Article by Racing Pigeon Update
Article Published: 07 April 2008



Cheq Hen – SAFB/2002/4202. Winner of the Touwsriver. She is a prime example of the ‘Cox Blues’ winning at all distances.

Our story starts in 1966 when as young man Cox started up with gift birds. Such is the skill of this man that success came immediately and continued throughout his career as a fancier. So much so that when asked to recall the not so good seasons he could not remember any! Sure, some started off slowly but success was inevitably achieved, especially over the longer distances. The birds then were of a mixed bag, but of recent years the birds responsible for keeping the name of Cox Bogenhagen at the top of the results sheet are prime examples of long distance racing pigeons. Of particular importance are the following birds:

Blue Bar Hen – NS/88/1543.
Bloodline: Catrysse. This hen was not only a prolific winner of races but
excelled as a breeder. She produced four cocks of which ‘Bullet’ is the best
known. This cock was in his element when the races reached the 500 mile
mark. He earned his name on the Springfontein Board race when he
produced a supreme winning effort.

Chequer Hen – NSHU/92/1587.
Bloodline: Stassart. This hen is equal to any of the Stassarts found in lofts all
over the world. She crossed excellently with the ‘Blues’ and has produced champions, pigeons that are almost unbeatable on the day when conditions are difficult. In his 37th year as a fancier Cox took a break from racing in 2002. He built a new loft and this year, rejuvenated, took up racing again and had immediate success, winning the second Touwsriver on the race programme. Upon asking to name the best bird he has ever flown the answer came easily: “The Dun Hen”. This hen, is the perfect racing machine, delivering the goods whenever asked to do so. She produced the following phenomenal results in being amongst the winners on the Springfontein, Kroonstad, Theunissen and Kimberley in a single season. In one season she clocked up an unbelievable number of prizewinning kilometres and now occupies a deserved nest box in the breeding loft. Cox belongs to that shrinking group of men whose skill at animal husbandry will ensure that his name goes down in the record books never to be forgotten. Years from nowfanciers will be winning the long distance races very much like the creator of the ‘Cox Blues’ does today!

Methods
Cox is a firm believer in putting the birds to task. There is no let up
throughout the season. They train and they race continuously. This method has resulted in a family of birds that are vigorous and hardy. They excel when the going gets tough. Before the racing starts they are innoculated against pox and paramixovirus. Cox confesses that with him it is very much a case of just knowing when the birds are right for racing. He has no fancy methods or feeding practises. Birds that are slow in producing the required form are culled. He also does not tolerate bad habits amongst the birds. Here it is a case of doing what is required for the general good of the loft. Through the years he has not deviated much from the proven methods that work for him. He is a stickler for routine.

Comments
Cox is a builder by trade and as forthright as you can get. A staunch supporter of the Federated Board of Homing Unions Cox would still like to see pigeon racing in the Western Cape united. He believes that the future of pigeon racing in the Western Cape lies with the Federated Board of Homing Unions.

THESE ARE THE BIRDS!!!
. . . whose progeny has ensured that the name of COX BOGENHAGEN features in the ‘Board’ results year in and year out . . . Racing Pigeon Update brings you an update on the men who has made the name of the Federated Board of Homing Unions synonamous with competitiveness, endurance and a benchmark in the sport of pigeon racing in South Africa.

The birds shown here are all important in ensuring that the ‘Cox Blues’ continue to dominate on the long distance races. They are an inbred family of outstanding quality. Cox has no hesitation in mating full brothers and sisters to each other. This can only be done with a family of outstanding quality to begin with to ensure that there is no deterioration in performance or physique.

1. Blue Bar Hen – NS/88/1543. Foundation hen. Winner in the Kroonstad
Board with a velocity of 1194 mpm.


2. Chequer Hen – NSHU/92/1587. Foundation hen. She has bred winners at
all distances.


3. The Fearsome Four. Full brothers out of foundation hen No.1. These four cocks are of the finest specimen of what it takes to produce birds that can compete and hold their own in the Federated Board of Homing Unions’ competitions.


4. Full brother and sister mating.
Cheq Cock YBS/95/1899 and Cheq Hen FB/95/2841. This occurs frequently in the breeding loft and produces numerous winners for Cox. To acquire youngsters from these will cost a fortune. These are rarely sold and very few fanciers are lucky enough to have of these.


5. The ‘Dun Hen’. She is not of the original family but was bred to cross with the old family. She was first put to severe tests to see if she has what it takes and has passed brilliantly. She was a phenomenal racer and some of her youngsters are already showing great potential.

RACING PIGEON UPDATE wish to dedicate the following to Cox Bogenhagen and his Blue Bar Hen:

“You’ve built a ladder to the skies; May your wishes all come true! May you come down every Saturday; and stay . . . forever young!”

Article courtesy of Racing Pigeon Update