![Figure 4 Mauricio Jemal on his rooftop in 1993 grading a beautiful slate check, I would have loved to have been there. Photo by Bob Tavares 1993.]()
Figure 4 Mauricio Jemal on his rooftop in 1993 grading a beautiful slate check, I would have loved to have been there. Photo by Bob Tavares 1993.
Most people think time is like a river that flows swift and sure in one direction, but I have seen the face of time and I can tell you they are wrong. Time is an ocean in a storm. You may wonder who I am and why I say this; sit down and I will tell you a tale like none that you have ever heard!~ Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003 video Game)
![silvio]()
1963 started on Tuesday (dominical letter F) of the Gregorian calendar. It was the 1963rd year of the Anno Domini (AD) designation, the 963rd year of the 2nd millennium, the 63rd year of the 20th century, and the 4th year of the 1960s decade. It was the year that Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was first exhibited in the United States, at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. It was also the year Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay closed. The year that Director Alfred Hitchcock’s film The Birds was released in the USA. The year that Lawrence of Arabia won Best Picture. The year that Bob Dylan’s “Blowin in the Wind”, was released by Columbia Records. The year that AC Cobra made its first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The year that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It was also the year that the iconic Porsche 911 was first produced. Not to mention that it was the year that Craig Breedlove’s mark of 407.447 miles per hour, was set in the Spirit of America. And finally it was also the year that 29 year old Mauricio Jemal, then residing in Mexico City, received delivery of six exclusive racing pigeons selected for him by Piet de Weerd. The rest of the story is akin a tale, like none that you have ever heard before! A legend, a part of racing pigeon lore, but what are the facts? That is what I will try and flesh out. At its core the story is really quite unique Mauricio dedicated himself to achieving a dream, a dream of producing the most pure and pre-potent family of inbred Janssens ever seen, based entirely upon his unique and original selection and breeding concepts.
In August of 1997 I received a call from the Chicago area. The individual calling wanted to know if he might have permission to visit with me in Canada for two or three days. He introduced himself as “Mauricio”, Mauricio Jemal of Mexico. He was testing out a new Cadillac and planned on driving from Chicago to my farm in Port Perry, Ontario. I came to find out years later, that he had set many personal driving records before there were modern super highways. For instance Mexico City to Laredo, Texas in six hours and 57minutes in the early 1970’s.Breaking standing records was always his dream and at 79 years of age Mauricio broke the existing Coast to Coast non-stop solo record by almost 4 hours driving from Jacksonville, Florida to the Santa Monica pier in just 34 hours. By the time Mauricio placed that call to me over 34 years had passed since receiving the 6 special Janssens , referred to earlier and initiating his unique breeding project and by that point, he had logged over 34 generations of selective inbreeding. I was aware of his name, but who was he really? Generally his reputation was that of an eccentric practitioner of “inbreeding” but the facts, what were the facts? And why his request to visit some guy sitting on a farm in Canada.
Mauricio had, I believe, at the time, read an article on “Breeding the Racing Pigeon” that I had written and was intrigued, kindred spirits, possibly- but only time would tell. I agreed, after all it was not every day that one had the opportunity to meet an allegedly eccentric legend and it was not long after that call, that we met in person and had a marvelous time together. Jim McLean and I were fascinated. Mauricio was 63 years old at that time (as I write this article I am now 64 and wondering where the last 7,300 days have gone) and I was then 46. He struck me as exceedingly intelligent, learned, a cultured individual, exceptionally observant and very dedicated oh and did I mention humble to boot. It was clear to me, all those years ago, that he had resources a plenty both intellectual and financial. We had a wonderful visit, we talked and laughed and became friends. Jemal was from all that I could sense “a renaissance man”!
Though most believe Mauricio to be of Mexican ancestry this is actually not the case. Mauricio Norman Jemal was born on June 29th 1934 in Los Angeles, California the son of Norman and Phoebe Jemal. His mothers’ maiden name was Phoebe Roberts of the Ft. Worth area of Texas. Mauricio’s Great Grandfather had settled the area as a pioneer. A man of wealth, a ship owner who had traveled to the new world on one of his own vessels. Incredible as it may seem his Great Grandfather soon owned, the largest ranch in Texas these being the days before the existence of the “King Ranch”. The family owned many assets including a highly successful stable of race horses.
![dar]()
Mauricio’s mother, along with being a member of the Daughters of The Revolution (DAR)-“The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States’ struggle for independence also founded a very successful chain of children’s clothing stores.
The fact that Mauricio was an American, and clearly one who could trace his heritage in his maternal lineage back to a person directly involved in the American struggle for independence may actually have played a negative role in so many of the events that unfolded in his life in Mexico.
Mauricio attended elementary school in Glendale California until the age of nine at which time he moved to Mexico.
“Two different countries-several schools. In the early years, public schools in California, later in Mexico private Jesuit catholic schooling. Both contributed a good base for me. Wish I could thank those teachers. Higher schooling was more of the same, both countries. While in Hawaii, attended the same High School, as Obama.”~ reference: Mauricio Jemal 8/17/2016
It was during this period that he became fluent in Spanish.
“This two country education arose because my parents were divorced. My Mother brought us to Mexico, just before my 9th birthday, with the purpose of learning the language. I’m still here!” ~ reference: Mauricio Jemal 8/17/2016
Mauricio’s Father (Norman Jemal) was born in Alexandria his ancestors from Spain but originally via Turkey. Mauricio had received his pilot’s license by age 17 and by age 18 had a commercial pilot’s license. Interesting to note that his mother was also an accomplished aviatrix which is a fancy way of saying she was a pilot!
“While in Hawaii through the Hawaiian School of Aeronautics, I obtained my private pilot and commercial license at the age of seventeen and eighteen. My mother was an aviatrix before WW 2. She was my first influence. She also taught me to drive when I was nine. Got my driver’s license on my 15th birthday.” ~ reference Mauricio Jemal 8/17/2016
Mauricio graduated in Business Administration by the age of 22.By age 28 Mauricio was an expert “crop duster” actually exceptionally successful with three factory new ag-airplanes and more to the point he knew how to use them to their fullest potential! Unfortunately his (envious) competitors in this field used his American birth and citizenship against him and his continued employment as a “crop-duster” in Mexico came to an abrupt end.
“As to flying, agricultural, Is a violation of all security regulations. Again natural ability came into play. Was exceptionally successful…too. Had the newest and best equipment (three factory new ag-planes, this at the age of 28 ) and knew how to use them.
Those who had to watch on the sidelines became your adversaries. Having been born in the U.S, made me ineligible for commercial work in Mexico. Since they weren’t able to defeat me working and in the air, they found a way to get me on that technicality. Here, the jealousy factor raised its head. This was in 1963.”~ reference Mauricio Jemal private correspondence2016
He was accomplished in many fields that somehow incorporated or revolved around racing and speed. But more than this he embraced knowledge and sought to develop all of his gifts as fully as possible. These included enormous appreciation for creative, social, artistic and intellectual pursuits.
![bike]()
Mauricio was possessed of many gifts but without a doubt he was possessed of a natural ability, a natural sensitivity if you will for all things racing, all things speed, and for “seat of the pants” flying. It turns out that Mauricio was a National Motorcycle Champion in Motocross and Oval racing in Mexico (Open Class, National Motorcycle Champion in 1957 and 1958). Open class, being the fastest, some might say the craziest. The records he set were eventually broken, but not for many years and only with much faster more advanced machines.
“Was born with a natural ability,a natural sensitivity. For racing and for “seat of the pants” flying. This blessing was later transferred/incorporated into the selection of racing pigeons a la Piet de Weerd system. Was open class national motorcycle champion in 1957 and 1958. Open class, being the fastest. As to flying, agricultural, is a violation of all security regulations. Again natural ability came into play. Was exceptionally successful…too.”~ reference Mauricio Jemal private correspondence2016
Now in the eighth decade of his life Mauricio still retains his incredible love for speed, his life-long interest in racing whether airplanes, expensive cars, motorcycles, quarter horses or thoroughbred “racing pigeons”.
![car]()
Mauricio Jemal, in my opinion exemplifies Joseph Renzulli’s “three ring” definition of giftedness
“Joseph Renzulli‘s (1978) “three ring” definition of giftedness is composed of three components as follows: Gifted behavior consists of behaviors that reflect an interaction among three basic clusters of human traits—above average ability, high levels of task commitment, and high levels of creativity. Individuals capable of developing gifted behavior are those possessing or capable of developing this composite set of traits and applying them to any potentially valuable area of human performance.” Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Renzulli
Mauricio in many fields, but for our purposes, in the field of racing pigeon development and breeding so vigorously pursued his goal that he produced results that were, I think, even far beyond his own expectations and intention.
“For an artist, even imagining what he is going to create next—imagining just a glimpse of it—is enough to propel him into a new state, is enough to rearrange the output of his endocrine system, is enough to inject energy into his organs and his cells.”~ Jon Rappoport, July 30 2016 from “Art, investigation, power”
Make no mistake about it Mauricio was more than a pigeon fancier or pigeon breeder, he was an artist in every sense of that word, his art was alive, it breathed, it reproduced and he literally molded it, refined it, changed it, developed it, and improved it and in so doing a number of accomplished elite (mostly Texans) American fanciers acknowledged his artistry by showing up at his door in the hopes of bringing home a piece of the grail!
Everything has a beginning and so it was with Jemal. He came by his interest in pigeons spontaneously, it was not a family affair, and it was a fascination unique to his being that struck him in 1946 before the age of 12.
“One day I awoke and had the urge for pigeons. Bought some that same day.”- Reference Mauricio Jemal private correspondence2016
Mauricio started racing his pigeons that same year, 1946 and by 1949 he was racing on his own and during those years he cultivated the birds of mostly Grooters via C.D.Fisher of Elwood Indiana. He was hooked but it was not enough he wanted to be a champion and that requires not only the right mindset, but also the resources and ultimately the right tools (exceptional pigeons).
![Piet]()
Mr. Piet de Weerd
Some 10 years later, by 1959/60 Mauricio learned of the existence of one Mr. Piet de Weerd through articles published by Thelma Snyder in the American Racing Pigeon News of Pennsylvania. That set the stage for everything that was to follow! Piet de Weerd was the trigger that set everything else in motion the catalyst that made everything possible regardless of price and Piet de Weerd did not come cheap!
It goes without saying that initially the story of the success of Mauricio Jemal is intertwined with the story of and rise to greatness of Piet de Weerd. Piet de Weerd was a Dutch journalist an author that was universally acknowledged as the greatest, most accomplished, most successful selector of racing pigeons ever! From an interview conducted by German pigeon journalist Dirk Zoland of Piet DeWeerd we have the following historical details:
“Journalism and the selection of pigeons. I finished my education in 1930, a very bad time, as we all know. I accepted everything that was offered to me. I wrote for the regional papers, even about football, but above all about the pigeon fancy. In 1935 I met the Oomens brothers of Breda and Martin Van Tuyn for the first time. This was in Roosendaal, at the basketing for a Bordeaux international race. In that same year the “Sportpalice” in Antwerp was opened, where I was able to rub shoulders with Dr. Bricoux, Duray, Stassart and many others. At that time I was the “youngster” who had to steel himself to ask a few questions. I had never raced pigeons, although I did handle a few in Middelharnis. My beginnings as a selector go back to 1935 at the loft of the Oomens brothers, who were the best at the time, and even better than Ko Nipius. Jef, the younger brother, subsequently worked for the De Scheemaecker brothers. I had ten years of collaboration with Jef Oomens. I should add that I have only worked with pigeons during the whole of my life. It was not long before I was getting invitations to go and sort pigeons all over the place. I started doing this in 1937, and finished by making it my career. People were asking for me, and even wanted to pay me.” ~ Dirk Zoland article The Natural Winning Ways, Vol. 20 Reference http://www.siegelpigeons.com/news/news-deWeerd.html
He had a unique system (that he guarded jealously) for selecting and subsequently successfully reproducing the most valuable pigeons in the world. To say that he guarded the details and specifics of his system of selection would be an understatement.
“The most important thing, as I have never ceased to stress, remains that an owner must be able to form worthwhile pairs of breeders, or else be doomed to failure.” ~ Dirk Zoland article The Natural Winning Ways, Vol. 20 Reference- http://www.siegelpigeons.com/news/news-deWeerd.html
That secret system (and its salient points) developed by Piet de Weerd was never, to my knowledge, openly shared with anyone. Let us say that it seems that on this aspect he was not a willing and open educator as his method developed over literally decades of practice was a weapon that gave him the supreme advantage over all others. The method developed by Jemal was the result of observation and countless hours of study and handling of both the original six pigeons supplied by Piet as well as well as the inspection of the observable attributes of subsequent birds graded by Piet. I had erroneously assumed that Piet had shared his method with Jemal. That was not the case. In fact the question I asked of Jemal was: “Mauricio can you advise the order of qualities de Weerd looked for in grading pigeons in order of importance?” His reply was short and unexpected.
“If I had that information, I’d write a book. Piet de Weerd, was never a teacher. I learned from his original stock and many birds from my lofts that he graded.” ~ reference Mauricio Jemal personal communication 2016
The late Piet de Weerd (Petrus Adrianus Alphonsus (Piet) de Weerd died Saturday, July 4, 2009 at the age of 96) was acknowledged worldwide. Serious fanciers read his every word. Those who were lucky enough to watch him handle their birds tried to study as much as humanly possible his hand movements hoping against hope to observe some secret. As the de Weerd reputation grew ever more brilliantly, the invitations from around the world increased exponentially and made him the most internationally traveled fancier in history.
“In 1955 I went to South Africa, and then to the Americas after that. “The American Racing Pigeon News” had invited me and set up a program of visits. That enabled me to see New York, San Francisco and Canada. I spent three months there. A program was also arranged for me in South Africa.”~ Dirk Zoland article The Natural Winning Ways, Vol.20 Reference; http://www.siegelpigeons.com/news/news-deWeerd.html
Across Europe over the Atlantic to the Americas to South Africa and Across the Pacific to the Far East making these repeated crossings in parallel with the growth of the fledgling worldwide aviation industry.
The following are some highlights from the belgicadeweerd website dealing with a brief history of Piet de Weerd and his achievements.
“The absolute first mother of the strain, the “Oomens-duivin” (H45-907764) and also called by Aarden the “Delbar duivin”, was in fact a present from De Weerd to Jan Aarden.
![newspaper]()
On the numerous occasions that Piet visited Aarden, he brought one or more pigeons with him to cross them with the stockbirds at Steenbergen.
So we may say he is the architect of the Aarden strain. Purchases and pairings of top pigeons by Piet de Weerd, which made his name in international pigeon sport invaluable, were amongst other things: the purchase of the miraculous “Wondervoske” from the Janssen Brothers for the tandem Oomens-Van Tuijn; the pairing of the “Franck” (44-306686) at “Heroine” (47-1008650) on the loft of George Fabry: “Porthos” and the “Favorie”, descendants of this pair made the name of Fabry world famous. Also the transfer of the “Piet” (strain Meulemans) to Raymund Hermes in Germany was a bull’s eye and in South Africa, fanciers are to this day talking about the incredible breeding results of the “Stallion Jan Aarden”, imported by Piet de Weerd and Piet’s magic use of the Cauwenberg pigeon that became world famous.
The famous “Didi” line of Jef v.d. Broucke-de Weerd and later Etienne de Vos (“kleine Didi”) was the result of many years of selection and inbreeding by Piet de Weerd. Also the “Kipp Dynasty” of Althornbach (Germany) is based on Piet de Weerd pigeons, originally the lines of Hector de Bou, Kees de Groot (Jan Aarden) and Albert v. Cauwenbergh (Janssen).
Lei Kurvers shows the Dax Gladiator, car winner from Dax in 2002. Piet de Weerd at the age of 90 years shows the Perpignan King first ace pigeon Europe 2002 on the international races. Dr. Henk de Weerd shows the Sensation 1, he won the 6th national Pau 2002. All three top cocks are bred and raced by the combination Kurvers-de Weerd.”–Reference http://www.belgicadeweerd.com/piet-de-weerd-en
![newspaper-2]()
According to Charlie Barbiere (in his article first published June 30, 1980, Volume 35 – Number 1746 in the Racing Pigeon Bulletin) in 1962 Hank Vernazza met a Dutch fancier, Piet de Weerd who was on tour in America (and Mexico).Mauricio Jemal had contacted Schenkler in 1962 advising him that he was interested in meeting with Piet de Weerd and purchasing 2 pair of “exceptional” racing pigeons to be selected especially for him by Piet de Weerd. The tour had been arranged by Mr. G.R. Schenkler of Irving Texas who was Piet de Weerd’ s sole North American agent at the time. Vernazza followed the same path to de Weerd’s door and became a legend throughout the USA and rightfully so but the reality is that both Mauricio Jemal and Hank Vernazza received specially selected birds from Piet de Weerd, at the same time in 1963 but Mauricio Jemal bred his three pairs almost immediately and then raced late bred 1963 youngsters and three 1964 banded youngsters in the 1964 old bird series with unbelievable results. Jemal’s incredible results preceded those of Vernazza. This immediate racing success validated Piet de Weerd’ s reputation immensely in both North and South America.
As already mentioned both Jemal and Vernazza met de Weerd in the same year and Mauricio Jemal commented to me as follows:
“Apparently Hank Vernazza and I met Piet, the same year, during the same trip, although in different places. I met him in Mexico City, through his then, U.S. agent George Schenkler. We both received our birds in 1963. I immediately started racing my breeding. In the o.b.(Old Bird) races of ’64 with nine late hatches and three 1964 banded babies (a total of only twelve) participated in the old bird races, of what was at the time the strongest club in Mexico City. Our club was exclusive and limited in number, only thirty members, each flying only 40 o.b. experienced teams. Six birds had to be clocked in each race for our championship points, up to including 300 kms. From 300 to 600 kms. Three birds in each race. (I)Won almost, everything.
The earlier hatches went into the breeding lofts.
In essence what occurred was, since I immediately started racing the stock and getting great results, Piet used said results for promoting his sales in the U.S. and Mexico. I don’t know when Vernazza started racing, but it probably wasn’t until ’65 or ’66.
I’m going to search out the racing records. This all goes back fifty two years. 1964-1965-1966. Just three seasons. Suffice to say 70% of all the participated races at all distances (150 to 825 kms.) were won.
Such dominance generated a lot of ill will and jealousy. That kind of winning can make things quite difficult. So much (so) that this strongest club was disbanded as a consequence. And I…quit racing. Left the city. The last race that was flown at 825 kms. and won, same day, with a ten month old inbred hen (g.father/g.daughter mating) established a long distance record for the whole country. You can appreciate, how these results “helped” Piet. They were the first ones. Raced in two clubs and won first place in both clubs, first place overall championships for the 1966 o.b. season. Looking back, a real tragedy (for me) departing at the height of such success.”-reference Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence2016
In the very beginning Mauricio made it clear to Piet that he had only one goal and that was to become the undisputed Champion of Mexico and price was no object!
“An agreement was made that Piet would select the absolute finest pigeons in the world for Maurice—price was not a factor!! The only stipulation in their selection was that they were to be the finest according to Piet’s grading system. In other words they had to be perfect…”~ Mauricio Jemal from Maurice Jemal In Search of Perfection by Bob Tavares
Jemal developed one of the most pre-potent and in time purest inbred families of old line Janssen pigeons with over 30 years (and 30 generations) of selective inbreeding of a small group of exceptional pigeons specifically selected for him by Piet De Weerd in 1963. So the immediate question that comes to mind is why was Mauricio and his racing and breeding success not universally as well-known as those of Vernazza? At its core the answer is really quite simple, the border between the USA and Mexico and the language barriers were effective deterrents to all but the most persistent. Jemal put it like this:“but the complication has always been the same. The border gets in the way, which is why these birds are not more disseminated in the U.S. Another part of the “tragedy”. ~ Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence2016 Jemal’s stated goal to de Weerd was to become the Champion of all of Mexico.
“I want to be the champion of Mexico”~ Mauricio Jemal from Maurice Jemal In Search of Perfection by Bob Tavares. However, as unlikely as it may have initially seemed no one could have known how meteoric the rise of Jemal would be!
“In 1963, Maurice received three pairs of select pigeons from the Master, Piet. These birds came through quarantine and were showcased by Piet’s agent in Dallas, Texas, a Mr. George Roy Schenkler. These birds received a lot of attention as being outstanding in all respects. ~ Mauricio Jemal from Maurice Jemal In Search of Perfection by Bob Tavares
Mauricio Jemal wasted no time, he immediately began breeding the birds and flew the 1964 old bird season with a twelve bird team of youngsters nine of which were late hatches…In the first race Mauricio won the first 6 positions scoring the maximum number of points. Each week was a repeat of the week before with the Jemal loft taking most of the top positions. During the 1964, 1965 and 1966 racing seasons Mauricio’s birds decimated the competition winning over 70% of all of the races at all distances including the 500 mile races, both club and combine.
“The late hatch cock that Piet sent Belge-62-6108562 R.C.C. when mated to a g.-daughter, produced the 10 month old hen that established the National long distance day record of 826 km. She flew every race in the 1966 series including 400, 500,600 and 826 km…I miss these great birds and the racing they did. It was a very special time in my life. The good times, and the not so good.” ~ Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence August 2016
Mexico to this day has a unique ranking system (The Saviñon Ranking System) created over 50 years ago. This system involves a formula which takes into account the number of members, the number of birds, the distances, the race positions won, and the years in completion. According to the Saviñon Ranking System Mauricio Jemal, in only three years of racing, still holds the record that is double the points of any competitor in all of Mexico. Mauricio remains the #1 competitor of all time.
“There is the Saviñon ranking system created over fifty years ago. On this system I have twice the number of points to my closest competitor, Miguel Galas. So that made me the “Champion of Mexico”, in 1966. On that system, no one will ever accumulate enough points to surpass me. So, as a consequence, technically to this day, I am still the Champion of Mexico. Ever hear that before, Silvio?” ~ Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence July2016
So in just three short years Mauricio accomplished his stated goal to the shock and dismay of every flier in Mexico City but there were negative consequences to his then totally unexpected success.
“Who could foresee that only three years away, jealousy again was to be the enemy. Apparently, success was forbidden.” ~ Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence July 2016
Experience typically demonstrates that excellence within a highly competitive activity rarely leads to appreciation but most often destructive jealousies, or at the very least deep seated dissatisfaction amongst ones fellow competitors who, forced to watch from the sidelines, choose, to become both detractors and adversaries. There weapons of choice, a whispering campaign of misinformation and ad homonym attacks. So it was to be no different for Jemal. Mauricio had so dominated his exclusive Mexico City club ( limited to 30 members) that he was forced to relinquish his membership to another fancier additionally boundaries were introduced to insure that Mauricio would be excluded from competing. Mauricio even offered to give all of the members of the club a 6 mile handicap but the club refused!
“Silvio, can you imagine being eliminated from competition at the height of your success? That for me was the tragedy of tragedies. I swore I would never race again in Mexico. Can you imagine the levels that might have been achieved/accomplished, had I remained active in competition. Yes, thirty inbred generations were produced without the benefit of competing them.” ~reference Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence July 2016
Mauricio Jemal was forced out and I believe that it wounded him deeply to be so treated. Mauricio loved to race to compete at the highest level and this exclusive Mexico City club was indeed the highest level of competition in Mexico but the reality was that “they” could not stand real competition and what they could not achieve on the race course they achieved in a less honorable fashion.
“This year, 2016, marks fifty years since I last competed in Mexico City. The competitors, drawing lines and circles, managed to eliminate me from competition. My line of flight coincided with theirs, overflying by about twenty kilometers, many times clocking before them. On the longer ones, sometimes out in front by 30, 45 and 60 minutes. They might as well have put a bullet through my heart. Those responsible destroyed the strongest club at the time…”~ Mauricio Jemal Personal correspondence July 2016
Mauricio, given the untenable situation that developed, moved his family from Mexico City and decided to take up residence in Uruapan (his wife’s hometown) and thus to concentrate solely on his breeding the development of the world’s purest line of Janssen racing pigeons.
“Well, I put up the individual breeding lofts, here in Uruapan, my wife’s hometown, and bred, bred, bred and selected, selected, selected. Raising on average 400 subjects per year and leaving just 40.When Piet observed this, considering the already outstanding quality, he said, “You have to be very brave”. ~reference Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence July 2016.
![Figure 1 Mauricio Jemal in 1993 at his home garden in Uruapan, Mexico notice the interesting Garden statue of St. Francis holding two doves. Photo by Bob Tavares during his 1993 visit.]()
Figure 1 Mauricio Jemal in 1993 at his home garden in Uruapan, Mexico notice the interesting Garden statue of St. Francis holding two doves. Photo by Bob Tavares during his 1993 visit.
While in Uruapan Mauricio dedicated himself to breeding and then selecting by means of his system only, he had no choice given that he was put in the untenable position of not being allowed to compete. Jemal clearly would have preferred to breed according to his system and then basket test his breeding prior to final selections but this was not an option. There was certainly great skepticism of Mauricio’s “unconventional” or more to the point “heretical” breeding program. How could it be otherwise given conventional wisdom? According to the so called experts failure was to be expected but experts are a dime a dozen, it is the true visionaries, the “unconventional” who are prepared to exit the matrix and give us a glimpse of what can be and thus bring about a paradigm shift! Jemal exited the matrix and became a legend in Mexico.
“Yes, thirty inbred generations were produced without the benefit of competing them. The selected ones were not even allowed out of the lofts. In other words, not settled. Thirty one years later, the combined offspring from the breeding, were competed in the small club here in Uruapan, winning everything in the first Y.B. series. How’s that for something that can’t be done?”~ Reference Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence July 2016
Thanks to Mark Karges of California I received a photocopy of a one page, typed one side, sheet on the Jemal pigeons under the heading “Mexico Janssens” written by Campbell Strange himself. In it Campbell makes reference to the original six pigeons selected by Piet de Weerd for Mauricio Jemal. According to Campbell they were as follows:
A Pair B.B.C. 1962 Belge 6126362
A Pair R Ch. H. 1959 Belge 6020923* full sister To Vernazza Red Hen. She was a daughter of VanderFlaes “Red Fox”, a National winner of many races. He,in turn was bred from the “Bange of ’51” stock of Janssens of Arendonk.
B Pair R.Ch. C. 1962 Belge 6126356
B Pair B.Ch. H. 1962 Belge 6108588
C Pair R.Ch. C. 1962 Belge 6108562* half-brother to Vernazza Red Hen .He was a son Vander Flaes “Red Fox”, a National winner of many races. He, being bred from the “Bange of ’51” stock of Janssens of Arendonk.
C Pair B.Ch. H. 1961 Holland 100437
According to Campbell and the independent research that he undertook he discovered the following:
“I knew from the band numbers that some were from Albert Vanderflaes of Ravels, Belgium.(the hen in the B Pair was only 12 numbers away from the Blaue Van Lier).Correspondence with Vanderflaes informed me that 3 of the original birds came from him.
The hen in the A Pair was a full sister to Vernazza’ s red hen and the Cock in the C Pair was a half- brother, being from the same father. This bird was a son of Janssen Brother’s famous “Wondervoske” of 1945…It is thought that the hen in the C Pair was from Joseph Vandenbrook. The remaining 2 original birds were Janssen, but it is unknown from what Belgium Loft they came.” ~ Campbell Strange
The following is quoted directly from what was then written by Campbell Strange:
“The offspring from these birds were an immediate success. Little was known about these “Mexico Janssens” in the US until 1974 when the late Fred Wimberly visited Mexico. Fred was a respected pigeon judge and came back to report that the “Mexico Janssens” were the best pigeons he had ever seen. Fred bred a pair or two in 74 and 75 but it was not until 76 that the “Mexico’s” were to make their mark.
The Cronan Brothers of New Orleans bought a hen #72 from Mexico. This hen was sent to Fred with some other birds he had bought. Without the Cronan Brothers approval the #72 hen was delayed in Fort Worth long enough to breed 5 youngsters when mated to her half -brother, the #16 cock.
The blood from #16 and #72 has been largely responsible for the founding of many lofts in Texas. Eggs have sold for $300.00 each and thousands have been spent for single birds…The Mexico’s have proven their versatility by consistently winning out of turn.”~ Campbell Strange
Winning out of turn it seems was a habit for this pure line that should be referred to as “Jemal’s” to distinguish them from the “Mexico Janssens” that were bred down from the pure “Jemal’s” that were bred in Uruapan by Mauricio Jemal.
“This family is reproducing.#16 and #72 were 4 generations down from A, B and C Pairs… and today the youngsters are winning and reproducing generations down from #16 and #72.” ~Campbell Strange
It is interesting to note that Campbell used the term “Mexico Janssens” interchangeably for both those birds bred directly by Jemal in his lofts in Mexico and the same term for those birds eventually bred by those Texans who were lucky enough to get a few originals and then begin breeding and crossbreeding from there. The more appropriate and accurate terminology would be to refer to the original birds bred by Mauricio as “JEMALS” and those based originally on his birds but crossbred by others in Texas as “MEXICO JANSSENS”. I had asked Mauricio a very simple question: “Are you the originator of what is now called the “Mexico Janssens”? He gave me a one sentence response.
“The birds of my breeding that were sent up to Texas, started it all.” ~reference Mauricio Jemal personal correspondence 2016
While reading an old photocopy of a testimonial in a 1984 Edition of the Racing Pigeon Bulletin April 9 1984 I was struck by a tribute on page 11 written by Mr. Bob Neeley of Wichita Falls, Texas .Bob was both a pigeon judge and pigeon selector who had judged and or graded thousands of racing pigeons but he paid to place the following tribute in that 1984 issue.
“I first heard of Maurice in 1972 when Fred Wimberley returned from a trip to Mexico City. Fred told me he had seen a loft full of the finest birds he had ever seen. Since Fred was recognized world -wide as an excellent judge of pigeons, this was quite a profound statement. And, it was through Fred that the first few of Maurice’s birds found their way to Texas.If Maurice Jemal had lived in the US for the last 20 years, he would already be world famous. As it is, only a few know of him and what he has accomplished with six pigeons obtained from Piet De Weerd in 1963.From 1963 to 1974 he bred only from these six birds and their offspring. In 1974 he selected one cock and three hens and disposed of the rest. Every bird in his new family has these four birds as their common ancestors. Only one man out of perhaps 100,000 could have inbred from six pigeons for over 20 years and developed a family of the quality that these birds are. The gene pool carried by these birds is fantastic, but more important; the birds themselves are unbelievable physical specimens… Never have I seen such quality and, in bird after bird, like peas in a pod.”~ Bob Neeley Wichita Falls, Texas April 9 1984 Racing Pigeon Bulletin.
![Figure 2 Typical Inbred Jemal’s. photo by Bob Tavares 1993.]()
Figure 2 Typical Inbred Jemal’s. photo by Bob Tavares 1993.
Jemal clearly had one of the most pre-potent (as so many testimonials evidence) inbred families of old line Janssen pigeons with over 34 years of selective inbreeding/line-breeding of a small group of exceptional pigeons. These Jemal pigeons were priceless. Remember that Champion Producers are priceless precisely because they are rare. A number of years ago a friend of mine Colin Chapel of Australia wrote a marvelous article entitled “Second Helpings” we have since communicated many times because of this article but towards the end of his article (a portion of which is quoted verbatim herein) he deals with the issue of appropriate price for a Champion producer and his answer while disconcerting to many readers is exactly what I myself believe. Colin states simply that Champion Producers are priceless:
| “And that’s the appropriate price for a champion producer, be it a horse or a pigeon: rare, often unexpected, but irreplaceable. VIN Blanden was for many years a major and influential member within the SAHPA. He knew all the great fanciers in his part of the world, and was extremely knowledgeable about the various families and lines of birds within South Australia. He owned the famous stock-hen widely known as ‘Henrietta’, bred from brother and sister. Blanden wrote a column on pigeon racing which appeared in a South Australian newspaper each week, and one of them written somewhere around 1958 was headed “Mate Brother to Sister”. It could have been the story of his famous hen, but it reads as follows: If a valuable family is to be retained, the best way to gain the end is to mate brother to sister. Winners are two pence a dozen; it’s the birds that produce them that are so hard to get in the first place. The valuable pair are the two birds which produce a number of offspring which in turn keep breeding winners season after season. The best son of the pair should be mated to the best daughter before it is too late. Many good prize winners this year, including several of the twelve Association winners are descendants of three birds bred from brother and sister. Quite a number of these are inbred back again to such extent that they are descended from all three birds. The proof of the pudding is in its eating, and the ultimate result proves the point.” ~Colin Chapel, Australia |
There were other celebrities of the time that expressed amazement after personally visiting Jemal in Mexico and handling his pigeons. Henry W. Sadewater Jr. wrote on August 13, 1986 about his 3 day visit to Mexico in 1986.After careful examination of the Jemal inbred stock he declared as follows:
“I have concluded that Maurice has the finest collection of Janssen founded birds I have ever seen…In a nutshell, Maurice is a master of no equal.” ~Reference Henry W. Sadewater Jr.
A close friend of mine Gerald Hebert had the following to say years ago: “Breeding was another nightmare for his competitors. Jemal’s ‘inbred pigeons’ would breed racers like no one had ever seen in Texas! Over and over again he had the top money pigeons. It seemed impossible to beat Jemal, so they joined him and bought his pigeons. After a while, if you didn’t have “Mexico” Janssens (what they called the Jamel pigeon after it left Jamel’s hands) in your loft, you didn’t have a prayer to ever win a race in Texas.”~ Reference Gerald Hebert, Cajun Express Loft, Egan LA.
Bill “The Book” Richardson met Jemal just prior to Mauricio’s 70th Birthday (or thereabouts) and here is what bill wrote as regards Jemal and his birds.
“His breeding achievements in this sport are nothing short of amazing. He has been honored and recognized by the legendary Piet DeWeerd with four testimonials for his skill as a breeder. This clearly establishes him as an individual that Piet held in extremely high regard…
While I may have heard of Mauricio prior to 1980, it was not his achievements that caught my attention. While at a friend’s house I came across what I thought was one of the most phenomenal pigeons I have ever handled. I was told that she was from a family of pigeons called the “Jemal Janssen.” What made her even more special was her ability to produce winners. In fact, in a five-year period, she bred 13 winners (one was a triple winner) and countless diploma winners in several different areas. Through two of my out-crosses, this blood is still alive in my loft today. ~Bill Richardson http://www.ehoremans.com/articles/jemal.pdf
![Figure 3 Above is the home of Mauricio Jemal that was visited by Piet de Weerd 3 times in 1971, 1978 and 1988.Photo by Bob Tavares 1993.]()
Figure 3 Above is the home of Mauricio Jemal that was visited by Piet de Weerd 3 times in 1971, 1978 and 1988.Photo by Bob Tavares 1993.
Well, as already discussed, it is universally accepted that Piet de Weerd was a selector’s selector. A man without equal when it came to identifying the very cream of the cream of racing and breeding stock .As I have repeated so many times, it was de Weerd who selected the original stock for Jemal, (Arden, Hermes, Vernazza, Chick Brooks, and a host of others) and suggested the original matings that first year and who returned on 3 separate occasions to visit Jemal in Mexico. These visits occurred in 1971, 1978 and 1988.The question then needs to be asked, what did the Master think of the outcome of the progeny of the birds bred by Jemal from the originals. I will answer this question by providing scans of and quoting in their entirety 3 letters written by Piet de Weerd over a period of 19 years. I have had photocopies of these three letters in my possession since August of 1997.I doubt that more than a handful of people have ever seen these letters written by Piet de Weerd after each of his visits to Mauricio’s home in Uruapan, Mexico.
They are important historical artifacts given the reputation and respect held for Mr. de Weerd within the Global sport. Piet de Weerd was “astounded” with the progress that was achieved by Mauricio and each grading over that 19 year period showed tremendous improvement over the previous grading. Also remember that the original 6 pigeons selected by Piet de Weerd were considered exceptional/perfect to begin with!
![letter-1]()
Mexico City, 28 October 1971
With Pleasure I certify that my dear friend Mauricio Jemal of “Mexico City is one of the very best pigeon fanciers I ever met in my life. Mauricio has an uncanny ability to select real outstanding racing pigeon. Very few know how to breed and fly them as he is able to do either. He is truly one of the greatest in our sport.
Petrus de Weerd of Breda Holland
![letter-2]()
Mexico City, 31 October 1978
To the best of my knowledge and belief, the best Janssen Arendonk pigeons-loft that I have examined in the last few years, is the one owned by Mauricio Jemal of Mexico-City.
Those birds have got that extremely good breeding abilities that the top Janssens are known to be world famous for.
Piet de Weerd, Baromelaan 2st, Breda Holland
![letter-3]()
Uruapan Mexico December 1988
After 10 years I revisited the loft of my old friend Mauricio Jemal of Mexico. I was astonished to find the degree of excellence of his purest Janssen of Arendonk birds. Probably the finest and most valuable family in the world. To the best of my knowledge and belief most of these birds are priceless!
Piet De Weerd
I think it safe to say that Piet was shocked at the progress made by Mauricio, shocked that these pigeons (bred by Mauricio) could be so improved over the ones that he himself had selected for Mauricio to start with. Shocked that anyone could pursue an intense inbreeding program for over 30 generations and actually succeed beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Let us once again quote Bob Tavares a second generation racing pigeon Champion in his own right who was privileged to meet Jemal and spend 9 days as his guest in his home in Uruapan, Mexico.
“I witnessed a taping of the final grading which was performed in 1988.Besides the actual words used to express awe at the quality he was grading, his facial expressions conveyed unmistakable disbelief that any such pigeons could exist. He constantly shook his head in amazement. And a whole family of them as alike “as peas in a pod”!
With my own eyes and ears I saw and heard Piet utter superlative statements about these birds, such as, “Every bird could found a loft”, “these are the finest in the world!”, “These pigeons are absolutely priceless!” ,and “This colony is a Masterpiece!!”.One of the most indicative statements was, “I salute you!” These remarks were from the most highly respected selector in the world”. ~ Mauricio Jemal from Maurice Jemal In Search of Perfection by Bob Tavares
It (intense inbreeding and hand selection without the aid of a basket) goes contrary to all that the general population of racing pigeon fanciers believes. Not one in a million fanciers could have ever considered the strategy employed by Jemal let alone ever carry it off successfully. Mauricio began with six Janssen pigeons in 1963, two new birds were added in 1971 again selected by Piet de Weerd and by that point Mauricio had been inbreeding for 8 years. From that year to the visit of Bob Tavares (1993) no new blood had been added.
Bob Tavares (a lifetime second generation fancier, with results galore behind him.) was literally blown away by what he saw in Uruapan and nothing could have prepared him for it. A system of breeding the likes, of which no one had ever seen, carried out to a degree that no one would ever have thought possible, that required a complex system of data collection and data analysis detailed to the nth degree.
“I spent time perusing the breeding records kept by the master over these past 30 years. There is one book for each year. Each bird bred is listed there, good or bad. Next to each band number, there is a special code which tells the bird’s color, eye sign, date of hatching, and various qualities of handling, some of which are “secret” and I could not figure it out. The records themselves are testimony to the genius of the man. I have never seen anything like them anywhere!
He considers carefully the results of every mating. Every single pairing must produce what Maurice is looking for. If the progeny qualify they will be used to continue the project. Any that do not are immediately eliminated. This has been the rule for 30 years…” ~ Mauricio Jemal from Maurice Jemal In Search of Perfection by Bob Tavares
So back in 1993 Bob Tavares spent 9 days with Mauricio, nine days that changed his pigeon life, nine days that provided Bob with a new way of looking at everything from inbreeding, selecting to record keeping, nine days and the result was a paradigm shift that rocked his world and left him amazed and wanting what he had just seen! And just for the record how did things work out for Bob?
“In 1993, the Jemal family was introduced after a week- long visit to the home and 9 rooftop lofts of the Master Mauricio Jemal of Uruapan, Mexico. This Jemal family continues to dominate the breeding successes of the Tavares & Cole racing family to the present time. The Jemal’s are so inbred that they immediately provide remarkable Hybrid Vigor for any established strain.” ~Bob Tavares/TC Pigeons.com 2016
I myself have inbred my own birds to a great degree so I was interested as to Mauricio’s observations as regards “vigor” (I am not here referring to hybrid vigor) given that there is a point where a tradeoff (a decision of the relative importance of vigor versus purity) may be in order.
“Please keep in mind that this family being so inbred for so many generations; (ten, twenty and even thirty generations) were not the conventionally strong hybrid vigor individuals. There was no way of obtaining that vigor and maintaining the purity, so that procedure in my case was unacceptable. That part was covered by those that used them for reproductive and improvement purposes.”~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 14th, 2016
I had asked Mauricio “What key principles or strategies that you have followed? Continuously find the best and develop better?”
“That would have been, in normal circumstances the way to go. But considering the absence, more and more of hybrid vigor (vigor for you) I couldn’t go that route.
I might add my opinion, in a few words, of the Janssen Brothers and why in later years people were referring to the old, versus the new Janssens. Something that was a reality. Primarily, they wanted to keep racing. Naturally they were running into the lack of hybrid vigor wall, so they pretended to offset this complication by crossing (a la half Fabry) and eventually ran into the problem of dilution, maybe even loss of certain qualities. Unless they were master selectors, which they weren’t, they were going to lose those qualities, which is what occurs with the generality in the fancy. Old man Henri, knew a bit about this, and was the reason he closed the door. And, things worked beautifully. Had the Brothers done the same and been able to accept, and conform, to just the breeding qualities, and forget about the racing end, there would have been no distinction between the old and the new.”~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 14th 2016
Long ago I had written the following: “The hen is the key to your entire breeding operation. The hens are the keys to your success. The hens are the keys to your longevity as a successful breeder of racing pigeons. Without great hens, without exceptional hens, without a family of exceptional hens you will achieve nothing of lasting value!” In one quick sentence, the open secret is that only females can pass mtDNA onto their offspring and that the Mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of each and every cell in the bodies of every living thing on earth.
Given my own feelings on this subject of maternal lines and the overriding importance of the mtDNA of which I have written at length I was interested in any insights or commentary from Mauricio?
“The hens???…what generally occurred is at the time of determining who the founder of the next family was to be, it turned out to be a hen. Perhaps I would have preferred for the founder to be a cock, but it didn’t work out that way. How about that? Knowing now, genetically speaking, the value of the hen, what a great occurrence. Do you agree?”~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 18th 2016
Mauricio operated and employed a modified Bull breeding program for the pigeon sires that were used that is his Foundation Sires?
“Modified or otherwise. I generally chose for simplicity, the individual lofts, alternating hens every two weeks as I have mentioned earlier. When particularly interested, I obtained over thirty products from one cock in a one month span. This, however, quite time consuming, thus the individual loft route.” ~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 18th 2016
I had heard it said that Mauricio bred dozens youngsters from each sire each year, that these were raised by pumpers and then ruthlessly selected at different stages, that only the finest specimens were observed for some 8 months or so to finally select just a few, a handful possibly just 2 or 3 direct children that were potentially superior to the original stock? I put the question to Mauricio with the following reply.
“Here in Uruapan, with beautiful weather and temperature, it is possible to rear all year long. With the cocks mated to a different hen every two weeks that would add up to 36 eggs per year. The viability was at a good percentage, but was not at 100%, due to different factors as you well know. The purpose of breeding heavily was to select…heavily. As I mentioned previously, 10% is what remained, in the end. The twelve elected cocks never reared their youngsters. For that I had three pairs of feeders, for each one. After perhaps three years, one outstanding specimen was selected for family continuation, and all approved descendancy was integrated to the breeding. In other words, all, eventual breeding was related to the foundation Bird. That’s why I use the term, inbred/line bred. This goes for all the different families.” ~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 18th 2016
I was interested in the development of his families and was not surprised to see the key role of the Jemal hens.
The “A” family consisted of the six original birds sent by Piet de Weerd and their descendants.
The “B” family had as the foundation cock. “Maximiliano” (72 MEX 819). All successive generations, descend from this bird on the paternal side.
The “C” family had as the foundation a hen. “Doña” (78 MEX 9096) From then on, in the end all birds, of both sexes, descended from her, and then eventually on to the next family.
The “D” family had as the foundation hen. “Dama” (80 MEX 23324)
The “E” family had as the foundation hen. “Delta” (84 MEX 1835)
The “F” family had as the foundation hen. “Fantastica” (86 MEX 2097)
The “G” family had as the foundation cock. “Grand Slam” (88 MEX 14726)
As you can appreciate, all were very closely related. It couldn’t possibly be otherwise.” ~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 18th 2016
There are some people who really do have a gift with animals. This gift of recognizing quality in animals is called stock sense. If you were a successful dog breeder or cattle, pig, sheep, or horse breeder, then you probably have this stock sense. This usually cannot be taught; you usually have an aptitude for it or not.
No matter what you breed, the principles are and always remain the same. Once you come to know what does or does not constitute a quality animal, you are well on your way. Good stock sense stacks the probability of potential success much more in your favor than in that of someone with no such sense. You can quickly see this in how one handles and relates to his stock. Most people don’t have it!~http://www.silvio-co.com/pigeons/breeding.htm
What made these families different one from the other?
“Perceived improvements over the preceding one.” ~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 18th 2016
I asked Mauricio to explain for me what he was doing, how was he executing physically his vision of how to move forward? There’s an old Scottish saying that in one variant reads: “Many a little makes a mickle.” That is, the accumulation of many little things leads to one big thing.
“All I can say is that it is/was an innate personal blessing. No way that I can explain it in writing. I could show, anyone interested, but in all probability, most would not perceive, most of the major differences. They would like them, but would not know why. As I’ve said before, this is the result of much time and many hours of practice.” ~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 18th 2016
Why were these inbred Jemal pigeons so different from other inbred families, if in fact they were? Mauricio started with six carefully selected champion pigeons. Pigeons selected by de Weerd. Additionally they were certainly different by both the degree of inbreeding (number of continuous generations) as well as the actual degree of selection employed ruthlessly by Mauricio.
“Approximately 10,000 birds were bred from this original group…Any birds which were not 100% perfect, according to the requirements of Maurice Jemal, were immediately eliminated. The survival ratio of about 3% has carried over the 30 year selection and development period.
Maurice was adamant that ruthless selection is the primary method of attaining a desired goal. Youngsters are graded from the time they are hatched. At weaning, they are graded and their quality can be ascertained…If selected for the program, the cocks are used at the age of four months and the hens are ready when they are six months of age.”~ Mauricio Jemal from Maurice Jemal In Search of Perfection by Bob Tavares
Mauricio had some interesting observations regarding the so called “Basket Theory” That is the notion that is supposedly followed by the vast majority of pigeon fanciers that the basket is the ultimate and final judge of quality.
“So many birds are lost, good and bad ones, that there is little proof that any genetic selection comes into play. Try luck! Think of j how many proven champions are lost unexplainably. Wire, hunters, hawks, etc., take their share without distinction of genetic quality.
This is why a Jemal pigeon never leaves Maurice’s roof for exercise! Yes, fanciers, for over 30 years, the Jemal colony has not left the roof or enjoyed liberation of any kind…The havoc caused by lost birds would severely hamper the process of genetic refinement and selection!” ~ Mauricio Jemal from Maurice Jemal In Search of Perfection by Bob Tavares.
![pigeon]()
So now we arrive at the real issue essentially, how did/do they race and secondly the results and for whom? The outstanding results of the Mexico Janssens (the cross between the highly inbred Jemal pigeon on to local Texan birds) in Texas were an open secret. They dominated, in fact it was hard to win in Texas if you did not have access to this Jemal blood either straight or crossed. Some had access earlier others much later but the results were always the same. James Bodiford became a Jemal disciple (early to mid1970’s) and embarked on his own intense breeding program intended to purify his “pencil family” and in turn when James crossed the “pencils” onto original Jemal pigeons “magic” resulted in the Texas Center that consisted of keen competition from five different states. To say that the Bodiford birds did a great deal of winning is an under-statement.Wins including two consecutive Texas Center Hall of Fame winners, many high point birds, plaques, diplomas and in 1992 placing 6 birds in the top ten high point championship of the Texas Concourse. Others were/are winning including Craig Nidever competing in the gulf Coast Homing Association in Houston, Texas before recently moving to Canyon Lake, Texas, (94DNW388 BBC 1st TEXAS CENTER HALL OF FAME, 3RD AU HALL OF FAME, 1ST OVERALL ACE PIGEON & 1ST LONG DISTANCE ACE PIGEON 1998 RACING PIGEON DIGEST with a Pencil/Jemal Cross additionally 1st Place Presidents Cup for 1997-98 and in 2014 1st Texas Center Hall of Fame AU 12 KATY 1226 “Sr. Katy” 41-45 Loft Division. Sr. Katy was an F2 cross, ¼ Jemal) Daryl Starnes, Jeff Teve’s, Bob Neeley, Bob Tavares (won two President’s Cup Awards with Jemal genetics) and, Mark Karges (with a 2004 bred bird called “MAURICIO” won 6th National Hall of fame/61-100 lofts, in 2005 with AU 2004 Jemal 0676 with a UPR of 2.777% National Long Distance category) and a host of others both in the USA and Mexico starting in the mid 1970’s.Interesting to further note that Mark Karges AU 2004 Jemal 0676 “MAURICIO” also flew 12 straight races to win his award then went on win two out of four derby races in 2006. Mauricio and his sister were also 1st and 2nd at the 456 mile station. His daughter in 2006 was 1st Y2K Auction Race, in 2008 his son was 6th vs 4307 pigeons at 134 miles plus 4th vs 2995 pigeons at 299 miles, in 2009 one of his children was 3rd AU Convention Race in Boston winning $9000.00, in 2013 a granddaughter bred 1st Defiance Auction race and in 2014 2nd Defiance Auction Race, additionally in 2014 “Mauricio who was then 10 years old” bred a son who was 2nd Detroit Motor City Race winning $3000.00 and in 2014 a son of “Mauricio” was 11th AU National Convention race in Omaha Nebraska winning $1650.00.
Fifty three years have gone by since the Jemal breeding program originally began. Mauricio now 82 years old retired from the pigeons in 2009. Personally I find incredible to contemplate the odds that all of these decades later there is still in existence a pool of pure Jemal genetics (James Bodiford and Craig Nidever and I believe also Bob Tavares) is no not incredible but more appropriately a miracle. In fact Mauricio wrote me as follows:
“I have two (I only have two), disciples, both, in Texas. # 1 (James Bodiford) has furthered the breeding as though I personally had done it.” ~ Mauricio Jemal Personal Correspondence July 18th 2016
Mauricio has two disciples both of whom reside in Texas. These are Mr. James Bodiford, Sachse, Texas and Mr. Craig Nidever Canyon Lake Texas to these I will add two other very important followers Mr. Bob Tavares of Marietta, Georgia and Mr. Mark Karges of California. I have spoken to all four of the gentlemen and all four have assisted greatly in providing me with information that was indispensable. Both Bob Tavares and Mark Karges have outstanding records and all four of these men love the Jemal’s and are rightfully referred to, by me, as “JEMALISTI”, that is followers of Jemal.
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time…”~ —T.S. Eliot, from the poems Burnt Norton and Little Gidding
![Figure 5 Mauricio on his 81st Birthday with his wife and daughter at their home in Mexico.]()
Figure 5 Mauricio on his 81st Birthday with his wife and daughter at their home in Mexico.
I give the concluding remarks to two special people. The first of these is the late great Piet de Weerd, Mauricio Jemal~ “I salute you!”
The second, and even more important is Mauricio’s daughter Paulette.
“You are certainly one of a kind dear Gogo” your grandkids endearing name suits you so well! Stay healthy, stay strong! I love you more than all the miles you have to your name and back! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a man that followed his dreams, excelled in his hobbies and married the love of his life! You won in every race dad!!!”~ Facebook Post/Paulette Jemal
©2016 Silvio Mattacchione BA MA
![icon2]()
