Maurice Delbar

Maurice Delbar

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

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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

Antoon Van der Wegen

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

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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.”

Antoon & Luci Van Der Wegen

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.”

Antoon Van Der Wegen

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

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.

Lamme

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).

Van Der Wegen – The Marathon Flyers

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

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

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“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.

Jef Van Wanroy

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.

1st Intl Barcelona 1980

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.

The Van Wanroy Lofts

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.

Kleine Donkere

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

“De 90”

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.

Ben Hedriks Montage

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.

Black Giant

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.

Black Cahors

 

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.

Drogba

 

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…………..