AU Champions ...
4-Way's Long Distance Bloodline—
His Latest...Notable Champs
Vic’s racing career spanned over 40 years, so it’s no surprise that he raised numerous winners. When tasked with naming a bird, Vic had a keen eye; in essence, the birds named themselves based on their own behavior. As any good racer knows, a name is not just a name; it’s an identity. Allow us to present Vic’s latest favorites, each with a name as distinctive as they are.
Of All Names - Why Amigo #1?
Vic was quite fond of Amigo. Amigo would approach him, sit on his arm, and eat from his hand. He was essentially his best friend, hence the name “Amigo #1.” He was not willing to part with him at any price.
In fact, at one point, Vic was contacted by a couple of foreigners (the exact country escapes me) while he was still racing Amigo. They offered him a substantial amount of money to purchase and ship “Amigo” and “2-Timer.”
Vic told them they were foolish to think he would sell. To be honest, he found the idea of selling offensive.
Even now, when we enter the loft, he approaches, pecks our boots, and looks up at us, as if to say, “Hey, I’m down here; got any peanuts for me?” He’s that friendly. Just can’t resist squatting down, holding out our hand for him to climb up on, and giving him some treats.
Comedy Gave Rise to Name:
Vic started wearing the hat shown in this picture to the club around the same time he was racing 0513.
As a result, club members began kidding around, referring to him as “Captain Hennig” or “Hey Captain.” Not sure why, maybe because of the gold leaves on the rim of his hat.
Vic, in turn, enjoyed the comradery and the notion that this was a fitting name for his aspiring champion, thus the name “Captain Hennig.”
Early Bird Gets the Win:
Red Dawn acquired his name by returning home from long, hard races at the crack of dawn, just before the sun rose on a few occasions.
He must have recognized he wouldn’t make it before dusk, so he had to have chosen a location he knew and felt safe for the night that was less than 30 minutes from home.
He’d then take to the sky and arrive home as soon as dawn broke, before the sun started to rise.
Hence the name “Red Dawn.” He’s red and came home at daybreak.
Typical Brother and Sister:
2-Timer is 720 and has a sister, 721. Vic felt 2-Timer was a fitting name given that he would ride his sister’s coattails during races. His sister-721 actually won the 600, but she sat on the landing, waiting for her brother 720 to land. She would then clock in behind him as she followed him inside.
Given that this occurred twice during significant races, ideally she’s the one who deserved to be recognized and named.
She was regrettably bit in the butt by kindness and loyalty, and instead of notoriety, it all went to her brother. So, there you have it! Thus the name “2-Timer.”
What a Name:
Vic was never one to offer his birds to others. He would often remark, “Now why would I want to race against my own birds?”
However, he had a buddy visiting from North Dakota that really wanted to breed from one of his birds. Being the nice guy he was, he gave in and handed him a young bird. Since he had already trained it to his loft, he warned his buddy not to let it out to fly. Later that year, this bird escaped and flew back to Vic’s MN loft.
His Dakota buddy called him that day saying it got out. Vic found that same bird perched on his loft. He opened the porthole to let it in. After examining this bird he was unhappy with it’s current condition.
Vic was disappointed in himself for giving that bird to his buddy. So what did he do next? He restored it’s health, started training it again and raced it
This bird went on to win numerous races earning many awards. When his Dakota buddy found out how well this bird was doing race wise, he most likely “Lamented” over it his mistake.
Vic just chuckled and started calling her “Dakotas Lament.”
A Glorious Morning:
Morning Glory earned her name by coming home from long, hard races just as the sun was rising on several different races. Vic was delighted to see her return home from a race and thought, “What a glorious morning it is.” And from that day onward, she was known as “Morning Glory.”
Who is "Seven"? And Her Brother 6?
“Seven” proved to be a remarkable bird straight from the get-go.
As a yearling, we sent her on the 600-mile race. And surprisingly enough, she was the first bird home on that race.
She took 4th place in the Club and 11th place in the Concourse… as a Yearling…on the 600. That’s amazing!
“Seven” was her given name, derived from her band number. Since Vic believed in only naming birds that truly earned that right, this race did just that, she won the right to be named.
Additionally, “Brother 6” has performed admirably on the leaderboards as well.
So Why The Name "Rising Star"?
“121 and 122” were both excellent up-and-coming challengers who demonstrated their abilities early on, just before Vic stopped racing. These young birds had future potential. In fact, 121, as a young, inexperienced racer, actually beat the pants off some of the older award-winning champions in his loft. Hence the name “Rising Star.”
Need I Say More?
Ace is exactly that—a bird that has been recognized with Ace award after Ace award. This bird is really spectacular. Hence the name “Ace.”
Why the Name Mrs. Six?
From all of her accolades, it is evident that this bird has achieved greatness. However, she triumphed and won a 600-mile race as well. She’s kind of an overachiever, haha. Thus the moniker “Mrs. Six.” We felt that was just fitting for her.
This Was a Nail Biter Race
This was a tough race. What we refer to as a “smash.” It was a long day of waiting. Vic was vigilant. However, his optimism was still banking on a day-bird.
It was now dusk; the sun had set. Vic’s hopeful outlook prompted him to turn on the big yard light, illuminating the entire yard in hopes of guiding a bird home.
It was then, just after 9 p.m., 2902 came home. At that very moment, Vic knew instantly that he just won this race. He was fairly certain this was the only day bird on this race.
From that day forward, 2902 was known as “Midnight Run.” The lone-day bird who successfully returned home and won first place in both the club and concourse championships.
Derived from Humor...
Toward the end of Vic’s racing career, he was referring to 579 as the big blue one. At this time, I was not familiar with 579 and what he looked like, Vic would say “the Big Blue One” – 2-Timer’s Son.
From then on, 579 was known as “Big Blue.”
