Carmen Castellano of Yonkers, NY called me one evening a few months back. Excited and out of breath he said, "Tony, you have got to help me find more youngsters out of the four time winner, 23017 hen. They are fantastic, 1st and 2nd Federation at 400 miles, again....l need more!"

Let me continue, if I may, and I will try and explain how we found "A Diamond in the Rough". The year was 1985. The legendary Tom Fahmie of New Jersey decided to visit Albert Babbington of England. You see, Albert was setting unprecedented flying records never before achieved. Babbington bought his birds direct from Adrian Wouters - K. Meuleman’s partner. Wouters in some peoples’ opinion was the driving force behind the Meuleman fame. Anyway, Tom Fahmie went right to Albert’s loft and selected the "four time winner, 23017 hen". This was not unusual for Fahmie to select the champion of a famous loft. He has made a reputation doing so.

It was later said that Albert regretted letting her go, but none the less, she was at the Fahmie Loft breeding in 1985. Fahmie decided to reduce his breeders in 1986 - not an easy decision of a world class loft. The newcomers were eyed first to be sold. It was difficult for Fahmie to send her out, but she was sent to Glen Raddatz of Milwaukee after negotiating through Charlie Barbiere, a mutual friend.

Raddatz can find a good one from a loft as easy as child's play. He makes a career of it, and is a genius in the ability of acquiring outstanding pigeons. Glen acquired the famous four-time winner in 1986. Elated over his new prize he carefully selected a Meuleman cock bred by K. Meuleman 85-BELG-6375662 (grand son of Kadet, Schoondonker). The Raddatz loft already had an incomparable stud of Meuleman breeders, but this was surely the star.

The first result of the "2301 7 - four time winner" was its own ability. She won four separate races and was sec- and on another. She topped the entire federation as a young bird and was regarded highly by Babbington. Babbington told Raddatz that she bred winners for him in England as well. Glen raised his first round from 23017 in 1986. His first winner emerged in OB of 1987 - first combine 200 miles. Elated with his victory, Glen called Tom Fahmie to share his good fortune. When Tom heard the news of the 200 mile win, he said, "That’s nothing, I won the 500 mile combine here with another off 23017". Can you imagine what went through Glen’s mind when he heard 23017 bred two major winners two distances 800 miles apart on the same day?...Fantastic! That’s just the start. Relaxing at home one Saturday afternoon, the phone rings and upon answering it is my friend Fred Pieper. He tells me that his dad, Harry Pieper, Sr. and himself just left Glen Raddatz Loft and they found one of the finest breeding hens ever. Harry Pieper examined many birds and found this exceptional hen possessing the most outstanding eye imaginable. This bird I am re- fearing to is none other than the famous "four time winner, 23017".

It is no wonder Fred Pieper and Carmen Castellano bought as many as they could find from 23017 (now de- ceased). Fred says these birds are gold. Fred imported three closely related uncles and aunts of the four time winner for a four digit sum and you guess it...they all bred winners!

Let’s review a partial list of what 23017 "the four time winner" sons and daughters have bred the last several years.

Four birds bred in the Castellano Loft (New York) out of a young hen direct off the 23017 winner - EM-2015 BBSPL: 1st club 200 miles, 1st dub f 50 miles, 1st club- 1st combine - 1st Metropolitan Federation 400 miles; WHM-0019: 2nd club - 2nd combine 300 miles, 2nd club-2nd combine-2nd Metropolitan Federation 400 miles; WH-290: 1st club 435 miles, 2nd combine 435 miles, 3rd 150 miles; and UBX-885 1st club 150 miles. All four birds bred in 19S1 - all four winners! Now you know why Carmen Castellano is excited.

Piepers off another hen bred off the famous 23017 was his first bird 5 times in 1992 YB winning first, third and fourth. He had two on the team and both winners. In Chicago, Raddatz told me the only daybird on the J. Ruzek Futurity was bred off another hen off the "four time winner." Leo Landry of Mass. - 1st and 2nd place winners in 1993 YB off another. Tony Gacs bought one last year at the Chicago Convention told me he won 2nd North Valley Combine 300 miles. Ernie Rossi - best two youngsters on team. The list goes on and on and on.

Well, I guess loft location is important, the technique, training, the loft, drag, etc; but you can make all the ex- cases in the world, but give me that diamond in the rough, and the genie in the bottle might make a little magic for you.

Footnote: Carmen Castellano, a rather shrewd individual and usually one step ahead of yours truly, placed an ad in the magazine for "youngsters bred off 23017". Well he found four more. All bred winners. Yes, he is excited and so am I.

- - Submitted by Tony Rossi

"Butcher Boy" GB-88-E-70676 Pencil Cock, an authentic Janssen Van Den Bosche cock imported to this country because of his heritage and ability to pro- duce first place winners. More important, the Pieper Loft discovered that "Butcher Boy" is direct off the famous Belg-75-6501313, bred by the master, Adrian Wouters. 6501313 is one of the foundation cocks of Babbington, which made him famous. But the most important aspect and concern for us to sneak this rare find into this Country is the fact that "Butcher Boy" is an uncle to the ever increasingly famous four time winner, 23017 hen. Pay attention, boys, this hen has bred young now spread across the U.S. and winning for everyone 100-500 miles. We are now taking orders for young from "Butcher Boy", as well as many other jewels in our collection.

Contact:
Fred Pieper Loft
2809 E. Holmes
Cudahy, Wl 53110
(414) 744-4084 between 4:00 and 7:30 pm CST

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