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....

“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.

1

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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Dr. Arthur Bricoux

Dr. Arthur Bricoux, Master Breeder, 1874 -1944, Jolimont, Belgium,.

Watch, Listen or Read about Dr. Bricoux below here....

Who was the best pigeon fancier of all time – a question often asked. The most consistent answer for many would be “Dr Bricoux”. Without doubt, he was the greatest master in the period between 1919 and 1939. Between the 2 wars, he won an incredible number of prizes in the National and long-distance events. In ten years, during the period from 1930 through 1939, he won 14 First Prizes, 12 Seconds, and 124 prizes within the first 20 places of top level races. His successes were so numerous and so outstanding that there had even been allegations that he must have been doping his pigeons.

Arthur Bricoux was interested in pigeons during his university studies, while attending medical school, and fifty years later, it was clear that his passion for the sport had not dimninished. To defend the position of being consider the top fancier and racer over a period of 25 years is nothing short of astounding !

“His successes were so numerous and so outstanding that there had even been allegations that he must have been doping his pigeons.”

He was a student of genetics and performances, with an innate ability to get the combinations perfect – resulting in winner after winner, breeder after breeder. His first pigeons were the Beeckmans and the Celliers’s (Lorette’s). These were added to pigeons he later found, called the Baclenes from Walcourt and the Rousseaus from Jemeppe. He also exchanged some young birds with the great French Champion, Paul Sion of Tourcoing, and the crossings which resulted gave him fantastic results. Although an inbreeder of pigeons, Dr. Bricoux confessed that sometimes he used an out-cross as too much successive inbreeding leads to a decline in the performances. The Doctor maintained that those who did not seek an outcross at some point would watch their colony decay. Ideally, an outcross to another inbred family was his preferred solution to this problem, and the progeny should be hard tested thereafter before completely integrating the 2 families further.

Arthur Bricoux became an established name and that served him well, because none other than the brothers Baclène van Walcourt were interested in exchanging pigeons with the doctor. That’s how it was then and that’s how it goes now: champions are looking for champions to breed together and or to exchange pigeons, and usually with a sharing of the progeny. Baclène chose two hens in Jolimont and the doctor selected two red cocks in Walcourt. One of them, a Red one, was a grandson of the famous Brun of Baclène. The other, also a Red one, was a grandson of their “Vieux Pâle” a pure Wegge who was 1st national Saint-Vincent.

Bricoux was not really fond of large pigeons. That was actually one of his biggest problems, that neither the Carliers nor the Beeckmans – who were nevertheless better muscled – match his “standard”. But Bricoux had enough faith in his own breeding art to dissolve these traits. A first attempt to do so – he himself says in the foreword to his sale in 19630 – was the purchase of a small Grey cock at the public sale of the Rousseau Brotehrs. He called him “Le Petit Mouhy”. The idea of making its baselines rounder and more compact, failed miserably. After a few generations, the model of the Petit Mouhy was almost completely overgrown by the Antwerp type of the Grooters (read Beeckman) and Lorettes (read Carlier).

“That’s how it was then and that’s how it goes now: Champions are looking for Champions to breed together and/or to exchange pigeons………….”

Only the gray colour remained in the trunk. That Grey will also leave traces in numerous long distance pigeons and it was via a gray Bricoux that introduced the colour to the Delbar strain. As already mentioned, Bricoux succeeded in positively influencing the type of his pigeons with the Wegge-doffer from Omnozez. He would then do the same and with great success with Baclène’s Wegges. He paired a daughter of the Rouge Beeckman with a red Baclène, namely the grandson of the Vieux Pâle. Bricoux was delighted with his experiment. In his own words, he bred the most beautiful pearls of pigeons that you can dream of from this couple: good, perfect athletes and beautiful. Their names are on record for eternity: La Bonne à l’Oeil Blanc, Le Janot, Le Cravaté, La Petite Rousse. The latter not only won5th Nat. Dax, but she also bred a plethora of champions, including Jules César.

“Bricoux only brought in inbred pigeons. Why? For the sake of stability in his family:……….”

If the imported pigeon “caught” with his own family, he could then replicate or repeat that breeding with more consistent results. An important contribution of new blood came in Jolimont from an exchange with the French champion Paul Sion from Tourcoing. Sion was primarily a buyer of pigeons, and only bought from the best. From what Bricoux obtained at Sion, only the Ecaillé Sion, a son of the Etalon of Sion, was found to be worthy of breeding. The Etalon was a pure Wegge of origin. Bricoux paired him with la Belle Rousse, a full sister of Jules César, daughter of the only real stock couple that Bricoux ever owned. From the Ecaillé Zion with the Mooi Rosse came the best pigeons, such as the Brun, the Rouge Libourne (sometimes called l’Oeil Gris (gray eye)) and The Libourne, which was a world class hit pigeon.

“An important contribution of new blood came in Jolimont from an exchange with the French champion Paul Sion from Tourcoing.”

Bricoux never raced Youngbirds, and only began racing the birds as yearlings – usually on the natural method before putting them on the widowhood system as 2 year olds. Dr. Bricoux was one of the very early adopters of the widowhood method of racing pigeons, and this probably propelled him forward in his performances over many of the other fanciers who were still racing natural at the time. These 2 year old birds would be sent to races at 600km, whilst the older, more experienced birds would be sent to the longest international races, at 1000km or more. His own preference was for the longest of the races, preferring to use the shorter races to bring his birds into form and condition.

**Le Derby Duray – 1925 (The Colour, Splashes & Stance – All Hallmarks !)**

Dr. Bricoux had a preference for birds with very strong vent bones, carried on a well-built and muscular frame with soft feathering all over. With regards to feathering and wings, he preferred birds with long secondary feathers on the inside wing, proclaiming that birds with short inside-wing feathers were neither suitable for long or even medium length races. The over-riding thought was that the beauty or absence of it in a bird told nothing about its athletic abilities, and that the basket was the best judge of all !

Doctor Bricoux sold quite a few pigeons. In 1930 he even sold a whole series of his champions together with a lot of youngsters. It is whispered that he urgently needed money to pay off the debt of one of his children. But given his all-surpassing results, and as one can imagine – his pigeons were very sought after by the long-distance fans: men like Van der Espt and Hector Desmet were regular customers. But Bricoux also had his regular purchasers and “out-lofts”, first and foremost Senator Ernest Duray of Ecaussines, who beat the doctor more than once with his own pigeons in the national races. Caramin (Châtelet) also almost only had Bricoux pigeons; at Nestor Tremmery (Oudenburg) there was certainly half of the Bricoux colony and we certainly do not forget champions such as Demarets, Demil, Gebr. Danhaive, Oscar Blaimont

“His pigeons were very sought after by the long-distance fans: men like Van der Espt and Hector Desmet were regular customers…………”

in 1940 the Germans marched into Belgium while the Allies systematically lost ground. Doctor Bricoux fled with his family across the border and left his pigeon colony to a caretaker. Because the reputation of the Bricoux pigeons was known all over Western Europe and carrier pigeons were considered a powerful weapon in wartime, the French army did not in any way want the pigeons of Dr. Bricoux to fall into hostile hands. Instead of bringing the pigeons to safety, they were mercilessly killed on the spot by French soldiers. Undoubtedly the most insane act in the history of pigeon sport … The life’s work of the doctor was quickly destroyed. Dr. Bricoux never got over it. Luckily for Dr. Bricoux, 2 great friends of his agreed to assist him in recreating his colony of pigeons, they were Nestor Tremmery of Oudenburg, and Arthur Caramin of Chatelet. The best stock pigeons of Caramin and Tremmery were blended in with the experience of Bricoux, and an entire round of youngsters were brought over from Oudenburg and Chatelet to Jolimont. The entire pigeon fancy at that time, was assured that this was to be the start of a new, all conquering colony. Alas, it was to be for only a short period of time, for with the colony barely re-built – Dr. Bricoux died, in the prime of his life, but with the firm hope that his life’s work would be continued.

**The Duray Strain – An acknowledged 100% Bricoux Strain !**

“Alas, it was to be for only a short period of time, for with the colony barely re-built – Dr. Bricoux died”

In 1952, Dr. Bricouxs son agreed to sell the entire Bricoux colony as his business interests prevented him form carrying on the lifetime of work that his father had invested in the birds – On the eve of the total sale of the Bricoux pigeons, it was a real pleasure for the pigeon journalist, Leon Petit, To give credit to Arthur Bricoux Jr. for the remarkable way in which he had kept intact, the legacy of his father. Through this common sense decision, the opportunity to procure some of these world famous pigeons was presented to those fanciers who were looking for some pure Bricoux birds.for the remarkable way he had kept his father’s legacy intact. Through this common sense decision, the opportunity to procure some of these world famous pigeons was presented to those fanciers who were looking for some pure Bricoux birds.

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