Bob Duhra: East Meets West By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA Over the years I have written quite a number of articles on pigeon fanciers in Canada but the reality is I do not think I have ever written about any racing pigeon fanciers in Western Canada. The focus has always been on the Eastern fanciers; Eastern results and if truth be known that really boils down to Ontario fanciers and Ontario results. Well I think it is time to give one of our Western fliers the credit that he deserves. Though I had never had the opportunity to meet him, over the years, I had always heard about a highly successful Calgary flier by the name of Bob Duhra. Bob s interest in pigeons started many years ago when he traded for some high flying pigeons as a young boy in the Punjab region of India. When he was an adult, Bob immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in 1972. Eventually Bob got married, purchased his first home and returned to pigeons. He had limited success at first. Bob moved to Calgary, Alberta, in 1995 and joined the very competitive Calgary Racing Pigeon Club. With over 40 flying members, the Calgary Racing Pigeon Club is the biggest club in Canada. Bob realized he would have to buy the very best birds to compete and he purchased the best Wout Smeulders pigeons that money could buy and success came very quickly. In fact, in the last 15 seasons, Bob won the Champion Loft, Overall Old Bird and Young Bird awards 13 times. Around the time that Bob moved to Calgary and started succeeding in pigeon racing, Bob befriended Mel Cossins who himself had immigrated to Canada from Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, in 1978 and has now over 50 years experience with pigeons. Mel is now Bob s loft manager. To say that Bob is very competitive would indeed be an understatement for the reality is that he has always been a force to be reckoned with. I had the opportunity to finally meet Bob at the Jos Thone Canadian auction that was held at the Vandorf Community Center and organized by ANDY LARENTZAKIS in the late fall of 2009.It was a much anticipated event as the European boy wonder Jos Thone himself was to be in attendance. Fanciers came from Quebec, the USA and Western Canada to meet Jos and bid on some of his excellent stock. My design partner Peter and I were also in attendance as I had asked Peter to take a series of photos of the event. One of the fanciers who came was in fact Bob Duhra. It was during that event that Big Andy took the opportunity to introduce me to Bob. Bob Duhra was a soft spoken man, observant, very keen, always on the lookout for racing
pigeons of exceptional quality that just might provide him with an edge over his Western neighbors. My initial reaction was I quite like the man and that was what I soon told Big Andy. Bob Duhra was born in November of 1953 in India, the Punjab to be more precise and it turns out that his favorite pastimes were in fact soccer and performance pigeon s specifically high flyers. Typically, in the West we do not associate the people of India with performance pigeons of any kind but the reality is that the Indian government (most especially their constabulary) had long used the homing pigeon as a secure and reliable means of communication that connected police stations throughout their vast country. This Indian police, winged postal system only officially came to and end a few years ago and as such India was, I believe, the last country in the world to finally stop using the pigeon post system on a national basis. So Bob came by his passion for pigeons quite naturally, but it seems that early on he was also quite involved in racing Greyhound dogs. I can understand this as I was, as a young man, also involved in racing quarter horses. Whether, horses, dogs or pigeons there is something magical about breeding and racing exceptional racing specimens! Bobs father Peter and his mother Nasib eventually moved to Canada and it was in 1991 that both Bob Duhra and his father Peter became very, very interested in racing pigeons. It seems that this fascination for racing pigeons was initially nurtured by long time Edmonton, Alberta fancier Frank Cesario. So why does this not surprise me after all Italians on the whole love small animals including poultry of all types, pigeons of all types as well as rabbits. The original birds that brought Bob to the table were in fact descendants of the pigeons of Wout Smeulders and I know these pigeons very well. In fact I think it safe to say that Bob has had and will continue to have enormous success with the Line of the Fighter. But few Westerners will know that Bobs Young Fighter was in fact a grandson of my foundation cock called St. Thomas ( commonly known as 269 ) when mated to my Foundation hen called Deanna. The ancestors of St Thomas were of Smeulders origin down from the line of the legendary Kanon of Wout Smeulders that was subsequently sold to Joosten of Germany for a very large sum at that time. For those readers who may be unfamiliar with this line I have included photographs of historical importance for you.
Figure 1 "St. Thomas" foundation of Silvio s Spanjaards, father of "The Fighter" and grandfather of the "Young Fighter" of Bob Duhra. However St. Thomas and his descendants are part of the heritage currently known as the Spanjaards! Figure 2 "Deanna" mother of "The Fighter" and grandmother of Bob Duhra "Young Fighter".
Deanna pictured above was the mate to St. Thomas and together this pair bred a host of exceptional champions including a highly successful pigeon known throughout Canada as The Fighter. Figure 3 "The Fighter" son of "St. Thomas X Deanna bred directly by Mr. Spanjaards, foundation pair of Silvio Mattacchione The fighter has impacted throughout Canada but is exceedingly well known all over Western Canada. This line is exceedingly pre-potent and is responsible for countless winners not only in Canada, but also the USA, China, Taiwan, Holland and Germany etc.but the Fighter was only one of many direct children of St. Thomas X Deanna to do so others included direct sons Mustang, Zeus, daughter St. Joan, St.Stephanie, Thomasina and a host of others.
Figure 4 Bob s 1624 called "Young Fighter is famous throughout Western Canada. This "Young Fighter" was a direct son of my "Fighter" who was a son of my foundation cock and hen "St Thomas X Deanna" So along with this Smeulders/Spanjaards solid base Bob also introduced the lines from Mike Ganus as well as those of Koopman and now also those of De Rauw-Sablon through his close friend Big Andy s Loft in Eastern Canada. In fact both Big Andy and Bob were in attendance at the Erik Limbourg auction in Belgium and returned with some key specimens I might add. Bob is very keen to remain at the top of the results in Western Canada and to do this he must ensure that he attains access to the very best racing pigeons in the world and he is not afraid to travel extensively in order to insure that this happens. The record of Bob Duhra is, unmatched in Western Canada and can stand close scrutiny with the very best throughout North America as his many awards clearly attest. Does Bob have any secrets? Well not really as he puts it Good blood, good health and lots of hard work. Bob has great things to say about his Ganus pigeons insisting that he has some of the very finest in the world both Olympic as well as National Winners and they are responsible for Bob winning many Club and digest awards.
Figure 5 "393" is a direct son of 1624 called "Young Fighter" Interesting to note that 393 son 35541 won Ace Pigeon two years in a row he won 3 X and 5 X equal.please note that 35541 is in fact a great -great grandson of St. Thomas so one immediately realizes the prepotency of this St. Thomas X Deanna line through their son NL 1987-8717935 The Fighter.For those that are very interested the race results of Bob Duhra S Loft going back to 2003 can be found at www.bobduhralofts.com/index.php
Race Results 2003 Racing in the Calgary Racing Pigeon Club, 30 flying members in 2003, Bob won the following in the first 3 places:
12 firsts 14 seconds 17 thirds Special Awards Old Birds Long Distance Average Short Distance Average 2 nd Overall Average 500 mile Average 3 Bird Races, Ace Loft 3 Bird Races, Ace Bird Ace Loft 2 nd Ace Yearling 2 nd & 3 rd 3 Bird Points 2 nd Young Birds Ace Loft 3 Bird Races, Ace Loft 3 Bird Races, Ace Bird & 2 nd Ace Young Bird 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, 6 th, 7 th, 8 th, 9 th, 10 th, 11 th King Loft Derby Young Bird Races
Calgary Alberta Classic Derby, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th 10 th Vancouver 8 th Toronto 5 th Calgary Olympic Derby: Ace Pigeon 3 races, 2 nd, 3 rd Results 2004 Racing in the Calgary Racing Pigeon Club, 30 flying members in 2003, Bob won the following in the first 4 places: 19 firsts 21 seconds 24 thirds 17 fourth Calgary - Lethbridge Combine: 8 firsts Special Awards Old Birds Long Distance Average Short Distance Average 2 nd Overall Average 500 mile Average 2 nd 3 Bird Pick 1 Bird Pick 3 Bird Races, Ace Bird 2 nd
Champion Loft Ace Cock Ace Yearling 2 nd & 3 rd King Loft Old and Young Bird Young Birds Ace Loft 3 Bird Races, Young Bird Average 3 Bird Races, Ace Young Bird, 2 nd, 3 rd 3 Bird Pick Ace Young Bird, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, 6 th, 7 th, 8 th, 9 th, 10 th Young Bird Average 2 nd Derby Young Bird Races Alberta Classic Derby 3 rd Okanagan Classic 2004 CU Convention Race with bird bought from Bob Duhra 2004 CU Calgary Stampede with bird bought from Bob Duhra
Results 2006 After another fantastic season in the strong Calgary Racing Pigeon Club with 32 flying members and up to 649 birds per race. Duhra Loft won 13 x 1st, 20 x 2nd, 18 x 3rd and 13 x 4th, accumulating 62 x 1st in the last 4 years. AWARDS WON Old Birds Champion Loft Ace Cock, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, 6 th and 7 th. Ace Yearling and 2 nd Ace Pigeon 3 bird race equal and 3 rd. Short Distance Average 500 Mile Average 1 Bird Pick 3 Bird Pick 500 mile race 2nd only 6 day birds 2 nd 500 mile race 1st only day bird, 16 hours, 59 minutes on the wing. Young Birds Champion Loft Ace Young Bird to 10 th inclusive Winning 38 out of 46 positions in Ace Young Bird Category Champion Loft Overall. Champion Loft Old Birds 4 years in a row. Champion Loft Young Birds 4 years in a row Champion Loft Overall 4 years in a row. Derby Races Alberta Classic 6 th overall Empire Classic 15 th 100 mile Calgary Olympic Derby, 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th 300 mile Calgary Olympic Derby 3 rd Ace Pigeon Calgary Olympic Derby 2 nd and 3 rd.
Results 2007 We had another fantastic season in the strong Calgary Racing Pigeon Club with 40 flying members. AWARDS WON Old Birds 8 X, 12 X 2 nd, 7 X 3 rd 4 X Calgary Lethbridge Combine Champion Loft Ace Cock Ace Yearling Old Bird Average Long Distance Average 1 Bird Pick 3 Bird Pick Young Birds Ace Young Bird King Loft Overall OB & YB Overall Average OB & YB Young Bird Average 2 nd Ace Young Bird Loft 2 nd 3 Bird Points 2 nd Ace Young Bird 3 Bird Races 3 rd SPECIAL AWARDS WON in 2007 Racing Pigeon Digest Ace Awards for 2006 awarded April 2007: Ace Sprint Pigeon 300 to 500 birds: by CU 04 CAL 1605 "Apache" Overall Ace Pigeon 300 to 500 birds: 2 nd by CU 04 CAL 1605 "Apache" Ace Loft 150 to 300 birds: 3 rd American Homing Union Hall of Fame Ace Pigeons Old Birds 2007: Ace Pigeon 21 to 30 Flying Lofts: 2 nd CU 05 CAL 225 Ace Pigeon 21 to 30 Flying Lofts: 5 th CU 04 CAL 1605 "Apache"
2007 Derby Races Calgary Stampede Dash for Cash: and 6 th Canuck Classic, Vancouver Dash for Cash: and 18 th Empire Classic: 4 Race Series: 9 th Empire Classic: 350 miles, 730 birds: 10 th Empire Classic: 420 miles: 32 nd Calgary Olympic Derby Ace Bird: Calgary Olympic Derby 300 mile 6 th, 7 th, 8 th, 18 th, 19 th, 20 th, 21 t, 22 nd, 23 rd, 24 th Alberta Open 350 miles, 485 birds: 5 th, 11 th, 12 th, 13 th, 17 th, 18 th, 19 th, 20 th, 2, 22 nd, 23 rd, 24 th, 2 Results 2008 We had a somewhat disappointing season this year in the strong Calgary Racing Pigeon Club with 40 flying members. AWARDS WON Old Birds Champion Loft: 2 nd Ace Cock: 2 nd 5 th 8 th 9 th 10 th Ace Pigeon: 3 rd 6 th 9 th 10 th Ace Long Distance Pigeon: 2 nd Ace Short Distance Pigeon: 3 rd 5 th 9 th Short Distance Average: 2 nd 1 Bird Pick: 2 nd 3 Bird Pick: 2 nd Young Birds Ace Young Bird: 7 th 9 th 10 th King Loft Overall OB & YB: 2 nd Ace Young Bird Loft Regular: 4 th Ace Young Bird Loft Natural: 3 rd 1 Bird Pick: 2 nd 3 Bird Pick: 3 rd
2008 Derby Races Canuck Classic, Vancouver Dash for Cash: and 20 th Canuck Classic, 300 mile: 12 th Empire Classic: 350 miles: 17 th Empire Classic: 420 miles: 8 th 2 27 th Alberta Open 350 miles: 6 th, 7 th, 8 th, 9 th, 10 th, 11 th, 12 th, 13 th, 16 th, 19 th, 20 th, 2, 22 nd Results 2009 We had another fantastic season in the strong Calgary Racing Pigeon Club with 40 flying members. Positions in the first 4 during club races: 15 X 18 X 2 nd 15 X 3 rd 13 X 4 th AWARDS WON Old Birds Champion Loft Overall Old Bird and Young Bird Races Ace Loft, regular races - Ace Loft 3 Bird Races - Ace Cock -, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, 6 th, 7 th, 8 th Ace Pigeon, regular races -, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, 7 th, 8 th, 9 th Ace Pigeon 3 Bird -, 2 nd, 3 rd Ace Yearling -, 3 rd, 4 th 1 Bird Pick - 3 Bird Pick - 2 nd Short Distance Average - Long Distance Average - 2 nd Overall Average - 2 nd Short Distance Average 3 Bird - 2 nd Young Birds Ace Loft regular races
Ace Young Bird, regular races, 3 st, 5 st, 6 st, 7 st, 8 st, 9 st Ace Young Bird, 3 bird races 1 Bird Pick 3 Bird Pick Alberta Open: o o Club: 2 nd and 3 rd Overall: 5 th and 6 th 2009 Derby Races Empire Classic: 350 miles, 646 birds: equal, 13 th, only 20 day birds Canuck Classic: 300 miles: 5 th and 16 th, only 5 day birds Edmonton Classic: 300 miles: 4 th and 20 th Western Canadian Challenge: 9 th Ace Pigeon CU Convention Race: 4 th, 8 th (only 8 day birds), 12 th, 20 th (32 second day birds) Million Dollar Race South Africa: 20 th in the 5 th Hot Spot race Kit Race in New York: 300 miles: 9 th 2009 Digest North American Continental Awards Old Birds Div. 4: 301-500 Birds Ace Loft: Overall Ace Pigeon: : CU 06 CAL 1113 3 rd : CU 06 CAL 850 4 th : CU 06 CAL 1172 6 th : CU 08 CAL 2112 Long Distance Ace Pigeon: 2 nd : CU 06 CAL 1172 Div. 3: 501-1000 birds Sprint Ace Pigeon: 4 th : CU 08 12842 7 th : CU 06 CAL 850 Div. 5: 100-300 Birds Middle Distance Ace Pigeon: 2 nd : CU 08 CAL 2112
Long Distance Ace Pigeon: 3 rd : CU 06 CAL 1113 Young Birds Div. 5: 100-300 Birds Sprint Ace Pigeon: : CU 09 Duhra 57 5 th : CU 09 Duhra 08 Old Birds Div. 4: 301-500 Birds Ace Loft: Overall Ace Pigeon: : CU 06 CAL 1113 3 rd : CU 06 CAL 850 4 th : CU 06 CAL 1172 6 th : CU 08 CAL 2112 Long Distance Ace Pigeon: 2 nd : CU 06 CAL 1172 Div. 3: 501-1000 birds Sprint Ace Pigeon: 4 th : CU 08 12842 7 th : CU 06 CAL 850 Div. 5: 100-300 Birds Middle Distance Ace Pigeon: 2 nd : CU 08 CAL 2112 Long Distance Ace Pigeon: 3 rd : CU 06 CAL 1113 Young Birds Div. 5: 100-300 Birds Sprint Ace Pigeon: : CU 09 Duhra 57 5 th : CU 09 Duhra 08
Race Results 2010 We had another excellent season in the strong Calgary Racing Pigeon Club with 40 flying members. AWARDS WON Old Birds Ace Loft, regular races - Ace Loft 3 Bird Races - Ace Cock -, 2 nd, 5 th, 6 th, 8 th, 9 th, 10 th Ace Pigeon, regular races -, 2 nd, 5 th, 7 th, 9 th, 10 th Ace Yearling -, 2 nd, 4 th, 5 th, 6 th 1 Bird Pick - 3 Bird Pick - Ace Pigeon, short distance -, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th Ace Pigeon, long distance - 2 nd, 5 th, 6 th, 9 th Ace Pigeon 3 Bird Races - 4 th, 5 th Average Speed 3 Bird Races - Average Speed Short Races - 2 nd Average Speed Long Races - 3 rd Average Speed Overall - 3 rd Young Birds Young Bird Average - Young Bird Average, 3 Bird Races - Old and Young Bird Average - Ace Loft 3 Bird Races - Ace Young Bird, regular races -, 3 rd, 4 th, 6 th, 9 th, 10 th Ace Young Bird, 3 bird races, 3 rd, 4 th Ace Young Bird Loft - 2 nd King Loft - 2 nd 3 Bird Pick - 2 nd 2010 Derby Races
Calgary Stampede Dash for Cash: 2 nd (= ), 2 birds 15 minutes ahead Canuck Classic: 185 mile race: 2 nd (= ) Canuck Classic: 300 mile race: 3 rd Empire Classic: 200 mile race: 6 th, 18 th, 23 rd - all 3 on the drop with the winner! Empire Classic: 420 miles: 17 th, only 35 day birds in race time Alberta Open 350 miles: 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th, 5 th, 6 th, 7 th Western Canadian Challenge (6 race series): 12 th Ace Pigeon Western Canadian Challenge (546 km): 11 th Digest 2010 North American Continental Awards 2010 Digest Grand Champion Ace Lofts 3 rd 2010 Digest Ace Old Bird Lofts 300-500 birds 4 th 2010 Digest Ace Young Bird Loft 151-300 birds 2 nd 2010 Digest Ace Old Birds Overall 300-500 birds 2274 2 nd 2010 Digest Ace Old Birds Overall 300-500 birds 2112 3 rd 2010 Digest Ace Old Birds Sprint 300-500 birds 2112 7 th 2010 Digest Ace Old Birds Long Distance 150-300 birds 2112 1st 2010 Digest Ace Young Bird Loft sprint 301-500 566 birds 2 nd 2010 Digest Ace Young Bird Loft sprint 301-500 539 birds 7 th 2010 Digest Ace Old Birds Long Distance 150-300 birds 468 2 nd 2010 Digest Ace Old Birds Long Distance 150-300 birds 659 5 th Though long overdue I think that Bob deserves the recognition that his racing performances bring to him. Without a doubt Bob Duhra is one of the very top fanciers in Canada and as the records attest North America as well. Congratulations Bob you deserve both the awards as well as the recognition!