Cullybackey lofts prominent in prestigious Kings Cup race

Wendell Scott and daughter Heather holding his prize birds from St Malo and St Allouestre.

A total of 744 members entered 2807 pigeons competing for £37,480.00 pools and prize-money, the birds were released at 06:20 in a light west wind which was to turn north westerly on route.

Just three gallant birds made home lofts on the day of liberation, overall winner was the first bird timed at 21.10hrs to the loft of P & B McEvoy in Castlebellingham.

The two other day arrivals were timed by Jimmy Cullen of Bray Inv, a former winner of the race who all told had four birds home including one to win the Hall of Fame Diploma. Just 40 birds were recorded in the three days of the race.

Those early on the second day included Wendell Scott of Cullybackey at 7.51am recording velocity 768 for the 506 miles taking 1st Club, 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 2nd North Sect & 4th Open INFC all pooled for a massive total of £4,521.

Heather’s Delight now named after his daughter who gives a hand with the birds was a yearling Blue Cheq cock bred off very good distance bloodlines.

The dam is out of stock obtained from John Downey & Sons of Laurelvale which has the best of McDowell Bros twice winners of the Kings Cup and Bob Harkness. The sire is a son of Paddy McManus good Jan Aarden cock the best lines of Invinsible Spirit.

This cock has produced a whole line of winners. As a young bird Heather’s Delight raced the programme including Talbenny Nat finishing 11th Sect & 137th Open NIPA vel 1138 plus £325 and then two days later sent to the Blue Riband YB Nat to score 123rd North Sect & 129th Open INFC vel 1289 plus £290.

Before the Kings Cup this year the bird had two inland races, Talbenny and the INFC Yearling Nat from Sennen Cove, 9th bird home.

In the Mid Antrim area the Cullybackey HPS have a fantastic record at the distance, in the Kings Cup former winner Alan Darragh had a bird early on the second day and H & R McCloy also timed.

All three lofts also recorded arrivals in the NIPA St Malo, another very difficult race with just over 100 birds home, Wendell Scott timed another yearling Blue Ch cock on the third day, this bird has been named Lorna’s Boy after his other daughter.

Mid Antrim Combine St Allouestre Kings Cup – W Scott Cullybackey 768, A Darragh Cullybackey 609, H & R McCloy Cullybackey 415.

Irish Clubs INFC Kings Cup

Cullybackey HPS – W Scott 768, A Darragh 609, H & R McCloy 415.