LKY 4 “Fantastic 4” is the Champion Bird and 1st place winner in the final 350 mile race at the Bama Buckeye. She won at all distances and speeds from 1118 – 1887ypm. She is a grand daughter of Claymore and Sainz 204 and a full sister to LKY 23300 “Empire”, the 13th Avg Speed winner at the High Desert in 2024.
2024 was by far our best year in racing both at the One Loft level and club racing. And once again, it was the progeny of our foundation Macaloney cocks Claymore and Stirling Kastle who did the heavy lifting. We sent children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from these two cocks to four OLR including the Sooner Challenge, Bama-Buckeye, High Desert and Rock Creek.
Our pairing of 858 x 1927 is proving to be very potent at OLR, having produced many winners. They are children of Claymore and Stirling and demonstrating how well crossing those two cock lines is working. Credit in part also goes to a couple of successful out-crosses including a daughter of Tyrant bred by Tim Farr who was responsible for one of my best Sooner Challenge pigeons and one of my best local racers.
Below is a list of how our birds finished. The highlight was the final race in the Sooner Challenge where we had two on the drop finishing 3rd and 4th. The other major highlight came from LKY 4 “Fantastic 4” who flew a nearly perfect series at the Bama Buckeye OLR winning the headwind final 350 mile race, Champion Bird, a first place from 125 miles and an equal 1st and 12th place in the other two races. She is a grandchild of Claymore and closely related to the two Sooner Challenge money winners and a sister to the 13th Avg Speed High Desert winner.
One Loft Race wins in 2024:
1st Avg Speed Bama Buckeye
1st 356 miles vs 82b Bama Buckeye
1st 100m 563b Sooner Challenge
1st place 202 miles 489b, High Desert
1st 125 miles vs 125b Bama Buckeye
Eq 1st (3rd) 325m 363b final race Sooner Challenge
Eq 1st (4th) 325m 363b final race Sooner Challenge
Eq 1st (4th) 180m vs 110b Bama Buckeye
Eq 1st (6th) 200m 471b Sooner Challenge
Eq 1st (11th) 126m 497b High Desert
Eq 1st (13th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge
Eq 1st (22nd) 250m 379b Sooner Challenge
Eq 1st (24th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge
Eq 1st (29th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge
3rd Avg Speed vs 160 originally entered Bama Buckeye
13th Avg Speed vs 649 birds originally entered High Desert
10th Avg Speed vs 788 originally entered Sooner Challenge
7th 125m 125b Bama Buckeye
12th 256m vs 102b Bama Buckeye
19th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye
20th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye
21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge
26th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye
31st 360 miles 378b High Desert
32nd 150m 551b Sooner Challenge
35th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye
41st 180m 112b Bama Buckeye
54th 300 miles 442b High Desert
Fantastic 4 and Stingray, two Champion Birds in four years at the Bama Buckeye OLRKastle 2484 “Cutlass”, a son of Claymore and Daughter Shergar, won 14th place in the OCR, a tough 350 mile race with few day birds and speeds in 1200s YPM. He is also an AU Ace Pigeon Young Bird.
Futurity wins:
14th 355m 437b Ohio Classic Race money winner flown by Joe Rostocil
51st 350m 517b Midwest Convention race money winner flown by Steven Ly
My young bird team training in central Kentucky.
Club racing:
My local club had a rough year with a lot of losses and sick birds. I was fortunate to maintain a healthy team which resulted in an undefeated season in 7 races. We won Average Speed, Champion Loft and 1st-23rd Champion Birds. We didn’t have many birds in the races so it was more of a training exercise for my birds, but I was able to find a few special ones including an inbred Picasso hen who earned AU Ace Pigeon status. I was especially excited by finding some excellent inbred racers including three special birds out of Den-X and his half-sister Queen of Scots. I’ll be keeping all my cocks from the team to race as celibate cocks in 2025 old birds.
We finished out the 2024 old bird series with a nice set of wins. We started racing with 8 celibate hens and sadly lost a few along the way. Every race was released with the Kentucky Combine which is 90 miles deep and 165 miles wide. Pigeons really have to break early and take the lead to get home in good time.
Our winning hens were once again part of the Stirling Kastle and Claymore lines. They continue to get the job done at Kastle Loft.
Below you will find photos and descriptions of our Macaloney pairings, with a few select additions directly from Youri Deblanc. Many of our pairings are switched up every year to truly get a good test of each bird. I do not have every pair listed below as I am breeding from children of these pairs as well.
The birds listed below are what I consider our best birds although we do breed from about 15 total pairs. I am increasing my stable of the brilliant performance pigeons from Macaloney in Scotland. They have had an immediate winning impact in my loft. We have children of Double Vision, Blue Caviar, Troy, Black Caviar, Denman, Vision 772, Shergar line, the Supermac line and Janefield Amal line. Please contact me if you are interesting in those crosses or any of them bred straight.
New in 2025 we are adding a few new imports from Youri Deblanc of Belgium. He is successful at the national level many times over in the long, hot, and headwind races. We have children and grandchildren of his superstars Crack Julien, Star Julien and his 1st National Bergerac winner, Son Eagle Eye Julien.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for details on purchasing from these pairs.
Most of these pairs will produce racing pigeons that carry the LDHA, DRD4 (dopamine receptor), and CRY-1 genes which have proven to have an influence on the performance of racing pigeons. Prices will reflect the performance of the pigeon plus the rarity of the gene combinations. More genes and more performance will be reflected in the cost of the pigeons.
Pair 1: Stirling Kastle x Baker’s Revenge
After three successful years in 2019, 2020, and 2021, I’m putting this pair back together to replicate the great racers and breeders they produced in those years. A huge portion of our wins are coming from children of this pairing. They offer toughness and consistency as young birds. Hands down, one of my most best cocks with a high strike rate.
Stirling Kastle, son of Troy x Black Caviar
Sire: Stirling Kastle 17 SU 2125. He is a son of two of Macaloney pigeon’s best, Troy and Black Caviar. Stirling is fast becoming, if not already, the Number One breeding cock in our loft. Just look at these results from 2021 alone. His children are breeding exceptionally well also.
GRANDSIRE to: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 9th, 9th, 10th Champion Birds LRPC (through 2024) National Ace YB (Kastle 2150) 1st 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR Eq 1 (3rd) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1 (13th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 1st Champion Bird Bama-Buckeye Challenge OLR 2021 3rd Champion Bird Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 1st at 250m Bama Buckeye OLR 1st 160m 43b 1st 145m 69b 1st 160m 24b 1st 230m 21b 1st 270 miles 1st 230m 149b (Covington) 15th 350m 429b AU Convention Race Eq1 (2nd) 180m Bama Buckeye OLR Eq1 (2nd) 355m Bama Buckeye OLR Eq1 (2nd) Club/Combine 300 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 230 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 150 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 160 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 160 miles Eq1 (2nd) 180m 136b (Covington) Eq1 (3rd) Club/Combine 300 miles Eq1 (3rd) Club 150 miles Eq1 (3rd)Club 160 miles 2nd 145m 69b 2nd 230m 21b 2nd 145m 34b 5th 275m 151b 5th Club/15th Combine/38th Fed vs 810b 435m 6th Fed 400m 507b (HOF 807) 6th Club/14th Combine vs 362b 230m 7th 125m 125b Bama Buckeye OLR 8th 200m 189b 13th 200m 462b 17th Combine vs 426b @ 125m 19th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 20th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR 20th Combine vs 569b @ 125m 20th combine 125m 569b 21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge OLR 25th and 32nd final 380m High Desert Yearling Classic vs 246 birds and only 37 day birds. 26th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 32nd 150m 551b Sooner Challenge OLR 35th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR 41st 180m 112b Bama Buckeye OLR 52nd 330m GHC Classic vs 1382b Great Grandchildren: 8th champion young bird LRPC (2271) 1st 300m 52b 1st 100m 163b (LKY 133) Eq1 2nd 230m 89b Eq1 5th 150m 321b Sooner Challenge OLR (2272)
Baker’s Revenge
Dam: Baker’s RevengeAU 18 Kastle 1862 raced in the Breeders Fall Classic. A super consistent flyer she won: 2nd (eq 1) vs. 296b 250 miles, 4th (eq 1) vs. 303b 200 miles, 16th (eq) 1) vs. 332b 100 miles, 29th vs 322b 150 miles
She is mother to: 4th, 6th and 10th Champion bird LRPC (through 2021) 1st 300m combine 1st 100m Eq 1 (4th) 300m combine Eq1 (4th) 160m Eq1 (5th) 160m Eq1 (3rd) 150m, 3rd 100m 5th place 150 miles, 7th 210m 8th 250 miles vs. 359b Sooner Challenge. 11th Combine 200 miles, 14th club, 16th Combine 300m, 16th 100m 383b Sooner Challenge, 53rd 325m vs. 269b final Sooner Challenge
GRANDMOTHER to: 1st, 2nd, 3rd,7th, 9th, 9th, 10th Champion Bird LRPC (through 2024) 1st 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR Eq 1 (3rd) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1 (13th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 1st Champion Bird in the Bama-Buckeye Challenge One Loft Race 2021 3rd Champion Bird Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 1st at 250m Bama Buckeye OLR 2021 Eq1 (2nd) 180m Bama Buckeye OLR 2021 Eq1 (2nd) 355m Bama Buckeye OLR 2021 1st Club 270 miles 1st 230m 149b (Covington) 1st 160m 43b 1st 145m 69b 1st 160m 24b 1st 230m 21b Eq1 (2nd) Club/Combine 300 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 230 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 150 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 160 miles Eq1 (2nd) Club 160 miles Eq1 (2nd) 180m 136b (Covington) Eq1 (3rd) Club/Combine 300 miles Eq1 (3rd) Club 150 miles Eq1 (3rd)Club 160 miles 2nd 145m 69b 2nd 230m 21b 2nd 145m 34b 5th 275m 151b 5th Club/15th Combine/38th Fed vs 810b 435m 6th Fed 400m 507b (HOF 807) 6th Club/14th Combine vs 362b 230m 7th 125m 125b Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 8th 200m 189b 13th 200m 462b 17th Combine vs 426b @ 125m 19th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 20th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR 20th Combine vs 569b @ 125m (first drop) 20th combine 125m 569b 21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge OLR 25th and 32nd final 380m High Desert Yearling Classic vs 246 birds and only 37 day birds. 26th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 32nd 150m 551b Sooner Challenge OLR 35th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR 41st 180m 112b Bama Buckeye OLR 52nd 330m GHC Classic vs 1382b
Pair 2: Claymore x Sainz 204
Just like the #1 Piar, after three successful years in 2019, 2020, and 2021, I’m putting this pair back together to replicate the great racers and breeders they produced in those years. A huge portion of our wins are coming from children of this pairing when they are mated to children of Stiling Kastle x Baker’s Revenge. Claymore’s children are fast and consistent and are good for 350 miles in headwinds.
Claymore, son of Home Boy x Black Gold
Sire: Claymore17 AU JFL 7275. 7275 is a Macaloney cock bred by Kevin Jones and raced at Kastle Loft. He is a grandson of Merlin 49.
Claymore has bred: National Ace Young Bird 2019 (GSWC 858) National Ace Young Bird 2023 (2381) National Ace Young Bird 2024 (2484) 25th Concourse Champion Young Bird 2019 (GSWC 858) 14th vs 437b 355m, 1210 ypm $winner Ohio Classic Race (2484) 1st place (tie) LRPC Champion YB 2019 (LKY 18) 2nd Club Champion Young Bird 2023 (2381) 3rd LRPC Champion YB 2022 (2280) 4th LRPC Champion YB 2021 (2169) Eq 1st (2nd) 140m 89b Eq 1st (4th) 140m 40b 1st 160m LRPC 1st 150m LRPC Eq1 (3rd) 230m 89b Eq1 (4th) 160m LRPC Eq1 (5th) 140m LRPC Eq1 (5th) vs 105b @ 175m (GNEO 500) Eq1 (7th) 230m 89b Eq1 (21st) vs 404b @85m Plymouth Peak 2020 Eq1 (12th) vs 387b @100m Plymouth Peak 2020 Eq1 (9th) vs 322b @175m Plymouth Peak 2020 20th Avg Speed $ winner 2020 Plymouth Peak OLR 2nd 200m combine vs 68b, 2nd 150m LRPC 2nd auction bird 300m winning $700 3rd 125m 121b (GNEO 500) 3rd 150m Bama-Buckey OLR 3rd 160m 43b 3rd 400m 4th 150m LRPC 4th 150m LRPC 4th club 300m 70b (9th combine, 119b) 5th vs 473b 200m (2484) 5th 160m 50b 5th 100m Bama-Buckeye OLR 5th 300m 52b 6th160m 76b 6th Combine vs 426b @ 125m (GNEO 500) 6th 300m 52b 7th 150m Bama-Buckeye OLR 12th 100m Bama-Buckeye OLR 18th 150m 498b 22nd 250m vs 383b Sooner Challenge 2020
Claymore is Grandsire to: 1st place 202 miles 489b High Desert OLR 1st Champion Bird Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 vs 160 originally entered 3rd Champion Bird Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 vs 160 originally entered 1st 356 miles vs 82b in headwinds Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 1st 125 miles vs 125b Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 Eq 1 (3rd) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1 (4th) 180 miles vs 110b (1887 ypm) Bama Buckeye OLR Eq 1 (11th) 126 miles 497b High Desert OLR Eq 1 (13th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 13th Avg Speed High Desert OLR 31st 360 miles 378b High Desert OLR National Ace Young Bird 2022 (2204) National Ace Young Bird 2022 (2206) National Ace Young Bird 2021 (2175) National Ace Young Bird 2021 (2111) 1st Champion Young Bird LRPC 2022 (2204) 2nd Champion Young Bird LRPC 2022 (2206) 2nd Champion Young Bird LRPC 2021 (2111) 5th Champion Young Bird LRPC 2021 (2176) 6th Champion Young Bird LRPC 2020 (2072) 15th 350m 429b AU Convention Race 1st 160m LRPC 1st 200m LRPC 1st 230m LRPC 1st 230m LRPC 1st 160m LRPC 1st 100m 319b IHC Eq1 (2nd) 300m 52b Eq1 (2nd) 270m LRPC Eq1 (2nd) 160m LRPC Eq1 (3rd) 160m LRPC Eq1 (4th) 230m 89b Eq1 (4th) 300m 52b Eq1 (4th) 160m LRPC Eq1 (4th) 160m LRPC Eq1 (5th) 140m LRPC Eq1 (5th) 300m Combine Eq1 (6th) 230m 89b Eq1 (7th) 160m LRPC Eq1 (7th) 230m LRPC Eq1 (11th) 140m LRPC Eq1 (14th) 100m LRPC Eq1 (15th) 100m 205b 3rd 125m 571b (River PR Combine) 6th 250m 461b IHC 7th 200m 220b 7th 125m 125b Bama Buckeye OLR 12th 256m vs 102b (1451 ypm) Bama Buckeye OLR 20th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR 21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge OLR 22nd 300m 393b HOF race $ winner 26th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 31st 360 miles 378b High Desert OLR 41st 180m 112b Bama Buckeye OLR 54th 300 miles 442b High Desert OLR
Great grandsire to: 2nd 350m 126b (LKY 200) 2nd 230m 89b Eq1 5th 150m 321b Sooner Challenge OLR (2272) 4th Champion Bird (Cov club – LKY 200)
Sainz 204, inbred Picasso
Dam: AU 18Sainz 204 is inbred Picasso from the loft of Yoannys Sainz.
Breeder of: National Ace Young Bird 2019 (GSWC 858) National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2023 (3500) National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2024 (2407) 25th Concourse Champion Young Bird 2019 (GSWC 858) 1st Club Champion Young Bird 2024 (2407) 1st (tie) LRPC Champion Young Bird 2019 (LKY 18) 4th LRPC Champion Young Bird 2021 (2169) 6th Club Champion Young Bird 2023 1st 145m 34b 1st club 300m 27b 9th combine 114b 1st 160m LRPC 1st 150m LRPC Eq 1st (5th) 140m 89b Eq 1st (3rd) 230m 76b Eq 1 (4th) 160m LRPC Eq 1 (5ht) 140m LRPC Eq 1 (5th) vs 105b @ 175m (GNEO 500) Eq1 (21st) vs 404b @85m Plymouth Peak 2020 Eq1 (12th) vs 387b @100m Plymouth Peak 2020 Eq1 (9th) vs 322b @175m Plymouth Peak 2020 20th place Avg Speed $ winner 2020 Plymouth Peak OLR 2nd place 200m combine vs 68b, 2nd place 150m LRPC 2nd place auction bird 300 miles winning $700 (28th combine) 2nd 160m 43b 3rd 230m 21b 3rd 125m 121b (GNEO 500) 3rd 150m Bama-Buckey OLR 3rd 160m 76b 4th 150m LRPC 4th place 150m LRPC 5th 100m Bama-Buckeye OLR 6th Combine vs 426b @ 125m (GNEO 500) 7th 150m Bama-Buckeye OLR 12th 100m Bama-Buckeye OLR 22nd 250m vs 383b Sooner Challenge 2020
GRANDMOTHER to: 1st place 202 miles 489b High Desert OLR 1st Champion Bird Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 vs 160 originally entered 3rd Champion Bird Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 vs 160 originally entered 1st 356 miles vs 82b in headwinds, (1118 ypm) Bama Buckeye OLR 1st 125 miles vs 125b (1724 ypm) Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 Eq 1 (11th) 126 miles 497b High Desert OLR 13th Avg Speed High Desert OLR 31st 360 miles 378b High Desert OLR National Ace Young Bird 2021 (2175) National Ace Young Bird 2021 (2111) 2nd champion bird LRPC 2021 (2111) 5th champion bird LRPC 2021 (2176) 6th champion bird LRPC 2020 (2072) 1st 160m LRPC 1st 200m LRPC 1st 230m LRPC 1st 160m LRPC 1st 100m 319b IHC Eq 1 (3rd) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1 (4th) 180 miles vs 110b (1887 ypm) Bama Buckeye OLR 2024 Eq 1 (11th) 126 miles 497b High Desert OLR 2024 Eq 1 (13th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 2024 Eq1 (2nd) 270m LRPC Eq1 (2nd) 160m LRPC Eq1 (3rd) 160m LRPC Eq1 (4th) 160m LRPC Eq1 (4th) 160m LRPC Eq1 (5th) 140m LRPC Eq1 (5th) 300m Combine Eq1 (7th) 160m LRPC Eq1 (7th) 230m LRPC Eq1 (11th) 140m LRPC Eq1 (14th) 100m LRPC Eq1 (15th) 100m 205b 3rd 125m 571b (River PR Combine) 6th 250m 461b IHC 7th 125m 125b Bama Buckeye OLR 7th 200m 220b 12th 256m vs 102b (1451 ypm) Bama Buckeye OLR 20th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR 21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge OLR 22nd 300m 393b HOF race $ winner 26th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 31st 360 miles 378b High Desert OLR 41st 180m 112b Bama Buckeye OLR 54th 300 miles 442b High Desert OLR
Pair 3: Den-X x Queen of Scots
Two children of Denman paired together. This half-sibling pairing proved to be golden in 2024 with a high strike rate and super consistency. One of thier babies finished 10th Avg Speed in the Sooner Challenge. You simply cannot get any better breedings than these two imports from Macaloney.
Queen of Scots, daughter of Black Caviar x Denman
Sire: Den-X 20 GB 20X 34428 is a son of Denman and Annie Mac. Son of two outstanding racers and breeders from Paul Macaloney.
Father to: 10th Avg Speed Sooner Challenge OLR vs 788 originally entered Eq 1 (22nd) 250m 379b Sooner Challenge OLR National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2023 (2340) 4th Club Champion Young Bird 2023 (2340) 6th Club Champion Young Bird 2024 Eq 1st (2nd club) 300m 70b (7th combine, 119b) Eq 1st (3rd) 230m 76b Eq 1st (6th) 140m 89b Eq 1st (5th) 230m 76b Eq 1st (6th) 140m 40b 3rd club 300m 27b 4th 160m 43b 5th 100m 374b 21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge OLR
Dam: Queen of Scots, daughter of Black Caviar and Denman, two of Macaloney’s best ever racers. She was hand picked in the nest for Kastle Loft and is is physically perfect in every metric.
She has bred: 10th Avg Speed Sooner Challenge OLR vs 788 originally entered Eq 1 (22nd) 250m 379b Sooner Challenge OLR 3rd @125m vs 561b (GNEO 694) 3rd Champion Young Bird LRPC 6th Club Champion Young Bird 2024 Eq1 (3rd) 230m Eq1 230m 3rd 140m 3rd @125m vs 561b 3rd 230m 89b 3rd club 300m 27b 4th 160m 43b 7th 230m 89b 5th 300m 52b 6th 300m 52b 21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge OLR
Pair 4: The Deblanc Pair
The cock and hen of this pair are inbred to Crack Julien and selected by Youri Deblanc to pair together as he would have paired them for his own race team.
Sire: BE 24-4089579 is a Grandson of Crack Julien and Star Julien
Dam: BE 24-4089270 is a Double granddaughter of Crack Julien
They do not yet have a breeding record yet but are selected for distance, heat and headwinds.
Pair 5: GSWC 858 x Hallelujah Here She Comes
This is my go-to pair for one loft races. Crossing the Claymore line with Stirling Kastle to create 300-350 mile OLR performances. This is a great example of my strategy of putting winning children of Claymore with winning children of Stirling Kastle.
Sire: GSWC 858. He is a performance son of Claymore and Sainz 204 (see above).
Bred by David Stephenson and flown by Yendez Loft for a band race, 858 Earned National Ace Pigeon for 2019 YB season in a tough concourse. He won: 25th Concourse Champion YB 2019 10th Concourse @300m vs 587b, 25th Concourse @200m 721b, 35th Councourse @200m 674b 45th Concourse @100m 945b. LDHA AA
He has bred: 1st place Wild Aces Kit Band Race winning $3000 for Shokri Enbawe. Eq 1 (3rd) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1 (13th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 3rd Champion Bird Bama Buckeye OLR vs 160 originally entered 2nd Club Champion Young Bird 15th Place AU Convention Race, 350 miles vs. 429 birds 5th Avg Speed 2023 Sooner Challenge
Dam: AU 19 Kastle 1927 Hallelujah Here She Comes. She is a daughter of Stirling Kastle and Baker’s Revenge (see above).
Raced in the 2019 Sooner Challenge. 8th @250 miles vs. 359b (strong headwinds), 43rd @200miles vs 369b, 53rd @325miles vs. 269b final race 23 minutes to win.
AB CTCT
She bred: Eq 1 (3rd) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1 (13th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR National AU Ace Young Bird 2023 (2381) National AU Ace Young Bird 2021 (2150) 1st and 9th Champion Bird LRPC (2150, 2154) 2nd Club Champion Young Bird 2023 (2381) 3rd Champion Bird Bama Buckeye 2024 OLR vs 160 originally entered 5th Avg Speed 2023 Sooner Challenge OLR (2312) 15th Place AU Convention Race, 350 miles vs. 429 birds
Eq 1st (2nd) 140m 89b Eq 1st (4th) 140m 40b Eq1 (9th) 160m Eq1 (14th) 160m Eq1 (2nd) 300m Combine Eq1 (2nd) 140m Eq1 (3rd) 140m Eq1 (2nd) 160m Eq1 (3rd) 160m Eq1 (3rd) 270m 4th club 300m 70b (9th combine, 119b) 5th 160m 50b 6th160m 76b 6th 270m 7th 125m 125b Bama Buckeye OLR 20th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR 20th 325m vs 236b 2023 Sooner Challenge 21st 200m 471b Sooner Challenge OLR 24th 250m vs 373b 2023 Sooner Challenge 26th 416m vs 150b 2023 Sooner Challenge 26th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 33rd 150m vs 389b 2023 Sooner Challenge 32nd place final 380m High Desert Yearling Classic vs 246 birds and only 43 day birds. 38th place 416m Sooner Challenge 41st 180m 112b Bama Buckeye OLR
Grandmother to: Eq 1st (4th) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1st (24th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR Eq 1st (29th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 1st place 300m 52b (4th Combine 135b) 4th Club Champion Young Bird 2024 Eq1 (3rd) 300m Combine Eq1 (17th) 160m Eq1 (5th) 230m Eq1 (8th) 140m 2nd place 150m 75b (Qualls) 2nd club 300m 27b 11th combine 114b 2nd 146m 25b 3rd 160m 24b
Pair 6: Cutlass x Fantastic 4
It’s that time of year when the hopes for the next racing season are born. We always have that one or two special new pairs that are a culmination of years of work, research, testing, planning and luck. These pairs don’t always work out as planned, but they do give us the fuel to keep trying and working to be better. There has to be some reason we trudge outside in the freezing cold to feed, break the ice, and check the eggs.
This pair is one of those pairs.. I raised these two and they both raced in Ohio as young birds. My goal is to consistently create pigeons that can race 350 miles in headwinds and these did exactly that. Now I can only hope that their babies can do the same. It will be a long 10 months before we find out!
An uncle x niece pairing is also an integral parting my breeding strategy to keep the best genetics tight and consistent. I believe that inbreeding and line breeding is most successful when using birds that have proven to have the genes you need.
Dam: 24 AU LKY 4, Fantastic 4 Granddaughter of Claymore and a daughter of Kastle 1941
Raced at the Bama Buckeye OLR vs 160 birds entered
1st Champion Bird
1st 356 miles vs 82b in headwinds, (1118 ypm)
1st 125 miles vs 125b (1724 ypm)
Eq 1 (4th) 180 miles vs 110b (1887 ypm)
12th 256m vs 102b (1451 ypm)
She was an exceptionally consistent pigeon always out front at all distances and speeds.
Sire: Cutlass 24 AU KASTLE 2484 Son of Claymore
Raced for Joe Rostocil in the Ohio Classic Race Futurity
14th vs 437b 355m, 1210 ypm $winner
5th vs 473b 200m, 1377 ypm
AU Ace Pigeon Young Bird
He came alone, first to loft on a very tough 355 mile race with few day birds.
Pair 7: Kastle 1924 x Mochi (The Mochi Pair)
Kastle 1924
Sire: 19 AU Kastle 1924, a stunning son of Stirling Kastle and Baker’s Revenge. LDHA AA, DRD4 CT (456), CRY1 AG/TT, carries recessive opal. Father to: 1st 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2023 (2305) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th Club Champion Young Birds (through 2024) 1st 140m 40b 1st 160m 43b 1st 145m 69b 1st 160m 24b Eq 1st (4th) 140m 89b Eq 1st (3rd) 140m 40b 2nd 145m 34b 2nd 145m 69b 2nd 230m 21b 3rd 160m 50b 3rd 100m 68b 4th 160m 50b 5th 160m 76b 25th place money winner in the 380 mile final race of the High Desert Yearling OLR. 19th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 32nd 150m 551b Sooner Challenge OLR 35th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR Grandfather to: 1st place 100m 163b (LKY 133)
Dam: Mochi, 22 AU Kastle 2204, a fantastic performance hen out of Kastle 1941 and a grand daughter of Claymore and Sainz 204. Mochi is sister to 13th Avg. Speed High Desert OLR. Sister to 1st place 350 miles and 1st champion bird Bama Buckey OLR.
Kastle 2204 raced all 7 YB races and was on the first drop 5 times. She earned: AU ACE Young Bird 2022 1st Club Champion Young Bird Eq 1 (2nd) 300m 52b Eq 1 (4th) 230m 89b She is LDHA AB DRD4 954 CT F-KER TT LRP8 HH GSR TT She has bred: 1st 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2023 (2305) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th Club Champion Young Birds (through 2024) 1st 160m 43b 1st 145m 69b 1st 160m 24b 1st 140m 40b Eq 1st (4th) 140m 89b Eq 1st (3rd) 140m 40b 2nd 145m 34b 2nd 145m 69b 2nd 230m 21b 3rd 160m 50b 3rd 100m 68b 4th 160m 50b 5th 160m 76b 19th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 32nd 150m 551b Sooner Challenge OLR 35th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR
Pair 8: Horn Dog x Desert Rose
Desert Rose, Farr 2281 who was 12th Avg Speed at the High Desert OLR.
This was a great pair for me in 2024 and I hope they will repeat in 2025. They are good for at least 325 miles as young birds and are very consistent.
Sire: Horn Dog, AU 22 Kastle 2212. He is a money-winning son of 858 x Hallelujah Here She Comes.
15th Place AU Convention Race, 350 miles vs. 429 birds. He was on the first drop of two birds for handler Sam Naim. He is a cross between my two best cock lines in Kastle Loft. AB CTCC AG/TT TT
He is father to: Eq 1st (4th) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1st (24th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 4th Club Champion Young Bird 2024 2nd club 300m 27b 11th combine 114b 2nd 146m 25b 3rd 160m 24b
Dam: Desert Rose, AU 22 Farr 2281. She is a daughter of Tim Farr’s super OLR breeding cock Tyrant. She finished 12th Avg Speed at the High Desert Yearling Classic OLR in 2023. She finished high at the long distances and incredibly tough conditions including headwinds and storms. 11th 300m, 350b, 895 ypm 26th 360m, 239b, 969 ypm She is half-sister of 1st place 400m Big Andy’s OLR
She is mother to: Eq 1st (4th) 325m 363b Sooner Challenge OLR final race Eq 1st (24th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 4th Club Champion Young Bird 2024 2nd club 300m 27b 11th combine 114b 2nd 146m 25b 3rd 160m 24b
Pair 9: Farr 1096 x Kastle 1941
Farr 1096, a great specimen from the Konbird and Iron Clad lines.
This is a new but nonetheless exciting pair in my loft. They have both consistently produced some of top young birds and have Konbird behind them. They are both great racers, proven breeders for 300-400 mile headwind young birds, and are a great example of performers breeding performers.
Sire: Farr 1096. He is a great blend of Tim Farr’s best Konbird and Iron Clad lines.
Was 3/263b 1st drop 193mi ’21 PNWC. Winner of ’23 SWWR Winter Show Best Unflown Old Cock category.
Dam: AU 19 Kastle 1941. She is a much underrated hen in my loft and has a breeding record second only to Baker’s Revenge and Sainz 204. She is a great grand daughter of Konbird.
As a racer, she placed: 1st Combine 200m vs 68b, 3rd @ 100 miles LRPC, 3rd Champion Bird LRPC 2019
Mother to: 1st Champion Bird Bama Buckeye 2024 OLR vs 160 birds entered 1st 356 miles vs 82b Bama Buckeye 2024 OLR in headwinds, (1118 ypm) 1st 125 miles vs 125b Bama Buckeye 2024 OLR (1724 ypm) Eq 1 (4th) 180 miles vs 110b Bama Buckeye 2024 OLR (1887 ypm) 1st place 202 miles 489b High Desert OLR Eq 1 (11th) 126 miles 497b High Desert OLR 13th Avg Speed High Desert OLR 2024 31st 360 miles 378b High Desert OLR 1st champion bird LRPC 2nd champion bird LRPC 6th champion bird LRPC AU Ace Young Bird (Kastle 2204) AU Ace Young Bird (Kastle 2206) 1st 200m (headwinds) 1st 230m eq 1 (2nd) 300m eq 1 (2nd) 160m eq 1 (4th) 300m eq 1 (4th) 230m eq 1 (14th) 100m Eq1 (15th) 100m 205b 2nd Club vs 121b @ 125m 5th Combine vs 426b @ 125m 7th 200m 220b 12th 256m vs 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 31st 360 miles 378b High Desert OLR 54th 300 miles 442b High Desert OLR 22nd 300m 393b HOF race money winner GRANDMOTHER to: 1st 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR 2nd Club Champion Young Bird 2024 3rd Club Champion Young Bird 2024 1st 160m 43b 1st 145m 69b 1st 160m 24b 2nd 145m 69b 2nd 230m 21b 2nd 145m 34b 3rd 500m 30b (LKY 200) 16th combine 230m 76b (LKY 200) 19th 250m 102b Bama Buckeye OLR 32nd 150m 551b Sooner Challenge OLR 35th 355m 82b Bama Buckeye OLR Carries recessive opal AB CT (954)
Pair 10: Embo x Thrawn
Sire: Kastle Embo, AU 22 Kastle 2266 is a son of Demo 64 and Kastle 2153.
27th place money winner in the final 416 mile race vs 113 birds at the Sooner Challenge, 35 minutes to win. Lost for one month, showing up the week before the final. Grandmother and great grandmother also performed well at the Sooner. Carries recessive opal. AB CCCT He is father to: 3rd 145m 25b 5th 140m 102b 6th 125m 113b 51st 350m 517b Midwest Conv race $winner
Dam: Kastle Thrawn, AU 23 Kastle 2312. She is also a product of the tough Sooner Challenge OLR
5th Avg Speed Sooner Challenge 20th 325m vs 236b 24th 250m vs 373b 26th 416m vs 150b 33rd 150m vs 389b LDHA AA DRD4 456 CT CRY1 AG/TT F-KER TT GSR TT
Mother to: Eq 1st (29th) 100m 563b Sooner Challenge OLR
Pair 11: Kastle 2422 x Kastle 2280
This pair is another example from the Stirling Kastle x Claymore lines.
Sire: Kastle 2422 was a solid racer on my 2024 young bird team.
Dam: Kastle 2280, 22 AU Kastle 2280. LDHA AA, CRY-1 AG/TT, Macaloney hen out of two of my best. She is a daughter of Claymore and granddaughter of Black Caviar. She raced every young bird race for Kastle Loft (7) winning: 3rd Champion Bird LRPC 2022 Eq1 (3rd) 230m 3rd 140m 5th 300m
Pair 12: Avocado x Home Girl
This is a Stirling Kastle x Claymore cross. I took a great performer from Stirling and mating him to an inbred sister of Claymore and their babies did not disappoint in 2021 or 2022. Hoping for more success with this pair in 2023.
Home Girl, JFL 293, inbred Home Boy
Sire: Avocado, 20 AU Kastle 2022. A high-performing son of Stirling Kastle & Baker’s Revenge. He was 10th Champion Young Bird in 2020. Raced every single race, 8 races. He won Eq 1 (3rd) 100m, Eq 1 (5th) 160m.
Dam: Home Girl, 20 AU JFL 293. She is a father daughter mating of Home Boy, bred by Kevin Jones, making her a sister to Claymore and Dirk two sons of Home Boy.
Together, this pair has produced: National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2023 Club Champion Young Bird 2023 1st 230m 21b 1st 140m 89b 1st 230m 76b Eq 1st (5th) 140m 40b Eq1 (4th) Combine 300m vs 179b 6th Combine 300m 210b Eq1 160m Eq1 230m 4th 160m 76b
Pair 13: Kastle 2471 x Empire
Empire, LKY 23300
This pair is particularly interesting because it is really representative of what I’m trying to do with my Kastle Loft family and it is getting further and further away from the imports. It also contains some fantastic performance blood from the High Desert Yearling One Loft Race on both sides, including a performance daughter of Tim Farr’s world-class Tyrant.
Sire: 24 AU Kastle 2471 is a son of Horn Dog and Desert Rose (Farr 2281)
4th Club Champion Young Bird 2024 2nd club 300m 27b 11th combine 114b 2nd 146m 25b 3rd 160m 24b
Dam: 24 AU LKY 23300 Empire. She is a daughter of 1941 and a granddaughter of Claymore x Sainz 204
13th Avg Speed at the High Desert Yearling Classic in 2024 against 649 birds originally entered (top 2%). 1st place 202 miles 489b Eq 1 (11th) 126 miles 497b 31st 360 miles 378b 54th 300 miles 442b
Pair 14: Kastle 2405 x Kastle Stingray
Super racers, super consistent, tough, fast and 300-416 mile young birds. Let’s hope like breeds like! These two are mostly Macaloney with a little Picasso and down from the Stirling x Claymore lines
Kastle 2197 Stingray with her Champion Bird plaque.
Sire: 24 AU Kastle 2405 a recessive opal cock out of the Kastle 1924 x Mochi pair.
3rd Club Champion Young Bird 2024 1st 145m 69b 1st 160m 24b 2nd 145m 34b
Dam: Kastle Stingray21 AU Kastle 2197. Talk about consistent! You can’t get any better than her performance in the Bama-Buckeye One Loft Race hosted by Mike Reeser in Ohio. This was a small OLR with 158 birds originally entered and a 3-race series. She had a near perfect performance, 1st drop in all three races, the only pigeon to do so. She is a granddaughter of Stirling Kastle & Baker’s Revenge.
Champion Bird 2021 Bama-Buckeye One Loft Challenge, a 3 race series run by Mike Reeser. This hen was 1st drop in all three races. 1st place 250 miles (Eq1) 2nd place 180 miles, (Eq1) 2nd place 350 miles 158 birds originally entered. Carries recessive opal AB, CRY1 TT/TT She has bred: Eq 1 (5th) 150m 321b Sooner Challenge (2272) Eq1 (9th) 200m 377b Sooner Challenge (2391) 3rd 145m 25b 5th 140m 102b 6th 125m 113b 51st 350m 517b Midwest Conv race $winner
Pair 15: Demo 64 x New Youri Deblanc inbred Crack Julien hen
This will be a cross between one of my good Macaloney imports to one of the new Youri Deblanc double granddaughter of Crack Julien.
Sire: Demo 64, SU 20-24464 Purchased in the 2020 FEPA Macaloney auction. Half brother to 2020 Ace Bird “Demolition Man”. Great blend of the Super Macs and Stefaan Lambrecht for speed and headwinds. LDHA AB
He is father to: 9th Club Champion Young Bird 2023 1st 300m 70b (6th combine, 119b) 1st 160m 50b Eq 1st (2nd) 140m 40b 27th $winner 416m vs 113 birds Sooner Challenge (2266) 4th 100m 68b 5th club 300m 70b (10th combine, 119b) 7th 140m 89b GRANDFATHER TO: 3rd 145m 25b 5th 140m 102b 6th 125m 113b 51st 350m 517b Midwest Conv race $WINNER
Dam: BE 24-4089594 Double Crack Julien hen. She is a brand new import bred for distance, heat and headwinds by Belgium’s Youri Deblanc.
Pair 16: BlackJack x Kastle 2407
Two top performers in my loft who I expect will produce similar top performers for me. I have had great success crossing the Picasso line onto my Macaloney’s and this is another example of this by mating a son of Stirling Kastle x Baker’s Revenge to a daughter of Inigo x Sainz 204 (inbred Picasso)
Sire: Blackjack 24 AU Kastle 2121 is a son of Stirling Kastle x Baker’s Revenge and won 1st place combine 300 miles in 2021.
As a young bird, 2121 won: 1st Combine 300 miles vs 179b Eq 1, 140m He is father of: National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2023 (3500) 6th Club Champion Young Bird 2023 Eq 1st (5th) 140m 89b Eq 1st (3rd) 230m 76b 3rd 160m 76b
Dam: 24 AU Kastle 2407 also won 1st place (club) at the 300 mile race and is an example of a highly inbred pigeon who was a phenominal racer on my young bird team. She is ripe to cross, checking a lot of boxes.
She also won:
National AU Ace Pigeon YB 2024 Club Champion Young Bird 2024 1st 145m 34b 1st club 300m 27b 9th combine 114b 2nd 160m 43b 3rd 230m 21b AA AG/TT
Pair 17: Titanium x Kastle 2153
While I am breeding from a number of recessive opals, this pair will produce blues, blacks, and recessive opals. I plan to race as many as I can, including the recessive opal spread that will come from them and hope to bring the best back into the breeding program.
Sire: Titanium AU 21 Kastle 2119 Recessive opal spread cock carrying the LDHA and DRD4 genes AB CCCT. Down from performance Gaby’s and Black Widow from Ron Deisher.
Dam: AU 21 Kastle 2153. She was a fantastically consistent racer for me as a young bird.
As a racer, she won: 7th place Champion Bird LRPC Eq1 (3rd) 300m Combine Eq1 (17th) 160m Eq1 (5th) 230m Eq1 (8th) 140m
She has bred: 1st club (4th combine) 300m 52b 27th $winner 416m vs 113 birds Sooner Challenge (2266) 2nd 150m 75b AB CCCT Carries recessive opal
Titanium, recessive opal spread, Gaby with a touch of Black Widow
The Recessive Opals
Winning lines of Eisenhower, Jester, Carrie, Golden Gaby and more.
I have a handful of recessive opal and cherry birds (also called mosaics to the Brits and racing pigeons folks). It is a recessive color and the gene has to be present in both parents in order for the children to show the color. Our recessive opals (see more photos here) will have the blood of Shadow, Eisenhower, Jester, Carrie, Lady Spirit, 90 Cock, Golden Gaby, Joint Venture, etc. These birds are winning in my club and one placed in the money in the 2016 Dixie Convention Race. Some of the recessive opal birds we are breeding from includes A cock (Kastle 1418) and another hen (Kastle 1616) will be from Kastle Einstein x Kastle Black. The second cock is a product of Golden Gaby x Lady Bliksem and the 90 Cock x Lady Spirit. Babies from Kastle 1418 have been racing very well earning diplomas in my club and winning some money in an auction race in North Carolina.
Check for availability and specific pricing. Babies will be starting at $300. Raced young birds will be more.
Terms
We will not be raising many extra late hatches unless someone has asked us to. If you see something you are interested in, I would highly recommend talking with me about it before I split up my breeders. It is entirely likely I will have some birds to sell from my racing teams at the end of the season, but of course the prices will be higher since they will have been tested. But there will be no guarantees as to which birds I will sell from my team.
This is a racing loft, not a breeding station, and the majority of birds are being raced here at Kastle Loft and around the country in futurity and One Loft Races. If you are interesting in purchasing a baby from one of these pairings, the only way to guarantee it is to place a non-refundable deposit. I keep a close eye on the health of my breeding pairs and limit the number of babies they feed in any given year. I will not be raising extra babies from every pair just to sell.
A $100 non-refundable deposit will hold a baby for you. With a deposit, I can also put you on a waiting list in case someone backs out. By holding a bird for you, I will not make it available for purchase to anyone else while I feed, medicate and care for it. Therefore, the deposit is non-refundable. The bird(s) must be paid for in full by November 1, or I will make the bird available again for purchase. If I am not happy with the quality of the birds, I will refund your money or we can apply it to another available bird. Total balance will need to be paid before I ship any birds. I do not have space to house birds into the next breeding season. I prefer to ship the bird as soon as possible to get them acclimated in their new home. All birds will be vaccinated with PMV and KM-1.
Kastle Loft racing pigeons flying in the yard on July 9, 2021 in Lexington, Ky.
I am very pleased with how our young bird performed in 2022 again, especially at the club level. And once again, the star breeders were Claymore, Queen of Scots, Stirling Kastle and their progeny.
Flying in the Lexington Racing Pigeon Club, Kastle Loft earned:
3 AU Ace Pigeon Young Birds
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8th champion birds
1st -9th 230m
1st -7th 300m
1st Avg Speed
1st Champion Loft
1st Master Loft
In the futurities and other lofts we sent birds to:
15th 350m 429b AU Convention Race out of a grandson of Claymore and grandson of Stirling Kastle. (Kastle 2212)
1st 100m 163b (LKY 133)
2nd 350m 126b (LKY 200)
4th Champion Bird (Cov club – LKY 200)
In one loft races, we had a number of pigeons finish series’, but the biggest wins came at the Sooner Challenge and on the toughest of days:
Eq1 3rd 200m 306b Sooner Challenge OLR (2224)
Eq1 5th 150m 321b Sooner Challenge OLR (2272)
27th 416m 113b Sooner Challenge final race (2266)
I broke out many of the individual wins and listed them according to which cock they were down from:
Baker’s Revenge, daughter of Kastle 1611 and Kastle 1729.
Stirling Kastle, son of Troy and Black Caviar
I compiled a list of wins in 2021 Young Birds down from Stirling Kastle and Baker’s Revenge. Their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren really produced for us in multiple lofts, clubs, futurities and one loft races.
LRPC club and combine wins from Stirling Kastle and Baker’s Revenge:
1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th Champion birds
National Ace Young Bird: Kastle 2150 (1st Ace Pigeon Kentucky)
19 Equal Firsts
1st Club/Combine 300 miles
1st Club 270 miles
2nd Club/Combine 300 miles
2nd Club 230 miles
2nd Club 150 miles
2nd Club 160 miles
2nd Club 160 miles
3rd Club/Combine 300 miles
3rd Club 150 miles
3rd Club 160 miles
4th Club/Combine 300 miles
Out of Area (Futurities, Band Races and One Loft Races):
1st Champion Bird in the Bama-Buckeye Challenge One Loft Race
1st at 250m Bama Buckeye OLR
2nd Eq1 at 180m Bama Buckeye OLR
2nd Eq1 355m Bama Buckeye OLR
1st place 230m 149b (Covington)
2nd place 180m 136b (Covington)
5th place 275m 151b (Ohio)
8th place 200m 189b (Ohio)
13th place 200m 462b (Ohio)
25th place 380m 246b High Desert Yearling Classic Final $$
Notable:
In our Kentucky Combine 300 mile race, I had 6 on the drop and they took the first six positions ahead of the next loft by nearly 30 minutes and against 179 birds. Of those 6 on the drop, two are children of Stirling Kastle & Baker’s Revenge, two are grandchildren and one is a great grandchild.
In our club, we had 8 races this young bird season. Stirling Kastle and Baker’s Revenge are responsible for two 1sts, five 2nds, three 3rds, a 4th place and 19 Equal 1sts.
Also in our club, my pigeons won the first 10 champion bird positions. Of those 10 pigeons, 6 are children or grandchildren of Stirling Kastle.
At the Bama-Buckeye Challenge, a small one loft race managed by Mike Reeser, my pigeon won Champion Bird out of the 158 pigeons originally entered. Kastle Stingray was on the first drop on all three races in the series winning 2nd at 180 miles, first place in the 250 mile race and 2nd at 355 miles. This pigeon is a grand daughter of Stirling Kastle.
In the Hall of Fame Classic 300-mile futurity race, Heber Nelson clocked my pigeon first in his loft, winning 5th in his section and 15th overall in the race vs 372 birds. This same pigeon placed 13th against 462 birds at 200 miles earlier in the season. This pigeon is a grandson of Stirling Kastle & Baker’s Revenge.
In Larry Brock’s loft in Ohio, one of my birds won a 1st and a 2nd in his club racing. This bird is a granddaughter of Stirling Kastle.
The 2021 young bird racing season has been a lot of fun with a good number of wins locally in our club but also in multiple futurities and one loft races. Now is a good time to look for recurring themes in breeding.
Kastle pigeons have been hauling in a number of impressive wins for me at the club level (big drops!) but also for other handlers in other lofts and in money races. I am admittedly in a small club, which is why I like putting my birds in other lofts in bigger clubs.
Highlights:
Won 6 of 8 races in our club.
Won Avg Speed and Champion Loft in our club.
Won 1st through 10th place champion birds in our club.
32 Equal Firsts over 8 races.
5 National Ace Pigeons flown in 3 different lofts.
Won the combine 300 mile race with a 6 bird drop, ahead by 30 minutes.
Won our club 150 mile race with the entire team of 13 birds coming on the drop.
Won Champion Bird in the Bama-Buckeye Challenge One Loft Race
Won 2nd Eq1 at 180m, 1st at 250m and 2nd Eq1 at 355m in the Bama-Buckeye
1st place Plymouth Peak Challenge One Loft Race 138 miles vs 245 birds
1st place vs. 125 at 300 miles with 1173 ypm speeds in the Aces Wild Kit band race flown by Shokri Enbawe in New York winning $3,000.
1st place 100 miles vs 319 birds flown by Terry Finnerty, Independent Homing Club
16th place 350 miles money winner in the OCR flown by Joe Rostocil, Independent Homing Club
17th place 300 miles HOF band race flown by Heber Nelson, Ohio.
Multiple top 5% finishes and Eq 1sts in local, out of area and one loft races.
As I look at the best performances, there are a couple of very clear common denominators. Two pairs of breeders dominate: Stirling Kastle x Baker’s Revenge and Claymore x Sainz 204. The two cocks are Macaloney’s bred by Paul Macaloney and Kevin Jones. Yoannys Sainz bred Sainz 204 (Picasso blood) and Dustin Baker’s Blue Miracle Janssens are behind Baker’s Revenge along with Mark Evans Gaby’s.
Here is a highlight list of what those pairs produced in the 2021 young bird season.
In our Kentucky Combine 300 mile race, I had 6 on the drop and they took the first six positions ahead of the next loft by nearly 30 minutes and against 179 birds. Of those 6 on the drop, two are children of Stirling Kastle & Baker’s Revenge, two are grandchildren and one is a great grandchild. The sixth pigeon on the drop is a grandchild of Claymore & Sainz 204.
In our club, we had 8 races this young bird season. Stirling Kastle and Baker’s Revenge are responsible for two 1sts, five 2nds, three 3rds, a 4th place and 19 Equal 1sts. Claymore and Sainz 204 are responsible for three 1sts, a 2nd and a 4th place.
Also in our club, my pigeons won the first 10 champion bird positions. Of those 10 pigeons, all but one pigeon are children or grandchildren of Stirling Kastle and Claymore.
At the Bama-Buckeye Challenge, a small one loft race managed by Mike Reeser, my pigeon won Champion Bird out of the 158 pigeons originally entered. Kastle Stingray was on the first drop on all three races in the series winning 2nd at 180 miles, first place in the 250 mile race and 2nd at 355 miles. This pigeon is a grand daughter of Stirling Kastle & Baker’s Revenge.
Five pigeons flown by me, Joe Rostocil and Terry Finnerty earned National Ace Pigeon honors. Four of those five are down from Stirling Kastle or Claymore
In the Hall of Fame Classic 300-mile futurity race, Heber Nelson clocked my pigeon first in his loft, winning 5th in his section and 15th overall in the race vs 372 birds. This same pigeon placed 13th against 462 birds at 200 miles earlier in the season. This pigeon is a grandson of Stirling Kastle & Baker’s Revenge.
Terry Finnerty is racing a few of my birds in the Independent Homing Club before their OCR money race. In a 100 mile race, my bird trapped first at his loft and won the club race against 319 birds. This same bird was 6th place vs 461 birds at 250 miles earlier in the season. This pigeon is a grandson of Claymore & Sainz 204.
Claymore and Sainz 204 are also the grand parents of King’s Gambit who won first place in the Plymouth Peak 138 mile race.
Claymore and Sainz 204 are the grandparents of the 300 mile winner of the Aces Wild Kit band race flown by Shokri Enbawe, winning $3,000.
In Larry Brock’s loft in Ohio, one of my birds won a 1st and a 2nd in his club racing. This bird is a granddaughter of Stirling Kastle and Baker’s Revenge.
In Mike Glaab’s loft in Ohio, one of my birds won a 3rd and a 5th in his club. This bird is a full sister to Baker’s Revenge.
I sense a trend. These two pairs are going to be the future of my loft. I’m very thankful to the breeders behind these pigeons and the handlers who earned the winning performances.
Kastle 2197 Stingray with her Champion Bird plaque.
Baker’s Revenge, above, LDHA AB, DRD4 CT (456) CC (954): 2nd (eq 1) vs. 296b 250 miles, 4th (eq 1) vs. 303b 200 miles, 16th (eq) 1) vs. 332b 100 miles, 29th vs 322b 150 miles, In her first year she bred a AB CTCT pigeon who was 8th @250 miles vs. 359b (strong headwinds) Sooner Challenge. 3rd (eq1) @150, 5th place 150 miles, 11th Combine 200 miles, 14th club, 16th Combine 300 miles, 53rd @325miles vs. 269b final Sooner Challenge race 23 minutes to win
I have been testing my racing pigeons for the LDHA gene since 2015. Now many years later, what I thought would be a five year project is clearly something I will be working on for a lifetime. In these first years, testing and researching pigeons with both the LDHA and DRD4 genes, I have learned a lot and have refined my breeding philosophy around these genes. And as soon as I feel like I wrap my head around one set of genes, two more are introduced. As LDHA and DRD4 have become more fixed in my loft, I have turned to testing and selecting for CRY1. Other genes we can now test for are F-KER, GSR LRP8 and CASK.
Let’s get this part out of the way right now: these genes are not a magic bullet. Geneticist and pigeon breeder Dave Shewmaker, who is literally writing the book on pigeon genetics, says that there are potentially a hundred genes, if not more, that contribute to the success of a racing pigeon. I agree. Currently we can only test for two of them (well, three technically speaking). No breeder should expect to add these genes to their loft and instantly see win after win. And no breeder should eliminate proven, high-performance pigeons simply because they do not carry LDHA, DRD4 or any of the other testable genes.
What is LDHA? LDHA is the gene that stands for a lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in racing pigeons. This is an enzyme that is responsible for both the synthesis as recycling of lactate (out of pyruvate) in the muscles. I encourage you to scour the pigen.be website for more details. But the gist is that the presence of the LDHA gene affects how a pigeon processes the lactic acid it creates during muscle exertion. Basically, the pigeons can process the lactic acid better, they won’t be as sore and they can turn the lactic acid back into energy allowing them to fly longer. Here are some exerpts:
Lactate is made by the so-called white and mixed muscle fibers. It is what causes the pain in muscles when doing physical efforts, especially for efforts related to speed and power. It’s these muscles that are being trained when an athlete goes in anaerobic phase, meaning using as much power as possible. Everyone doing or having done sports knows this causes pain in the muscles. This is caused by the lactate, an acid made by the (anaerobic – without oxygen) burning of glucose. The more an athlete reaches the maximum of his effort, the more lactate is made.
The LDHA gene can be found in two alleles (locations). A pigeon will be one of three variations of LDHA. These three variations are represented by BB, AB and AA. BB means that the pigeon does not carry the LDHA gene. A pigeon that tests as AB carries the LDHA gene in one allele and a pigeon that is AA carries it in both alleles. A very very small percentage of racing pigeons (3-9%) are tested as AA.
From what we see, it seems that this AB genotype is a good indication for top performances, especially in the ace pigeons that race distances where both speed and endurance are important, meaning the day races. This indicates this gene could also be of the utmost importance for one loft racers.
This could be quite logical as it seems this gene can influence how efficiently lactate can be recycled and re-used in the muscles. As it’s the more powerful muscle fibers that are responsible for lactate synthesis it is a normal conclusion this gene has something to do with speed, or better the capability to maintain a certain speed for a longer period of time. This could explain why it is found more in the ace pigeons from 300 to 700 km.
When I tested my first batch of breeders, I was exceptionally lucky to have one of my cocks test as AA. Einstein, a son of Eisenhower and Joint Venture, is a full brother to 3rd place final race of the SAMDPR. His blood runs throughout my loft now and most of the LDHA in my loft originated from him. If his brother won 3rd place in the SAMDPR, makes you wonder if the LDHA played a factor. I believe it did.
A couple of years later I learned of the next piece of the genetic puzzle, the DRD4 genes and I began testing my flock. Those genes are equally rare and I had very very few of them in my small loft of 10 breeding pairs.
Dopamine receptors (DRD4) are found in the brain and have the function to transfer signals of the neurotransmitter dopamine in specific zones inside the brain. From Pigen.be:
Variations in this gene has been associated in humans and animals with character treats and certain mental capabilities. In humans f.e. this receptor has been associated with creativity, more or less sensitivity for depression, etc. In this recently published research (in the scientific magazine “Animal Genetics”) a number of different variations were found in this dopamine receptor type 4 gene in racing pigeons, of which two were relevant for racing performance. On all distances this influence was found, but only on speed and middle distance races this difference was statistically significant. In this study 1380 racing records were taken into account. (Proskura et al, 2015) The variant CCCC was associated with the lowest mean in racing performances. The variants CTCC and CCCT with higher averages (statistically significant); and the CTCT variant very clearly had a very high mean in racing performances. This was significantly proven on speed and middle distance. Also on long distance the mean was higher but this could not be proven statistically. More research will have to give more clarity on that.
This is when you say “but there are so many champion racing pigeons that don’t carry these genes!” And yes, there are. That’s why you should never get rid of, or not breed from fantastic race birds. There are too many unknown genes that contribute to their success and we cannot exclude them from our breeding strategies. But consider for a moment the true world-class legends of racing pigeons. Some of the absolute best racing pigeons in the world carried these racing genes. Kannibaal, Harry, Never Say Die, Bliksem, Golden Gaby, Janssens, Porsche 911, Picasso, Wolverine, Said in Spun Silver, Untamed Desert, Eisenhower, Joint Venture . . . I could go on. Isn’t it every pigeon breeder’s goal to have a pigeon the likes of Harry?
It starts to get very complicated when you are testing and breeding for all of the possible variations of these genes. My breeding strategy is to try and “fix” these genes in their homozygous state in my pigeons, but I want my breeders to have proven, high quality racing performance at the same time. This means I have to race and test as many pigeons as possible with these rare genes. I also try to not acquire any new pigeons unless I can test them first and know if they carry any of the genes or at least know that their family carries them.
I breed mostly from proven members of my race team or proven racers coming home from one loft races and futurities. I have “fixed” the LDHA gene in the majority of my breeders. In fact, every pair of breeders contain LDHA and DRD4 genes in some degree, and hopefully soon the CRY1 genes. I have lost count of the AA birds I am breeding from. That’s a good thing, so I don’t have to worry about losing them anymore. I am breeding from TT pigeons and can get CTCT pigeons on my team regularly. I still have a way to go with the DRD4 genes, particularly with the 456 variation and the CRY1 genes are finally becoming a regular fixture on my race team.
I have been testing some breeders for F-KER, MTSN, GSR and LRP8. I have found that those genes are much more common in my loft and it is rare for any of my birds to NOT have them. For this reason, I don’t test much for them, nor do I make pairing decisions around them.
Here are a few summary bullet points that reflect my strategy:
• I use performance and pedigree at the top of my list for selecting breeders. The pedigree reflects the performance of close relatives and how concentrated the genes are. For example, if Picasso is LDHA AB, I could spend $5,000 on a child and only have a 50% chance of the baby being AB, depending on his mate of course. But if I spend $1200 on a double grandchild, I have a decent chance (25%) of getting an AA pigeon, something that would be impossible with a child of Picasso. (This, in fact, played out perfectly for me when I bought a double-grandson of Picasso who turned out to be LDHA AA).
• If I add a new pigeon to my loft, it will have the performance and pedigree requirements above, plus it will carry at least one of the performance genes. This is an incredibly difficult combination to find, trust me.
• I race test as many children off my own pairs as I can and then bring the best, along with their performance genes, back into my breeding program. For example, Kastle Kingsman, pictured below, raced in the 2018 Apple Cup one loft race and won $2,000 finishing 20th place, second drop, 3 minutes to win from 350 miles out of 900 birds originally entered in the series. That’s the performance I want and he is AA CCCT. In 2019, I brought another good performing one loft race hen back to Kastle Loft to be mated to Kingsman. She is AB CTCT and performed very well in headwind races at the Sooner Challenge. That pair has very good performances AND the genes. They are mated together in 2020 and their babies will be AA or AB and some combination of CTCT, CCTT or CCCT or CCCC. If I get lucky, one of their babies will be a top performer and be AA CCTT and will make the perfect breeding pigeon, homozygous in two locations.
• I have a couple of test pairs that are a little farther away from performance than I’d like. But I bred them to be homozygous LDHA (AA) and homozygous DRD4 (TT). The goal is to get babies that are AA CTCT which is statistically the best combination for racing. The odds of these babies having the right combination of the other 98 or so genes is smaller since their parents haven’t been race tested. But I’m willing to have a few test pairs like this in case I get lucky.
• I keep my best breeding couples, no matter how they test for the performance genes. I simply use them to mate to the pigeons that do test positive for the genes. This is what takes so long to fix the genes in your loft. Think of it this way: if you have a great breeder and want to make babies who are perhaps superior to it’s parents, add one or more of these genes to the mix and you could achieve that goal. If your best breeding pair does not contain a single LDHA or DRD4 gene, take their best performing babies and cross onto the best performing pigeons who are homozygous for LHDH or DRD4 or both. Those babies are race tested and the best ones will carry the genes, have performance, and qualify to move into the breeding program. As my couples get older and stop breeding, you can see how eventually every breeding pigeon in my loft will contain these genes, but also have some kind of performance record.
We are always looking for competitive advantages, whether it be through bloodlines (genes), feed, training, supplements, eye sign or wing-theory (two things I do not ascribe to until I see research that proves it). It remains to be seen how much these performance genes in pigeons will elevate the performance of a particular pigeon. Research shows that very successful pigeons carry them. If I can add another 3-5% of a performance advantage to my pigeons with these genes, you can bet I will. In the past few years I have seen an improvement in my results locally in my small club and also in futurities and one loft races. Hopefully those improvements will continue over the next years and beyond.
Einstein, 2012 GB C 39756 LDHA AA. Full brother to 3rd place SAMDPR, very rare LDHA AA. His children have won: 11th vs. 443b. 100 miles (3%) | 8th vs. 545b. 100 miles (2%) | 33rd vs. 357b 175 miles (9%) | 30th vs. 275b 100 miles (11%) | 4th ACE bird ABC Combine & Ohio-Penn Fed | 6th AU ACE bird Ohio Middle Distance |1st Section, 4th Combine, 70th Fed vs. 1372 b. 96L 300 miles (5%) |34th Combine vs. 407 b. 32L 200 miles (1%) | 16th Combine vs. 542b 29L 150miles (3%) |1st Club, 5th Combine vs. 469b 34L 300 miles (1%) | 7th (Eq 1) @ 200 | 8th @ 85 | 12th @ 150 | 16th @ 100 | 7th @ 500 | 4th @ 150. HIS GRANDCHILDREN have won: 1st vs. 1048b @150m in the competitive GHC, 2nd Ohio ACE young bird, 1st combine 250m v 257b., 4th and 5th 200m Banks of Wabash | Again 4th and 5th Banks of Wabash 300m final | 1st Combine, 200m., 705b. | 29th 300m., 856b. GNEO Race | 2nd (eq. 1) 200m., 229b. | 5th (eq. 1) 200m., 188b. | 8th (eq. 1) 175m., 266b. | 8th (eq. 1) 100m., 220b. | 11th 200m., 178b. | 79th 340m., 537b. (OCR) | 3rd (eq. 1) 100m., 269b. | 6th 200m., 197b. | 10th (eq.1) 100m., 90b. | 1st 200m | 4th 300m LRPC
Kastle Kingsman, 18 AU Kastle 1896, LDHA AA DRD4 CC (456) CT (954): He won $2,000 with 20th place, 2nd drop, 3 minutes to win in the final 351 mile Apple Cup race with over 900 birds originally entered. He also bred a 1st @ 100m in my club.
We took the old bird season off in 2019, but came back strong with our young bird team. Our club and combine made some adjustments and we all had much better returns this year thankfully.
Below I have compiled a list of our best finishes in our local racing (club and combine) and also with the pigeons we sent out to one loft races, futurities and friends to fly in their clubs and combines. Our best producing pairs this year were Sylvan Perfection x Lovely Rita, Magnus x Lelu (Einstein x Kastle Black), Stirling Kastle x Baker’s Revenge and another one of our Macaloney cocks mated to a Picasso hen.
I am currently getting an inventory of what I have to sell. Please contact me to see what I have. I have late hatches and experienced race birds to sell off my teams. Some straight Macaloney, some are out of imports, some are crossed. All will carry the LDHA/DRD4/CRY1 racing genes in some combination. Please see my Pairings Page to see how I plan to have birds mated this year. I plan to have late hatch inbred Gaby’s, Macaloney’s and Picasso birds for sale. If you are interested in those please contact me to get on a list.
Shipping is $50 per shipment. I have had a lot of people show interest in the recessive opal pigeons so I won’t hold them for long. A check or payment in hand is the only way these will be marked as sold.
