Pigeon racing is a sport in which pigeons are removed by an agreed distance from their home coops and then released at a predetermined time.

For each bird, a velocity, usually in meters per minute or yards per minute, is calculated from the recorded time and the distance the coop is from the release point (distance/time). The velocities for each of the birds in the race are then compared to determine the order in which they reached their homes, and a winner is declared on that basis.

During the 1920s and 1930s successful racing pigeons would often have their portraits painted. Notable among pigeon artists at the time was E H Windred.

Homing pigeons, selectively bred to be able to navigate back to their homes from places they haven’t visited, are used in these races.

Pigeons are banded both for ease in recording and maintaining genealogies and also so that homing pigeons that become lost during a race and are found by helpful people can be returned to their owners.

On Race days a rubber ring is placed on the birds foot and the number noted by a club official. When the birds are released and fly home the rubber ring is taken off and “clocked into” a specially made sealed Pigeon Racing Clock. This records the time of arrival of the bird and a average speed, normally in yards per minute is calculated.

Like all sports, pigeon racing also has drug problems, although they are minor. The main drug is a steroid called Cortisone.

In order to breed messenger pigeons that were both fast and dependable, it was necessary to carry them long distances from home, release them at a recorded time, and calculate the speed with which they returned.