entry)-someone out there owes me a drink!” Well done Alan.
The Mountnessing partnership of Gosling & Jarvis come in with a bird doing 516 mpm for 4th east section 11th Open. This is what they had to tell me about this year’s latest success:-
“The partners clocked a 3 year old Dark pied cock keeping up their amazing performance at Barcelona. In the past three seasons they have won the following 1st Section 2nd Open; 3rd Section 10th Open; 3rd Section 18th Open; 4th Section 6th Open; 4th Section 7th Open; 5th Section 11th Open; 23rd Section 37th Open and 29th Section 48th Open. The dark pied cock clocked in the 2015 race is a son of Kingpin bred by Jim Biss and is responsible for many good pigeons including 1st Section 4th Open BBC Poitiers. Kingpin is a grandson of Vend 1st NFC Pau and Zimbiss 1st National Palamos. The dam of the pied cock is a Muller Aarden bred by Ponderosa Stud of Cartier and Mona Lisa lines.
The pied cock now named Logan has always been a reliable pigeon he was lightly raced as a young bird just inland. As a yearling he had just one Channel race from Messac. Last year as a 2 year old he had 6 channel races Falaise, Messac, Tours, Poitiers, Fougeres and Bordeaux where he was 4th Section 71st Open, This season in preparation for Barcelona he has flown four inland races to the coast and four channel races:- Falaise, Messac 11th Section 275th Open, Tours 168th Section 286th Open, Poitiers 129th Section 314th Open. .He is raced on widowhood but three days prior to basketting all the other cocks were taken out of the section. He was given his hen and just left alone - no exercise just rest and food. Apart from racing no training just exercise twice daily around the loft feeding is VL Widowhood Liege and Peanuts. It is our dream to win Barcelona one day. Congratulations to all the fanciers that clocked their birds “.
David Hales of Hockley in Essex[aided and abetted by Duncan Goodchild] comes in at 5th east section 12th Open vel 507 mpm with a three year old grizzle hen bred down from Colin Brough stock. She was raced celibate at the beginning of the season and sent to Barcelona sitting her first nest of the year, having had just a couple of short channel races in preparation. David clocked a second pigeon on the Sunday afternoon to take 17th Open
Siva Brothers of Dover clocked for 6th east section 13th Open vel 492 mpm. Unfortunately I was unable to contact the Sivas as there was no response to my text to the mobile phone number that I had and the land line number was incorrect.
Geoff and Clayton Preece of Dover are another partnership with an excellent record in BICC International races as these are the only races they are interested in. In this year’s Barcelona race they clocked two birds ,one on 482 mpm to take 7th east section 14th Open and a second on 459.3mpm to take 8th section 16th Open. The first in the clock is the great long distance racer Wiggins – a double BICC Perpignan winner
This five year old is 50% line bred to the late Bill Woodall’s Dragon’s Boy / 50% Stoffel – Hermes/Marseille Star lines.. This performance from Barcelona is his 10th International Performance scoring nationally in all.
The second in the clock, also a widowhood cock is a grandson of the legendary ‘Jack Jones’ Stoffel 270/Hermes/Matterne lines. Previous prizes for this three year old have included Perpignan 2014 - 30th National. Barcelona 2014 - 47th National Geoff tells me both cocks were prepared with Barcelona specifically in mind and they went and returned in great condition .
Geoff and Catherine Cooper clocked a bird to split the two Preece pigeons and take 4th West section 15th Open vel 459.4 mpm – imagine that beaten by a decimal point over close on 700 miles of hard slog!!!
The Cooper’s clocked a blue cock which had been attacked by a peregrine and homed with a large gash across his back.
So the list of fanciers who clocked up to 5 pm on Sunday the third day of the race is completed thus:-
Bill Knox clocked a 3 year old for 18th Open vel 432mpm.
Paul Stone a previous Barcelona winner with his Southwells takes 19th Open with a 6 year old.
Alan Dimes of Orpington clocked a three year old to take 20th Open on 424 mpm.
Anthony Cowan the Welsh exile currently carrying out missionary work in the Southampton area comes in with a 5 year old on 423 mpm for 21st Open.
Alan Annis just beats neighbours F Knowles and son with one on 421 mpm for 22nd Open . Les Jones of Hitchin sneaked one in, a three year old, between the two friends to finish at 23rd Open vel 418. Simon Knowles’ timer takes 24th Open on 413 mpm with a 5 year old.
Mr & Mrs Stephen Rhodes come in at 25th Open with a 5 year old doing 412 mpm and then we have Mike Mitchell in with a 7 year old on 411 mpm for 26th Open.
John Lane of Whitstable, a previous BICC Barcelona winner, clocked a 6 year old on 394 mpm for 27th Open followed by one to West Country ace John Halstead who clocked a 4 year old on 392 mpm for 28th Open.
These were all the birds home by 8 pm on Sunday evening.
As I write this on Monday morning I see that my good mate John “Rum Rat” Ludlam has clocked his champion six year old hen on her third trip to Barcelona to take 29th Open vel 366. Daniel Dimitriu timed a three year old on 359mpm for 30th Open followed by one to G & M Gilbert on 350 mpm to take 31st Open. The Jordan Brothers come in at 32nd Open with an eight year old on 344 mpm closely followed by Paul Delea’s timer, another three year old, to take 33rd Open on 340 mpm.
The above list demonstrates quite clearly that experienced pigeons seem to cover the course better than the younger and less experienced pigeons.
There you have it then, another Barcelona race consigned to the pages of history. A difficult race flown in trying conditions and yet pigeons with an ancestry of top class performers in marathon events, bred and conditioned by fanciers who know how to go about the job of breeding and conditioning such birds are there on the result yet again.
Finally, as promised in my Agen report I have included here details of a terrific long distance pigeon raced by John Rumney which I was unable to include in the original report. This trooper covered the 744 miles from Agen to his home loft in Houghton le Spring ,Tyne and Wear for the second time to finish at 10th NC section 232nd Open. This is what John Rumney had to tell me about this game pigeon’s performance:-
“Congratulations to Bob Beasant on a brilliant performance in winning the Agen International. At that stage hopes were high of an early one, however as time went on it was apparent most of the convoy were having to work very hard to get home. I eventually timed a Dark Cock for the 744 miles for the second year running being 10th NC Sect. 232nd Open (In 2014 a clock problem cost him 2nd NC section after being beaten by his nest mate). A real marathon pigeon, as well as twice Agen at 744 miles, he has also flown Saintes 631 miles three times and Niort 593 miles. Originally he was going to go to St. Vincent but hawks injured 4 of my 6 candidates including last year’s 1st NC section, he was then redirected to Agen. He has had two channel races previously this season at Falaise 416 miles and Tours 526 miles prior to going to Agen.
His breeding is :- Brian Denny (Tuff Nut) x Eddie Wright (Mr Gallant) x Eric Cannon (Misty Lady).
Thank also to Rod Adams for his attempts at restoring his nest mate to health after a bad hawk attack, time just ran out.”
To close this report a word from “financial guru” Russell Bradford regarding the continuing modernisation of the BICC web site:-
There is a need to try and keep the BICC web site as modern; interesting and fresh as possible, and with this in mind we have added a new folder titled “You Tube Clips” The new folder can easily be accessed from the home page: www.biccpigeons.com
Chris Sutton who is the BICC’s official photographer normally visits our race winners, and in future will try to ‘capture the moment’ with a short video clip, that will then be loaded onto the BICC site. Chris has without doubt ‘captured the moment’ with Bob Bessant and Son Anthony on the Sunday morning following on from their tremendous International win from Agen. There are currently two video clips on the site, with Wicky & Kirk Bullen’s Poitiers winning pigeon featuring in the other clip, but others that are BICC related, will be added from time to time.
You can also view the 2015 Barcelona liberation on this facility.
Gareth Watkins
To many, the Barcelona International race held annually on the first weekend in July is the epitome of what long distance pigeon racing is all about. The competitive field is massive with, in some cases, up to 27,000 hand picked pigeons from the best lofts in Europe, vying for top honours over the arduous course, which in some cases measures more than 800 miles.
So it was that on Friday 2nd July, 19,083 pigeons from all over Europe were liberated at 6.40 am GMT to race the marathon course to their home lofts. Amongst this number were 331 pigeons entered by British fanciers including eight brave participants from Ireland. These were entered by Pat Nolan & Daughter of Crossabeg, County Wexford [ Let me say at the start, as I write this preamble some days before the actual liberation, I sincerely hope that I will be able to report on one, some or all of these pigeons on their home coming in the near future. A full loft report will be a priority].
The break down of entries from the various countries is as follows:-
Belgium 7,835 birds
Netherlands 5,182 birds.
France 3,134 birds.
Poland 1,276 birds.
UK 331 birds.
Luxembourg 30 birds.
BICC members will be competing for a number of trophies in this race and amongst these are four trophies with a total financial value of £3,500 generously donated by Jim Emerton. These are THE JIM EMERTON TROPHY,THE JIM EMERTON BARCELONA DREAM TROPHY,THE JIM EMERTON MENSA TROPHY for the bird recording the highest velocity into Cornwall and THE JIM EMERTON BELIEF TROPHY to be awarded to the bird recording the highest velocity into Ireland.
So to the Barcelona race itself, regarded by many as the greatest race on earth. With the helping south easterly winds for almost the whole of the course of the race it was thought that despite the stifling heat, one or two birds might get through to their home lofts in Northern France on the day. As it happened , one brave pigeon did make it home on the day at 19.57 pm GMT, to the loft of Cuffel & sons of Montivilliers near the French port of Le Havre on the north west coast of France. With this in mind it was thought that there was a very slight possibility that a bird making it across the English Channel by nightfall. Unfortunately this was not to be and the British contingent had to endure a “night on the tiles” accompanied by torrential thunderstorms and lightning.
The second morning of the race saw pigeons being clocked in France and Belgium from 6.42 am onwards and this stream of pigeons continued throughout the morning.
At 10.50 am the first British pigeon was clocked at the Rainham ,Essex loft of multiple BICC National winner and Pau King’s Cup winner Dave Delea. Given the terrible overnight conditions of torrential rain, thunder and lightening, the velocity of 857 mpm is an outstanding achievement. Dave has now won the BICC Barcelona race on three occasions and just look at this list of back up performances in this marathon event:-
2 x 2nd ;1x 3rd; 4th, 5th, 2 x 6th ; 2 x 8th, 15th, 17th etc ,etc, terrific performances over a long period of time at the extreme distance and these can be backed up by many other top performances with the BICC in International races. Dave’s brother Paul has also won the Barcelona race on two occasions so I suppose you could say that it’s a bit of a family affair this racing from the Catalan capital!
The winning pigeon is a three year old dark w/f hen sent sitting overdue. She was mated in March and has reared two nests of youngsters. In the build up to Barcelona she had three preparatory races from Fougeres, Tours and Ancenis along with regular 70 mile trainers from the south coast. This private training is carried out in conjunction with Dave’s brother Paul. The brothers also exchange pigeons from their separate line bred families with Paul concentrating on the old Kenyon lines and Dave developing his family of Champion Major and Tueman Dicken Bartholomew lines.
The Delea pigeons enjoy an open loft throughout the day and are fed to appetite as and when Dave enters the loft. An interesting fact emerged when talking to Dave and that was the fact that many of his top performers have emerged from the same small section and the same two nest boxes within that section. Whatever it is that they like in that secluded domestic environment, it continues to encourage top class performances from the individual pigeons nesting therein.
The latest news is that Dave’s brave hen looks to be 95th Open in the International field against more than 19,000 pigeons and should finish even higher in the Hens International. A top class performance from an outstanding long distance fancier and one of his long established family of marathon racers. Many congratulations Dave.
It was good to speak to Dave again on the occasion of his record breaking third Barcelona win and a full loft report will be on the BICC web site shortly.
Dave also asked me to congratulate the Padfield Family, Dave and Vince, on coming so close to winning and on their terrific team performance in this difficult race.
Next up at 2nd Open is a partnership which is one of, if not the very best practitioners of extreme distance racing in these islands – the Padfield family Vince and Dave of Cwmtillery way out west, deep in the Welsh Valleys. The recorded distance flown by their champion long distance racer in the Barcelona race is 757 miles. The actual distance flown ,if you accept that the British pigeons cross the English Channel in the Sussex- Kent area, is nearer 1,000 miles and yet this gutsy blue w/f cock recorded a velocity of 793 mpm over this marathon course and this against a 15 mph west south westerly wind!!
Just look at this great long distance racers list of prizes in International races with the BICC.
2015 2nd Open BICC International Barcelona 1st West Section also 1st NFC single bird National and 1st Gwent Greater distance Club flying 757 miles.
He is also a BICC Meritorious Award winner -3 times in the first 10 in the BICC international races.
2011 AGEN BICC International 4th Open 1st West Section in a very strong West wind.
2014 PAU BICC International 10th Open 3rd West Section.
2014 St Vincent BICC International 2nd Open 1st West Section in a west wind.
A multiple winner in addition to the 2nd 2nd 4th and 10th Nationals in BICC International races.
He has also won as a 2 year old 76th Open CSCFC Tarbes and as a 3year old he was 4th Section 5th Open Welsh South Road National Tarbes and 26th sections 205th Open NFC Tarbes 607 miles 2012.
He is bred from a Brian Leadbetter cock of Super Crack x Champion 48 bloodlines.
The dam contains the best of the Padfields Wim Muller Jan Aardens cross Morgan & Cook bloodlines. She in turn is a full sister to VINCE 1st Pau WSRN FC and 2000 Gold Cup winner and RPRA long distance award winner. Her sire was 8th Open WSRN FC Pau and his g/sire was 2nd Welsh North road National Lerwick.
A sister to the blue w/f 31 was 27th Open BICC International Barcelona 2014 and she in turn is the brothers’ third bird in the clock in the 2015 Barcelona race taking 9th Open BICC on 578 mpm.
This year the cock had a few inland races and then Carentan and Fougeres this followed by Tours with the BICC then into Barcelona. He has been raced on the roundabout system for all of the season but on the Friday before basketting on the Sunday he was left to run with his hen for two nights.
Vince and Dave’s second in the clock at 2nd west section 6th Open vel 689mpm is yet another outstanding long distance racer “Jean”. Her preparation this year has been similar to the blue w/f cock’s in as much as she has had a few inland races and then Carentan and Fougeres followed by Tours with the BICC then into Barcelona. She has been raced on the roundabout system for all of the season but on the Friday before basket ting on the Sunday she was left to run with her Cock for two nights. Jean’s previous performances include 1st WSRNFC Tarbes 2nd section G 27th Open NFC. Jean is a first cross with the old Wim Muller’s on the sire’s side and Ken Hine bloodlines on the dam’s side.
Congratulations lads on yet another outstanding performance at the extreme distance.
The Slough partnership od Jim and son James King come in next at 1st Centre section 3rd Open vel 702 mpm. The Kings clocked a five year old Jan Aarden chequer pied hen whose parents were bought as a kit of 12 babies from Louella. She has been a consistent racer for the partners and this year she’s had two club races through to 123 miles followed by three channel races from Carentan, Fougeres and Messac in preparation for Barcelona. Raced on the celibate system in the early part of the season she was mated and allowed to go to nest on her first set of eggs of the season and was sent to Barcelona sitting 10 day old eggs. As with all the racers she is fed on Countrywide mixtures with 50% maize added in the month before Barcelona. The birds are allowed an open loft to come and go as they please from 5.30 am until 2 pm each day with no forced exercise in the build up to the marathon races.
Finally a word or two from Jim King:-
“On my behalf please could you congratulate the International winner in France and to all the competing members of the B.I.C.C.
A big thank you to Mr Hughes for setting my clock and to all the Windsor club members for the standing ovation I received, true sportsmen.” Sorted Jim- well done.
In 2nd Centre section 4th Open position on 701 mpm is one to the Stanmore loft of Dorin Melinte. Dorin has put together an impressive list of prizes in long distance races during his short time in the sport and in the Barcelona race he clocked a 3 year old chequer hen that’s now been named “Call Spanish Princess” after competing from Barcelona twice and once from Perpignan. She has been a consistent racer in the loft from a baby. She previously scored at Agen International 2013 as yearling and then as 2 year old was 33rd open Barcelona with BICC and same season 7th Open Perpignan only to be beaten in the section by her own mate by 4 minutes. The hen has also scored in short and middle distance races from France on a number of occasions with the NFC ,BICC ,BBC and the Inter County south rod Federation . Bloodlines originate from the original pigeons that Dorin purchased from Mr and Mrs Riley. Her mother being a descendent of Bea of Van Lint 1st Nat Belgium Bourges 2005 as yearling. Her sire contains Jos Thone bloodlines. The hen returned in excellent condition and may well be pencilled in for a crack at Perpignan in 3 weeks time.
Dorin races the pigeons on roundabout at the beginning of the season after they rear a round of young birds. They are then allowed to run together once more prior to the marathon races so they can be on eggs or feeding a single youngster at the time of marking. The hen raced back to a 7 day old young bird in this year’s Barcelona race. The birds are fed individually in the nest boxes and on the floor with Versele Laga mixtures with Matrix Grit given after every feed.
Dorin is reluctant to treat with any thing apart from the annual Paramixo Vaccine jab as he believes that the birds must have a strong natural immunity if they are to succeed in these marathon races.
Mark Gilbert comes in next with a bird on 690 mpm for 3rd Centre section 5th Open. Mark clocked a second bird a little later for 4th section 7th Open vel 631 mpm. These two are widowhood hens and are sisters. Their sire is a son of Rutz & sons’ Barcelona winner. This cock is also sire of Mark’s great racer winner of 1st Marseille, 4th Barcelona with the BICC and 10th Open NFC Tarbes. The dam is a daughter of Brian Denney’s Dark Dancer. The sisters have had three short channel races through to Messac and then jumped straight into Barcelona.
The Padfield’s second timer takes 2nd west section 6th Open.
Elvington, Kent fancier Alan “Wally” Turner is yet another regular on BICC International race results and in the Barcelona race Alan followed up his 3rd Open BICC finish in this year’s Pau International race with one on 615 mpm to take 2nd East section 8th Open. Alan’s timer is three year old dark chequer cock bred from his great Barcelona cock winner of 3rd, 7th & 8th Open BICC Barcelona. The dam is a mixture of Denney ,Deweerdt and Delbar bloodlines. In preparation for this year’s Barcelona race the cock had one channel race with the EECC followed by BICC Poitiers. This was followed by a couple of 100 milers with the Wingham club and a few 50 mile private trainers. He was sent with his hen having laid again and with a big squeaker in the nest- one of Alan’s favourite conditions for long distance cocks.
The Padfield’s third in the clock takes 3rd west section 9th Open followed by one to the loft of Howes B aka Alan Howes on 572 mpm for 3rd east section 10th Open
This is what Alan had to tell me about his Barcelona timer:-
“She is a three year old Chequer Hen bred from a stray Belgium Cock which the partnership of Mudde & Herpst transferred to me - the pedigree supplied was full of long distance winners. I paired him to a Dark Chequer hen I purchased from Louella Van Geel. As a baby she was only sent on three occasions to Bedhampton (107 miles). As a yearling she was sent once again training to Bedhampton before having her first ever race with the BICC from Alencon 210 miles and two weeks later to Tours homing just off the pace on both occasions. As a two year old I decided to lay her out for St Vincent putting the loft on round-a-bout she once again had a couple of tosses from Bedhampton then into Alencon 210 miles, Tours 276 miles and Poitier's 334miles after which she was paired up to be sitting 8 days on basketing for St Vincent 544 miles. She arrived to record 1st Club, 1st Section and 5th open BICC. I only sent the one bird. Three weeks later I sent her to Perpignan 603 miles where she took 50th Open. This year Barcelona was her destination. She went through the same routine but was sent, on this occasion, feeding an eight day youngster-almost giving up she finally arrived at 21.05. I was so convinced that she would not let me down and for the first time in the BICC pooled her - initially up to £10 but found I had not enough money on me so deleted her from the £10 pool (she was once again my single entry)-someone out there owes me a drink!” Well done Alan.
The Mountnessing partnership of Gosling & Jarvis come in with a bird doing 516 mpm for 4th east section 11th Open. This is what they had to tell me about this year’s latest success:-
“The partners clocked a 3 year old Dark pied cock keeping up their amazing performance at Barcelona. In the past three seasons they have won the following 1st Section 2nd Open; 3rd Section 10th Open; 3rd Section 18th Open; 4th Section 6th Open; 4th Section 7th Open; 5th Section 11th Open; 23rd Section 37th Open and 29th Section 48th Open. The dark pied cock clocked in the 2015 race is a son of Kingpin bred by Jim Biss and is responsible for many good pigeons including 1st Section 4th Open BBC Poitiers. Kingpin is a grandson of Vend 1st NFC Pau and Zimbiss 1st National Palamos. The dam of the pied cock is a Muller Aarden bred by Ponderosa Stud of Cartier and Mona Lisa lines.
The pied cock now named Logan has always been a reliable pigeon he was lightly raced as a young bird just inland. As a yearling he had just one Channel race from Messac. Last year as a 2 year old he had 6 channel races Falaise, Messac, Tours, Poitiers, Fougeres and Bordeaux where he was 4th Section 71st Open, This season in preparation for Barcelona he has flown four inland races to the coast and four channel races:- Falaise, Messac 11th Section 275th Open, Tours 168th Section 286th Open, Poitiers 129th Section 314th Open. .He is raced on widowhood but three days prior to basketting all the other cocks were taken out of the section. He was given his hen and just left alone - no exercise just rest and food. Apart from racing no training just exercise twice daily around the loft feeding is VL Widowhood Liege and Peanuts. It is our dream to win Barcelona one day. Congratulations to all the fanciers that clocked their birds “.
David Hales of Hockley in Essex[aided and abetted by Duncan Goodchild] comes in at 5th east section 12th Open vel 507 mpm with a three year old grizzle hen bred down from Colin Brough stock. She was raced celibate at the beginning of the season and sent to Barcelona sitting her first nest of the year, having had just a couple of short channel races in preparation. David clocked a second pigeon on the Sunday afternoon to take 17th Open
Siva Brothers of Dover clocked for 6th east section 13th Open vel 492 mpm. Unfortunately I was unable to contact the Sivas as there was no response to my text to the mobile phone number that I had and the land line number was incorrect.
Geoff and Clayton Preece of Dover are another partnership with an excellent record in BICC International races as these are the only races they are interested in. In this year’s Barcelona race they clocked two birds ,one on 482 mpm to take 7th east section 14th Open and a second on 459.3mpm to take 8th section 16th Open. The first in the clock is the great long distance racer Wiggins – a double BICC Perpignan winner
This five year old is 50% line bred to the late Bill Woodall’s Dragon’s Boy / 50% Stoffel – Hermes/Marseille Star lines.. This performance from Barcelona is his 10th International Performance scoring nationally in all.
The second in the clock, also a widowhood cock is a grandson of the legendary ‘Jack Jones’ Stoffel 270/Hermes/Matterne lines. Previous prizes for this three year old have included Perpignan 2014 - 30th National. Barcelona 2014 - 47th National Geoff tells me both cocks were prepared with Barcelona specifically in mind and they went and returned in great condition .
Geoff and Catherine Cooper clocked a bird to split the two Preece pigeons and take 4th West section 15th Open vel 459.4 mpm – imagine that beaten by a decimal point over close on 700 miles of hard slog!!!
The Cooper’s clocked a blue cock which had been attacked by a peregrine and homed with a large gash across his back.
So the list of fanciers who clocked up to 5 pm on Sunday the third day of the race is completed thus:-
Bill Knox clocked a 3 year old for 18th Open vel 432mpm.
Paul Stone a previous Barcelona winner with his Southwells takes 19th Open with a 6 year old.
Alan Dimes of Orpington clocked a three year old to take 20th Open on 424 mpm.
Anthony Cowan the Welsh exile currently carrying out missionary work in the Southampton area comes in with a 5 year old on 423 mpm for 21st Open.
Alan Annis just beats neighbours F Knowles and son with one on 421 mpm for 22nd Open . Les Jones of Hitchin sneaked one in, a three year old, between the two friends to finish at 23rd Open vel 418. Simon Knowles’ timer takes 24th Open on 413 mpm with a 5 year old.
Mr & Mrs Stephen Rhodes come in at 25th Open with a 5 year old doing 412 mpm and then we have Mike Mitchell in with a 7 year old on 411 mpm for 26th Open.
John Lane of Whitstable, a previous BICC Barcelona winner, clocked a 6 year old on 394 mpm for 27th Open followed by one to West Country ace John Halstead who clocked a 4 year old on 392 mpm for 28th Open.
These were all the birds home by 8 pm on Sunday evening.
As I write this on Monday morning I see that my good mate John “Rum Rat” Ludlam has clocked his champion six year old hen on her third trip to Barcelona to take 29th Open vel 366. Daniel Dimitriu timed a three year old on 359mpm for 30th Open followed by one to G & M Gilbert on 350 mpm to take 31st Open. The Jordan Brothers come in at 32nd Open with an eight year old on 344 mpm closely followed by Paul Delea’s timer, another three year old, to take 33rd Open on 340 mpm.
The above list demonstrates quite clearly that experienced pigeons seem to cover the course better than the younger and less experienced pigeons.
There you have it then, another Barcelona race consigned to the pages of history. A difficult race flown in trying conditions and yet pigeons with an ancestry of top class performers in marathon events, bred and conditioned by fanciers who know how to go about the job of breeding and conditioning such birds are there on the result yet again.
Finally, as promised in my Agen report I have included here details of a terrific long distance pigeon raced by John Rumney which I was unable to include in the original report. This trooper covered the 744 miles from Agen to his home loft in Houghton le Spring ,Tyne and Wear for the second time to finish at 10th NC section 232nd Open. This is what John Rumney had to tell me about this game pigeon’s performance:-
“Congratulations to Bob Beasant on a brilliant performance in winning the Agen International. At that stage hopes were high of an early one, however as time went on it was apparent most of the convoy were having to work very hard to get home. I eventually timed a Dark Cock for the 744 miles for the second year running being 10th NC Sect. 232nd Open (In 2014 a clock problem cost him 2nd NC section after being beaten by his nest mate). A real marathon pigeon, as well as twice Agen at 744 miles, he has also flown Saintes 631 miles three times and Niort 593 miles. Originally he was going to go to St. Vincent but hawks injured 4 of my 6 candidates including last year’s 1st NC section, he was then redirected to Agen. He has had two channel races previously this season at Falaise 416 miles and Tours 526 miles prior to going to Agen.
His breeding is :- Brian Denny (Tuff Nut) x Eddie Wright (Mr Gallant) x Eric Cannon (Misty Lady).
Thank also to Rod Adams for his attempts at restoring his nest mate to health after a bad hawk attack, time just ran out.”
To close this report a word from “financial guru” Russell Bradford regarding the continuing modernisation of the BICC web site:-
There is a need to try and keep the BICC web site as modern; interesting and fresh as possible, and with this in mind we have added a new folder titled “You Tube Clips” The new folder can easily be accessed from the home page: www.biccpigeons.com
Chris Sutton who is the BICC’s official photographer normally visits our race winners, and in future will try to ‘capture the moment’ with a short video clip, that will then be loaded onto the BICC site. Chris has without doubt ‘captured the moment’ with Bob Bessant and Son Anthony on the Sunday morning following on from their tremendous International win from Agen. There are currently two video clips on the site, with Wicky & Kirk Bullen’s Poitiers winning pigeon featuring in the other clip, but others that are BICC related, will be added from time to time.
You can also view the 2015 Barcelona liberation on this facility.
Gareth Watkins