On 18th September 2025, 197 brave birds were released into the vast skies over Noccundra, Queensland, for the Vic Open 700-mile race — a journey of over 1,130 kilometres that would test not just the pigeons, but the passion and perseverance of their flyers.
Among them, a father and son team from the Western Pigeon Federation wrote a story that touched hearts across the sport.
At 7:29 AM on the second day, Rocky del Rosario and his father Mario DelRosario clocked their bird at an astonishing 989.229 m/min, securing 2nd Federation in one of the toughest races of the year. Their bird, WPF 24 3364 BBH, bred by Michael Saggers from the Western Fed Transport Sale, proved that even sprint-bred pigeons (Hermann Ceusters x Gabby) can conquer the marathon.
But this result is about more than just numbers — it’s about legacy, love, and the unbreakable bond between a father and son.
👨👦 A Dream Reignited: The del Rosario Story
As Mario del Rosario approached retirement, he found himself reminiscing about his youth racing pigeons in the Philippines during the 1980s. Those memories — of early mornings, quiet skies, and the thrill of the race — never left him.
His son, Rocky, now 38, saw the spark in his father’s eyes and made a decision that would change both their lives: “Let’s race again, Dad.”
In 2024, they began their journey in Australian pigeon racing. With no experience in the local scene, Rocky reached out to the Victorian Racing Pigeon Union, where he was warmly welcomed by Joe Denero, who introduced him to Mark Tenaglia, and then to Anton Dalli of the Werribee Club.
From there, the support poured in. Anton, Barney, John Tong, Alex Diaz, Robert Ristevski and David Malia helped Rocky and Mario acquire birds and learn the ropes. But perhaps the most powerful force behind them was the Filipino pigeon racing community — a tight-knit, passionate group that shares knowledge, encouragement, and brotherhood.
This community, active both in person and online, has become a rising force in Victorian pigeon racing. They help each other with everything — from feeding tips to training schedules — and their results are now speaking for themselves. The DelRosarios’ 2nd Fed placing is not just a personal victory, but a proud moment for the entire Filipino racing community. 🇵🇭
🧠 Learning, Growing, Flying
Rocky’s approach is humble and fearless. Unlike his father’s experience in the Philippines — where tossing wasn’t common — Rocky embraced the Australian method of regular tossing. He’s still learning the art of feeding and conditioning, but his willingness to experiment and grow is already paying off.
For this 700-mile race, he entered just two birds — no special preparation, no expectations. Just a desire to learn, to honour his father, and to see what was possible.
The result? 50% returns and 2nd Federation. That’s not just impressive — it’s extraordinary. For a second-year flyer, it’s the kind of result that signals something special.
With Mario’s wisdom and Rocky’s drive, this father-son duo is quickly becoming the team to watch — and the team to beat. Their journey is only just beginning, and the sky is no longer the limit — it’s their playground. 🚀
🏆 Top 10 Federation Results – Vic Open 700
| Position | Winner | Section | Birds Sent | Velocity (m/min) | Ring (Year) | Commentary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John McCooke | VHA | 6 | 1149.167 | EC 23 1510 BCH | Clocked on the day at 11:21 PM – a masterclass in distance racing! | |
| 2 | Rocky DelRosario | WPF | 2 | 989.229 | WPF 24 3364 BBH | 2nd year flyer – a future champion in the making! | |
| 3 | Steve Jokic | Geelong | 3 | 970.338 | VO 24 130 BBH | Solid performance from Geelong section | |
| 4 | AF & AS Ali | WPF | 5 | 926.691 | VO 24 168 BCH | Consistent flyers – always in the mix | |
| 5 | Aaron McKay | BIHC | 3 | 891.249 | VO 23 12 BBH | Dual clocking – great team effort | |
| 6 | Barry Leonard | BIHC | 3 | 883.471 | RR 22 696 BBH | Strong showing from BIHC section | |
| 7 | J.Hao | VHA | 5 | 883.314 | VHA 24 14780 BBC | VHA depth showing again | |
| 8 | Buttigieg Family | BIHC | 2 | 865.424 | BW 24 612 DCC | Small team, big result | |
| 9 | Armstrong R&R | Echuca | 6 | 862.524 | KRPC 24 964 BLKH | Impressive velocity from shorter distance | |
| 10 | Gatt & Maine | GMPF | 4 | 842.339 | BTAS 23 1336 BBPH | Solid effort from GMPF section |
🌟 Special Congratulations: John McCooke – A Champion of the Dark
A massive congratulations to John McCooke of the VHA, who not only won the overall race but did so in spectacular fashion — clocking on the day at 11:21 PM. That’s right — under the stars, in the dark, when most birds were still navigating their way home.
John sent six birds, and his winning pigeon, EC 23 1510 BCH, flew at a blistering 1149.167 m/min. Known for his expertise in distance racing, John has trained his birds to navigate in low light — and this race proved just how powerful that training can be.
Word is, he’s still buzzing — and rightly so. What an effort. What a flyer. What a team. 👏🕯️🙏 Sponsor Appreciation
This race was proudly sponsored by Don Zeng & Erol Brand. Their ongoing support makes events like the Vic Open 700 possible. We encourage all members and supporters to show their appreciation by visiting and supporting our sponsors.
🚀 The Future Is Bright
To Rocky, Mario, John McCooke, and the entire Filipino and Victorian pigeon racing community — well done. Your passion, unity, and dedication are lifting the sport to new heights.
Stay tuned, flyers — the best is yet to come. 🕊️💫