There is good reason for this because pigeons fly at a pace comfortable to themselves. Headwind or tailwind that pace will remain constant, the additional velocity only being provided by the wind factor. Give these birds additional distance under difficult conditions and their pace will inevitably slow down. This slowing of pace is a natural cause of events with age and that is when to send them further. In the meantime the speed of youth should be maintained.
Young birds are a completely different matter and far more difficult to assess.
Many young bird winners are one hit wonders and prizes won may not be a true guideline to future performance, some may win again, the majority will not. Age of young birds dictates moult and peaks or troughs in youngsters, so one loft of three sections containing one family of different age groups can prove devastating in young bird racing specialist hands. The small Novices Social Circle loft could not, nor should not expect to excel but it can win a reasonable percentage in races to which the inmates are suited. Twenty six nighted out in his first two young bird races, he then began to arrive 3rd or 4th to the loft. This was until the last two races, when he nighted out again.