Sat 18th December 2021 VPU Clubrooms 28 Freeman Street, Campbellfield VIC 3061 ·
Viewing 11.00 am Sale starts at 1.00pm
John holding the Winner of the 2018 $100000 450-mile race flying into a head wind clocking the only bird on the day at 11.32 pm
INTRODUCTION TO CATALOGUE FROM GODFREY STEVENS John Yates is amongst the best of Victorian Pigeon Fanciers. He has won fifteen Federation Races as well as winning a National Distance Flying Club 700 Mile Race. He also recently won the $100,000 PRV Race from 450 miles with the only bird home on the day. For many years, work commitments meant John had to leave home before daylight and arrive home after dark limiting the time he spent with his birds. His record would have been much better which has been evident by his performance since his retirement. His birds are based on the family built up over 60 years by John, Doug Ince and myself. About ten years ago, John decided to introduce an outcross. He used mainly the Smeulders Jansen & Van Loon bloodlines. Since then he has won three 500 mile Feds and had many more high positions. In 2017 he won 5th and 6th Fed at 400 miles, 2nd and 3rd Fed 400 miles( 3 together with only 4 birds home in the Fed.) and 1st and 2nd 500 miles ( only 4 birds home in the day John having 3 of them.) These performances were all in the space of three weeks. These were hard races with head winds all the way. In the 600 mile race in 2019, John had a bird arrive home shortly after 11 pm which was in time to win the Fed. Unfortunately it would not trap and he ended up winning 4th position at 6.15 the next morning. Because of John’s illness, he did not keep his records up to date over the past couple of years. Some of the 20 last birds in the catalogue show no breeding. However, ALL these birds flew Fowlers Gap (500 miles) about 8 weeks ago into a strong head wind. They then flew the VHA Race from Mt. Hope (350 miles) two weeks ago. Again strong head winds all the way. For anyone wanting good hard day distance birds, you could not get anything better. Godfrey Stevens
Dear Fanciers, It was a sad day when "Young John Yates” had to give up his life's work of developing and racing a family of fantastic long distance pigeons. It all started in 1965 when he won the VHA Federation Race from Mildura 3788 birds with a velocity of 981 yards per minute, John did not know that on that day the foundation was laid for his family of pigeons. The Mildura Fed Winner and her sister became the foundation of the strain. John is legendary at the 500 mile (800+km) distance winning more feds (7) at this distance than anyone else in the history of the VHA. He is always willing to pass on his knowledge and is a great judge of a pigeon (I don't know any better). Many fanciers have done well with birds from John, profiting from his bloodlines. He was always willing to work at the Diamond Valley Centre on basketing night from the start to the finish, for many years he also worked in the clock room setting and reading clocks. John was always cheerful and lifted the spirits of many on race day. I can recommend Johns birds to any purchaser as they have been fashioned by a dedicated and astute fancier who also is a "Great Bloke". Stephen Kearsey
Catalogue Summary Michael West After a long battle with illness John has decided to dispose of the remaining birds in his loft. Prior to the sale John sold several of his main winners to some close friends and what remains are many other fed birds and brothers and sisters and children to his best birds. Background of base pigeons John Yates has raced over the last 55 years in the strong Victorian Homing Association. John started racing in 1965 with pigeons he got from Doug Ince. He won his first VHA race as a 16 year old with the now famous Mildura Fed winner 300 miles (500 km) into a head wind. This pigeon along with its brothers and sisters and sons and daughters continued to produce winners particularly in long distance head win races right through to the current race season. Fanciers lucky enough to get pigeons from John have won many races across the country particularly in head wind race. John Yates maintains a unique record in that he is the only fancier in the history of the VHA to win seven races at 500 miles (800km). Consider for a minute the number of birds and the velocities of these races. 1972 1st Fed Coonamble
824km 3928 birds 1114mpm,
1977 1st Fed Fowlers Gap
805km 3474 birds 910mpm,
1980 1st Fed Bourke
860km 5294 birds 995mpm,
1988 1st Fed Fowlers Gap
805km 3803 birds 1015mpm.
2012 1st Carrieton
850 km 995 mpm
2013
1st Coonamble
850 km 1015 mpm
2017
1st 500 mile
850 km 1017 mpm
Summary of top results since 2000 in the VHA 2000 6th Launceston 612 mpm, 12th Bourke 500 m 778 mpm , 2nd Hobart 939 mpm 2001 9th Launceston 767 mpm 2002 7th Coonamble 500 mile760 mpm, 7th Hobart 1003 mpm 2003 6th Fowlers Gap 500 mile 986 mpm 2006 2nd Bourke 500 mile 776 mpm 2008 2nd & 3rd Collarenebri 600 m 919 mpm 2009 8th Bourke 500 m 1162 mpm, 8th Bookaloo 600 mile 754 mpm 2010 11th Carrieton 500 mile 986 mpm 19th Bourke 703 mpm 2012 1st Carrieton 500 mile 850 km 995 mpm ,15th Carrieton, 6th Bookaloo 600 m 882 mpm , 17 th Bookaloo 2013 3rd Tas 806 mpm. 1st Coonamble 850 km 1015 mpm 2014 3rd 400m 1306 mpm 2016 3rd 400m 983 mpm, 3rd 600m 1013 mpm 2017 4th Hay 350 km 1054 mpm, 2nd Mt Hope 500 km 1080 mpm , 4th Mt Hope 500 km 1053 mpm, 5th Cobar 650 km 945 mpm, 2nd Cobar 650 km 921 mpm, 6th 900 km 956 mpm, 1st 500 mile 850 km 1017 mpm 2018 4th 500 km 874 mpm, 7th 500 km 874 mpm, 5th Tas 1098 mpm, 7th 650 km 1362 mpm, 6th 850 km 730 mpm, 6th 850 km 1214 mpm, 10th 900 km 1493 mpm. 2019 4th 600
Around 2010 John decided that he would introduce some of the successful European bloodlines initially to be more successful in the shorter races. He introduced several birds that were to play a major part in the subsequent years. He received 4 pigeons from Michael West and Ray Russell These were 3 Smeulders and a Van loon One of the Smeulders that was bred for him was to become his favourite Jackpot bred from G. Inv 2004 1529 BBH. Jackpot WPF 2541 2010 BBPH dam of 1.VHA 11 31649 1st Fed 500 miles 995 mpm, 28th 400m 1226 mpm; 2.VHA 12 4104 1st 500 mile 1015 mpm ,15th 300-mile 1042 mpm; 3.VHA 15 25401 3rd 400m 983mpm The other a mealy cock WPF 2011 2538 was bred off G.Inv 2004 1505 BBC that bred 3rd fed 280 miles He later received G.Inv 2004 1505 BBC which at the time of writing was still breeding outstanding pigeons. He bred a double fed cock that in turn bred 4th 480 m & 2nd 500 that bred Money Bags 1st 480 m clocked in the dark The 4th bird was a Van loon cock that was down from Grenville Evans pigeons through John Dismore. He shared a purchased of a Janssen based bird from Henry Marcinec which became known as Little Henry A Jansen based Slate hen known as Slate 1 VHA 2006 9634 from VHA legend John van Beers proved to be an outstanding producer of stock birds. This hen was mated to Little Henry to produce Slate 2 VHA 2010 11799 which went on to breed 3rd 280 miles when mated to the mealy cock WPF 2011 2538. Slate 2 when mated to a line bred cock of the old family bred 1st 500 dropping 3 together with only 4 day birds. All 3 birds go back to the 1505 cock, the slate hen and Van Loon cock and Little Henry Slate 1 VHA 2006 9634 was also mated to G. Inv 2004 1505 to produce VHA 2015 26324 BBC an outstanding cock for Russell and West that bred 8 fed birds in one year. Slate 1 VHA 2006 9634 was mated to 2502 off Russell And West Van loon cock that bred a BCP double fed hen that in turn bred VHA 2016 23295 4th Fed 300 m 1053 mpm and a double Fed hen VHA 15 17774 BBH 12th 400 8th 300 When mated to a Son of 1505 they bred two sisters PRV 17 924 4th 450m $100000 & VHA 16 23279 2nd 500 that bred PRV 17 916 1st 450 $100000 987 mpm when mated to another line bred Yates . John mated VHA 11 31649 his first winner off Jackpot in 2012 to NDIC 2010 2772 BBC from Steven Kearsey that was 13th 500 m in the same race. Progeny of this mating proved outstanding. This cock was later mated to Jackpot that also produce outstanding stock pigeons. He also mated the VHA 12 4104 500 winner off Jackpot in 2013 to VHA 2012 4279 10 th Fed 500 in same race raced by Geoff Weaver . A son of that pair bred when mated to a sister to VHA 11 31649 VHA 2015 25461 19th Fed 500 miles and 3rd Fed 600 1013 mpm that in turn bred VHA 2016 23344 8th Fed 300, 14th Fed 400 and in time for 10th Fed 500
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010 DAM: 1st 500 mile, 1st 500 mile, 3rd 400m, 28th 400m, 14th 300 mile, GG DAM: 3rd 600 mile, 3rd 400m, 7th 400m, 14th 600m mile, 16th 400m, 19th 500 mile, 28th Fed 280m GGG DAM: 2nd 500 mile, 2nd 400m, 2nd 400m, 2nd 300 mile, 8th 300 mile, 10th 500 mile, 12th 400m, 14th 400m, 18th 300 miles
VHA 2011 31649 1st Fed 500 miles 995 mpm 28th 400m 1226 mpm
,
VHA 2012 4104 BB 1st Fed 500-mile 1015 15th Fed 300
G.INV 2004 1505 Uncle of Jackpot. Blue Bar Cock Smeulders ( Owned by Russell & West) SIRE 13th fed 300 m VHA 14 26649 13th Fed 300 G SIRE 2nd 500, (VHA 2016 23279) Dam of 1st $100000 Wilcannia 450 miles 997 mpm. 3rd 280, 4th 450m Small Change $100 000 Wilcannia 886mpm, (PRV 2017 924), 6th 400, 7th 400, 9th 300, 11th 150, 12th 300, 15th 400, 16th 400, 16th 150, 17th 500, 20th 300, 24th 400, 24th 120, 31st Tas GG SIRE 1st $100000 Wilcannia 450 miles PRV 2017 916 997 mpm. Clocked at 11.35pm. Money Bags
VHA 14 26649 13th Fed 300 (Sister in sale Lot 27 )
2nd 500, VHA 2016 23279 (Sister in Sale Lot 18)
Unrung Mealy Sire of VHA 2012 4104 BB
1st 500 2017 VHA 16 23328
PRV 17 916 Money Bags 1st 450 (Daughter in Sale Lot 29)
Kearsey Cock 13th 500
12504 2nd and 7th 400m
Birds For Sale The pedigrees are as accurate as we can ascertain from John’s records
1
11 VHA 31610
BBH
Sister to 1st 500 2012
2
13 VHA 22807
BBH
3
13 VHA 22902
4
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
Sister to 1st 500 m 2012 Dam of equal 3rd 400 m
VHA 10 BB 12392 Old Line VHA 10 BB 12392 Old Line
BBH
The very best of the old bloodlines
Godfrey Stevens Brother to 1st 600 x VHA 24704 2nd 500
16th 600 same as 6th 600 Old Bloodlines
14 VHA 26419
BBH
14 WPF 1277
BBH
6
14 VHA 26650
BBH
Godfrey Stevens Brother to 1st 600 x VHA 24704 2nd 500 Smeulders related to Jackpot G.Inv 2004 1505 BBC
600 CB Line Bred
5
The very best of the old bloodlines CB 500
7
14 VHA 26335
BCH
8
14 VHA 14130
BBPH
9
14 VHA 26387
BCH
10 14 VHA 26498
BBH
11 15 VHA 25308
BBPH
12 15 VHA 25476
Sister to VHA 14 26649 13th Fed 300 that bred 2nd 500 ,4th 450 m . 14th 600 m Children have bred multiple fed birds including 26649 Sire of 2nd 500 hen clocked at 400m, 500, 600m G Steven Sister to 1st 500. Dam of 3rd 400m when mated to VHA 15 25638
WPF 11 6051 J McCormack Br bred 1st 500
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
Red Fox Jansens x Lucifer van loons VHA 26335 14th 600 m Off 6051 J McCormack x Sister to 1st 500 Sister to 1st 500 Lot 1 VHA 31610
Clocked Tassie and 500 m . These pigeons are behind Money Bags and Small Change. Br bred 10th 600 , 2nd 400 , sister bred 9th & 17th 500
Son of little henry
Tassie hen back to Van loon cock and Slate 1
VHA 3789 Son of 13 th S Kearsey 500 x 1st 500 BB Weaver Ince
VHA 12 4104 1st 500 mile VHA 22807 Sister to 1st 500
BBPH
Sister to 1st 500. 4104 and 3rd 400m
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
13 15 VHA 25342
BBH
The very best of the old bloodlines
Unrung Mealy . J McCormack Sire of 1st 500m Old line. Son off Brother to 1st 600 x 2nd 500 J Yates
14 15 VHA 25349
BBH
2nd Fed Mt Hope
Smeulders
15 15 VHA 25494
BBH
16 15 VHA 25326
BBPH
Br bred 10th 600 , 2nd 400 , sister bred 9th & 17th 500 18th fed 500m
17 15 VHA 25352
BCH
9th Fed 500m
VHA 3789 Son of 13th 500 m S Kearsey X 1st 500 VHA 12 3788 Son of 13 th 500 x 1st 500m BBC off 12th 500m
Daughter of 2nd 500 x Van Loon VHA 12 4104 1st 500 mile 16th 600 same as 6th 600
12th 600 Line bred
7th 500m
18 15 VHA 25372
BBH
Sister to 18th 500 m.
VHA 12 3788 Son of 13 th S Kearsey 500 x 1st 500
16th 600 same as 6th 600
19 15 VHA 25408
BBH
Sister to 18th 500 m.
16th 600 same as 6th 600
20 15 VHA 25445
BBPH
21 15 VHA 25463
BBH
The very best of the old bloodlines Sister to 18th 500 m
22 15 VHA 25461
BBPH
23 16 VHA 23576
BBH
VHA 12 3788 Son of 1st 500m Son off Brother to 1st 600 x 2nd 500m VHA 12 3788 Son of 1st 500m Unrung Mealy Sire of 1st 500 4104 Sire J Brislin Gabby
24 16 VHA 23242
BBH
3rd 400 m 941 mpm
25 16 VHA 23295
BCH
4th Mt Hope 1714 mpm
VHA 15 25638 13th 500 x 1st 500 BBC Off 12th 500
Sister to 1st 500 G Stevens Lot 8 Half sister to SLATE 1
26 16 VHA 23382
BBH
6th Cobar 945 mpm
VHA 31436 Line bred
Sister to 1st 500
27 16 VHA 23314
RCH
Sister to Gwen 1st 500
28 16 VHA 23208
BBH
Sister to 1st 500 2013
29 17
BB
SMALL CHANGE 4th 480 m Sister to 2nd 500 Sister to VHA 14 26649 13th Fed 300 that bred 2nd 500m 4TH 450 M Half sister to 2 x1st 500 miles 3rd Breeders plate 400 m 7th Fed Dubbo 400m
VHA 2008 13268 CB 500 headwind. Unrung Mealy. Sire of 1st 500 4104 VHA 26649 Sire of 2nd 500m, 4th 400 G.INV 2004 1505
13th 500 Kearsey VHA 23566 6th 600m 2017
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
PRV 17 916 Money Bags 1st 450 m $100000
PRV 17 924 Small Change 4th 450
VHA 26649 Sire of 2nd 500 m, 4th 400 VHA 23566 6th 600m 2017 Godfrey Stevens Off Brother to 1st 600
17774 Dam 2nd 500,4th 400 VHA 16 23328 1st 500 m 2017 VHA 27404 / 2005 2nd 500m
NDIC 10 2772 13th fed 500 S Kearsey
VHA 11 31649 1st Fed 500
VHA 4279 10th 500 Weaver
VHA 12 4104 1st 500 mile BBH off 20th 500 m 2014 Headwind Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
PRV 924
30 17 VHA 10204
BCH
31 17 VHA 10320
BBH
32 17 WPF 12504
BBH
33 18 VHA 12415
BBH
34 18 VHA 10475
BBH
35 18 VHA 12208
BBH
Sister to 1st 500 m & 3rd 400m 5th Fed Cobar 400m 945 mpm
Off 1st & 4th 480 m headwind $100 000 race Same as 2nd 500m and 4th 480. Same as 7th 400
36 11 VHA 11859
BBC
37
12 VHA 3789
BBC
38 13 VHA 22841
BBPC
39 14 VHA 26430
BBC
14 VHA 26641
MC
40
Old Lines G Sire of 3rd Cobar. Siblings bred 9th 500,17th 500,3rd 400,10th 600,2nd 400 bred 2nd 400 White Tail Cock Sire of 3rd 600
VHA 10 12392 off 3rd 500m . Sire of 1st 500 2013 Unrung Mealy Sire of 1st 500 Brother to 1st 500 ,3rd 400m 4104
Line bred 16th 600 Jackpot WPF 2541 2010 Dam 8th Fed 500 Old Blood
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010 17774 Dam 2nd 500,4th 400 VHA 26335 14th 600mm
VHA 16 23328 1st 500 m 2017
41 14 VHA 26480
BBC
Grand son of 12th 500 All old lines
42 15 VHA 25430
BBC
Son of 1st 500
43 15 VHA 25413
BBC
Son of 1st 500
15 VHA 563
BCP
Andrew Spiliopoulos Sire 3rd 400 . Siblings bred 9th 500, 17th 500, 3rd 400, 10th 600, etc
44 45 15 VHA 25638
BBC
46 th
15 VHA 25376
BBC
Sister bred 4 600 m
15 VHA 25405
BBC
Half brother to 2 x 1st 500
15 VHA 25433
BBC
47
Off Godfrey Stevens Brother to 1st 600 x VHA 24704 2nd 500 Off Godfrey Stevens Brother to 1st 600 x VHA 24704 2nd 500 Herman Ceusters
VHA 11 31649 1st 500
VHA 11 31649 1st Fed 500
NDIC 10 2772 13th fed 500 S Kearsey
VHA 11 31649 1st Fed 500
Son of 1st 600 G Weaver Old Blood NDIC 10 2772 13th fed 500 Kearsey
5 x 5 Hen 5 500m winners in background. Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
VHA 12 3789 Son of 13 th S Kearsey 500m x 1st 500 Fenech cock Bred 2nd fed Produce
VHA 12 4104 1st 500 mile
48 49 15 VHA 23215
BBC
Siblings bred 9th 500,17th 500,3rd 400,10th 600,2nd 400 bred 2nd 400
50 16 VHA 23414
BBC
G Weaver
51
BBP J Yates 16 VHA 6012
BBC
Kenny Crawford.
16 VHA 308
BBC
Andrew Spiliopoulos Brother to 1st 500. 4104 and 3rd 400
Sister to 1st National 400m, responsible for multiple Fed birds. 2nd 500m for Ken Crawford
52 53 16 VHA 23207
MC
17 VHA 10278
BBC
54 55
17 VHA 10339
BBC
Half Brother to 1st 500 and 1st 480 m Money Bags and son of 2nd 500m
BBC
Half brother to 2nd 500 4th 480
56 17 VHA 10350
Unrung Mealy Sire of 1st 500 4104 VHA 12 3789 off 13 th 500 x 1st 500 VHA 10 BB 12392 Sire of 1st 500 2012
Goodger
57 17 VHA 10351
BBC
17 VHA 10332
BBC
17 VHA 10334
BBC
BCP Spiliopoulos Unrung BBPC off 3788 x 14th 600m VHA 16 23215 Off 1st 500 4104
17 VHA 10276
BBC
BBPC off Br to 1st 500 2012 Clocked twice
18 VHA 12404
BBC
18 VHA 12237
BBC
58 59 60
61 62 17th 500m
VHA 563 VHA 12 3788 Son of 13 th 500m x 1st 500
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010 VHA 12 4104 1st 500 mile VHA 16 23279 2nd 500 1015
17774 Double fed hen 12th 400 8th 300 BBH 23246 Off 3789 x 6th 600 BBH 15th 600m BCPH 16 23237 dam 12th 500 old line Daughter of 2nd 500m The very best off the old lines 7th Dubbo off 6th Fed 600 x 1st 500 16th 600 same as 6th 600
The following birds flew Mildura 300 m, Fowlers Gap 500 m when tossed with 700 birds. Liberated in headwind . They also flew the recent VHA race from Mt Hope 340 m again a strong headwind all the way. 63 19
VHA 10082
BBH
Bred By Bob Stukel
19
VHA 10328
BBH
Pedigree unknown
19
VHA 10333
BBH
15TH Fed Mt Hope 2021 Sister to 1st 500 2013
64 65 66 19
VHA 10355
BBPH
19
VHA 10359
BBH
Unrung Mealy. Sire of 1st 500 4104
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
PRV 17 916 Money Bags 1st 450 m
VHA 16 23328 1st 500 m 2017
Unrung Mealy. Sire of 1st 500 4104
Jackpot WPF 2541 2010
Vha 12 4168 Sire of Money Bags VHA 19623 5th 500 732 mpm G Stevens J Brislin Gabby/Houben
VHA 16 23279 2nd 500 VHA 10311 6th 500 J Yates Yates egg Off 13th 500 (Kearsey) x 1st 500 “Baby Jackpot “off 13th 500 x Jackpot
67 68 19
VHA 10372
BBH
19
VHA 10399
BBH
18
VHA 10427
BCH
69
Pedigree unknown Super Breeding
Pedigree unknown
70
Pedigree unknown
71
Pedigree unknown 19
VHA 10449
BB
72
Pedigree unknown 19
VHA 10472
BBH
73
Pedigree unknown 19
VHA 10822
BB Sister to 1st 500 2013
74 18
VHA 12411
BBPH
18
VHA 12526
BCH
75 76 st
19
VHA 15393
BBH
Sister to Money Bags 1 480m
19
VHA 16445
BBH
Shared mating between Godfrey
19
VHA 16599
BBH
Sister to 2nd 400 m G Stevens Bred by G Stevens Sister to 2nd 400 Pedigree unknown
77 78
79 19
VHA 16615
BBH
19
VHA 10424
BB
80 81
3rd 400 m G Stevens Only 3 day birds
Pedigree unknown 19
VHA 10381
BB
19
VHA 15395
BB
19
VHA 10411
BB
19
VHA 10305
BB
19
VHA 10387
BB
82
Pedigree unknown
83
Pedigree unknown
84
Pedigree unknown
85
Vha 12 4168 Sister to Money Bags 1st 480m
VHA 16 23279 2nd 500