Cork South Road Organisation

George Busteed Gentlemen and “Irish Icon”

This is the story of a truly remarkable fancier in fact I would go so far as to say a national icon of Irish pigeon racing. I have interviewed and befriended many champion fanciers but this

has given me personally the greatest pleasure.

Georgie Busteed is now in his 87th year and as sharp as a tack. A gentleman of infinite wisdom and thorough knowledge put in simple terms a brilliant technician.

Georgie's first involvement as he recalls was a 4 year old helping out at his uncle’s loft. So keen was he, his uncle built him his own loft which became almost his home.

The Busteeds own pedigree was as one would expect is stacked with stockman of renown top and bottom as the great late John Kenny’s mother  and Georgie's mother were sisters,

the Kenny’s are another story except the late John senior, and now his son John junior were and are top class dog and pigeon men.

The Legend - George Busteed

George states proudly that he's the oldest member of the cork south road organization. An organization he states that can rank amongst the best and also takes great comfort in the fact

that his beloved organization has the youngest members also involved in his chosen hobby. In addition George states the work rate of its chairman and members is the standard by which

 all others would do well to follow. Again another apple of the Busteed tree Is George's grand nephew, Alan Busteed. I could see Georges personal satisfaction in Alan being another worker

within the sport and quipped with a wiry smile when he said I told Alan that your true life's learning begins now you work alongside "the Barrister" Jim Cummins.

George and Alan Busteed

I expect the following to be of serious interest to those interested in distance racing. I started by asking George whom were his earliest influences when he began racing in 1946,

unhesitatingly he said Fox Morriarty and Florre Keeffe were a very special fanciers only racing 12 superbly conditioned OBS and rearing 10 YBS long with power brother

what it emphasized was pigeons and fanciers of sublime quality, he quickly contrast this by stating other fanciers rearing 150 YBS yearly and can't pick a pool pigeon.

His initial stock came from Fox Moriarty and Florre Keeffe, plus an exceptional late bred cock from Whittaker Brothers Fife through rigorous selection and brilliantly executed breeding

Georgie was unbeatable from 1978 onwards. His reputation in the Munster Federation excelled all others. Having bred well in excess of over 500 winners race let alone countless winners

for others Georgie takes it all in his stride. The same determined attitude served this brilliant fancier later in life at his zenith disaster struck Georges house caught fire.

With the result the loft had to be halved then moved to a site across the road. In time George recovered until 2000 his loft was burgled and all the pigeons killed.

This would have stopped most people but once again genius took its rightful place. This man accepts no defeat, patience and perseverance.

George Busteed with one of his racers

Been the hallmark of a champion, when at 73 years of age George lost the use of both legs. Doctors issued little hope but once again the Busteed metal surfaced

and with determined patience walked once again. Returning to the construction of the new loft, George quickly realised that after bathing there was no condition evident on the birds,

immediate action was taken and a timber loft resolved the situation, and back to winning ways with immediate effect Georges has always raced natural only trying the darkness the last 3 years

as an experiment he states there's a fault with the system, and doesn't accept trying to fool nature.

When describing his perfect pigeon he wants them almost show standard perfect balance, with a strong back and legs stating they must have the strength

to tuck the legs well up in the flight for the arduous Irish cross channel racing.

He insists a pigeon can be strong and buoyant without been too heavily boned. Good prepotent family's always possess the right credentials

including abundance of keel cover and excellent wing structure, good back wing and excellent supple primaries, intelligence and heart,only breed from those that return,

forget pedigrees, the basket takes care of everything. Once again this was recently stated to me whilst talking to the double Kings Cup winner Joe Dohney,Dublin,

stating exactly the same.

I then asked what was the most important factor for racing fitness and condition. George said only send what's super fit and conditioned but beware of the one day champions.

I pushed George on eyesign, his preference been a dark chestnut brown. All his champions had it. This isn't the only fancier to tell me this. His preferred nest conditions for cocks,

a big baby in the nest calling the hen to nest. Again for hens rather different sitting 10-12 days or a multitude of tricks but a word of caution, know your hens well.

On feeding maize and maple peas, stating there's too much shit... Talked about feeding, stating, look at what the dockers would achieve fed on bread and tea

but intelligently questions why pigeons won't now eat what they preferenced on years ago?
Advice to all beginners, dispose of bad birds fast, don't wait 2-3 years. George bred and raced many champions but his ultimate was a blue cock called race cock in 3 seasons.

This cock won every race point up to an including Girvan Scotland. His records show George has bred winners in excess of over 540 races, but states that he sees racing now

as not being fair with ETS versus Manual and states that for some, unfortunately its money before pigeons.

    A picture showing the class and quality   -     Reeling in the years  George pictured 3rd from left with some of his many friends


Finally to list George's wins would fill a ledger I kid you not, George still holds amongst his records Thurso to Cork over 500miles. I asked George whom he rates as the greatest fanciers

he ever raced against power Bros. John Beecher, Billy Cunneen, Ahern Bros who have gifted and received many excellent pigeons each way having won numerous national themselves

had this to say by way of compliment stating, "George Busteed is the most completely gifted and natural fancier they have ever met and state

George can rightly take his place among the all time greats".

It therefore gives me the greatest personal pleasure to announce for his distinguished life long services and success to pigeon racing through his esteemed performances.

In addition to his absolute consistency and the manner in which he has always carried himself,

George now enters as the very first recipient the Irish Social Circles hall of fame.

Congratulations George and continued health and success to a true champion and grandmaster.

Ger O ' Sullivan

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