This week I paid a visit to one of Ireland's top long distance lofts and to say I got my eyes opened would be an understatement. You may well ask “What opened your eyes?” . Well there were three main factors involved. ( 1 ) The number of birds kept ( 2 ) The number of birds that had flown France , mostly p/winners, and the last factor and by no means least ( 3 ) The size of the loft, where all the top performances have been obtained, over the past few seasons. By now you are asking “Who is this guy?”. The loft I am going to introduce you to is Gary Benson from Lisburn, not forgetting father Kenny, who is a wealth of help for his knowledge and as usual loft chores. So “Lets Get Craicing” :
Gary with dad Kenny proudly display two of the lofts present day french superstars. Dad Kenny holding Champion Jeans Girl and son Gary holding Champion Little Gem
Gary races in Lisburn & District HPS. Gary for years was interested in competing at all levels of the sport and was quite capable of doing so. With his current job, working in the construction industry, time was a major factor and his main aims over the past few seasons was to compete in all the major distance classic events and I must say it is here that has really excelled winning a number of major awards inc. INFC Hall Of Fame and NIPA Bronze and Silver Awards. Garys set up is nothing fancy, something that I did remark to Gary, and Garys reply “Dry Loft, Healthy Birds."
Garys loft is approx 18 feet long with three sections. The cleanliness of the lofts were immaculate and immediately Gary was on hand to point out and stress that the help he has from father Kenny is a major factor in the lofts top successes. Due to Garys work, Kenny is the major loft manager and his input and knowledge to Gary is invaluable. Gary starts the season with approx 40 racers and at present in the current 2010 race team there are approx 12 individual birds that have flown France, most in the p/money. Around 30 youngsters are reared each season for the race team, with all youngsters flying at least two to three races.
Not A Big Set Up - The winning distance loft of Gary Benson
Feeding is very basic when racing. The birds are fed a good quality barley in the mornings with a good quality channel mix in the evenings consisting of Beans, Peas and Tares. When breeding the birds are fed the good quality Irish Mix of Beans, Peas and Tares at all times. Garys motto is “Well reared youngsters is a great start to your ultimate dream”. The usual medication for worms, cocci, canker etc. is given at the start of the breeding and racing seasons although Gary was adamant to stress that the canker treatment is never the same as he would change and use treatments from different manufacturers. No birds ( stock included – only seven pair - ) are paired before St Patricks Day ( or there abouts ), 17th March, each season. All racing is done on the natural system with the birds having the open trap as much as possible, with the traps closed most nights at dark and opened as early as possible each day. This is one of the factors that Gary believes contributes to his birds flying so long on the day in some of the major French races. Indeed in the past NIPA St Malo National, Gary timed three birds on the day with the last two timed at 22.50 and 22.55. A lot of the major p/winners I will cover later in the column but let us start at the beginning of the “Distance Dynasty”. Garys family of birds are based on the following great fanciers : L O Barr ; Gary could not speak highly enough about the Barr Family. Through his friendship with the late L O and wife Charlotte, Gary was presented with a pair of Kenyon youngsters. One of these youngsters went on to be one of Garys top breeders and was known by Gary and dad Kenny as “ Golden Eye”. Gary states “ This cock was a fantastic breeder for us and was responsible for at least 14 – 15 INFC p/winners”.
Jimmy Andersons : Another family that have made their mark. Blended with the Barr Bloodlines the ultimate distance racing machine has been produced in the form of the famous “ Champion Jeans Girl “ and take a look at her record and judge for yourself : 5th Section D NIPA Lamballe 2003 ( as a yearling) 51st Open INFC Messac Kings Cup 2004, 44th Open INFC Messac Kings Cup and 6th Single Bird Challenge 2005, 12th Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup and Single Bird Challenge Winner 2006, 2007 – No Race -, 2008 – No Race -, 2009 – Timed on the second day just missing the Gold Medal.
Jackie Waring ; Being a personal friend of Jackies, many top bloodlines have arrived at Garys bred from the absolute cream of Jackies old McCartney bloodlines.
Norman Thompsons : Again through personal friendship the absolute cream of Normans old Walkingshaw bloodlines were obtained, also the very best of Normans “RoseBowl Pair” blood, all obtained prior to Normans record breaking clearance sale. These bloodlines are a major factor in todays French winning lines.
There is also a sprinkling of the late Ken Rosbothams bloodlines, one of the Ulster Federations finest distance fanciers, still to be found in the present day family. New to the stock loft in recent times is a direct son of Burns Bros – Dunedin – famous “ Champion Dolly”( INFC Gold Medal Winner) when paired to her own son, who himself was a winner of 11th Open INFC Kings Cup. These two birds between them won the coveted “ Harkness RoseBowl” – So here we have in the stock loft a direct son of “ The RoseBowl Pair” of Burns Bros.
The past season, 2009, was a good French season for Gary winning a Bronze and Silver Award within the NIPA but unfortunately missing out on the Gold Medal within the INFC.
I have already covered the performances of the lofts “Champion Jeans Girl” but make no mistake about it another star has emerged in the shape of “ Champion Little Gem”. Not big but as Gary states “ Good things come in all sizes”. What a record this hen has and again judge for yourself : 8th Sect D 102nd Open NIPA Portland 2005, 82nd Open INFC Friendship National 2006, 10th Sect D 208th Open NIPA St Malo National 2008, 8th Sect D 137th Open NIPA St Malo National 2009 ( timed at 22.50 ) – Winner of a NIPA Bronze and Silver Award – There are many more French stars in the loft and indeed in the making. The past season six birds were sent to the St Malo National with five birds returning and timing three birds on the day of toss. In the INFC Kings Cup Event the loft had six entries with five returned by the second day. Another race that the loft has had good success is the INFC Yearling National, a race that Gary sees as a good stepping stone for France. From an entry this year of six, full returns, timing three on the day. Again many top results have been had from this racepoint with highest award 4th Open with the famous “ Charlottes Pride”, the old L O Barr cock.
There is not much more that I can say about this loft. They say “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”. Well I hope you have digested what I have wrote here today. As I stated earliar “ One Of Irelands Top Distance Lofts”, not a big set up, and one that deserves all the publicity that I could possibly give it.
Thanks again to Gary and dad Kenny for the time spared to compile this short loft report and may I personally wish you all the very best in the coming 2010 season where you will be, as they say “ Going For Gold”.
If you are looking any more info on this top distance loft, feel free to give Gary a shout Telephone 07730898488.
Champion Little Gem - NIPA Bronze & Silver Award Winner
Eye of Champion Little Gem
Champion Jeans Girl - INFC Hall Of Fame Winner - Top French Racing Hen
Hall Of Fame Award won by Champion Jeans Girl
INFC Single Bird Challenge Award won by Champion Jeans Girl
Norman Thompson Cock - Sire of The 20 Hen - Winner 2nd Sect D St Malo National 2009
Champion Kens Delight - Three times France - Twice in Money - 20th Open INFC Yearling National 2004
Champion Red Jack - Top Breeder - The very best of Jackie Warings French Winning Bloodlines
Champion The 20 Hen - Winner 2nd Sect D St Malo National 2009
Charlotte's Pride - Old L O Barr Cock - Top Racer Breeder - Winner 4th Open INFC Yearling National 2002
Before finishing this weeks notes I would like to make the fancy aware of a number of events that will be happening around the country in the coming weeks. I, along with a number of fanciers from most organizations, are arranging a series of Breeder / Buyer Charity events to be held around the country. Venue for the sales at present are Grosvenor HPS on Thursday 18th March at 8 pm, West Belfast HPS and Glengormley HPS with also the possibility of Banbridge. The race the event will be flown from will be the INFC Skibbereen Y/B National. A presentation night has already been booked with the main theme of this particular event to include a Quiz night, Charity auction ( already birds have been gifted by some of the leading lofts in the British Isles) and a series of awards to be presented ( again already sponsored, but more on this and how they can be won in later columns ). This series of events needs all the support possible but judging by the response of help and support that I have received from all angles of the fancy in general I can honestly say that I am overwhelmed with their support. Please keep watching the fancy press in the coming weeks as all the info and dates of the sales will be released.
Coming Events : Banbridge British Legion are hosting a Charity Breeder/Buyer sale to be held on Friday 26th March in the British Legion Banbridge. 50% of the total proceeds raised will be flown for with the other 50 % to be presented to the nominated charity, The Blue Dove Hospice, Newry. Three prizes are up for grabs – 50% 30% 20% ( split both ways), with the nominated racepoint Penzance Y/B National to be flown with the INFC. Some top Y/B will be on offer donated by some of the leading lofts in Ireland. All Y/B must be in the pen on the night of the sale. For further details or if you wish to donate a youngster to this worthy cause give any of the following numbers a call : Diamond Carson Tel : 07813265311, T. Lennon Tel : 07711409205 or E. McAlinden Tel : 07771813198. Any of these fanciers will be able to give you any info that you require. Please support this worthy cause and have a good night out with the lads.
Banbridge Social are hosting their annual Breeder/ Buyer Sale on Friday 12th March at 8 pm with the birds on view at 7pm. Venue for the event is the British Legion, Banbridge. Last season the club paid out approx £1,800 over four prizes. This year, with all help possible, the event will be as good. If you are interested to enter a youngster in the sale feel free to contact Gary Mallen, Tel : 028406 69825, and Gary will be only too happy to accept any entries for this event.
Drumnavaddy Invitation are hosting a Breeder/ Buyer Sale on 18th March at 8pm with the birds on view at 7pm. Venue for the event is the British Legion, Banbridge. The event will be flown from the Fermoy Y/B Race. For any further info telephone 07547802590 or 07593666757. A top class sale with birds donated by some of the top lofts in the country.
Chimney Corner Football Club will be hosting a top quality sale of youngsters donated by some of the leading lofts in the country. The sale is to be held on Thursday 8th April at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm and the venue is Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road, Antrim. Youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country with all proceeds to Chimney Corner Football Club to help promote the club within the area.
Carrick Social HPS are holding a sale on Friday 26th March at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm. The sale will be held in their own clubrooms in Prince William Way, Carrick and a number of youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country inc. Rod Sparkes, Five Star Stud, Royal Oak Lofts, John Whittaker, S & F O Neill, J. Lindores & Son & Nicholson etc. Any further info contact Telephone : 07818800655.
Grosvenor HPS are to host a series of Breeder/Buyer sales in their own clubrooms promoted by themselves. The sale dates are 12/03/10, 02/04/10 & 09/04/10. All sales start at 8 pm with the birds on view from 7 pm. All birds must be in the pens – No Cards -. Their will be £2,000 up for grabs - £1,000 Breeder £ 1,000 Buyer to be flown from the last race of the season the INFC Skibbereen Y/B National. (There may be other prizes depending on the entries ). Interested ??? Contact 02890 628796 or 02890 225948 ( after 6pm ).
Lost by Young Fanciers – Only Started In Sport – Blue W/F Hen – GB06 29652 – If found please contact : Telephone : 07920180506.
