Jan Theelen

Jan Theelen, Master Breeder, from Buggenum, Belgium.

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Jan Theelen had it hard – he had to combine three things: a full-time job as a Craftsman, keep a Cafe & Banquet Hall open and run a pigeon colony! When he talks about the café and the hall, he usually talks about the “business”. Jan still pronounces it with some pride. As long as Jan still worked during the day in the weaving factory, Truus, his wife, had to keep the “business” open. The pigeons were cared for in the morning and in the evening. Although… in the morning… Jan was never an early bird since it often got late in the bar, there was not much time left before noon to take care of pigeons. Thus the pigeons had to adapt to a spartan regime in the Theelen household.

The career of Jan Theelen – say 50 years champion with pigeons – can be divided into three major periods, with the arrival of the Trutje in 1971, the total sale in 1990, and the 50 years of high-level pigeon sport interspersed with countless highlights – with one big constant: the breeding of absolute top pigeons. They are world famous: The Linkse, the 508, the Vale Marathon, the Red and Black Ladies, the Wonderful 10, the Liesbeth… Add to this the fact that Jan – like most true champions – has a nose for good pigeons and always managed to bring in the right pigeon at the right time without endangering his self-grown strain.

The Jan Jacobs Contribution
One of Jan Theelen’s first masterstrokes was the purchase in 1958 of the Lichtkras NL219004-54 from Jan Jacobs in Sevenum. This Lichtkras Jacobs was already 4 years old at the time, but Theelen had taken a good look: this and no other would become the only and real ancestor of the very old Theelen tribe.

Together with a Belgian hen, De Lichtkras immediately bred two champions for Jan: the Kleine Blauwe 449633-58 and his nest brother the Kleine Geschelpte 449634-58. This Kleine Geschelpte was coupled to a Witoog hen from Jan Poels from Halen and the Kleine Blauwe to the Donkere Witpen Witstaart from Wuts from Swalmen. Jan, who was not averse to a bit of inbreeding, coupled the children from this (nephew and niece) back to each other and his first breeding couple was born. It was the Geschelpte 283344-59 (out of the aforementioned Witoog x Kleine Geschelpte) and the Vuile Blauwe Witpen (out of the Kleine Blauwe with the Whitetail). They are the parents of the first famous pigeon that saw the light in Buggenum, the famous “Linkse” 1365903-63.

In order to broaden his base, Jan Theelen coupled the Lichtkras Jacobs to other hens that he liked. As late as 1958 he coupled the Lichtkras with a pure Hermans hen he had through a certain Ramakers from Heythuysen (Leudal). That was long before Theelen himself found his way to Jos Hermans. This successful pairing produced, among others, the Rode Witoger alias de Toegenaaide van 58. From this Toegenaaide, a top pigeon was born in 1959, namely the Rode Kampioen 46, in full 283346-59. In 1959 Jan Theelen paired the Lichtkras Jacobs to a hen from Kurstjens from Belfeld. It was another hit, because the Saint-Vincent hen rolls emanated out of this pairing. The latter, NL283242-59, won 68/2125 Saint-Vincent 1960 as a yearling and then became a noted breeder himself.

“The career of Jan Theelen – say 50 years champion with pigeons – can be divided into three major periods, with the arrival of the Trutje in 1971, the total sale in 1990, and the 50 years of high-level pigeon sport interspersed with countless highlights – with one big constant: the breeding of absolute top pigeons.”

The Linkse Line

The Linkse, BE 1365903-63 was inbred to the old Light Pencil Jacobs. As a yearling he won 1st Limoges and Jan Theelen – true to the motto “breed first, then play” – immediately stopped him for breeding. The bord was well noted, because the Linkse has become a top breeder. With a Schalie Witpen 373127-69, granddaughter of the Rode Kampioen 283346-59 (son of the aforementioned Toegenaaide), he produces the Son Linkse 1414293-71. This inbred lad also performed and wins 13th national Dax and 36, 80, 151 national Barcelona.

It is clear that Jan Theelen was on a gold vein in Buggenum, because all those descendants of the Jacobs cock bred so easily. Jan mated his Son of Linkse with a van Wanroy pigeon BE 1505232-71 from the line of the Sluitring via Breukers Sittard. This couple produces a new top pigeon; the famous 700, ring NL1734700-77. The 700 was a pigeon close to Jan Theelen’s heart as he could fly for two days. He proved that by winning 23rd and 377th national from Barcelona. He would also become a capital breeder as the sire of the Vale Marathon NL 263102-82 and the Zwarte Lady 1860811-79, among others.

Important for Jan Theelen as a master breeder was that he had a strong crossing line in addition to all the vigour of the now massively present Red Hermans pigeons.

When you think of Theelen pigeons, you inevitably think of Red and Mealy pigeons, even though Jan had many famous other coloured pigeons in his career. Almost everyone also knows that Jan Theelen mainly attained his Red pigeons from one Jos Hermans. Also, at Hermans, it was all Red and Mealy that proved to be superior performers. He mainly got his Red from Wegge and De Herdt and later from Dr. Bricoux, who also owned a predominantly Red colony of super pigeons… Theelen is in good company with his legion of Red pigeons.

Jos Hermans Junior inherited the colony of Jos Hermans Senior, and lived in Mariaburg. It was with Jos Hermans Junior that Jan Theelen got the core of his loft stock, including the Red & Mealy pigeons during the 60’s and 70’s.

What better way to illuminate the noble origins of the Theelen pigeons than by telling the story of the build-up of the pigeon stock of its most important suppliers: Jos and Jos Hermans. We can tell here the facts about the Hermans strain that have not been published due to a previously unpublished document by the late Herman Schuttelaar, a pigeon sport chronicler and family friend of Jos Hermans Jr. and – an important detail – of Jan Theelen.

The fanciers who succeeded with the Hermans pigeons and sometimes bred complete champion colonies from them cannot be counted. It is Herman Schuttelaar who shows him the way to the Herman Jnr. loft – the first time in 1963 and then again in 1971. Jan Theelen was in good company, because greats such as Stassart, Tournier sr, Fabry, Sion, Stok, the Oomens brothers, van Wanroy, Ko Nipius, Van Gulck, Pepermans, Docker, Tanghe and so many others had preceded him to bring the blood of those much sought-after Red Hermans pigeons into their home. They would also leave a lasting mark on the colony, and not only because of the Red colour.

Old Red Hermans

The first pigeon that Jan Theelen got from Jos Hermans was a Red one. How could it be different? It was a Cock, BE 6303906-63, “Oude Rode” which had the ZB44 (“Son Boot”) 4 times in his pedigree. He descended from the Binchou 6241816-47 on both his father’s and mother’s side. This Blue crack-pigeon was called “Binchou” because he was bought as a youngster in Binche. Binchou was also the nickname of Omer Taveirne, one of the better Belgian racers in the 1930’s. De Blauwe Binchou won for Jos Hermans, among other things, a 1st Angoulême with 35,000 birds in that race. We can safely say that the three main pigeons that Theelen attained in Mariaburg carried that Binchou blood to a large extent. Or is it from the Schulte who appears 3 times in the pedigree of the Oude Rode? This Schulte, a son of the ZB44, won the 1st national Bordeaux for Jos Hermans. It is important to note that the Oude Rode Hermans had all good bloodlines firmly “anchored” in the genes through inbreeding. The most important son that Jan Theelen bred from his Oude Rode Hermans was undoubtedly the champion pigeon “Goede Rode 834”, in full BE 851834-67.

“Almost everyone also knows that Jan Theelen mainly attained his Red pigeons from one Jos Hermans. Also, at Hermans, it was all Red and Mealy that proved to be superior performers. He mainly got his Red from Wegge and De Herdt and later from Dr. Bricoux”

Old Dark Hermans

“The pigeon sales were going well at Jos Hermans” recalls Jan Theelen, “and you noticed that Jos Hermans was extremely friendly and helpful, but there was no question of choosing or anything. He decided what to take with you and there was no arguing about the price. I was quite impressed and at the same time happy that I could return home with a Red youngster and a couple of eggs.”

During his visit to Hermans, Jan Theelen also obtained a precious egg that was carefully presented and from which the Donkere Hermans was born, rung by Theelen with a Dutch ring NL63-1365990. Because everything at Jos Hermans was one big family, diligently inbred to a few top pigeons, the Oude Donkere was also quite closely related to the Oude Rode. They were both inbred to the ZB44, the Vos Wilde from ’52 and the inevitable Binchou. De Oude Donkere, however, had exchanged 25% foreign blood in his character through a pigeon with the Walloon champion Guillaume Peeters-Beaufort from Biomont.

Jan Theelen mated the Donkere to his own Lichte Saint-Vincent hen who had flown no less than 12 long distance prizes. From this master coupling came the “Goede 016”. De Goede 16 confirmed as an old pigeon and then became a more than important pawn in the breeding program. His most important son was the “Little Blue”. This “Klein Blauwe” with ring 1414298-71 won 11 prizes in the extreme long distance and in turn became a top breeder. He gave several champions who flew 8 to 10 prizes on the overnight. But we mainly remember him as grandfather of the world famous “Liesbeth”.

De Goede Rode (The Good Red)

De Goede Rode won 10 prizes in the extreme long distance and was co-winner of the first series 3 in the national Saint-Vincent 1974. With the results of this Goede Rode and of the above-mentioned Goede 16 it was more than clear that Jan Theelen with the contribution of the Hermans pigeons was now definitely on the overnight horse. Entering two Hermans pigeons and, coupled with his own species, proves a recipe for success. Numerous champions sprang from that line of the Goede Rode 834. For example, he became the father of the 20 breeding pigeon that we will encounter in the Kuijpers chapter. But also the 10, the Car winner, the Gouden Kweker and the Black Madonna of Lalieu-van Doorn, the Kuijpers 52 etc. carry his bloodline.

The Goede Kweker 348.

Jan in turn paired the Rode with the best from the old core, namely a daughter of the Rode Kampioen 46 with the Lichtkras Poels. This hen already contained some Hermans blood via Ramakers. This pairing produced a super pigeon: the Goede Rode 834, in full 851834-67. Jan Theelen did what he had to do: he brought his two Hermans lines back together. He mated the Goede Rode to a daughter of the Goede 16 (then coupled to the 1105591-68 an HVR via Dr Linsen) and with that he made the move of his life, because this resulted in an absolute top breeder: the Goede Kweker 348.

“The pigeon sales were going well at Jos Hermans” recalls Jan Theelen, “and you noticed that Jos Hermans was extremely friendly and helpful, but there was no question of choosing or anything. He decided what to take with you and there was no arguing about the price”

The Famous 08

The very first youngster from Trutje x Goede Kweker 348 was the “Fameeuze 08” with the ring BE 580508-72. The 08 was born a “Super”. He immediately understood what was expected of him and had already won 11 prizes as a yearling, including 1st Orléans. In 1974 he started again with 6 top prizes, but then came home injured. A miracle that he still came home, because otherwise the pigeon history would have looked completely different… Jan did not hesitate and put him straight in the breeding loft. “The very best I ever had,” muses Jan Theelen, “if I ever wanted to have one pigeon back, it would be him.”

It’s not only Jan Theelen who would succeed with the descendants of the 08: the Car winner at van de Eijnde-Bernhards, the Rode 50 Vertelman, the Gouden Kweker Brinkman, the Ancestor Wiel Cramers, the Vale Marathon, etc. are all descendants and all carry his genes.

The Fameeuze 08 was coupled to various hens, such as: the Vuile hen 1414252-71 from the Broer van De Linkse; the Van den Bosch duivin, a direct from Berlaar with ring B6433755-68 (mother of the 1st provincial Dax); a direct Matterne from the line of his national and international winners; the 373253-69 and finally the so-called van der Ween duivin.

The best of these partners was undoubtedly the latter: van der Weenduivin, NL877244-78, a van der Wegen x Wiel Joosten via Strijbosch from Venray. With this the 08 gave the famous Marathon hen – the “60”. She would win the National Marathon in 1984 with her son Vale Marathon.

Another “08”, namely the 708 or 1860708-79, was a direct son of the Famous 08 and also flew like a champion. He won thirteen prizes in 1981 with 1, 2, 3, 3, 9 and did this again in ’82: 10 prizes to Bergerac with 1, 2, 7, …

Three other sons of the 08, better known as the three musketeers 1472143-75; 9345585-78 and 235047-81 each win a series of prizes, each with a 1st place on the overnight in the Samenspel.

And that is of course only a small selection of the prizes of the direct descendants of the 08. At least 20 top pigeons also came from the 08. In the wake of the 08 we meet world class champions such as the El Torro of Kaelen-Broers, the Rode 50 Vertelman, the Vale Bordeaux of Piet de Vogel, the 2 national Bergerac from the Kuijpers brothers, the 1st national Bergerac van Bennie Homma, the 1 national Lourdes by Jo Funcken, 10 national Barcelona from Cees van de Poel, and even Sumari and Sumara from the Brügemann brothers (10th and 18th national Barcelona).

Roger Van Gulck

Roger Van Gulck hailed from Kallo. He also had a colony of Herman pigeons which he was noted for as one of the principal long distance flyers in the province of Antwerp. Jan Theelen knew about these Hermans pigeons through Schuttelaar and visited Kallo in 1964 to get even more Hermans blood in to his lofts. The most important acquisition here was the “Guarantee hen” because Van Gulck sold the pigeon with a guarantee: not a good one? – then a full refund ! That’s how sure you could be of the breeding of those Hermans pigeons. Furthermore, Jan Theelen obtained from all good lines: Vuile Blauwe, Manke Rode, Coppi, etc. in short, from all the pigeons with which Van Gulck dominated in the long distance racing in the province of Antwerp.

“The most important acquisition here was the “Guarantee hen” because Van Gulck sold the pigeon with a guarantee: not a good one? – then a full refund !”

“Trutje”

Jan Theelen refers to the entire dynasty of “The Trutje”, who he revered as the best breeding hen that ever lived in Buggenum, directly from Jos Hermans. Strengthened by the undeniable success of the Hermans contribution, Jan Theelen returned to Mariaburg-Kapellen in 1971. He attained six youngsters, of which one Red hen in particular was a bull’s eye: the unparalleled Trutje, ring B6770696-71. With the breeding talent of his own, Jan Theelen couples this Trutje with the best he already had from Jos Hermans: the aforementioned “Goede Kweker 348”. It is clear that Jan deliberately uses careful inbreeding, because Trutje came from a half-brother of his Oude Rode Hermans, grandfather of the Goede Kweker 348.

Nothing but champions came out of this couple. “At least 20,” says Jan Theelen, with a firmness that leaves no room for doubt. At least 15 to 20 children from this super couple were able to prove themselves in Buggenum, either in breeding or in the heavy work.

The Red 99

A brother of the 08 and thus, another famous son of the royal couple 348 x Trutje, was the Rode 099, ring NL 584099-76. In ’78 he bred the “Goede Kweekduivin”, NL934639-78, from Lalieu-van Doorn, and insiders know what that put into the world. For example, she is grandmother of the “Sonja” from the Hagens Bros., 1st International Perpignan in 1996. She is also the mother of the phenomena of Lalieu-van Doorn such as the Zwarte Madonna 267624-81 and the Dolle Greet 1082936-80, in turn mother of the 1st Provincial Bourges at the Theelen loft itself. De Goede Kweekduivin is also great-grand dam of Early Bird, 1^st national Saint Vincent at Ravelli-Ramakers.

At 14 years old, the Rode 099 was still one of the eye-catchers at the total auction in 1990 and went to the breeding plant of Jaap van der Heiden together with his famous stable mates. One of those stable mates was also a daughter of the Rode, namely the promising breeding hen “Vetblauw Mooioog”.

The Sticky Hen

The Plakduivin, a granddaughter of Dikke Rode 2, was also included in the lot of young Hermans pigeons of 1971. The Plakduivin was slightly less dominant in the stock formation of Theelen, but she was the paternal grandmother of the Famous 10.

“Nothing but champions came out of this couple. “At least 20,” says Jan Theelen, with a firmness that leaves no room for doubt.”

The Zwarte Lady

With the Zwarte Lady, 1860811-79, we are the sixth generation of champion pigeons from the Lichtkras Jacobs line. As mentioned, the Zwarte Lady was a daughter of the 700. In barely 6 weeks the Zwarte Lady flew:
6/18532 national Saint Vincent 1983
64/8243 national Dax 1983
18/13302 Bergerac 1983
This made her the best long distance pigeon in the Netherlands in the WHZB classification of the NPO. In the same effort she became Ace Pigeon 1983 of the Phoenix, but also of the Limburg Long Distance Club.

Red Lady

After a Black Lady, Jan Theelen bred a Red Lady in 1988, and then a Red Lady Barcelona, ring NL2381710-88. After all, she achieved 29th national as a yearling, winning from Barcelona against 6,443 pigeons. A glorious achievement and unique in the sense that she was the very first yearling in the national and international results.

The sire of the Red Lady was once again a brother of the Famous 08, the Red NL1066025-80. Considering the age of the parents (both the 348 and the Trutje were from 1971) this beauty was immediately placed in the breeding loft.

The dam of the Rode Lady was a pigeon, NL1775109-86, which Jan was allowed to select from the widow of Joep Rumkes from Schinveld. Jan loved this hen that came from a direct Kuijpers, a son of the 20-Kweekduif with a daughter of the Barcelona II. Her mother was a kind of Aarden via Ligtenberg and Brocatus. To be sure, Jan also took her sister with him.

This female powerhouse proved, among other things, that Theelen took a good look at it with her winning the top prize from Barcelona as a yearling. As a 2-year-old she flew again per ten from Barcelona to move to Jaap van der Heiden that same year via the total auction.

In that period Theelen was blessed with some strong Barcelona racers. The Red Barcelona NL1943954-85 was also a phenomenon, winning 86th National in 1988 and 44 national in 1989 – both results from Barcelona. He came from a son of the Famous 08 with a Kuijpers Brothers hen.

National Marathon Champion

With his Red legion, Jan Theelen was hard to beat in the eighties and therefore also a formidable contender in the National Marathon Competition. He wins, among other things:
in 1983 5th national Marathon, 2nd in the provincial Limburg Marathon (after Lalieu-van Doorn with pigeons from Theelen!)
in 1984 1st national Marathon: Marathon champion Netherlands 1984 with the Vale Marathon and his mother the 60 hen
in 1985 8th national Marathon
and in 1986 4th national marathon.

The big winners in 1984 are mother and son! Mother is the aforementioned Rode 60 hen, 1066060-80, daughter of the Fameeuze 08. She is Jan’s first clocked pigeon from Dax and Bergerac. She wins 3 x 1st in the Samenspel. In total she won 10 prizes in the extreme long distance and finally lost in the field of honour from Bergerac.

Her son is the now world-famous Vale Marathon, NL 263102-82. This “102” as Jan still calls it, peaks with 77 national Barcelona.
But as mentioned, he earned his name by winning the National Marathon in ’84 with his mother. Another highlight in Theelen’s career.

In time, Vale Marathon goes on to become a professional breeder. He is, for example, father of the Blauwe Pau, 7 national Pau 1990. Together with the 10 he will give birth to a pleiade of champions, led by a jewel of a pigeon: the Red Diamond and all her entourage. An illustrious brother was in particular the already famous Vale Nero van Fons van Ophuizen.
Het Rode Diamantje, ring 2216085-86, is, among other things, the grandmother of the Primus Inter Pares of Pros Roosen from Kermt, Belgium.
Another son of the 60 hen was the 704; this one was not wrong either with 11, 53 and 65 provincial Dax and 76 provincial Saint Vincent.

The titles follow for Jan Theelen in quick succession.
1980 1st General Champion Phoenix
1981 1st General Champion Phoenix
1982 1st General Champion and Emperor of the Phoenix
In 1982 General Champion Fondclub Limburg
In 1984 Jan wins a super series from Saint-VincentIn short, things are going great in Buggenum. Jan Theelen continuously breeds pigeons that are practically indispensable in the extreme long distance. It is almost impossible to count the number of series he has won with this and rightly gives him the international reputation of a strong series winner.

“He wins, among other things: in 1983 5th national Marathon, 2nd in the provincial Limburg Marathon (after Lalieu-van Doorn with pigeons from Theelen!) in 1984 1st national Marathon: Marathon champion Netherlands 1984 with the Vale Marathon and his mother the 60 hen in 1985 8th national Marathon and in 1986 4th national marathon.”

The phenomenal 10

In 1982 the umpteenth crack pigeon is born in Buggenum, namely the wonderful “10”. The 10, in full NL 1402510-82, won the provincial Saint-Vincent two years in a row against the top of Limburg – each time against almost 4,000 pigeons. Nationally that is good for:
– 1985 4th national of 19,344 pigeons
– 1986 in very heavy weather, 3rd national against now 23,188 pigeons
In 1984 she also won 75th provincial Dax and 113^th out of 16,632 national Saint Vincent (11th provincial)
In 1985, in addition to her provincial victory, she also won 17^th out of 13,308 national Dax (6th provincial)
In 1987 the 10 returned from Saint Vincent injured and was then wisely kept at home for breeding. Finally, she was sold for a capital sum to Japan via Jan Hermans.

The Kuijpers input

It is a well-known fact that Jan Theelen is good friends with his fellow countrymen the brothers Piet and André Kuijpers from Neer. It is equally well known that the Kuijpers brothers really beat Barcelona in the years 1975-1980 (with 1, 2, 3, 3, 7, 13, 21 national Barcelona) and this with brothers and sisters from their unparalleled royal couple “Son Spin x Zuster Pau”. This, of course, did not escape family friend Jan Theelen, who often exchanged pigeons with the brothers. The Kuijpers brothers actually already owned a super hen from Jan, namely the NL812520-70, better known as the “20-Kweekduif”, a daughter of the Goede Rode 834.
This 20-Kweekduif became the mother of their 99-Kweker. An incredible sire who is also grandfather of at least 4 real phenomena:

the Super breeder 2122446-83 from Jo van Haaren
de Emerald I, 1200025-82 1st international Barcelona female. In 1984 and 2nd international Barcelona female. 1985 for Wim van Leeuwen
the Emerald II, 1st international Barcelona 1988 Wim van Leeuwen
the Sherpa, 865526-83 or the 1st national Barcelona 87 by Laban van Noordenne from Hardinxveld

Kuijpers 52

Jan Theelen obtained the NL578152-76, known throughout the pigeon world as the “Kuijpers 52”. De Kuijpers 52 came from Neer from the nest brother of the Barcelona I, 1st and 3rd national Barcelona, against a daughter of the aforementioned 20 breeding pigeon. He would become a superior breeder in Buggenum, including father of the Liesbeth. The Kuipers 52 was actually also a 25% Theelen.

Golden Kuijperke 494

Another top pigeon from Kuijpers was the Gouden Kuijperke, NL1063494-83. The nickname actually says it all: a gold nugget. Other famous grandsons of the Gouden Kuijperke were the Dax and the Blauwe Pau. The Dax won 2^nd against 926 pigeons from Dax ZLU; 3^rd against 1,204 euregion, 11^th against 9,202 birds international while the Pau was good for 7th national Pau and 83rd national Bordeaux.
She was also an excellent breeder and produced birds which were proven by Eijerkamp: the Blauwe Musketier, again a grandson of the Gouden Kuijperke, twice won the 1st prize prov. From Barcelona.

“Rikki” – 1st International Barcelona, returning to his nest.

Lisbeth

However, the most famous Kuijperstelg in Buggenum was the Liesbeth, NL934525-78. Liesbeth became immortal by winning the 1st prize provincial from Saint-Vincent in 1981 against about 9,000 pigeons. Her performance was further enhanced by the 1-hour lead over the nearest competition, in inhumane weather conditions. Liesbeth was a daughter of the Kuijpers 52. In 1982 the Liesbeth, named after the daughter of Theelen, won 61^st against 16,935 birds national Saint Vincent. In 1983 she regained Jan Theelen’s confidence, but it was one flight too many: unfortunately, she was lost from Dax. She managed to produce a series of very solid, long-distance birds including
– 159499-84 with 9 prizes including 19th national Dax, 194th national Dax and 231st national Saint-Vincent
– 1063450-83 with 10 prizes with 25th national Saint Vincent, 77th national Dax and 125th national Bergerac.

In the last ten years before his sale in 1990, Theelen won 48% prizes in the extreme long distance. Just say 1 in 2. On paper it all seems very feasible, but if you participate in all flights like Jan and each time with a not small number of pigeons, it is nevertheless a world achievement and proof that you almost continuously have a core of pigeons that not to be missed and on which you can build a cathedral.

Jan sold everything in 1990. But the urge for pigeons and pigeon racing was much stronger than he ever suspected. Before he knew it he was back with pigeons and just as quickly he was back with the champions.

“…In the last ten years before his sale in 1990, Theelen won 48% prizes in the extreme long distance. Just say 1 in 2. On paper it all seems very feasible, but if you participate in all flights like Jan and each time with a not small number of pigeons…………..”

Jan Aarden

Jan Aarden, Master Breeder & Racer, was born 6th November 1893, in Steenbergen, Holland.

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The remarkable story of Jan Aarden begins on the 6^th November 1893, when in the town of Oosterhout a baby boy was born to Martinus and Lucia Aarden. This young boy was named Jan. Throughout his childhood, young Jan had a fascination with all animals . His early school years were spent at the St. Paulus Abbey in Oosterhout and it was here that he met Father Paulus, a teacher at the school, and someone who had a great interest in racing pigeons.

Jan became passionate about these wonderful creatures volunteering to look after Father Paulus’s birds, always learning wanting to know everything he could. So started a burning desire that possibly made Jan Aarden the greatest long distance racer ever in Holland and the strain of birds that bears his name legendary around the world.So the desire was there, Jan needed a loft of his own. His parents were not pigeon fanciers and they didn’t have much spare money available. Seeing how serious their son was they agreed to a small loft at home. It wasn’t the grandest, but to young Jan it was a palace, and he was King.

He now had a loft of his own to go with his desire, the only thing missing the pigeons. At this point it is important to tell the story of how Jan obtained his first birds. As we said before Jan was educated at the Saint Paulus Abbey in Oosterhout, one of his teachers was Father Paulus, who had a unique method to incentivise children’s learning. He rewarded them with cards – a Green card for every time they worked hard, and a Red card which was obtained by trading in 6 Green cards. Now Jan was by all accounts a good student and quickly was earning green and red cards. The objective for the children was to get 6 red cards, for these Father Paulus traded a book for the child to read on their own. Jan Aarden had other goals on his mind. For the required 6 red cards it was not a book that he desired but some racing pigeons of his own and so an agreement was made, Jan Aarden obtained his very first racing pigeons by hard work at school.

“…In the bigger organisations he also started to achieve great success, even beating the Oomens brothers with their own birds.”

When Jan was 18 he joined the “Snelvliegers pigeon club” in Oosterhout. It was here that he replaced his original birds obtained from Father Paulus with proper racing pigeons. Like all stories of success, it also involves a bit of good fortune. Around this time Jan met Gerard Oomens in Breda. Gerard was one of 6 brothers Jan, Harry Antoon, Koos and Jef being the others. They were slightly ahead of Jan in developing their family of birds, a family that would make the Oomen brothers the champions of long and extreme long distance racing in the Netherlands before World War 2.

Oomens Snr. took a particular liking to Jan and treated him like a seventh son teaching him all the tricks of pigeon racing, all the while Jan was learning and embracing all that he was told and saw. So Oomens birds made their way from Breda to Oosterhout. In quick time, because of the quality of birds and his own hard work and drive, Jan Aarden became unbeatable in his club over the short and middle-long distance races. In the bigger organisations he also started to achieve great success, even beating the Oomens brothers with their own birds.

In the spring of 1924 Jan Aarden moved to the Grintweg. The sport of racing pigeons was no longer of great importance because his fourth child would soon be born. The youngest son of Jan Aarden, his parents named Anton Aarden. Like his father Anton was also very interested in racing pigeons and when Anton was 18, they became a combination father and son. Now Jan Aarden was back racing seriously, with the help of his own son in whom he could see a lot of his young self. The emphasis moved from short and middle-long distance racing that he had been famous for in Oosterhout. Their emphasis now switched to extreme long distance races as Anton was very interested in this discipline.

Anton was very friendly with Willy Van Campenhout, who had birds that were famous from the extreme long distance race points. It was after conversations with Willy that Anton became passionate about competing in the International races from San Sebastian. However, he did have to persuade his father that this was the racing they should become involved in. In the end Jan Aarden agreed with his son and therefore Jan Aarden became also an extreme long distance racer. Jan Aarden did stipulate one thing, if they were going to compete they needed good long distance birds. Birds that they currently didn’t have in their own lofts. And so began the search for the origin birds of the Jan Aarden extreme distance birds.

Jan Aarden knew that an uncle of his was a very well-known extreme long distance flyer, his name was Henri Reij, from Den Haag. He was champion of the “Den Grootste Haagsche Bond”. The top stock bird in the Reij loft at that time was “Ouden Vassart”. It was a beautiful red pigeon that Henri had acquired from the auction of well-known racers Pauwels from South of Gent. The origins of this bird was from Belgian champion Vassart of Fleurus, a well-known racer of the Karl Wegge strain of birds. Henri crossed his “Oude Vassart” with a couple of hens from Dr. Bricoux. (at that time no better birds up to 500km could be found anywhere).

“…Henri crossed his “Oude Vassart” with a couple of hens from Dr. Bricoux. (at that time no better birds up to 500km could be found anywhere).”

From Jan Schouten, the champion from Rotterdam and specialist on the extreme long distance flights, Henri got his best racing pigeons for the extreme long distance flights. He bought from Schouten the Limoges Duivin – an older sister of the famous “Blauwe Duif”, one of the best racing pigeons before World War II. When he was nine years old, he won with Schouten the 14th National St-Vincent and the 18th National Dax. Schouten was a rich man, buying the best of the best from Jules Roeckaert who raced for a very long time under the name Ost-Roe.

Jan Aarden got four pigeons from his uncle, this was in 1934. With these four pigeons there was a six years old light chequered cock. He wasn’t big and he had a very small physique. Jantje Aarden would later import one more of that kind to his racing pigeon loft. This cock became one of the best breeders of the father and son Aarden. They called him the “Reydoffer”. Also his nestmate, the “Oude Reyduivin” came to Steenbergen. She also became a good breeder of many top pigeons for father and son Aarden.

The pigeons of Roeckaert had impressed the grandmaster Aarden so much that he went one year later to Borgerhout. Jules Roeckaert bought some racing pigeons at the beginning of the century from the grandmaster Eduard De Herdt, from Kontich. From two direct De Herdt pigeons Jules bred his famous “Muschke”, a fantastic racing hen and an even-better breeder. She became the mother of the “Oude Lichte”, he was paired to a hen of Emile Van der Avoort, who had almost nothing else than Roeckaert or Ost-Roe pigeons.

From this couple Jules Roeckaert bred his stock bird the “Goede Lichte”. This cock, again not big at all, was a truly all-round flyer and won first prizes from short distance until extreme long distance. Sons of this stock bird the “Goede Lichte” became stock birds at that time with several well-known racing pigeon fanciers in the Netherlands and Belgium: In Belgium with Vincent Mariën, Merksem / Van der Espt, Oostende and in the Netherlands with Han Wassen, Rotterdam / Henry Rey, Den Haag / Fernand Schul, Roosendaal and last but not least Jan Aarden, Steenbergen.

The “Goede Lichte” from Jules Roeckaert was paired to several hens. With the “Donkere Cluytmans” he paired the stock birds of Van Rey and Van der Espt. With her daughter “Blauw Cluytmans” he paired the stock bird of Fernand Schul, Roosendaal. The racing pigeons of Cluytmans were from origin of Isidoor Claes, also a racing pigeon fancier from Antwerp. The best youngsters came when the “Goede Lichte” was paired with the “Goede Blauwe” from his town-mate Flor Lenaerts. This “Goede Blauwe” hen was unbeatable on the short distance and became a stockbird of Roeckaert.

“…His name wasn’t that famous in the years 1920-1930 but his pigeons could compete with the best of Belgium. Jan Aarden had noticed this.”

From this couple, Jan Aarden bought a magnificent cock: the “Blauwe Ost-Roe”. This cock seemed to have tremendous breeding capacities. He became a top stockbird with Jan Aarden. Not only the pigeons of Jan Aarden such as we shall see in the future. Jan also bought from Jules Roeckaert a light chequerd hen “Belske”. The “Belske” hen was bred out of the “Leon” a Red cock from Leon Van der Sande when bred together with Ost-Roe hen.

The father of the “Leon” was the “Goede Lichte” and the mother of the “Leon” was bred closely to the “Goede Blauwe” from Flor Lenaerts. The mother of “Belske” was the “Blauw Cluytmans”. A sister of “Belske”, the “Goed Duivinneke” was bought later on by De Scheemaecker Bros. “Goed Duivinneke” became one of their top stock birds.

After World War II, Jan Aarden received on loan via Wagemaker, a cock from the De Scheemaecker Bros which was bred closely to the “Goed Duinneke”. Jan Aarden also bought an older heavily inbred hen, she was called “Duveltje”. She flew with Ost-Roe as a young bird in the strong Antwerp Union organisation winning 30 early prizes. Roeckaert bred her from one of his best breeding hens, the “Fille”, a Red hen from town-mate Theo Van Hove. The “Fille” was a product of partnership-breeding and came out of the “Goliath” from Ost-Roe, a son of the base pair “Goede Lichte” with the “Goede Blauwe” and a daughter from the “Oude Lichte”, the stockbird of the Roeckaert loft since 1919. The father of the “Duveltje” was the “Goede Lichte” himself.

Before World War II Jules Roeckaert had a very strong extreme long distance race strain and he was in favour of inbreeding. He was a normal man, a man who never searched for publicity. By his fine art of breeding, he was able to build a strain of birds at the Oede Koevenstraat in Borgerhout, from where many famous racing pigeon fanciers have taken the fruits. His name wasn’t that famous in the years 1920-1930 but his pigeons could compete with the best of Belgium. Jan Aarden had noticed this.

The third visit of Aarden wasn’t so far out of his neigbourhood. A trip with the family was linked to a visit of the specialist on the extreme long distance races in Zeeland: Leo De Cock from Hulst. Jan Aarden had noticed there a beautiful 2 years old dark chequered hen, this hen was to become one of the stockbirds from the father-son combination Aarden. She was named the “Vetkont”. The Vetkont hen was from the origin Staf Dusarduyn and Marquinie from Sas out of Gent. Father and son Aarden bought that same year a hen from the Belgian extreme long distance racer Bremdox. The duo Aarden wasn’t successful with this new blood of Bremdox. Also the blood of Tinus Vermeer wasn’t a success. Not everything that the Aarden family tried worked but they persevered, and built the strain we recognise today.

The base of the breeding loft of Jan Aarden was made at the end of the 1930 by the blood of Ost-Roe, the blood of Henrey Rey, the superbreeding hen of De Cock, the “Campdoffer” from Willem Van Campenhout and in 1938 there was also the two pigeons of Hermansen from Antonie Wagemaker and Tiest Stok. Jan Aarden formed with this mixture a very hard flying loft. His breeding capacities ware based on his natural talent, his large experience and his grand know-how of the geneology. He was in favour of inbreeding. His two basic couples had some same bloodstrains.

“…Not everything that the Aarden family tried worked but they persevered, and built the strain we recognise today.”

First Jan Aarden coupled “Blauwe Ost-Roe” with the “Oude Rey-duivin”. A great succes in this combination. The most famous son of this couple was the “Fietsvlieger”. He won from Noyon, seven minutes in front of the rest of the convoy.

After WWII, the Fietsvlieger came back to the loft Aarden and bred some magnificent birds. His nestmate “Dikke Blauwe” was a very good racing pigeon and was superior in the breeding loft. A year later he bred the “Schoone Blauwe” out of this couple. This racing pigeons always won first prizes on the club olympiads. The “Dikke Blauwe” died in World War II, but the three musketeers became very important to the rest of the Aarden-story after World War II.

“The 3 Musketeers” ( out of “Blauwe Ost-Roe” x “Oude Rey-duivin”)

“Dikke Blauwe” NL 36-37251
“Fietsvlieger” NL 36-37252
“Schoone Blauwe” NL 37-2128

The second base pair was composed of the “Reydoffer” and the “Belske” from Ost-Roe. The “46” was the best son out of this couple, in the young bird competition in Steenbergen he won the young bird competition with the 1st, 9th, 14th and 45th price. A full sister of the “46” was the “Orleanske”, the “Orleanske” won top prize positions from Orléans for three consecutive years.

The “Fietsvlieger” was paired to the “Vetkont” of De Kock. With this pairing, the third base pair was formed and they also bred some very good racing pigeons. The most famous hen out of this couple was “De Verkeerde Duivin” one of the best racing pigeons ever from the Aarden loft.

The “Dikke Blauwe” was paired by Aarden to “Duveltje” from Ost-Roe. The fourth base breeding pair was formed. Out of this fourth pair was born “Mooike”.

The breeding concept of Jan Aarden was very clear; the base line of his colony was formed on the sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of the “Goede Lichte” from Jules Roeckaert. In the years 1938 and 1939 nobody could fly to compete with the breeding products of Aarden.

In 1939 Jan Aarden, was already racing his pigeons on the widowhood method. All still was not perfect though in the mind of Jan Aarden and when he and Anton had a visit from Willem Van Campenhout, they discussed that they still believed that Bordeaux was too far for their birds. Campenhout was extremely impressed with the quality of the Aarden birds and suggested they give St. Vincent a go. Jan and Anton basketed just 4 birds for St. Vincent, they were “Verkeerde Duivin”, “Schone Blauwe”, “Dikke Blauwe” and “Mooike”. The birds were liberated on the Saturday, on Tuesday, the race would close. Race conditions were poor with heavy rain along the race route and hopes were not as high as they normally would have been.

At three o’ clock in the afternoon the winner of first national Netherlands was known. Jan Aardens first pigeons was his second nominated “Verkeerde Duivin”, she came around six o’clock in the evening, winning 59th national Netherlands. Jan Aarden was now convinced about the quality of his racing pigeons because the “Verkeerde Duivin”, despite the constant rain for the entire flight wasn’t tired, and showed no signs of stress at all. The “Dikke Blauwe” won the 95th national prize.

“…”The 3 Musketeers” ( out of “Blauwe Ost-Roe” x “Oude Rey-duivin”) “Dikke Blauwe”, “Fietsvlieger” & “Schoone Blauwe”

Unfortunately the Aarden family made a basic mistake – they thought that the race was closed on Monday as usual for the traditional Friday liberation, “Schone Blauwe” and “Mooike” arrived before the official close time and would have still won good national prizes. From doubt over the ability of their birds, they had just clocked 4 out of 4 and all would have been in the national prizes. The rest is now history and the story of one of the greatest long distance family of racing pigeons that the world has ever seen.

Like all the great strain builders Jan Aarden over the years successfully blended together several breeds of pigeon including the Delbars to create his own strain and from the 1930’s onwards the legacy began. In later years both Jan Aarden and others including Van Agtmal, Van der Wegen and Van Geel – to name but a few who had obtained his birds, dominated from races such as Dax, St Vincent and Barcelona. This put the small Dutch village of Steenburgen firmly on the map as the heart of distance racing. Fanciers from all over the world came to obtain birds of the Jan Aarden origin resulting in the success of many of the modern day long distance fanciers.

The major influence however in the development of the Aarden strain and the consequent dynasty was “Zilvervosje”. This light check hen with a reflection of Silver in her wings was a wonderful breeder as well as a racer. Her bloodlines are there in the families of the great Aarden fanciers like Muller, van Agtmaal, van den Burgh, van der Wegen, van den Eijnden and the Kuypers, as well as being the grandmother of Ko Nipius’s second national Barcelona. In fact, her contribution to the development of the marathon pigeon in Europe is immense.

Zilvervosje is a daughter of Slaper (H 46-270518), which was of Schouteren bloodlines. Other research confirmed that another Schoutern pigeon was the other parent. This fabulous hen when mated with Zesentachtig ( H 47- 433486), also known as 86, bred Late Meesters (H 49-525758), a pearl of a pigeon. (The famous 131 was a great granddaughter of Late Meesters). The latter appearing in the pedigrees of many of the best modern representatives of the strain. The late partnership of Eijerkamp- Muller confirms that Zilvervosje was the foundation bird of their family. The sire of van Wanroy’s the Spin is a grandson and the dam is a granddaughter of Zilvervosje. And of course the Spin was the foundation bird in the families of Kuypers Brothers and Peter van den Eijnden. Aarden’s famous 37 was a grandson of the hen. In turn 37 was the grandfather of Giel van Agtmaal’s 500 as well as the grandfather of Jan de Weert’s 131. Surely two of the best of the Aarden dynasty.

Zilvervosje was the granddaughter of the Oude Witpen, a famous breeder of Toon Stoffelen. and Bontje Aarden, dam of Ligtenberg’s 10, was a granddaughter of Zilvervosje. Bear in mind also that the Bontje Aarden was the mother of Janus van der Wegen’s Oude Doffertje. The list appears to be endless re the breeding influence of Zilvervosje but, as stated, she was also a very good racer. Some of her triumphs included the following: 3rd nat. Dax (1949); 2nd nat. Dax (1950); 55th nat. St. Vincent (1950); 7th nat. Dax (1951); 47th nat. St.Vincent (1951).

“….The major influence however in the development of the Aarden strain and the consequent dynasty was “Zilvervosje”.

Although a reserved person Aarden made some friendships which added to the building of his strain. One of those friendships was Piet de Weerd, the world famous pigeonologist, whose knowledge and advice Jan pondered. Another fruit of their friendship was the so called ‘Piet de Weerd pigeon’, perhaps Aarden’s main breeding hen, of Delbar / Deguffroy origin. In fact the Delbar’s played a prominent part in the Aarden’s origins for some of the early breeders carried the blood of this strain.

The success of the developing Aarden strain caught the attention of Jan’s fellow fanciers in Steenbergen and many were purchased, resulting in the area becoming the hot bed of long distance racing in Holland. This also contributed to the evolution of the strain. A few of the latter around the period after the Second World War until 1960 included Toon and Piet Ligtenberg whose famous hen Oude Witpen when coupled with another Aarden were the parents of two of the most famous representatives of the strain – the famous number 10 of Ligtenberg and the fabulous Oud Doffertje of van der Wegen, the latter being the foundation of the van der Wegen strain while number 10 became the father of the famous Dolle of Marijn van Geel – the origin of the van Geels.

The late Marijn van Geel from Niew Vossemeer in Holland, succeeded in breeding a family of birds with exceptional perseverance and exceptional character whose base stock birds were obtained from Giel van Agtmal , the best friend of Jan Aarden in the mid 1950’s. Two of the best long distance racers and breeders ever flown in Holland were the ‘Lange’ entered 18 times for National races above 625mls winning 17 prizes and the ‘Dolle 67’ ended his distinguished career in 1975 (8 years old) with a 3rd Nat St Vincent and four weeks later 3rd Nat Dax.

The original van Geels have been the building blocks for many long distance lofts around the world. Champions such as ‘Vlekje’, ‘Zoon Dolle 800’, ‘Dochter Dolle 290’, ‘Favorit’, ‘Dolle Kuif’ etc… are household names now and fanciers such as the Kuyper Bros, Wim van Leewen, Jomp Kleen etc. own their success in part to the late great Marijn van Geel and the Jan Aarden based birds.

As the strain developed it dominated the races from Dax, St. Vincent, Bergerac and Barcelona, among others, taking Europe by storm and extending beyond to become a truly world-wide family. Piet de Weerd helped in this context by buying good representatives of the strain and selling them off to others. Another important contributor to the success of the Aarden dynasty was Piet Lazeroms from Zegge. This Aarden specialist bought out top lofts of Aardens and through this he owned the best of the strain. In turn Lazeroms was used as the main source of the Aardens by the best fanciers in Europe and elsewhere. For example, Van Peperstraten and de Heyde. The latter built his loft on his famous Klapper which he had got from Lazeroms. There’s also the exploits of Van Zelderen who won five nationals with Aardens. Recent examples are Theo Ernest whose Barcelona successes are based upon the Aardens and also the Brugemann Brothers whose famous loft is founded upon another Aarden source – Hein and Hub Oostenrijk. Nor should the exploits of Jac Stekatee of Bruinisse be overlooked for he formed one of the top Aarden studs of the 1990s. His Golden Breeder 788 is considered one of the best of the Aarden dynasty as is the highly thought of 60 of another Aarden ace, Cees de Jong. Then there are the world known breeders and racers of Jan Polder and Piet de Vogel of today.

“….As the strain developed it dominated the races from Dax, St. Vincent, Bergerac and Barcelona, among others, taking Europe by storm and extending beyond to become a truly world-wide family.”

Such is the influence that Jan Aarden has had upon the the sport of pigeon racing, that his name is used widely and / or associated with Dutch long distance racing pigeons, for many he was the creator of the Dutch long distance racing pigeon. In his early days in the sport Jan Aarden could not have imagined what his love of racing pigeons would lead to. For arising from the strain which he produced there now exists a dynasty- the Aarden dynasty of long distance and marathon thoroughbred racing pigeons. Therefore, what better memorial to Jan Aarden but to ensure that the strain which he moulded and which became a dynasty will continue to overcome distances, mountains, seas, and other obstacles on the way to nest or perch. Thus, all today’s Aardenists will continue the work of the master from Steenbergen.

André Vanbruaene

André Vanbruaene, Master Breeder and Racer, born in 1910 in Lauwe, Belgium.

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“…In his later life Andre recounted one instance when his uncle brought him a young blue cock not yet moulted, that had, as he said, “walked” into his loft. “You have to use him Andre. It is definitely a pigeon from very good blood”

André Vanbruaene, better known as ‘Mister Barcelona’ was born on April 4th in 1910. He died on March the 8th in 1999. He is the man that made the town Lauwe in West-Flanders famous in the world of pigeon racing. Born into a farming family, Andre Vanbruaene was familiar with hard work. His family grew flax, a key constituent in the production of linen, on their farm in the region of Heusden near Ghent. Andre learned the trade and the family prospered as yields and demand were high in mid1920’s Europe.

In 1925 homesickness led to the family returning to their homeland in the region of Leie, and they quickly resettled back into familiar surroundings. Although Vanbruaene’s parents had prospered, it was Andre’s paternal uncle who was the businessman in the family. Uncle Gerome Vanbruaene, recognised that the prosperity given from the flax would be short-lived, as world trends were going away from natural fabrics. He persuaded Andre’s parents to let him take young Andre under his wing and train him in the furniture business.

His uncle Gerome also happened to be one of the most successful pigeon fanciers of the region. Living on the farm during the week Andre travelled to his uncles at the weekend. It was on these trips that he spent his pigeon apprenticeship. His uncle knew everyone important and successful in pigeons and young Andre was eager to learn at the feet of these masters. On bicycle, his uncle and he would visit the likes of Benoot in Olsene, Lagas in Ingelmunster. Vadecaveye in Wingene Vereecke in Deerlijk and many more. Despite his father’s protestations Andre fitted traps in the roof of the family’s barns and proceeded to accumulate the best birds that his uncle possessed. His uncle was a very impatient man with his birds, even if a bird had won the week before, if it failed the following week he disposed of it and this is how Andre at 17 had acquired some of the best birds in the area.

In his later life Andre recounted one instance when his uncle brought him a young blue cock not yet moulted, that had, as he said, “walked” into his loft. “You have to use him Andre. It is definitely a pigeon from very good blood” his uncle showed him the bird and on its wing was stamped the name Deprez form Etimpuis. A friend of his uncle.

On hearing the name Deprez, another top local fancier of the area, Louis Slosse, insisted that Gerome give him the bird instead of a mere youth. The reason being that Deprez was the son in law of the famous Julien Commine, from Leers-Nord. Andre didn’t particularly like the bird but upon seeing the reaction of Slosse, he bred from it and its children had immediate success.

André was only 17 years young when he started winning pigeon racing on the sprint races. Unfortunately, his natural flair for everything about pigeon racing and the quality of birds provided by his uncle brought him too much success too quickly for the liking of many of his older competitors and he quickly found himself excluded in some clubs because he won too many prizes and championships at such a tender age.

“…From this pigeon he bred the strain of the Old Stier from 1932. He raced like a Bull from Clermont and yes, that’s how he got the nickname: De Stier from Lauwe.”

This made him decide to enter in the long distance racing, the national races. I casually said to my Uncle: If you want that blue pigeon back, then you’re welcome to it. I wasn’t in love with the pigeon at the time, says André, and yes, how things sometimes turn out. Well, my Uncle gave the pigeon to a young fancier from Kuurne called Germain Desplenter. He raced fantastically with youngsters from this pigeon. Uncle Gerome upon seeing these results eventually woke up and the pigeon returned.

From this pigeon he bred the strain of the Old Stier from 1932. He raced like a Bull from Clermont and yes, that’s how he got the nickname: De Stier from Lauwe. This pigeon also won a first from Orleans and Tours. These early successes meant that Andre soon came into contact with the Cattrysse brothers, with Dupont from Herseeuw and with many other fanciers at the top at the time. They often sat together in the pubs by the pigeon societies. They told each about of their experiences and Andre listened to all these serious discussions like an upcoming star.

During his early days of national racing he travelled around in the only car in West-Flanders, it was from Reimy Molein from Lepur. He was rubbing shoulders with many wealthy fanciers, all the while having to fund everything from his pocket money. Unlike modern generations he kept quiet and listened, always wanting to hear what he could use to make his birds and himself better.

He recalled that on one occasion he was trying to buy a bird from the Cattrysse brothers, “It took me seven months before I could get hold of the pigeon and then only with the intervention of Ernest Derumeaux, a friend of the Cattrysse. At the time the Cattrysses had been having terrible problems with pylon wires, losing many good birds to them.

He had gone upstairs to the loft to look at the birds and saw a bird on the landing board with the tell-tale sign of a wing hanging down an obvious victim of the wires. Gerard Cattryse said to Gerome Vanbruaen ; look at that pigeon sitting there it is a brother of our Louis. (Louis being the best Cattrysse bird of that time). Andre pretended not to understand what was being said. Later when Oscar Cattrysse the family patriarch came into the loft Andre asked him about the injured bird how much for it, not wanting to let on how good the bird was, Oscar just said “that’s not a pigeon, it’s rubbish” – 7 month’s later the bird was eventually in the Vanbruaene loft.

At one point Andre met M. Julien Commine, who came to basket his pigeons. He recalls the meeting and the history of the blue cock given to him by his uncle, “Hewel, Vanbruaene, young fancier, is how he addressed me. With which pedigree do you play the big drum here? I hardly dared tell him. I said, mister Commine, don’t be angry. And then I told him the events as they happened. Do you have the pigeon, he asked me, do you have it in your loft? Hewel, he said, there is no better sort for breeding. That is a son from my Napoléon with one of the very best breeding hens from Paul Lamote from Moeskroen. Now, it is important that you should know that Paul Lamote was the leader in the pigeon sport at the time. You couldn’t have a better pigeon, said Commine. That is the best pigeon racing at the moment. Look, he said ‘You can keep it, it’s in good hands. But, when it suits you, you have to breed a couple of youngsters out of it for me.

The success he had with him however was cut short, and unfortunately Vanbruaene was never able to breed those youngsters for M. Commine as the second world war broke out. Keeping his birds throughout the war was a struggle, they were no longer prized racers but potential sources of food for an increasingly hungry nation. During this period, he was fortunate to have an ally – Dr. Coene, who as well as being a medical doctor, was also a very keen pigeon fancier and was able to assist in keeping the Vanbruaene colony safer than many of his compatriots birds that were deported to Germany. After the war while many others had to start again Vanbruaene still had many of his birds to breed from.

“…“Andre my pigeon was lucky to come home along with your Stier, the Stier however went after a good looking hen and my bird came straight into the loft. So in fact Vanbruaene, it was because of a pretty lady that meant you were beaten” ”

The Vanbruaene strain is bred from the inbreeding of the lines, Cattrysse, Remy Buysse, Stichelbout, Willequet brothers, Labeeuw, professor Vangrembergen and De Baere. The best pigeons from West-Flanders brought together in the strain of Vanbruaene. The entire history of Vanbruaenes success from Barcelona has its origin with the Zwarte Chateauroux from Daniel Labeeuw. He won 1^st National when Vanbruaene won 2^nd national with the Stier. Vanbruaene recounts the story after the race when Labeeuw said to him

“Andre my pigeon was lucky to come home along with your Stier, the Stier however went after a good looking hen and my bird came straight into the loft. So in fact Vanbruaene, it was because of a pretty lady that meant you were beaten”

So it was decided between friends that the Zwarten would be mated with a daughter of the Stier. Out of the two eggs that Vanbruaene got, he hatched 2 black pigeons, a cock and a hen. The cock was paired back into his own stock and produced Barcelona I in 1961. Then came the biggest mistake Vanbruaene believes he made in all his time keeping pigeons. He decided to sell Barcelona I to Japan. Luckily he was able to stall the Japanese man and let him quickly fertilise a few hens which gave him “ Elektriek” and the hens from which all his good pigeons now come.

Elektriek was a formidable pigeon, son of 1^st International Barcelona, and an excellent breeder. And that doesn’t happen that often. A good pigeon which also becomes an extra breeding pigeon. They don’t all breed well. was a great exception. Nearly all Vanbruaenes stock comes down from him with continual successes, at Vanbruaenes and in other lofts, around the world. It was the cock ‘Vechter 3429141/79’ who won 1st international Barcelona for André for the second time. He won against 13.033 pigeons. This cock was called ‘Barcelona II’ after the victory. He was a grandson of ‘Electriek’ and had some blood from prof. Vangrembergen.

Elektriek bloodline produced 4 international Barcelona winners: Gilmont in 1983, Vanbruaene in 1984, Vervisch in 1985 and Gyselbrecht family in 1995. The blood of ‘Electriek’ produced winners all over the world: 1st national Perpignan 1988 and 1st national St-Vincent 2002 at the loft Ivo Vanlerberghe, 1st national Pau England 1982…..too many to publish.

In 1952 he owned the cock ‘Tarzan’ which flew from Spain to Belgium in one day. This was an amazing performance. He won the international race San Sebastian with this effort. .

André Vanbruaene was sometimes called The Toreador From Lauwe and was a relentless competitor at the distance races. He won the national Marathon averages prize of Belgium / Holland in 1982 and 1986. He amazed the whole world in 1987 at Barcelona. The race in 1987 was raced in strong, hot weather. The best weather for the Vanbruaene birds. André clocked his 8th bird on the 1,847 prize international. He only had 8 birds in race! Most fanciers did not have one bird at home, André had 8/8. André clocked 10/10 a few years later on Barcelona. He owned birds that are born to race Barcelona. André became sick in 1991 and participated for the last time in the Barcelona race. He won 20th and 91st international then ! What a way to end a career. His grandsons Pascal and Patrick started with his pigeons and he retired.

“…André Vanbruaene was sometimes called The Toreador From Lauwe and was a relentless competitor at the distance races. He won the national Marathon averages prize of Belgium / Holland in 1982 and 1986. He amazed the whole world in 1987 at Barcelona.”

André Vanbruaene won: 12 x 1st national
4 x 1st International

Barcelona 1966
San Sebastian 1953
Pau 1951
Barcelona 1984

2 x National Marathon champion of Belgium-Holland

6 x 1^st International Barcelona winners with at least 50% Vanbruaene blood
1964 : Vangrembergen
1966 : A. Vanbruaene
1983 : P. Gilmont
1984 : A. Vanbruaene
1985 : J. Vervisch
1995 : R., C. & A. Gyselbrecht

Andre Vanbruaene failed to win the Golden Wing award and it was the one trophy he genuinely regretted not winning, however he managed to see the trophy twice lifted by fanciers whose birds had at least 50% Vanbruaene blood.

Golden Wing Bruges Barcelona Club
1995 : family Gyselbrecht
1999 : Eric & Stefaan ‘t Jolijn

The pigeon sport is often a sport of memories, with stories from ‘days gone by’… with successes which were achieved ‘long gone’! Often nice pieces of nostalgia for the long and cold winter evenings with family and friends… to reminisce or enjoy yet again… the ‘good old days’. The story ….. “100 years Andre Vanbruaene” would fit in perfectly here… with this difference… that this success story doesn’t limit itself to the exploits in the distant past… but is still topical.

The Vanbruaene pigeons still represent a prominent role within our international pigeon sport… still lying at the basis of numerous top successes. In the long distance, and especially marathon distance – in other words the International Classics of our pigeon sport… the Vanbruaene pigeons are still ‘top’… triumphs and resounding victories are still being achieved with this noble Vanbruaene blood! The ‘roots’ of this success story lie somewhere in 1931 by the illustrious stock father of this story… the ‘Schuwen 933/31’!

Today… more than 90 years later… the descendants of this wondrous ‘stock pigeon’… still play a leading role in the sport of distance pigeon racing, these birds with the legacy of that blue cock from so long ago are still the fighting to the front of the race, still demand their share of the ‘prize pie’… are still in the winning camp!

Admit it… it is not in many other pigeon pedigrees… from any strain of pigeons traced back 90 years to 1 gift cock – it shows once more their enduring ‘hybrid strength’, their ‘iron constitution’, their ‘durability’, their boundless ‘vitality’… their dominant ‘breeding power’! A ‘very strong’ pigeon pedigree on which the ‘ravages of time’… apparently seems to have no control.

What a legacy Uncle Gerome gave young Andre Vanbruaene when he told him…..

“…“You have to use him Andre. It is definitely a pigeon from very good blood””

Maurice Delbar

Maurice Delbar, Master Breeder & Racer, was born 1899, in Ronse, Belgium.

Watch, Listen or Read about The Delbar Family of Racing Pigeons below here....

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“…..His main competitors were champions with his pigeons, breeding pure or crossed – the likes of Berlengee, Dath, Delvinquiere, Dusarduyn etc. they all used Delbars own bird’s to compete with him.”

From the French speaking part of Belgium, is the little town of Ronse, home to one of the most famous racing pigeon fanciers of the 20th Century, his name was Maurice Delbar. The famous Delbar strain name which we know of today, derives mainly from Maurice Delbar, who succeeded his famous father Oscar in the sport, and even before the carnage of the First World War the name was a noted one amongst the European pigeon racing fraternity.

He had an unbeatable long distance strain that had achieved results, that were the equal of those of Bricoux and Duray. His family of pigeons had reaped numerous wins at distances of between 400 and 700 miles, especially for a period of approximately 20 years after the war ended as the family went on to further glory

His strain was a master of the Pyrenees races, in the race home his birds kept at the head of the race, and never was the sport so overwhelmed by a single lofts results between 1935 and ’40. His main competitors were champions with his pigeons, breeding pure or crossed – the likes of Berlengee, Dath, Delvinquiere, Dusarduyn etc. they all used Delbars own bird’s to compete with him.

The Delbar breed is so rich in pure class that it crosses-out well with lots of other breeds. Discovered in the Netherlands and Germany with Janssens after the war. In fact, during the 30’s and 40’s, most fanciers heard only of the Delbars, the Hansennes and the Putmans in that order as being the major sources of pigeon racing success. A key factor of their success was the crossing of some birds into the family from a Mr. De Peeters loft from Puttee, not far from Mechelin. Thus lay the basis of the strain: the pre-war Delbar family and the post- war input from the De Peeters.

It must be stated, however, that the crosses into the Delbars were few at this time. However, upon its arrival, the crossed Delbar/De Peeter strain took the pigeon racing world by storm, and success flourished not only for the master himself but for hundreds of disciples from throughout the whole of the pigeon sport.

In 1937, Delbar won the Barcelona marathon and approximately 10 years later, 1948, the Barcelona race was won by a 100% Delbar raced by the famous Berlengee. Numerous other fanciers throughout the planet won other distance, and indeed, shorter races. These successes are too numerous to mention but the whole phenomenon reflected the impact of this unique strain on the world pigeon racing community.

What is little known about Maurice Delbar is that he kept an exceptional family of grizzles. The descendants of his “Golden Grizzles” made many a Belgian and German fancier famous after World War II. During the years of his fame, the entire world knew of his world champion flyer “Little Chequer”. Born in the year 1932, “Little Chequer” dominated the National St. Vincent races. He placed an amazing 2 X 1st National plus 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 10th National during his racing career. A better racing pigeon probably has never existed.

“….These successes are too numerous to mention but the whole phenomenon reflected the impact of this unique strain on the world pigeon racing community.”

Around this same time, Mr. Delbar purchased a grizzle hen from an unknown fancier in his area and in 1934 bred the “Little Chequer” with “The Grizzle Hen”. Descendants of this pairing, later to be known as the “Delbar Grizzles”, turned out to be exceptional racers and breeders for many famous flyers. One example is the “Super Grizzle” cock of Hector Berlengee. This cock won 14 times in the top 100 when entered in National races of between 450 to 600 miles. The “Super Grizzle” was 100% pure Delbar Grizzle.

It is understood in Germany, that the “Golden Grizzle” Hen purchased by Thomas Peeters carried the Delbar Grizzle in her veins. This famous stock hen is considered by many to be the world’s best breeding hen. One of her direct sons was the Champion “Barcelona” bred by Peeters. This famous cock, born in 1970 won 1st National St. Vincent twice, flying a race distance of more than 560 miles.

Peeters’ key stock bird, “Korte Bek” Belgium 1975; is a grandson of the “Golden Grizzle” Hen as is the “Kleine Molenaar”, 1st National Ace Pigeon Long Distance in 1977 and 3rd National Ace pigeon Long Distance 1980. The strength of these Delbar grizzles can be seen even in Jos Thones last big champion (1st Provincial Ace Pigeon KBDB), which is also of this family.

Maurice Delbar kept good relations with some German businessmen like Mr. Carl Goschalla, Mr. Kreutz, Mr. Holland, etc. and these men were able to purchase children of the key breeders and champion racers from Mr. Delbar, especially the Golden grizzle Delbars. These Golden grizzle Delbars are still today winning very good national prizes especially from Barcelona and Marseilles. In Germany, it was found that the Golden grizzle Delbars crossed well with the Janssen, Meuleman, Grondelaers and the Hofkens birds.

The Golden grizzles are also excelling at the shorter distance races on the southeast and east race courses out of Austria and Poland. These are headwind courses are very dangerous for the birds because of the many miles of mountains, forest, and the many hawks and falcons to be found there.

Some of the well-known southeast release points are: Vienna, St. Poelten, Linz, and Komarno. The east course into Poland has the release points of Posen, Goerlitz, Sulecin, and Krakow etc. These Delbar based birds are bred to race over tough terrain and win! These “East Course” birds are of small to medium size, not heavy in the hand!

We should also acknowledge that the Jan Aarden dynasty was based upon a number of Delbar pigeons amongst others, and that the Delbar strain has influenced other modern pigeon racing strains such as the Jos Thones. In fact, Piet de Weerd had supplied Aarden with a Delbar which lay at the base of the latter’s strain. As for the successful grizzles of the Thone strain, many contained Delbar genes.

Delbar eventually brought in many crosses but his strain through his husbandry remained phenotypical and it was a strain that many fanciers could identify very accurately as being the work of the artist of Ronse. The Delbar breed of pigeons has fired the imaginations of countless fanciers throughout the world, those who have raced and been successful with representatives of the Delbar family.

The DELBAR breed of pigeons has fired the imaginations of countless fanciers throughout the world, those who have raced and been successful with representatives of the Delbar family.

The Delbar’s were introduced to Ireland in the late 40’s / early 50’s. One of the best-known racers to have success with these birds was Bill Troughton from Portadown Co. Armagh. He first introduced the famous Delbars into his loft in 1962 and it was then that Bill’s results really started to soar. It would be impossible to catalogue all the best of his birds; but of note must be the blue Chequered Cock (NU 67 T 28845), which twice won the open in 1970 with the NIPA against very large birdages. It helped Bill to win the McCluggage cup for the best average in all cross channel races with the NIPA. Then there was the blue chequered hen that took the Young bird national win from Penzance in 1972 and was the mother of his blue tip cock that was lost going for a hall of fame award in 1979, an award that the loft would eventually win with another Delbar in 1990. Another top bird was the Blue hen that won the Dinard Derby with the NIPA in 1977. Then in 1978, Bill won 1st yearling national and in 1979 the INFC young bird national from Penzance against 2,918 birds and scooping over £1,500 in prize money, with two same-way bred Delbar’s.

The history of and longevity of winning Delbar’s in Ireland can be traced back to the early 40’s and throughout the following 80 years no other strain of birds, is more represented in the breeding of INFC King’s cup winners than that of the Delbar’s.

The appeal of Delbar birds has always been the same. They Win, especially when used as a first-cross into existing families. In the 21st century this is nowhere more apparent than in the far eastern countries of China and Taiwan.

Today the strain is the number one family of pigeons in the vast country of China. In fact, there is a national association of Delbar fanciers throughout the Chinese mainland, a situation not envisaged by the Delbar family of the small town of Ronse in Belgium when they first became participants in the sport before the world experienced the horrors of the First World War. In truth Delbar is a strain of which myths and legends have been spun. It rightly however, occupies within the worldwide pigeon fancy, an honourable position as one of the greatest ever pigeon families.

Antoon Van der Wegen

The Van Der Wegen family of Racing Pigeons, from Steenbergen in Holland

Watch, Listen or Read about the Van Der Wegen Racing Pigeon family below here....

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“Antoon never wanted to be in a picture with one particular pigeon. For him they were all champions. Only with ‘Turbo’ (1st National Pau) he posed to show his wing. Antoon only wanted to have composition pictures from his pigeons. As many pigeons with results as possible in one picture as they made the name Van der Wegen famous collectively.”

The Dutch town of Steenbergen, seems so similar to many towns in the province of North Brabant in the south of the Netherlands. To many pigeon fanciers around the world this town is the spiritual home to the Dutch extreme long distance pigeon. Steenbergen is the source of many outstanding strains and families such as Jan Aarden, Ligtenburg and Van Agatmaal, among others. Obviously there must be something in the air or water of Steenbergen which has produced such giants and greats of the sport. The family we are focusing on today is deserving of equal status of the Aarden family, such has been the success of the strain of distance pigeons built by Adrianus Van der Wegen and his sons (Jac and Antoon).

As Mdm. Luci Van der Wegen said about her late husband (Antoon died 2018) when being interviewed before the clearance sale of the Van der Wegen birds in 2020, “ Antoon was the pigeon fancier, he was always very straight forward, he gave his opinion unsalted and short. He could coach his widowers team like nobody else could.” “Antoon never wanted to be in a picture with one particular pigeon. For him they were all champions. Only with ‘Turbo’ (1st National Pau) he posed to show his wing. Antoon only wanted to have composition pictures from his pigeons. As many pigeons with results as possible in one picture as they made the name Van der Wegen famous collectively.”

When we attempt to write the story of this wonderful strain of pigeons there are not many articles to refer to. This was mainly because Antoon Van der Wegen didn’t like to be in the spotlight. So much of our account is based upon the article published for that final clearance sale in 2020.

Antoon bought his base breeding mother, a dark hen, at Tinus Van Meer. Tinus moved and that’s why he sold all his pigeons. The dark base hen “Donkere Duivin” had ring number 55-497392 . Her father came from Antoon Stoffelen, who had Aarden pigeons in his loft. The mother came from Rombouts, a hairdresser by profession but another owner of Aarden pigeons. The dark hen showed well in her first races for Antoon (max. 400km). Antoon believed she would be able to do more, together with his father it was decided to race the long distance races. So she was raced first from St. Vincent where she won a prize although not highly placed but she proved she was capable of flying the distance. After that she went to Dax and won the 11th National. A year later she won 5th National Dax. Antoon’s hunger for success with her wasn’t satisfied yet. It was decided to race her again from St. Vincent, this was now the year 1960. The ‘Dark Hen’ unfortunately didn’t return and we will never know what other great birds she would have bred.

In 1958 Antoon Van der Wegen visited the lofts of the local grocery owner Toontje Ligtenberg. After a bit of negotiation, it was decided that Antoon could get a couple of eggs, from any birds in the loft. He chose, and to the marvel of Ligtenberg, Antoon pointed out to the couple of eggs that were in the box at the left top corner of the loft. We are talking of a time when both the racers and breeders were mixed up amongst each other. Lightenberg tried to get out of the deal as this couple of eggs were already promised to someone else, but Antoon stood his ground as a straight speaking man. ‘When we get to choose…we get to choose without any excuses’. So it was agreed and Antoon left with his 2 eggs. From these two eggs he got two cocks. One of the cocks got lost around the loft and the remaining cock was a very small, smart cock who became world famous as ‘Oud Doffertje’ Partly of Aarden and partly of Delbar blood, it was the brother of the famous ’10’ of Toontje Ligtenburg.

Oud Doffertje was paired to “De Donkere duivin” as he was of the smaller type and she was of the bigger type. The pairing of “Oud Doffertje” x “Donkere duivin” was a super success a true golden pair, everything that hatched was winning.

We’re thinking of the “86” (12th, 80th and 96th National St. Vincent – 19th and 34th National Dax) – “De Lamme” winner of 6th Nat. St. Vincent , 7th, 10th and 11th National Dax – “Nestzus De Lamme” (28th and 43rd Nat. St. Vincent). Unfortunately, the “Donkere Duivin” never returned from her last race…who knows what would have come out of this GOLDEN PAIR.

Another hen that gave a lot of joy to Antoon was “De Oude 75” NL57-704975, a half-sister to the “Donkere Duivin”. These hens both had the “Rombouts Hen” as their Dam. After the loss of

“Donkere Duivin”, the “De Oude 75” was paired to “Oud Doffertje” this pairing also had great success.

Known children were “52” (won: 2nd Nat. Bergerac – 35th, 39th, 68th Nat. Dax and 76th Nat. St. Vincent), “De Witpen”, “De Schrale”, “De 74” and “Oud Donkertje”

But real success, internationally recognised success, started with the “Barcelona” (NL65-2023862) The “Barcelona” a super racing cock, that won in ’73, in very hard weather conditions, the 1st National Barcelona against 1,101b and this as an 8 year old ! This was not a one off result, as he had already won 2nd National Dax against 2,969b, 5th National Barcelona against 1,238b. Three weeks before Barcelona he won 14th National St. Vincent against 6,206b.

“But real success, internationally recognised success, started with the “Barcelona” (NL65-2023862) The “Barcelona” a super racing cock, that won in ’73, in very hard weather conditions, the 1st National Barcelona against 1,101b and this as an 8 year old ! “

Once in the breeding loft he gave his unique genes onwards to his children and grandchildren. His father is the previously mentioned “Lamme” (NL60-252162 – a son to “Oud Doffertje” x “Donkere duivin”) , his mother the “Gruyters-Duivin”. The “Gruyters-Duivin” was bought together with her brother the “Gruyters-Doffer” at the total sale of Huub Gruyters from Helmond in ’64. Huub had pigeons from his good Belgian friend Hector Desmet from Geraardsbergen who he got to know during a spell as a prison of war in WW II. After they were released they went to look for each other and Huub went home with off spring of the famous Desmet pigeons “De Prins” and the “Libourne”.

When the “Gruyters-doffer” was paired to the “Zuster Lamme” (NL60-252161 – a full sister to the 1st nat. Dax), they produced the unrivalled “75-duivin” (67-2057675). This hen was paired over the next 3 years to her grandfather “Oud Doffertje” and the offspring had a very important role in the appearance of the “Van der Wegen strain”. The last heroes, as we noted at the beginning of the report, Antoon passed away in 2018. It’s more than logical that we can’t record recent results but that doesn’t do anything about the breeding qualities this is more than interwoven in the DNA of the Van der Wegen birds.

The last top birds that made Antoon Van de Wegen so very proud are:

“Donkeren Barcelona”, winner of: 25 Nat. Perpignan ‘93 7,580b. 48 Internat. Perpignan 18,447b. 34 Nat. Perpignan ‘91 8,102b. 63 Internat. Perpignan 27,167b. 49 Bergerac 2,488b. 65 Nat. Perpignan 3,448b. 191 Nat. Perpignan ‘89 2,975b. 206 Nat. Perpignan ‘92 6,070b. 222 Nat. Barcelona ‘94 7,767b. 388 Nat. Barcelona ‘93 10,574b. 206 Nat. Perpignan ’92 6,070b. 222 Nat. Barcelona ’94 7,767b. 388 Nat. Barcelona ’93 10,574b.

“De Stek”, winner of: 1 Nat. Dax ’99 4,108b. 19 Internat. Dax ’99 12,880b. 3 Bordeaux ‘98 1,584b. 39 Limoges ’98 1,981b.

“De Turbo”, winner of: 1 Nat. Pau ’88 1,777b. 26 Internat. Pau 5,411b. 12 Nat. Pau ’89 1,972b. 417 Chateauroux 12,388b.

“Den Euro”, winner of: 1 Dax ’95 822b. 3 St. Vincent ‘96 1,821b. 35 Internat. St. Vincent 19,876b. 6 St. Vincent ’95 2,162b. 54 Internat. St. Vincent 25,041b.

“De Barca”, winner of: 18 Barcelona ’00 801b. 184 Nat. Barcelona 7,568b. 71 Nat. Barcelona ’98 6,290b. 164 Internat. Barcelona 24,139b. 345 Nat. Barcelona ’97 7,047b.

“Zoon Marathon”, winner of: 40 Nat. Barcelona ’97 7,047b. 102 Internat. Barcelona 24,908b. 89 Nat. Perpignan 3,815b. 129 Nat. Perpignan 3,785b. 167 Nat. Barcelona 6,290b.

“De Marathon”, winner of: 8 Nat. Barcelona ’93 10,574b. 12 Internat. Barcelona 33,145b.

“De Beer”, winner of: 1 Nat. Marseille ’88 2,087b. “Lucia”, winner of: 6 Internat. Perpignan hens 30 Internat. Perpignan 13,573b. 104 Nat. St. Vincent 27,296b. 212 Nat. Barcelona 7,243b.

“De Perpignan”, winner of: 2 Nat. Perpignan ’90 3,242b. 7 Internat. Perpignan 10,444b. 25 Nat. Barcelona 5,451b. 47 Internat. Barcelona 21,194b. 106 Nat. Marseille 2,087b.

“Witpen Barcelona”, winner of: 1 Barcelona ’08 688b. 10 Nat. Barcelona 7,073b. 28 Internat. Barcelona 23,708b. 36 Nat. Narbonne 2,563b. 178 Nat. Perpignan 5,294b. 225 Nat. Perpignan 6,507b. 333 Nat. Perpignan 5,622b. 508 Nat. Barcelona 8,042b.

The Van der Wegen lofts have achieved 1st Nationals from Barcelona, Dax, Pau, Marseille (and Dax with the Z.L.U).

A fantastic Career!

3 x winner Europa Cup
1 x winner Europa Marathon

1st West European Super Marathon
2 x 1st National Marathon
4 x ‘Keizer’ of the super long distance ZLU
2 x Grand Prix ZLU
General ZLU
4 x Club der Azen
1st National Pau
1st National Marseille
1st National Dax ZLU
1st National Barcelona 1973
2 x International Kampioen 1 + 2 nominated IFC 4000
1st Internationaal Kampioen 10 nominated IFC 4000
1st Pau 1 + 2 + 3 nominated IFC 4000
1st Barcelona 1 + 2 nominated IFC 4000

As for their contribution to the successes of others the following list shows the percentage blood wise from some winners in national and international races:

H.Brinkman, Tuk 1st Nat.St.Vincent 100% Van der Wegen
H.Hazelaar, Zutphen 1st Nat Ruffec 100% Van der Wegen
W.Coenen, Nuth 1st Nat.Barcelona 100% Van der Wegen
J.Buurma,Peize 1st Nat.Dax 100% Van der Wegen
Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Barcelona 100% Van der Wegen
Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Dax 100% Van der Wegen
Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Pau 100% Van der Wegen
Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Marseille 100% Van der Wegen
Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Dax Z.L.U. 100% Van der Wegen
L.Hoogervorst, Vrouwenakker 1st Nat.Perpignan 100% Van der Wegen
Ron.Van de Werff, Westzaan 1st Nat.St.Vincent 100% Van der Wegen

A.Simons, Roosteren 1st Nat.Perpignan 75% Van der Wegen
Th.Crommentuyn, Velden 1st Nat.St.Vincent 75% Van der Wegen
Th.Crommentuyn, Velden 1st Nat.Pau 75% Van der Wegen
Bakker & Zn, Poortugaal 1st Nat.Perpignan 75% Van der Wegen
L.Smid, Goes 1st Nat.Perpignan 75% Van der Wegen
C.Blokdijk, Hoorn 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S2) 75% Van der Wegen
D.Barberio, Weert 1st Internat.Marseille (H) 75% Van der Wegen

C.Vanoppen, Alt-Hoeselt 1st Internat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen
G.Frazer, Ulft 1st Nat. St.Vincent 50% Van der Wegen
A.Simons, Roosteren 1st Nat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen
A.Simons, Roosteren 1st Nat.Marseille 50% Van der Wegen
P.Paulussen, Roosteren 1st Nat.Dax 50% Van der Wegen
Jacob Keun, Donderen 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S4) 50% Van der Wegen
D.Rotman, Musselkanaal 1st Nat.Ruffec (S4) 50% Van der Wegen
P.Van Bergen, De Lier 1st Nat.Dax Z.L.U. 50% Van der Wegen
C.Vertelman Zn, Hoogkarspel 1st Nat.Bergerac 50% Van der Wegen
M.Schuurman, Doorn 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S3) 50% Van der Wegen
J.Torreman, Rockanje 1st Internat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen
J.Vercauteren, Schimmert 1st Nat. Soustons 50% Van der Wegen
J.Bruine de Bruin, Aalsmeer 1st Nat Bergerac 50% Van der Wegen.
G.de Jong & Zn, De Heen 1st Nat.Perpignan 50% Van der Wegen.
Cor.Van Dijk, Hagestein 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S3) 50% Van der Wegen
W.en B Terhoeven, Zeist 1st Nat.Tarbes (S2) 50% Van der Wegen
Roger Florizoone, Nieuwpoort 1st Nat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen
Flip Steketee, Yerseke 1st Nat.Dax Z.L.U. 50% Van der Wegen
Van Gils de Nijs, Oosterhout 1st Nat.Soustons 50% Van der Wegen
Jelle Outhuyse, Harlingen 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S4) 50% Van der Wegen
Jo. Lardenoy, Maastricht 1st Nat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen
G.Keesmaat, Krimpen a/d Lek 1st Nat.Dax 50% Van der Wegen
Cor.Hermans, Geulle 1st Nat.Bordeaux (J.L.) 50% Van der Wegen
P.Boers, Goesbeek 1st Nat.Bergerac 50% Van der Wegen
C.Willigers, Steenbergen 1st Internat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen
Hendrix-Meijberg, Heerlerheide 1st Nat.Bergerac 50% Van der Wegen
Frans Molenaar, Ulft 1st Nat.Bergerac 50% Van der Wegen
Biemans, Teteringen 1st Internat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen
J.L.Van Roy, Ronse 1st Internat.Barcelona 50% Van der Wegen

P.Schlangen, Kerkrade 1st Nat.Barcelona 25% Van der Wegen
P.Schlangen, Kerkrade 1st Nat.St.Vincent 25% Van der Wegen
Van Zelderen, Aalsmeer 1st Nat.St.Vincent 25% Van der Wegen
Van Zelderen, Aalsmeer 1st Nat.Bergerac 25% Van der Wegen
Vogten-Lardinoye, Maastricht 1st Nat.Marseille 25% Van der Wegen
Wijnands & Zn, Maastricht 1st Nat.Perpignan 25% Van der Wegen
B.Walpot, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Barcelona 25% Van der Wegen
Cor.Hermans, Geulle 1st Nat.Marseille 25% Van der Wegen
Jos Thone, As 1st Nat.Barcelona (H) 25% Van der Wegen
F.Bleylevens & Zn, Simpelveld 1st Nat.Marseille 25% Van der Wegen
Willems-Thone, Eijsden 1st Internat.Barcelona 25% Van der Wegen
Hein.Brasse, Nuth 1st Nat.Pau 25% Van der Wegen
H.de Jonge, Weiteveen 1st Nat.Bergerac (S4) 25% Van der Wegen
H.de Jonge, Weiteveen 1st Nat.Ruffec (S4) 25% Van der Wegen
Harry Faassen, Illikhoven 1st Nat.Marseille 25% Van der Wegen
H.en A Kivit, Vinkel 1st Nat.Dax 25% Van der Wegen
Gebr. Schaschkow, Wiesvillers (Fr) 1st Internat Barcelona 25% Van der Wegen
Van Ouwerkerk-Dekkers,Brasschaat 1st Nat.St.Vincent (JL) 25% Van der Wegen
H.Van Helmond, Vorselaar 1 Nat. Pau 25% Van der Wegen
B.Homma, Balk 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S4) 25% Van der Wegen

With the passing of Antoon Van der Wegen, we have seen once again the passing of a genius. His chosen medium was the art of breeding and preparation of beautiful racing pigeons, bred to fly the extreme long distance discipline and when the final hammer fell A “work of art” of inestimable future value to distance racers was distributed worldwide.

Jef Van Wanroy

Jef Van Wanroy, Master Breeder & Racer, was born 1904, in Broekhuizenvorst, Holland.

Watch, Listen or Read about the Van Wanroy Pigeon Family below here....

“The name “Jef Van Wanroy” may not have been familiar to the English speaking fanciers, but in Holland it was, and is, a household name.”

Jef Van Wanroy at his lofts with 1st Barcelona, 1964.

Jef Van Wanroy was a farmer who reared Shire-type horses and he became involved with pigeons during his teens, but after leaving the sport for a period he returned after the war with a serious intent, in 1946, at the age of 42. He brought to the village of Broekhuizenvorst the best that he could purchase. His ambition was to become the best at overnight racing in the Netherlands. To do this he acquired from the best long distance birds available. From a local butcher name Steegs, he bought pure Bricoux and from his friend (regarded by many as the best ever long distance flyer into Belgium or Holland) Staf Dusarduyn he obtained some of his best Delbars.

Van Wanroy also bought birds from Fabry senior of Liege which included the Hansenne stock, especially descendants of the “Bronze” and the “Koningen”. In fact, the traditional bronze of the Van Wanroy’s famous blacks derives from Fabry’s famous ‘Bronze’. Also another important addition to his stock was the famous ‘11’ or the Hornstra hen. Interestingly in the 1950s Wanroy introduced Meesters of De Heen bloodlines from the great Zilvervosje which also played an important part in the evolution of the Aarden strain and dynasty.

The name “Jef Van Wanroy” may not have been familiar to the English speaking fanciers, but in Holland it was and is a household name. Van Wanroy kept only 25 pairs of birds and specialised in 500, 600 and 700 mile races. (especially overnight). In 15 years he entered 242 birds in “grote fond” (long distance) races winning 196 prizes. Among those prizes were

1st, 4th, 21st and 24th National Marseille,

1st and 3rd National Barcelona,

1st and 7th National St. Vincent,

2nd and 9th National Dax and

3rd and 4th National Marseille.

In 1971 Jef Van Wanroy died, his early death caused a shock to the pigeon world. It was however the birth of the 2nd phase of the Van Wanroy story. The Van Wanroy family wanted to sell all the pigeons together, and first to obtain them was Anton Van Haaren from Heesch. He had the Van Wanroy birds at the top of his most desired list for some time. After difficult negotiating Van Haaren set up the deal and transferred all the Van Wanroy crack birds including “Famous 90”, “Westerhuis”, “Maaskant 372”, “Hartje” “Oude Spin”, “113”, “11” etc.

The arrival of the Van Wanroy’s at Heesch, especially the lines of the “11” was the beginning of a very successful time for the loft of Anton Van Haaren. The pure Van Wanroy’s were and are the perfect cross in families like the Aardens and Van De Wegen’s, with these crossings listing fantastic results for Van Haaren with 15 top 20 national prizes. Such results, and the breeding values of the Van Wanroy stock lead to many fanciers including the world famous Hans Eijerkamp and sons to make a visit to Heesch.

As well as the birds that went to Anton Van Haaren, birds were also purchased by Van Wanroy’s fellow villager Jan Hendrix. Jan Hendrix had known Van Wanroy from the age of 12. After Van Wanroy’s death the entire colony was offered to Hendrix who famously said “ I wanted to buy them, but I had no room at the time.” Because of his friendship with Van Wanroy, Hendrix already had many birds from the very best that Jef had to offer, children from the “Eitje”, “Marseilleduif”, “Mooi Oog”, etc. Especially the descendants of the famous pair of “De Westerhuis and the Famous 90, this pair left their trail through the back breeding of the most successful Hendrix birds. Indeed, this pair can be found in the father-son-grandson trilogy of Olympiad competing birds.

Father, “Katowitz 72” represented The Netherlands at the Olympiad in Katowice. His son “De Olympiade 84” (Katowitz 72 x daughter Marseilleduif) represented the Netherlands at the Blackpool Olympiad. “Kliene Donkere” (De Olympiad 84 x granddaughter Marseilleduif) completed the success of these now world famous bloodlines when representing the Netherlands at the Olympiad in Tokyo.

“Kliene Donkere” was crowned as the best cock of the Netherlands in 1979. That year he flew around 4,000 prize winning miles (6,435 kms), amassing a total of 16 prizes. When discussing the qualities of the cock Hendrix stated “He just asked to be basketed. Once I basketed him for Barcelona (800 miles 1,287 kms), just 2 days after he raced Orleans (350 miles 563 kms), he won 70th National Barcelona”. This type of toughness, and breeding once again sparked the interest of Hans Eijerkamp and sons with “Kliene Donkere” making the permanent trip to Brummen in 1981.

Now entering the story is J B Hendriks from Twello, not to be confused with Jan Hendrix above. Jo Hendriks (J B Hendriks) achieved international fame in the summer of 1980 when he won the race of all races, 1st International Barcelona with a Van Wanroy bird bred by Jo from 2 birds he purchased from Van Wanroy prior to Jef’s death. Jo was a lover of the Van Wanroy birds, and a friend of Jef Van Wanroy, he knew the stock birds of Van Wanroy better than anyone else other than Jef himself. In 1970 Jo Hendriks bought late bred youngsters from Jef. Within that group there was “271” a daughter of the famous pair “Maaskant x Famous 90”. Hendriks told Jef that he thought the hen was too small. As Jo Hendriks recalled in an interview

““That was the only time Jef got mad at me. He Spoke the legendary words wait for three years, by then she will be the best hen you have in your loft. He was right, the 271 is the dam of my Barcelona international winner”

Jo Hendriks with the 1st International Barcelona winner from 1980

Jo bought all the direct Van Wanroy’s from Anton van Haaren in 1974, including all of the stock pigeons approximately 40 birds. Seventeen of these were children of the famous “90” hen such as “t’Hartje” 1st National St. Vincent. “De 90” was a great racer and producer having won 4th National St. Vincent 697 miles, 11th National Dax 680 miles, 36th National St. Vincent, 125th National Dax and in her last year of flying in 1970 at seven years of age 7th National Dax 7,460 birds.

The pedigree of Hendriks 1st International Barcelona winner shows line breeding to the “De 90” hen. The sire was bred from a son of “De 90” paired to his 3rd national Barcelona hen (a daughter of the 1st National Barcelona winner). Dam is the previously mentioned “271” (a full sister to 1st National St. Vincent) out of the golden pair “De Maaskantkampioen” cock and “De 90. Hendricks not only bought “De 90” but also the other crack pigeons such as; “De Westerhuis”, “De Spin”, “De Barcelona”, “De St. Vincent”, “De Maaskantkampioen”, “De Tekkel” and “De Jong Spin”. Jo Hendriks continued Van Wanroy’s breeding methods and can rightly be labelled as the successor to Van Wanroy and custodian of the Van Wanroy gene pool

Jef Van Wanroy built up his strain by close breeding, severe selection and a few out crossings of only thoroughly tested long-distance pigeons. When any out cross was tried its youngsters were tested for two or three years before a final decision was made on keeping the blood or not. If it was decided not to keep the blood, not only was the new pigeon disposed of, but also all of its offspring.

The Van Wanroy’s are a small type pigeon possessing very soft feather, good balance, strong backs, small heads and beautiful eyes. They mature slowly and are very tame. They rarely win a prize in short distance races but at 500, 600, 700 miles they excel. As Jo got older he slowly passed the stock and descendants, to his son Ben, who has become every bit as successful as his father. A granddaughter of Hendriks 1st International (De Barcelona) winner is “Katja” a beautiful hen that won 1st National Bergerac in 96 against 16,674 b. She was also the fastest on the day against 39,069b. In her pedigree we also find the lines of the Van Wanroy stockbird “Hartje”. She is the full sister to 43rd Nat Barcelona 7,767 b.

Ben Hendriks discovered another quality of the Van Wanroy pigeons, for racing they were the perfect cross for Janssen Arendonk and Gommar Verbruggen pigeons. The crossing of the super tough Van Wanroy’s with the speed of the Janssen and Verbruggen birds meant a breakthrough at the one-day races from 350 to 500 miles (560 to 800kms). Ben never made the mistake to let these crossings dominate his loft; the pure Van Wanroys remained the number one stock family at his loft.

“The Van Wanroy’s are a small type pigeon possessing very soft feather, good balance, strong backs, small heads and beautiful eyes. They mature slowly and are very tame. They rarely win a prize in short distance races but at 500, 600, 700 miles they excel.”

Having obtained their first Van Wanroy’s from Jan Hendrix in 1981 the world famous Eijerkamp family strengthened their Van Wanroy stock by obtaining youngsters of Ben Hendriks from all his best Van Wanroy lines. By obtaining birds from Ben Hendriks’s Maaskant 372 x Famous 90 lines Hans, Evert-Jan and Hans-Jaap Eijerkamp had completed their purchase of Van Wanroy stock. From every successful pair Van Wanroy had, and all his fantastic racers and breeders, the bloodlines can still be found at Eijerkamp lofts.

Kliene Donkere NL76-749059 as mentioned earlier was raced with great success by Jo Hendrix. Purchased in 1981 he went on to be a great breeding cock for the Eijerkamp family

The descendants of” Kliene Donkere “are truly magnificent. With children and g/children winning many national prizes including Ist International Tarbes 5,008 b. 1st National Bordeaux, 1st Nat Brive, 1st Soignies 9,374 birds and many, many more national and International prizes.

Black Giant NL91-1471583 pure Van Wanroy winner of 1st Nat Bergerac 1995 against 40,334b.

To this he added 19th Nat Bergerac ‘93 19,948 b. 41st Nat Bergerac ‘94 15,679 b. 1st federation Ruffec ‘94 1,583b. and 92nd Nat Ruffec 9,904 b. Black Giant has the very best Van Wanroy lines in his pedigree. Being inbred to the “Spin” on his sires sire and his g/dam being a granddaughter of Kliene Donkere.

In Black Giant we first meet the lines down from the “Spin”. These lines were very important in the development of the stock. “Oude Spin” NL67-821892 was responsible for many producers especially for the lofts of Ben Hendriks and Gebr. Kuyper from Neer (who won 1st & 3rd Nat Barcelona in 1976 & 1975 with a descendant of “Oude Spin”

“Black Giant’s breeding value has also been proven over the years his descendants have won

1st Nat Barcelona 12,657 birds

1st International Pau 8,601 b.

1st Nat Bordeaux 6,164 birds

1st Nat Bordeaux 5.004 birds

1st Nat Cahors 4,887 birds

Black Cahors

1st Nat Limoges 2,942 b.

His G/G/son “ Drogba” NL04-1560775 was winner of

1st Nat Ace Pigeon Long distance WHZB in 2006

1st NAT Ace pigeon Long distance BOTB 2006 having beaten 53,207 b. over 5 races winning

7th NPO Perique 6,985 b.

25th Nat Bergerac 17,506 b.

15th NPO Brive 6,536 b.

46th NPO Perique 6,843 b.

60th Nat Bergerac 15,490 b.

Drogba is still recognised as one of Eijerkamp’s top long distance cocks, he and his children have gone on to breed many winners, in the Netherlands and around the world especially through birds from the Ponderosa stud in the UK.

Other notable Van Wanroy stock cocks at Eijerkamp were “Friedhelm” NL97-2555993 father to

1st International Perpignan 2001 25,471 b. G/sire to 1st International Barcelona.

Famous overnight racers in Western-Europe, at National and International level, credit their successes to pure or crossed van Wanroy pigeons like for instance the 1st International winners of:

Barcelona: Kuyper’s brothers, W. v. Leeuwen, J.B. Hendriks, J. Theelan, C. Vanoppen, Vrösch-Meyers partnership, F. Menne and daughters, Danny Vagenende

Perpignan: P. v.d. Eijnden, Saya brothers, P. en H.P. Brockamp, F. Menne and daughters and Vertelman & Son.

It is striking, that so many legendary stock birds are abundantly provided with the van Wanroy bloodlines:

-Of the Kuyper’s brothers, ‘de Kromme’ and ‘Spin 807’ (father to ‘Barcelona I, II and III’).

Besides, the father to this 807 is again a son to Westerhuis x 90

‘99 Kweker’, ‘Smaragd I and II’ of Wim van Leeuwen,

‘Superkweker’ of Hermans-Hoekstra,

‘Superkweker’ of Jo van Haaren (Piet Heikants foundation hen is a half-sister),

‘Gouden Kuypertje’ of Jan Theelen,

‘Rode 50’ of Co Vertelman and Son,

‘Super Kweker’ of Herman Brinkman,

‘Ben’ of Wilfried Stiel,

‘Vlekje’ of Martha van Geel,

‘Kleine Donkere’ and the ‘Black Giant’ of Eijerkamp and Sons,

‘Stamvader 422’ of Martien Verwijlen and Son,

‘Jong Hartje’ of Jeu Vervuurt,

‘Gouden Koppel’ of Harm Vredeveld,

‘Droomkoppel’ of the late Evert Glazenburg and last but not least:

‘Blauwe Vanoppen’ of Harry and Roger Wijnands.

“Ben Hendriks discovered another quality of the Van Wanroy pigeons, for racing they were the perfect cross for Janssen Arendonk and Gommar Verbruggen pigeons. The crossing of the super tough Van Wanroy’s with the speed of the Janssen and Verbruggen birds meant a breakthrough at the one-day races…………..”

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Jan Theelen

Jan Theelen, Master Breeder, from Buggenum, Belgium.

Watch, Listen or Read about Jan Theelen below here....

<img decoding="async" src="https://virtualstockloft.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Quote-Icon.png" alt="" width="50" height="38" />“The most important acquisition here was the “Guarantee hen” because Van Gulck sold the pigeon with a guarantee: not a good one? – then a full refund !”

<img decoding="async" src="https://virtualstockloft.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Quote-Icon.png" alt="" width="50" height="38" />“Nothing but champions came out of this couple. “At least 20,” says Jan Theelen, with a firmness that leaves no room for doubt.”

Jan Aarden

Jan Aarden, Master Breeder & Racer, was born 6th November 1893, in Steenbergen, Holland.

Watch, Listen or Read about Jan Aarden Racing Pigeons below here....

André Vanbruaene

André Vanbruaene, Master Breeder and Racer, born in 1910 in Lauwe, Belgium.

Watch, Listen or Read about André Vanbruaene Racing Pigeons below here....

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1438" src="https://virtualstockloft.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Quote-Icon.png" alt="" width="50" height="38" />“…“You have to use him Andre. It is definitely a pigeon from very good blood””

Maurice Delbar

Maurice Delbar, Master Breeder & Racer, was born 1899, in Ronse, Belgium.

Watch, Listen or Read about The Delbar Family of Racing Pigeons below here....

Antoon Van der Wegen

The Van Der Wegen family of Racing Pigeons, from Steenbergen in Holland

Watch, Listen or Read about the Van Der Wegen Racing Pigeon family below here....

Jef Van Wanroy

Jef Van Wanroy, Master Breeder & Racer, was born 1904, in Broekhuizenvorst, Holland.

Watch, Listen or Read about the Van Wanroy Pigeon Family below here....

“The most important acquisition here was the “Guarantee hen” because Van Gulck sold the pigeon with a guarantee: not a good one? – then a full refund !”

“Nothing but champions came out of this couple. “At least 20,” says Jan Theelen, with a firmness that leaves no room for doubt.”

“…“You have to use him Andre. It is definitely a pigeon from very good blood””