Team Murray & Mills

At Murray and Mills, the passion for racing pigeons is rooted in a rich history of dedication and triumph. The journey began in 1977 when John Murray traded two rabbits for pigeons, sparking a lifelong obsession. Despite challenges, John’s determination led him to acquire top-quality birds and achieve success.

In 1985, John met Denise Mills, and they expanded the loft with elite birds. From breeding exceptional birds like ‘Young Supervise’ to achieving top rankings in federations and combines, they have demonstrated the prowess in pigeon racing.

Early wins in the 300-mile Bordeaux and 400-mile Barcelona races laid the groundwork for excellence through meticulous training and breeding. Over the years, they celebrated victories, including record-breaking performances in the Northern Classic and Midland National races.

Here are some highlights of their 40+ year career in the sport:

• 5 pigeons sent to the Northern Classic at Saintes. 561 miles with a head wind and they finished 1st, 9th and 10th Open on the day of liberation.
• 6 pigeons sent to Poitiers. 515 miles. Timed 3 pigeons in 4 minutes on the day of liberation which were the first three positions in the race.
• 4 pigeons to Nevers. 509 miles, a very hard race with most fanciers not timing in. 2 of their pigeons timed in on the day with two 1st Federation positions plus 1st in the North of England Flying Club. A result like this with only 4 pigeons sent and will probably never happen again.
• 2 pigeons to Bergerac. 626 miles. Both pigeons timed in on the day of liberation. A fantastic achievement from 626 miles on the day.

They still hold the record for the fastest pigeon ever in the Aire and Wharfe Valley Combine at 2400 yards per minute from a distance of 200 miles. This equates to a speed of over 80mph.

They raced every week with the very strong Leeds Premier Flying Club. Over the 13 years that the club was in existence we were the highest prize winners for 10 years in succession and on many occasions won every Old Bird Race by sending a maximum of 12 pigeons on average to each race.
Over the years they have won hundreds of 1st Club Federation Championship Clubs.

Past Results
Most of the results below have been achieved racing only 12 widowhood cocks and 8 hens.

• 1st Aire & Wharfe Combine Clermont
• 1st Great Yorkshire Amalgamation Clermont
• 1st Great North of England F.C Clermont
• 1st Federation Fareham 208 miles
• 1st Federation Falaise 350 miles
• 1st Federation Le Mans 400 miles
• 1st Aire & Wharfe Eastbourne Classic 216 miles (beating 40,000 pigeons)
• 1st Aire & Wharfe Le Ferte Bernard
• 1st Section 2nd Open Great North of England F.C Folkestone
• 4th, 5th & 6th Leeds & Dist. Amal Poitiers (505 miles on the day – 3 birds timed in 4 minutes)
• 1st, 4th & 5th Open Northern Classic (561 miles on the day – All three birds timed in 9 minutes)
• 1st Fareham Old Bird 208 miles Aire & Wharfe Combine (Fastest Velocity EVER in Combine – Over 2400 Y.P.M)
• 1st Aire & Wharfe Combine Fareham Y.B.
• 1st Fareham Y.B. Aire & Wharfe Combine
• 1st Aire & Wharfe Valley Le Mans 400 miles
• 1st Aire & Wharfe Combine Falaise 350 miles

Since 2018 they have been very successful on the One Loft Race!

One of the first toppigeons there was JUST DO THE JOB

But the team has really had some amazing topresults over the recent years:

Victoria Falls:
1st GB 15th International 5,958 birds Victoria Falls 2022
1st GB 9th International 5,939 birds Victoria Falls 2022
1st GB 2nd King of The Atlantic (over 3000 birds)
1st GB 3rd International (1842 birds – semifinal Algarve Derby 250km)
1st GB 71st International (3000 birds – ace pigeon – only British pigeon time in at races up to 619km)
2nd GB 86th International (3000 birds – Grand Ave)
2nd GB 9th International (2333 birds – 103 km)
5th GB 123rd International (1482 birds – 619km)
1st GB 43rd International (2200 birds – 250 miles, only 77 birds on the day, very hard race

Afrika Pro:
1st & 2nd GB 30th & 32nd International
1st GB 11th International
1st GB 16th International
1st GB Joint 1st International
1st GB 27th International
1st GB 13th International
1st GB 23rd International (480km)
1st & 2nd GB, 3rd & 6th International (beaten by 0.8 sec)
1st GB 46th International
1st & 2nd GB 23rd & 24th International
Final Race 375 miles: 1st, 2nd, 3rd GB, 75th, 104th, 227th International

Derby Arona:
1st GB 6th International (5028 birds – quarter final Golden Algarve 229km) against the best birds in the world.
1st GB 1st International Semi Final and Car Winner
4th GB 40th International
4th GB 12th International (over 3000 birds)
5th GB 27th International (over 3000 birds)
1st GB 1st International (over 3000 birds)
9th GB 1st 67th International
3rd GB 7th International King of Spring (over 3000 birds)

Again in 2025 the team achieved fantastic results in AfrikaPro 2025 winning:
9th, 12th, 18th, 29th, 66th, 86th in Top 100 in the Final Race 601 km
2nd and 4th Black Jacket Final Race 601 km
3rd, 9th Fancier of the Race Final Race 601 km
6th, 7th Blue Jacket Final Race 601 km
4th Brown Jacket Final Race 601 km

What an amazing performance!

We wish the team all the best of luck in 2026 season!