Donaldson birds heading for NI sale

Just mention the name Jim Donaldson to any of the long distance enthusiasts and their ears prick up.

Flying into the far north of Scotland, in a hard testing race, you need as the locals say “Super Doo’s”. Jim’s record in National Racing is nothing short of world Class. The following is a list of some of his reference birds, top performers and performances and you can judge for yourself:

CIRCUS BOY: Dave Scott of Brechin gave Jim birds that are the foundation of the Donaldson family of pigeons. Dave Scott’s pigeons were based on the renowned pigeons of the late Norman N Dall of Ladybank, Attwell Brothers of Wales and also a grizzle hen bred by Mr Geddes of Greengairs. From these pigeons Dave bred a chequer hen that won 4th section 7th open SNFC Nantes and become a gold mine at stock. As time progressed Jim introduced six birds from Sid Beard of Hemel Hampstead being from the Lancashire Rose and Blue Anglia lines. These birds produced what was to be Jim’s foundation stud cock within the loft namely Circus Boy.

NIORT LADY: Winner 2nd sec 14th Open Sartilly 1st sec 34th Open Niort 775mls, sire Circus Boy dam Dave Scott from Brechin.

REIMS GIRL: Champion “Rhiems Girl” was, no doubt, my top bird. Reims Girl flew the channel to North Scotland five times, placed with a diploma each race - three at >700miles and twice>600miles. Furthest Gold Award winner in SNFC history. Winner: 1st North Section 52nd Open Reims 2002, 620 miles. 1st North Section 239th Open Reims 2003, 620 miles. 2nd North Section Tours 2004, 4th Open, 707 miles, beaten by a loft mate. 2nd North Section, 7th Open Tours 2005. 1st Section, 13th Open Tours 2006. All S.N.F.C. She was acknowledged as one of the best ever distance pigeons in Europe. Reims Girl is responsible for many top distance pigeons across the UK.

THE DALL COCK: Bred by Dennis Dall, he has bred 7 x 1st section winners, 2 x 4th section winners, a 7th, an 8th and a 9th. He is also the sire of Donnann 1st Open SNFC Sartilly, 605 miles 1994. also 6th Open Fed Sartilly 1994. The Dall Cock, Circus Boy and Rennes Lass line has been used by Jim Emerton in his quest to create pigeons to fly from Barcelona into the UK. GB09N44454 bred for stock and purchased from Sid Barkel. His Sire was GB03N06304 bred by Jim Emerton which was a son of Barcelona Dream, 13th Open Barcelona 879 miles [longest flying pigeon in the International race of 20,536 birds] and GB99N01708 Grizzle Hen bred from Dark Enchantment [9th & 30th Sect K Pau 735 miles and flown Barcelona 879 miles] and a son of Jim Donaldson’s foundation stock cock Circus Boy when he was paired to 1st Open SNFC Sartilly 605 miles. Dam of GB09N44454 was Red Hen GB99N01727 a daughter of Dark Enchantment when mated to another son of Circus Boy. This son of Circus Boy was bred from Circus Boy when he was mated to a daughter of the famous Dall Cock bred by Dennis Dall and Rennes Lass one of Jim Donaldson’s top long-distance racers. The sire of Musgrove Addiction is inbred to key Barcelona pigeons of Jim Emerton at 879 miles and Jim Donaldson’s key marathon birds.

CHAMPION DONNANN: Blue Cheq Hen, 1st SNFC Sartilly Vel - 1029y/m, 605 miles, 1,864 birds.

LITTLE MIKE: 2nd Section, 7th Open Clermont 589 miles SNFC 2002. 1st Section, 4th Open Tours 707 miles 2005, 10th Section, 163rd Open 422 miles all SNFC. Little Mike’s bloodline is Davie Rose, (Bon Accord lines) Aberdeen. Little Mike is a grandson of Jim’s Denis Dall cock when he was paired to SU902459, Niort Lady 1st section, 34th Open Niort, 775 miles also 2nd North Section, 14th Open Sartilly. Her sire was Circus Boy.

RENNES LASS: 7th Section Young Bird National 380 miles. 1st and 3rd sec130th SNFC Section Rennes 650 miles. She is dam of Donnann 1st Open SNFC sire of 424 is 00402 George Walker from All Alone only bird on the day to win 1st open Scottish Central Combine from Sartilly in France. Dam was 00453 a dark pied hen who won two x 1st north section so you can see she was a top quality pigeon. Rennes Lass, when paired to the Dall Cock bred 25 Section prize winners in the National, at least 7 of the 25 won their section, with 1 winning the National.

LITTLE RUBY: Raced 220 miles as a youngster as a yearling to Hastings winning 1st club from 468 miles. She flew Eastbourne 9th north section 475 miles, 1st north section Falaise 601 miles, 53rd open SNFC. Her sire is a stock cock bred from the Dall Cock sire of 1st & 6th open SNFC plus 4 x 1st; 2 x 4th; 7th; 8th & 9th section winners when mated to Rennes Lass. The Dall cock was mated to chequer hen who won 3rd section Sartilly; 1st section 42nd open SNFC Messac 670 miles; 4th section 71st open Chenoise and 3rd section Chenoise 643 miles she in turn was direct from the Dall Cock and Rennes Lass; so you will see the stock cock was from a father and daughter pairing.

SON O BARCELONA DREAM: Bred for stock from Jim Emerton’s Barcelona Dream - 13th Open BICC Barcelona 879 miles in the International 20,936 birds, BICC record, RPRA medal, longest flying bird clocked in 1995 International.

THE JIM EMERTON LINK: These were mainly Descamps Van Hasten Stichelbauts with a direct cock from Emiel Denys (closely related to the Tee) plus some Woodsider bloodlines. Jim Donaldson of Peterheads family and Brian Denney’s Stichelbauts were later added to the loft. He also used a cock bird presented to him by Trevor Robinson from the latter’s great 9th Open Pau over 700mls, in due course came such outstanding thoroughbred athletes as Barcelona Dream who was 13th open British International Championship Club Barcelona at a record distance of 879 miles (an outstanding racer which succeeded against both east and north-east winds); Dax My Girl - 31st National Flying Club Dax 687 miles 2nd day longest flying bird out of 17,526 birds in Europe; Oddball - 3rd and 66th Pau (735 miles); Diamond Queen - 72nd open NFC Pau; Dedication and Sister Damien - 61st and 80th open NFC Saintes 569 miles on the day; Mystical Queen - 10th open SBNFC San Sebastian 737 miles, winning the Denney Shield first bird over 700 miles into England; My Girl 1st section B, 4th open Dax 687 miles; Dark Enchantment - 9th & 30th section K Pau. The loft has had the only bird in the clock station on the winning day at Sartilly Y/B 362 miles, Dax 687 miles and Barcelona 879 miles. Other good results have been obtained by others racing the Emertons in the BICC and the NFC. At least 4 NFC section winners have been reported and other good performances from Marseille and Barcelona for others. In 2011, Trevor Robinsons 2 Barcelona birds at 853 miles were down from Jim’s Dark Enchantment, inbred to Jim’s no 1 pair. The birds were line and inbred for over 30 years Dark Destiny - No1 stock cock of the Emerton strain. Son of inbred Descamps Van Hasten Stichelbaut based Iron Hen and Man. Top breeder for Jim in his early career. Daughter of Darkness - No 1 stock hen. Her sire was Darkness, a direct Emiel Denys near to the great Tee. Her dam was a g.dtr of Woodsider 1st Open BBC Palamos for Jack Paley flying up into Silsden, 861 miles; Roy Mundays Rossall King 1st section NFC Pau over 700 miles up into Blackpool; Claire (sister to Pauline - 1st Open Pau Grand National) and a dtr of W. Davidson’s 1000 miler Faith.Diabolos.

STOP PRESS: Unfortunately Jim’s health has not been the best and with much reluctance he has decided that he must give up his beloved sport. Jim has decided to have his entire clearance sale in NI. All birds will be offered over two sales around early/mid March. Approx 35 lots in each sale.

Venue: Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road, Antrim. Please Note: All birds will be online on the Pigeon Craic Auction Site prior to the sale with the closing bid online, the opening bid in the live room.

MAY FAMILY PIGEONS

The May Family from Hambrook, Chichester is founded on John, son Darren and grandson Josh. Due to the present flu crisis in China an export order of a select draft (18 total) direct from Yves De Wit, have become available. The draft of birds are now online – with a 15 mins sniping feature in operation. Go have a look and see what is on offer. www.pigeoncraic.com/auctions

ULSTER FEDERATION PRIZE NIGHT

I have included a few more pics from the event with more to follow in the coming weeks issues.

OBITUARY

Speirs, Jim: It is with deep regret and sincere sadness that I inform the fancy of the sudden passing of one of the sports long distance icons and a fancier for more than 50 years Mr Jim Speirs – Cookstown. Racing in partnership with Tommy Campbell as Speirs & Campbell, numerous top long distance awards were won including Gold Medals, 1st Open St Malo O/B National, Devine 2 Bird Average – St Malo – etc.

Jim was diagnosed with a rare lung condition over 15 years ago but continued to race his pigeons as this was his passion which he really enjoyed. Jim sadly passed away, suddenly, on 5 February 2020. Jim is survived by his wife Betty, daughters Nicola and Katrina, son-in-laws Ryan and Michael and devoted grandson Jamie. During this dark time, the Speirs Family, have been encouraged to hear of the great reputation that Jim held within the pigeon fraternity and being particularly well known for his excellent results for long distance racing performances, racing in partnership with Tommy Campbell as Speirs & Campbell. Sincere Condolences to wife Betty and the entire Speirs family circle at this sad time.