The 2025 Friendship National was flown from Plougastel for the first time and the birds were liberated at 9am on 9th July after a 1 day holdover due to poor conditions on line of flight. The National was won at 19:37 by Bobby Straney, Killyleagh Central with a 4 year old blue cock, named ‘DAVY’ after his late father.
‘DAVY’ flew the 412 miles route home in just over 10 and half hours to record a winning velocity of 1138 ypm. Bobby has got a niche for this race, having only sent to the race on 3 occasions and his outstanding record is 1st Open 2022, 83rd Open 2023 & 1st Open 2025.
The sire of this years national winner is from the ‘EURO DIAMOND’ bloodlines crossed with the best of Kevin Carolan bloodlines. He was a 2 times Penzance winner finishing 5th Section F and 10th Open NIPA. This cock is the grandsire of ‘DOUBLE 009’ – Bobby’s 2022 Friendship National Winner.
The dam has always been stock and the parents were both bought from Ian Stafford. Grandsire is a grandson of ‘TOP STAR’ – who was sire of 2 National winners. Granddam is a daughter of ‘PENNE HEIGHTS’
In 2025, ‘DAVY’ was sent to both NIPA Roscrea races before going to Dale, were he was 6th club and 48th Section F, he then flew Penzance before being sent to INFC Plougastel Friendship National, and the rest is history. Previously, he was 2nd club, 8th Section F in NIPA Dale 2024 and 7th Club, 37th Section F in NIPA Bude 2023.
Notably, the first time that ‘DAVY’ flew over 300 miles was the 2025 Friendship National and he is an uncle of the 2022 Friendship National Winner ‘DOUBLE 009’ who won the race with a winning velocity of 1061 ypm.
The Management Committee would like to congratulate Bobby on his achievement and thank our race sponsors H . Beattie and Son / Beatties Bird and Pet Foods for the continued support.
RJ Report in the BHW