The Healesville Greyhound Association (HGA) has announced an exciting cross-species racing partnership with its sponsorship of the Croydon Homing Pigeon Club and the Croydon Classic.
This one-of-a-kind partnership aims to foster camaraderie between the two sporting communities while nurturing the development of pigeon racing as a competitive and esteemed pursuit.
The Croydon Classic, one of Victoria’s most prestigious pigeon racing events, will take place on Sunday September 10, 2023, and will feature more than 800 birds. Starting in Mildura, the birds will fly throughout the day to their respective lofts located across metropolitan and regional areas including Croydon, Dandenong, Morning Mist, Geelong, Wallan and Melton.
Winners will be determined by their velocity, based on the distance travelled per minute, with each loft and liberation point having GPS coordinates to calculate the flying time and distance. The prize money, which totals $15,000, will be divided across the first 10 finishes.
HGA general manager Cynthia O’Brien is excited about the new collaboration and looks forward to cultivating a culture of mutual support and camaraderie between the two livestock sporting communities.
“Pigeon racing and greyhound racing have long been cherished activities that bring joy to communities and promote a deep bond between humans and animals,” Ms O’Brien said.
“We are delighted to collaborate with the Croydon Homing Pigeon Club and support the growth of this exciting sport in Victoria. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to supporting local sports clubs and promoting sportsmanship in our community.”
In addition to backing the Croydon Classic, HGA will provide its premises to the Croydon Homing Pigeon Club to host its presentation day and to hold club meetings and events throughout the year.
Croydon Homing Pigeon Club president Steve Aquilina said the partnership would benefit the club financially and contribute to the overall development and recognition of pigeon racing as a sport.
“It is great that two livestock racing identities have connected,” Mr Aquilina said.
“The Croydon Homing Pigeon Club is really hoping we can have a partnership with the HGA for many years to come as this race is enhanced and grows over time.”
Mr Aquilina said the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions had caused pigeon racing to take a back seat. Despite being an outdoor sport, the five-kilometre radius restriction imposed during lockdowns meant pigeon racing was put on hold for almost two years.
“Pigeon Racing is not just a sport, it’s a passion,” Mr Aquilina said. “We are thrilled to be finally racing again. It’s a great experience to watch these beautiful birds take flight and showcase their natural abilities in a competitive setting.”
