Why Claret Gamefowl Remain the Kings of the Pit

🔍 Origins of the Claret Gamefowl

Every legacy has its beginnings — and Claret’s is as unexpected as it is iconic.

📌 A Bloodline Born by Chance

John H. Madigan, a man known for his eye for champion bloodlines, accidentally sparked a revolution with Claret. The crossbreeding of a Duyrea Whitehackle hen and a Hank Dean cock in a racetrack yard resulted in a game-changing set of chicks:

• Nine red-colored chicks — their hue reminiscent of rich claret wine.
• They showed unique features: white and yellow-shaded legs, black breast, and white markings on wings and tail.
• Typical traits:
  • Straight comb
  • Pearl legs
  • Muscular necks and dark red plumage
  • Weight ranging from 1.9 kg to 2.3 kg
  • Fast, agile, and undeniably intense

Though it started as a fluke, the Claret bloodline quickly grew into one of the most respected in the sabong world.

⚔️ Fighting Style: Aerial-Driven, Heel-Sharp

When a Claret enters the ring, you don’t just watch a fight — you witness a performance.

✈️ Born to Fly: Aerial Dominance

Claret gamefowl are known to take the skies — quite literally.

• These birds leap high before delivering a crushing blow from above.
• Their fighting rhythm breaks away from the ground-level skirmishes we’re used to — they soar and strike.

🔪 Heel > Beak Approach

While others may rely on pecking and chasing, Clarets are all about the heels.

• Their heel strikes are clean, swift, and deadly.
• It’s almost surgical — one well-placed blow can end a fight in seconds.

🧠 Tactical Minds in Feathered Bodies

They’re not just brawlers — Clarets are thinkers.

• They study their opponent’s movement.
• Strategically aim at weak spots like the wing joint, neck, or underarm to lock in a victory early.

🔥 Relentless Offense

Once the Claret gets started — it’s nonstop carnage.

• Their non-stop aggression disorients the opponent.
• They control the tempo — and don’t let up.

Let’s now talk about their signature move — the winning strike.

🎯 The Signature Claret Strike

Every sabungero knows that moment — when a Claret executes its classic kill move. Fast. Precise. Overwhelming.

🌪 The Claret Finisher Moves

• Heel-Strike Kills:
  • Focused slashes to necks, flanks, or thighs.
• High-Impact Jumps:
  • One jump. One deadly landing. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
• Pinpoint Accuracy:
  • It’s like they calculate dimensions mid-air before landing a fight-ending strike.

💥 Always a Crowd Favorite

• These birds give instant results — damaging from the get-go.
• They’re fighters that rarely give the opponent a second chance.
• Their unpredictable aerial blitz is a sight to behold.

Now, what makes them physically stand out?

🐓 Physical & Breeding Characteristics

Clarets don’t just perform — they look the part, too.

🎨 Looks That Kill

• Distinct wine-red feathers — hence the name.
• Marked with white streamers and silver tones on wings and tail.
• Balanced physique — compact, yet powerful.

💪 Built for Battle

• Compact muscles & wide stance.
• Balanced center of gravity, great at absorbing high-impact collisions.
• Highly agile and can jump with lightning speed.

⚖️ Optimum Weight: 1.9 – 2.3 KG

Just heavy enough to carry power, but still light enough for speed and precision aerials.

🐣 Breed-Back Bonus

• Claret hens make devoted mothers.
• High hatch rate and a strong protective instinct.
• They raise chicks with the spirit of warriors.

Now let’s be real — no breed is perfect. Even champions have their weak spots.