CHAPTER 7

"THE 1,000 MILERS"

Turning now from the showpen to the extreme distance Palamos (Spain) to central Ayrshire 1,010 miles.  My old academy science teacher Mr W. G. Davidson set the trend of 1,000 miles tests in these parts when his Grizzle hen named Faith held the Scottish record for a time when she homed in eight days to Stevenson.

Henry Mair was three times successful recording an arrival from Palamos although he did not damage Faith's record Henry took 3rd position into Scotland in on of these attempts.

In the long hot summer of 1976 the new Scottish 1,000 mile club convoyed by the British Barcelona Club raced from Palamos were 71 members sent 138 pigeons which were released on 25th June.  Two pigeons made race time A. Stewart of Carnoustie won on a 236 velocity, followed by A & A Taylor of Dundee on 155 velocity.  Thirty three birds were recorded after the close of the race and the first Ayrshire bird verified was a Red Chequer Cock named "Ligit" bred and raced by R & H Kennedy of Irvine to be 5th, H Mair was next in at 23rd with W. G. Davidson 33rd.

When it comes to extreme distance there is only one Champion, this is a Red Chequer Cock named "The Conqueror" bred and raced by Alan Raeside of Irvine.  The Conqueror covered the 1,009 miles to Clark Drive in just over TWO days flying to return on amazing 687 velocity which represents 24 m.p.h. and is the current record holder, something which will be very difficult to emulate, if ever.  Alan also had a grandson of his epic winner recorded from Palamos, true marathons of the sky.

The craze for this type of event soon passed.  The late Colonel Osman editor of the Racing Pigeon once wrote "Distance kills and the more distance the more it kills".

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