| The
Gurnay Strain
-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
 Renier
Gurnay of Verviers, Belgium, began in
the sport as a runner for the great Mons
Hansenne of world wide pigeon fame. A
teenager in the time of no timing clocks
in the 1870's he relished the tasks that
he had to do for Hansenne. For his love
of pigeons had started early in life and
this was stimulated by Hansenne whose
own sons had no interest in the sport.
In
due course Gurnay received pigeons from
his mentor and as Hansenne died in 1903
he purchased some very good stock of the
latter's lofts because of his inside knowledge
and began a journey which saw him in the
eyes of others eclipse his mentor. His
foundation hen called the 'Old Blue Hen'
whose progeny won over 500,000 dollars
was the base of a wonderful and prosperous
pigeon career although he was a successful
business man in his own right as a merchant
in tailor linings.
It
is estimated that since he started racing
pigeons in 1886 until 1936 Gurnay had
won 600,000 dollars in prize money. A
phenomenal sum in those day at the beginning
of the 20th century. In fact in his first
season his birds won 160 prizes in one
of the largest pigeon bodies in Europe
and we should bear in mind that his successes
were achieved when Bricoux and other giants
of the sport were at their best.
One
could say that fate had dealt a very good
hand to Renier Gurnay for as some believe
he had everything handed to him on a plate
because of the genius of Hansenne and
their relationship. Yes, I have no doubt
that Gurnay was a good pupil and because
of his role as a runner he was constantly
taking in what Hansenne was freely giving
and of course the obtaining of the best
of stock. However there is something born
within oneself which is a necessary prerequisite
to possess in order to form a loft of
winning pigeons at the distance especially
if one wants to reach the heights of Hansenne
and Gurnay. Of that Renier Gurnay definitely
possessed.
And
I believe that this was reflected in the
fact that he was a hard culler based upon
a very strong love for and commitment
too the sport. And this involved a loft
of about 20 to 30 inmates and no matter
what the bloodlines if one had to be culled
it was culled. This was necessary for
he was also a very close inbreeder who
in the main kept his birds until they
were 2 years before they went to the races.
Again like many maestro's of the fancy
acknowledging the need for maturity.
Gurnay
was acknowledged as the official champion
in Belgium for over 30 years which is
testimony to how he was thought of and
to how brilliant he was as a pigeon fancier,
breeder, and racer. And I know that myths
can be created or grow up around the exploits
of any fancier but the evidence available
would suggest that Renier Gurnay was an
outstanding participant in the sport of
the common man.
In
other insights into various strain makers
I have outlined some results but in the
case of this master it is not I think
a necessary practice. In fact I knew of
one deceased fancier of my youth who was
nicknamed 'Gurnay' and this was in the
50s of the last century which would imply
that in the consciousness of the ordinary
fancier Gurnay is a legend otherwise why
use his name to describe the modest achievements
of another?
by: Liam O Comain
|
