Watch, Listen or Read about Walkingshaw Pigeons below here....
A. Walkingshaw and Son.
Walkingshaw and Son. were based in Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland, on the shores of Strangford Lough, and flew their birds from the aptly named Sunville lofts which enjoyed an elevated position above the town. The 4 compartment loft was South Eastern facing and enjoyed the heat of the sun for most of the day in the spring and summer months, a factor enjoyed by the partnership and which they reckoned to assist with bringing birds into form before the long tests of the France to Ireland races.
The partnership, founded in 1930, originally consisted of Brothers, Arthur and James Walkinshaw , but following James’s death, Arthur’s son Billy joined him and contributed wholly into making this strain of birds such a well known performance pigeon family throughout Ireland and the UK.
Billy Walkingshaw on the walkway at “Sunville Lofts”
Arthur had lived and worked in Workindon, Cumbria for a number of years – where he also originally kept pigeons. During his stay there, he met the famous Scottish flyer, John Kirkpatrick, from whom he attained pigeons. These were the best of the Kirkpatrick pigeons which were already making a huge name for themselves at the distance from racepoints throughout the UK and France. These Kirkpatrick pigeons were combined with Arthurs original family of Barker-Gits, to produce what we now refer to as the Walkingshaw strain of pigeons.
“These Kirkpatrick pigeons were combined with Arthurs original family of Barker-Gits, to produce what we now refer to as the Walkingshaw strain of pigeons”
There has been much debate about the background breeding of the Walkinshaw Birds. The “trademark” colour of “Ash” as it is known in Ireland, or “Silver” as it is mostly referred to in the UK is almost unique in modern breeds to both the Walkingshaw and Barker strains – and many other families were based on “an Old Ash Hen” which were preferred above all else for the stock-loft ! Typically the birds were normally paired in March and only birds that had flown France were allowed to hatch eggs at the Walkinshaw lofts, but when you see the performances below, you will realise that this still constituted a large number of pigeons at the lofts !
The Dam of the Loft was a 1956, Red Kirkpatrick hen who had flown 15th Open Les Sables (570 miles). She was paired to a Barker pigeon, a son of which flew Les Sables three times in the prizes and from Nantes twice. She also had a daughter known as “The Barcelona hen”, who was the 34th bird recorded from Barcelona, and only the second ever to be recorded into Ireland from this famed and difficult race point, flying 972 miles. She also had another daughter who flew 2nd Open Les Sables which was almost 600 miles to the loft. The Sire of the Loft was a cock who had flown 2nd Open Dinard at 550 miles. This pairing essentially formed the base of the loft for the next 40 years or so. From early on, It was evident that these pigeons like to be jumped in distance and that it didn’t affect their ability to get home. Typically, they would have had one cross-channel race of approximately 180 miles before being sent to France for their main race of the year.
“…who was the 34th bird recorded from Barcelona, and only the second ever to be recorded into Ireland from this famed and difficult race point…”
Following the deaths of the Walkingshaw family the birds were dispersed far and wide and can be found the length and breadth of not just our Island, but also in the UK. They have played an important and significant part in the genetic makeup of the Irish sea racing pigeons over the course of many years, and it is few lofts that would not mention the existence of a Walkingshaw bird in their stock loft, supporting and contributing to the creation of their next cross-sea competitors.
As for the selection of birds – this took place over a period of 40 years and consists solely of the survivors from races that were across the water from either UK or French Race points. They have been crossed with other families such as Buschaert, Delbars, Theelans, Kenyons and others to form magnificent families of birds which have stood the test of time.
One of the more famous Birds was Portavogie Lass. She was raced by Palmer and Young of Portavogie, Co. Down. She won the 1996 Miller Gold Cup being the only bird on the day from France. She was a pure Walkingshaw. Other birds with Portavogie Lass connections was a daughter, named “Glenhill Lass” who won first Open from France and a daughter of hers called “No Problem” who had 11 firsts including first Club, Fourth Open from Picauville and 1st Club, 26th Open from the Portland National. “Moonlight Lass”, another daughter of Portavogie Lass was also 1st Open from Messac. Other notable achievements with Walkingshaw birds was a bird called “Steady and True”, who was a 1956 rung Blue cock, who had been to Redon in the prizes twice at 550 miles and twice to Les Sables at 572 miles, his dam was a pigeon called “Gallant” and she had flown three Kings cups in the prizes, all at 500+ miles.
“One of the more famous Birds was Portavogie Lass. She was raced by Palmer and Young of Portavogie, Co. Down. She won the 1996 Miller Gold Cup being the only bird on the day from France”
There was also a 1957 Blue Cheq. hen who was 2nd Open in the King’s Cup which had also flown Redon and Les Sables. Her sire and Dam had both flown 2 Kings Cups also. There was a blue 1950 hen who had been to Rennes once, Redon twice and had recorded 29th, 34th and 60th Open in those races. In 1965 the national open race from Les Sables, there was only seven Birds home from the race. Two of these birds were flown by the Walkingshaw partnership. These French racing points, proved to be the ultimate test for many of these pigeons and some of the more significant results and performers from the family were uncovered by these marathon tests. There was the “Old Blue Cock” who flew in the prizes from France five times. In 1966, the partnership flew the Dinard race and recorded 1st, 2nd, 4th and 10th section as well as 2nd & 23rd Open in 1969. In 1958, they flew Les Sables in 2nd, 3rd and 15th Open positions.
In the early 1990s, following the clearance sale of the Walkinshaw Birds, it was known that Billy Walkinshaw had held onto a few “old favourites”. One evening, within a few weeks, one of these Old favourites disappeared from the loft. Not wanting to lose any more of these birds, he decided to part with these last few pigeons of the strain he and father had painstakingly built over a 50 year period. He turned to his friends the Murphy Brothers at Killyleagh. He brought them 2 Cocks and a Hen, with the sentiments that is he ever wanted to get the heart of his pigeon genetics back again, that they would be in easy reach. These 3 Birds went on to found another great distance family for the Murphy Brothers which endures to this day. They, in turn, have bred many birds to go and score from the channel and French Races not just for themselves, but for many other famous fanciers in Northern Ireland.
“These French racing points, proved to be the ultimate test for many of these pigeons and some of the more significant results and performers from the family were uncovered by these marathon tests.”
The legacy of the Walkingshaw strain of pigeons is that of tenacity, great orientating ability and an ability to contribute to an already proven family of pigeons. They work best on the worst of days, when the speeds are below 1000 ypm, and better again if the speeds are below 700 ypm ! With their trademark classical looks of large wattles, great eyesign, good feathering and colours which sometime immediately denotes their heritage, the Walkingshaws will be around to compete for sometime yet.
Watch, Listen or Read about Jan Theelen below here....
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, 1st 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 113th out of 16,632 national Saint Vincent (11th provincial) In 1985, in addition to her provincial victory, she also won 17th 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 2nd against 926 pigeons from Dax ZLU; 3rd against 1,204 euregion, 11th 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 61st 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…………..”
Watch, Listen or Read about Irish Sea Racing Pigeons below here....
Irish Sea Racing Pigeons
Racing pigeons, as a sport has been in Ireland for well over 100 years, since the late 1880’s. Traditionally, our business interests forged strong links with Belgium through the textile industry at the turn of the 20th Century. There is clear evidence that the pigeons of Hanseene, Commines, Wegge, Jurion, Delmotte, Puttman and others were making their way from Belgium to Ireland – and being tested on our terrain and environments from early on.
As the sport became popular, and transport became easier, we began to see imports of what are better known strains and families of birds such as those from Jules Janssen, Dr. Bricoux, Van Der Espt, Maurice Delbar, Georges Busschaert amongst many others.
Our location, surrounded by water !
Irish fanciers began to visit the lofts of these Belgian champions, to forge relationships, and ensure that the best of these families were coming to the Irish lofts due to the very extreme conditions that our racing pigeons had to face – namely the Celtic Sea and Irish Sea. Not many pigeons in the world are expected to head out across open ocean for distances between 200 and 500km of open water, and be expected to be seen again!
“Not many pigeons in the world are expected to head out across open ocean for distances between 200 and 500km of open water, and be expected to be seen again!”
Thus, over a period of over 100 years now, we have been refining and selecting the pigeons that can undertake this arduous task of flying across large expanses of water, in cold and often wet conditions, with fog and predators to contend with, all for the love of their home loft.
Some extraordinary results have been achieved in this period. “Barcelona Bluebell” in 1965 raced from the Spanish racepoint of Barcelona (1600 KM +), she had already completed 4 flights from France at 900km each. “Ulster Queen” raced from San Sebastian into Northern Ireland at similar distances – proving that these extraordinary feats over water can be completed.
“Channel” or “Irish Sea” Race points in the UK.
In modern Irish Pigeon Racing the distances are not quite so far, but the blood of the ancestral pigeons is maintained, and the selection process is still very robust. It needs to be because as young pigeons they are expected to race to 500 KM across the Irish Sea from Britain, and there are even examples of these young birds completing the crossing from France (900KM) as young as 7 months old. This type of racing is not for every family of pigeons, and it is well documented that many of the so-called “famous” racing pigeon families simply cannot perform the tasks asked of them over the sea from Ireland. Many of the famous Dutch and Belgian families will only do so after they have been tested and selected over a number of years, and the input of the “older” blood is added to the breeding, will they perform.
Modern additions to the long distance blood that works, following testing and selection, include the Janssen, Delbar, Busschaert, Kenyon, Bricoux, Jan Theelan, Barker, Walkinshaw, Van Der Wegen, Van Wanroy, and Stichelbaut lines from the fines lofts in Europe – as stated earlier, none worked immediately, more like they endured over a protracted period of testing having been blended into other families of Irish Long Distance Pigeons – full of bravery, tenacity, orientation and character.
“…….following testing and selection, include the Janssen, Delbar, Busschaert, Kenyon, Bricoux, Jan Theelan, Barker, Walkinshaw, Van Der Wegen, Van Wanroy, ……….. as stated earlier, none worked immediately…………..”
We continue to “trial” all of the latest “fad” breeds, such as the Jellema pigeons and other families that are making their mark in Europe over land on the long races, but our history of hard testing and selection on our routes across the sea makes it difficult for these “new” families of birds to adapt – no matter what they have achieved elsewhere.
Pathfinders
For the channel and French racing in Ireland, the fanciers will have been busy breeding pigeons from the narrow gene pool of successful pigeons which have negotiated these tough racing conditions for the past 100 years or so.
Racing in Ireland, for any pigeon, begins in the year of its birth, when the racing program will concern mostly inland racing of between 100 – 300km. This involves the birds having to navigate the mountainous terrain and damp weather conditions which prevail in our country. Often the birdage for these races will exceed 30,000 birds. The last races of the year involve flights across the Irish Sea to Britain, to either Talbenny in Wales or to Penzance in Cornwall, both of which involve maritime flights of at least 250km over water, and perhaps 250km on the longer race points. This is how our pigeons are selected – no room here for the weak or non-brave birds.
In the second year of their racing lives, the birds which are bred for the medium and long distance races, will be racing in the shorter races as a form of training and conditioning, with their nest condition being prepared to provide the best motivation for the longer sea races which will be ahead of them. A favoured nest condition is to send the birds on chipping eggs or sitting a large young bird in the nest. Some fanciers will be looking to allow their birds to mature to being 2 years old before sending them to the marathon distances, so they will send them to the shorter sea races in their yearling stage, hoping to give them some experience before sending them to the major races the following year.
“This is how our pigeons are selected – no room here for the weak or non-brave birds………”
Other fanciers skip this middle stage and send their yearlings, some only 7 months old, to the longest races, and have even had some huge successes with this method. These races are truly a test of a pigeons’ character, with the distance over the sea, the weather, predators, wind direction and willingness to race all coming together to either help, or work against, the chances of having a successful flight from these most difficult racepoints.
Our longest racepoints, from France, over 500km of water !
Winning velocities obviously depend on the wind, and any race that is won above 1000m per minute is regarded as an easy race. Many of the races are “smash races” (less than 10% of the convoy home over 3 days), and the race has been won with a velocity below 700 mpm on many occasions. There are instances of less than 10 birds returning from a convoy of 2000+ birds, and many birds have returned on the winning race day as the single bird to reach home within the day of liberation.
Racing into Ireland, with our long distance marine races is not for the weak fanciers, to win they must send their best, and expect them! Thousands of “good” pigeons have never been seen again with these races, and yet others have flown in the prizes as many as 3, 4 or 5 times. These families are the ones that get retained into the gene pool, and have been contributing to this pool for many, many years. Nowhere else in the world are racing conditions so tough, that fresh” blood cannot be expected to compete with the specialist families that are experienced at doing these races.
A History of Selection
It is often noted that many things come about through necessity. In older times, when poverty pervaded with the working class, there was simply no room to carry “passengers”, be they Dogs, Horses or Pigeons. If the animal couldn’t perform to the standard required, it was disposed of or moved along to someone else. The food required to keep working animals was too expensive to be giving to underperforming individuals – and this worked a form of selection for many generations.
“……Racing into Ireland, with our long distance marine races is not for the weak fanciers, to win they must send their best, and expect them!…”
Our ability, as Irish people, to manage, blend and improve breeds of animals is known throughout the world through mainly the horse industry. Our horses are sought after and underpin most of the strong genetic lines anywhere -whether they be racers, jumpers, hunters or simply for show. Our environment has shaped this development, at times a shortage of money as mentioned above, our climactic conditions, our terrain, our genetics as nomadic herdsmen and, once developed, our keen eye for detail.
It is known that many strains and families of pigeons which came to our shores either directly from Belgium and Holland, or indirectly through Great Britain, have returned to their home countries, having been put through our testing and selection process, which, as is now commonly known, leaves little to the imagination. The genes and bloodlines of over 100 years of selection and breeding do not tell any lies, and although not all pigeons bred from this background turn out to be superstars, it is acknowledged that these birds are the perfect base to start from.
“A cold and unforgiving flight”
Pigeons which come from Belgium or Holland do not arrive here at our shores capable or willing to fly over large expanses of water. Following the training, testing and racing, not to mention the selective breeding process, within a period of 10 or more years, those families that succeed can be seen to be performing at these distance races.
It is an accolade for a racing pigeon to perform in the prizes from our most important race “The Kings Cup” which is flown from France every year. “Open” prizes are normally awarded to the first 200 places, if that many pigeons return in race time (normally 3 days). The average return from this race is probably around 10% of entrants – entry is normally between 2,500 and 3,000 birds.
“………..The genes and bloodlines of over 100 years of selection and breeding do not tell any lies……………”
Since 1970, for pigeons that perform in the prizes 3 times, they receive what is known as a “Hall Of Fame Diploma” award, this is a great honour to the bird and to the owner and breeder of the bird. It is a difficult feat to achieve for both fancier and bird, and has been achieved less than 200 times in 50 years.
A further award of a “Gold Medal” is awarded to pigeons which manage to go on to race a further time (4 times) in the prizes – this number of awards is less than 15 in 50 years. Additionally, a special award is also offered for pigeons which race the Youngbird National Race, The Yearling National Race and the Kings Cup – all in the prize positions, known as “The Triple Crown” award. This has only been completed 9 times in 10 years. These birds are very special athletes, and it just shows to prove how difficult and testing our race routes are.
From the same “King’s Cup” race – The “Harkness Rosebowl” is awarded to the loft with the 2 fastest returning birds from the race, and often these birds are paired together for future racing. Additionally, and finally, a single bird challenge competition is held whereby the fanciers must nominate a single bird of their flock who they reckon will return fastest from the race. It is a great occasion in our racing season as it is the fruits of many months and years of preparation for many of the participants.
Watch, Listen or Read about the Sion Racing Pigeon strain below here....
A. H. Osman said…..“This man has won more prizes in one season than many fanciers win in a lifetime”. ”
The Sion strain of long distance racing pigeons holds a hallowed place in the merit list of the world’s greatest families of the thoroughbreds of the sky. And like much that is good in Europe, he came from the culture of France.
Paul Sion, from Tourcoing France, its originator, started in the sport in 1895 and, in due course, set his mark. In fact, what he produced crossed more national boundaries throughout the world and became the source of much joy and reward to countless fanciers. To quote one eminent authority, A. H. Osman, “This man has won more prizes in one season than many fanciers win in a lifetime”.
A close friend of Paul Sion and his son Robert was the famous English racer & writer Dr. W. Anderson – his contemporary accounts of the Sion’s give us a unique insight into the methods and thoughts of Paul Sion….
“I visited this world famous fancier for the first time in 1929, and I was particularly impressed by his marvellous collection of pigeons. I must first of all give a slight impression of his magnificent loft installation.
The building was of four storeys; the ground floor housed his cars, the second floor his grain, baskets and odds and ends of loft equipment; the third was the old bird loft for widowhood and natural racing; and the fourth his young bird lofts.
Paul Sion was a keen gardener, and was mostly interested in roses and sweet peas; his other interests included Game Cocks, sporting dogs (especially setters) and shooting.
In later years I got to know M. Sion and his son M. Robert Sion much more intimately and we found many interests in common. I was able to help him with plants, gun-dogs and even game cocks! During my first visit I was able to purchase a good stock pair containing the “Vieux Gris” blood – BCC 87646/25 and BBH 44284/26. From the beginning, this pair did well and were grandparents of winners up to Rennes, 545 miles, and Nantes, 608 miles, and 1st Open Dol.
Robert Sion, Son of Paul.
After my second visit I bought his No. 1 stock hen, a Blue 605142; she had bred many winners for Paul Sion and she also did well for me. Later I purchased a Red Chequer cock “Admiration” 605297/29, when he was a yearling. I selected him and was able to have him only because he had been shot in the leg when returning from his last race and was permanently lame. Paul rightly considered that his racing days were over. “Admiration” left at Tourcoing a youngster which was to be Paul Sion’s National winner in a future year from Morceaux. With “Admiration” I also bought a Mealy hen, 82288, who was the dam of champion “Rouge Macot”.
“…Paul Sion considered “Champion Rousselet” and “Champion Rouge Macot” his two greatest pigeons. I was fortunate in making these selections and especially before the stock from them had won their spurs in the long races.“
They therefore justified my selection. M. Sion presented me with “Champion Rousselet” and up to the war in 1939 he gave me all the birds I required.”
“Le Rousselet” Red Mealy Cock, 28.517634, bred by M. Paul Sion and well known in Belgium and France as M. Sion’s “Black-Eyed Cock,” and is winner of over 40 prizes up to 900 kilometers. He is sire of several Aces including his best bird in 1934, also of M. Van Ecke’s two Sion Cocks (nest-mates) which put up wonderful performances in 1933 National races. “Le Rousselet” is described by M. Sion as follows: “A direct son of my old Grey Stud Cock which is one of the greatest glories of my loft. This bird alone will found a loft.” “Ch. Rousselet” in type was a perfect pigeon, of medium size, good head and black eyes (rather to my mind a dark shade of blue), beautiful body and wings. He was a Strawberry Mealy. In addition, he was like “Ch. Epinard” and other great pigeons, quiet and tame, and easy to work with. He was one of the foundation blocks in building my present Sion family.
The birds enumerated and several others from the same source and from M. Robert Sion (his son) were the original stock from which my Sion family came. They are essentially a hardier type of pigeon than the Stassarts and stand up to feeding their youngsters even as prisoner stock birds. They shine in difficult head winds, and are courageous and reliable. They are also, as Dr. Bricoux and M. Stassart proved, a very reliable cross almost with any strain. In 1946, after the war, and at M. Sion’s request, I sent him two pairs of my best Sion blood to help him to re-establish his loft.
Paul Sion died in 1947 and his son Robert continued to breed the strain his father had developed for 42 years, obtaining success comparable to that of his father. I have recently heard from his son, M. Robert Sion, that these are now in his loft and I am sure they will give a good account of themselves in future races. I am of the opinion that the son will worthily uphold the name of Sion in the pigeon world.
A few notes with reference to the origin of the Sion pigeons and regarding M. Paul Sion’s methods should be of interest.
The birds go back to a son of M. Gris Dugniol’s (Paris) champion Mealy Cock who won consistently in the long races for ten successive years. This cock,“Le Madrigal”, was of the strain of M. Kikkens of Antwerp – a family as well-known at that time as that of Wegge or Cassier, etc.
Le Madrigal was mated to a Mealy hen of the Red Vekeman blood (Wegge) and produced a blue hen with “Black Eyes” which proved to be a champion in all the races. She was later mated to a cock of the blood of Pynen and Delathouwer. From this mating came the famous champion “Rouge Sion,” who was a great winner and breeder of winners.
“…His successes were phenomenal at all distances and especially when conditions were adverse. The birds were game and at all times dependable. I was impressed, in my numerous visits to the loft, by the uniform quality of the birds – he had always a preponderance of Reds, Red Cheqs, and Mealies“
Many of the latter were Mealies which were strongly Black ticked like the original old Dugniol cock, their grandfather. M. Sion conserved and cultivated this family for between thirty and forty years – the birds became his famous “Vieux Gris”. M. Sion used a suitable out-cross occasionally – he was not a confirmed in-breeder.
His successes were phenomenal at all distances and especially when conditions were adverse. The birds were game and at all times dependable. I was impressed, in my numerous visits to the loft, by the uniform quality of the birds – he had always a preponderance of Reds, Red Cheqs, and Mealies, and all these were of the same type. The young bird loft was occupied by a magnificent team. M. Sion never seemed to have a bad breeding season. Some of the birds were above medium size, but all without exception were robust and muscular.
M. Sion was a champion racer and an outstanding breeder, two qualifications which are very seldom got at the same time. On inspecting and handling a pigeon typical of the Sion family I was always impressed by the fact that although the bird looked more than medium size he was seldom heavy and he appeared smaller in the hand.
On the average the Sions are definitely bigger than the Stassarts or the Bricoux birds. They are good racers and good breeders. M. Sion was also a generous feeder and in his dietary used beans and vetches very largely. Both systems of racing were practised, natural method and widowhood. Success above the average was achieved by both methods; he did exceptionally well with his hens, but I think he preferred the system of widowhood and he practised this method with all the great enthusiasm of the expert. He was one of the greatest exponents of that game.
In his training of his youngsters he was an exacting taskmaster. They were thoroughly selected for physical fitness before being subjected to training and all came under starter’s orders. The Sion strain was very fashionable abroad and was introduced into many of the best lofts, e.g. by M. Stassart, Dr. Bricoux, etc. M. Ernest Duray who won the Pau National in successive years with “La Plume Blanche de Pau” was another fancier who set great store by the Sion family. His great winner was three-quarters Bricoux and One-quarter Sion.
Yes, Paul Sion who was later to be assisted by his son, Robert, truly exceeded (perhaps even) his expectations when after becoming a fancier he adopted Luis Salembier as his teacher, the latter being one of the great French distance pigeoners for over 50 years at that time. Sion admitted in 1935 that he belonged to the Luis Salembier school.
“…When once asked what were the requirements for success in long distance and marathon racing Paul Sion replied – “strain and constitution”.”
Upon following the advice of his mentor, Sion obtained the best of distance bloodlines including representatives of the old Verviers strain and for decades cultivated what he referred to as his old Gris (grey) strain.
When once asked what were the requirements for success in long distance and marathon racing Paul Sion replied – “strain and constitution”. A reply which was in the form of an article in which the author took, as an example, there were horses good in soft and other horses good in hard conditions. Opining that there were pigeons or strains good in clear, weather conditions and others good in tough cloudy conditions. The latter strains being the best for the ultra-distances and routes across water.
Thus according to Sion only those birds whose forebears distinguished themselves in difficult races were in turn capable of doing the same.
Paul Sion died in 1947 and his son Robert continued to breed the strain his father had developed for 42 years obtaining success comparable to that of his father.
Whatever is one’s response to Sion’s position in that article there is one notable fact and that is – he was not an advocate of inbreeding. Like his master Salembier, Sion, participated in out crossing, which was based upon much thought and research into the pedigree and the background of the potential cross. The fruit of which was a strain that was almost identical in appearance. Apparently this great pigeoner had perfected his out crossing approach to the level of a science.
Today, there are those who claim to have representatives of the Sion strain. How pure they are I do not know, but there is a wide agreement that when one sees a Sion one knows that it is a Sion, which is but a reflection of the genius of their founder.
The Sion genetics have endured in champions around the world, their presence and influence has even crossed into Ireland where the tough characteristics so loved by Paul Sion have been blended with proven Irish bloodlines to produce many champions including those of the Blue Riband Kings Cup.
“…he was not an advocate of inbreeding. Like his master, Salembier, Sion participated in out-crossing, which was based upon much thought and research into the pedigree and the background of the potential cross.”
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.
Watch, Listen or Read about Georges Busschaert below.......
Remi (Georges) Busschaert was born into a wealthy industrial family, a family that also had a passion for the sport of pigeon racing. His father was a respected pigeon fancier and it was inevitable that the young Georges would also develop an interest. His brothers Andre and Marcel were also keenly interested as was his sister Alice. At the end of the 1920’s the Busschaert family moved to Beveren – Leie where they established a haulage business. At the same time, they invested heavily in racing pigeons from various sources. Maurice Delbar, Vandevelde, Stickelbout and Commines just to name a few.
When Alice got married to Albert Nuttyens, Georges found in his new brother-in-law a new racing partner and together they bought several birds from auction. a mealy Commines and a pigeon called Tito from Hector Baele of Scheldewinke. They bought De Plattekop from Vandevelde and sons and daughters out of ‘The Coppi’ and ‘Witterugge’ from Michel Nachtergaele of Zulte. George later borrowed ‘The Coppi’ to pair to the daughters of ‘Tito’. They later also bought the pigeon called ‘De Fijnen’ from Michel Nachetregaele.
When the Busschaert family decided to expand their business by opening a carpet factory in Kent, England, it was decided that George should be the one to move to England and oversee the project.It was inevitable that being from Belgium George’s passion for pigeon racing would see him set up lofts at his new home. The birds he stocked were bred by his brother-in-lawAlbet and he also obtained birds from his brother Albert who ran the familes carpet-weaving factory in Deerlicjk Belgium. These were all birds from families that George was very familiar with and ones he believed would be competitive in England.
George struck up a friendship with Gil Duncan of Deal. They went into partnership and George’s pigeons soon set the racing scene alight with their wins. They bred pigeons such as ‘The Crack’, ‘The Coppi cock’, The Great Coppi’, The Bonten’, ‘The Blesse’. Between 1956 and 1962 they won over 150 first prizes often taking the first three in the fed. Soon people started to take notice of these fantastic sprint pigeons and they started to buy them.“Why did his pigeons make such an impact on the racing scene in Britain and why have they stood the test of time and seen many other strains come and go?”
Well, you must go back in time to what the racing scene was like in Britain all those years ago. After the war and into the fifties there was not a lot of money about, especially for pigeons. In the ’60’s, times changed, there was a boom and as Prime minister Macmillan said, “You’ve never had it so good”.However, despite this newly found affluence most pigeon fanciers kept small teams of pigeons in back garden lofts. They are nearly all raced natural and they raced predominantly traditional families of pigeons that were either handed down from their fathers or bought and swapped locally. Race programs were typically mixed, short races, building up in length throughout the race program to longer ones at the end of the season. Pigeons were thus bred and selected to be good ‘all-rounders.’
“Why did his pigeons make such an impact on the racing scene in Britain and why have they stood the test of time and seen many other strains come and go?”
In Belgium however at the time, things were very different. There were specialised race programs. Races were being separated into short, middle distance and long-distance races. Specialised clubs were springing up. Fanciers were also concentrating their selection to pigeons to race predominantly short sprint races. There was a strong gambling culture and good prize money could be won. This drove a desire to obtain the best pigeons for the job, auctions sprang up to fuel this desire for more and faster pigeons. Champion pigeons were soon snapped up by the more wealthy to be put into their lofts.This is where Georges Busschaert comes onto the scene. He was effectively a rich man, he had come to England and he had a passion for fast pigeons. On his visits to Belgium to obtain pigeons, he had a very big advantage. He knew the language, he knew the Belgium pigeon-racing scene, and he knew what pigeons were the best at the time, and he bought them. He also had contacts through his brother and brother-in-law. It is rumoured that he would travel to many successful lofts simply to buy their champion pigeon. He would then bring them to England and set them up in his loft. He soon made a big impact. He started to win everything. He had introduced fast sprint pigeons using widowhood methods on pigeons that had been selected from years and years of widowhood racing. At the time the English fancier was using predominantly what effectively were just homers on the natural system, which was simply no match. The old English strains were absolutely slaughtered in all types of races.
Georges Busschaert also had this talent of being able to pick pigeons that would breed together to produce outstanding pigeons. This was not just a case of being rich and simply buying top pigeons from winning lofts and putting them together, although this did help. What also helped was that Georges Busschaert had this great sense of stockmanship. He would chose pigeons of the same shape and form, and he could identify in pigeons, qualities that he knew would blend in, but also be passed down throughout the generations.In addition to all this, his pigeons were breeding champions through what geneticists call heterosis. This is hybrid vigour.
“Georges Busschaert also had this talent of being able to pick pigeons that would breed together to produce outstanding pigeons.”
This usually occurs when highly inbred strains are crossed, but the reason Georges Busschaert could produce it in his pigeons is that there was a massive pool of winning qualities that were all different, in all these interbreeding pigeons. It was these winning genes that would produce excellent racing characteristics that kept reappearing throughout the lines. So for example you would have pigeons that won because they had fantastic cardiovascular systems, some that had perfect wing formation, others with super efficient metabolisms, others with fantastically powerful musculature. It was these individual characteristics that kept emerging and reemerging sometimes one at a time, sometimes two or more qualities together, that kept making champions.
The whole family was not inbred at all it was a family of maximum outcrossing but what made it work was that there were no bad genes to get in the way of producing champions. The chromosomes were packed with genes that could only produce these winning characteristics, different winning characteristics in each subsequent generation. This is why fanciers with distance Busschaerts would suddenly start to throw pigeons that won short sprint races and sprinters that would suddenly breed distance pigeons.Furthermore this was all fuelled even more when people started to cross them with their own strains, their own old winning lines. You now had these qualities that had been selected and honed by the British fancier being added to the continental Belgium winning characteristics.
That is why they turned out to be so versatile. They would win from 60 miles they would win from 500 miles. They would win in a strong headwind they would win in a blow home. You could race them widowhood you could race them natural. They won as youngbirds and straight away were winning as yearlings and old birds. So fliers even today are winning classic races with them when they are up to 7 years old.The other element that made the Busschaerts so versatile at all distances was that Georges Busschaert did not solely select short distance sprint pigeons, his later acquisitions were equally capable of flying the distance. Fanciers were purchasing offspring from these distance lines and crossing them with the original sprint-middle distance Busschaerts.
This diversity of champion blood also explains why the Busschaerts cannot be described as an inbred family of pigeons and why they came in all shapes and sizes and colours.
In 1960 Busschaert returned to Belgium. A new phase in the Busschaert began. This new family of Georges Busschaert birds was dominated by two cocks, Old Sooten & the Klaren. In odd instances he slipped in a pigeon through the Rosten. This pigeon was Pluto a good winner for him. He was through the Klaren on his dam’s side & was therefore a related pigeon. The other pigeon sometimes in at the base was a cock named Jonge Shonen. He was the grandsire of Rapido through the dam and comes up twice in the hen of the Goldmine Pair. The Cock is a combination of Sooten & Klaren only & the pair are therefore totally dominated by these two cocks.
It is this basic thread or pattern that is intriguing. Certain pigeons become familiar by the number of times they crop up & the key pigeons which stand out in this family are: Old Sooten 54/4181902, Klaren 55/3351026, Crayonne 62/3120150, Little Black 65/3176176, and the Hens 57/4060817, Coppi Hen 59/4363211, Sooten Witpen 60/4228215, Sooten Hen 60/3249486.We don’t know the criteria by which Georges selected his foundation birds, but it is apparent that the Old Sooten was a known producer before Georges bought him, also that Sooten Witpen was a winner of a YB Classic with around 25,000 pigeons competing when he bought her. The Klaren had one 33 positions racing before he purchased him & he of course sired the Crayonne., whilst Little Black was a direct son of Old Sooten. These pigeons formed the base of the family & carried a link back to the previous family through the Coppi Hen 211.
The facts of studying Georges Busschaerts methods are quite simple. They are that the Klaren was mated to two half-sisters, both out of the Old Sooten. This type of mating has been referred to by others as being linebred to both Sooten & the Klaren. From the number of times it occurs in the Busschaert pedigrees, it is double line breeding to two males simultaneously.The normal penalty for inbreeding is a loss of vigour & a subsequent decline in performance. Double line breeding to two males simultaneously arrests the decline in vigour. On studying Georges Busschaerts pedigrees, one very significant factor that emerges is that almost without exception the Klaren was always mated to the direct daughters of Old Sooten. There are the odd exception which we will look at.
The exception is the hen 62/3295076, & although she isn’t a direct daughter of Old Sooten she is an inbred grand-daughter through a half-brother & sister mating, both being from Old Sooten. The breeding of De Barcelona 66/3346376 (sire of Rapido) is virtually dominated by Old Sooten. He is there on every leg except twice when the Klaren appears.
Always the pattern is repeated: Klaren on to the Hens from Sooten, either direct daughters or inbred grand-daughters, but always in that order of precedence, Sooten first, Klaren second step. This is the real skill behind the phenomenal Busschaerts & the sole reason they are unique amongst racing pigeons. The third family of Busschaerts owes something to the earlier or original Busschaerts, for one of the important base pigeons is the Coppi Hen 59/4363211. Now Georges most certainly saw something special in her to choose her out of all he had bred. The facts confirm his view for she was the dam of Little Black, Black Bull, Big Black & 3028981 when mated to Old Sooten. Gradually the old Coppi – Tito – Crack bloodlines were replaced with the new Klaren – Sooten bloodlines. Busschaert described them as smaller, better handling, with the ablity to fly further. Throughout the 70’s and early 80’s these new Klaren – Sooten pigeons were sold into the UK and just as before, Busschaert pigeons dominated the racing results. Champion Rapido was bred from the Klaren – Sooten family. His Offspring were noted for their sprinting ability. Also as a point of interest, Rapidos offspring were very often pied, gay pied and even pure white. An entire dynasty of sprint – middle distance racing pigeons were established upon Rapidos bloodlines.
Georges Busschaert hysteria was by now reaching statospheric proportions. Georges started to hold an annual sale in England. The racing performances of the famous Busscharerts soon started to become legendary. Ken Aldred bought two pigeons, one of them the famous stock bird The Little black. She produced pigeons that were totally unbeatable. George Corbett bought stock from Georges Busschaert and from Tom Larkins to produce the famous Dark Uns. The most famous bird to come from these pigeons is probably the ‘Coppi cock.’ This pigeon went on to breed hundreds of first prize-winners, and they could also fly the distance. One fancier topped the federation from over 500 miles from two different race points on the same day!
Another buyer was Danny Challis. He was an experienced racer who had for years flown the old long distance English strain of Fuller-Issacson. He and a friend decided to try out these new fangled Busschaerts. They purchased 16 youngbirds from Tom Larkins and split them. Danny had amongst his selection a medium to small blue chequer hen. She was a double grand daughter of Little black. When she won the Open Wessex Combine she was put straight into the stock loft and went on to become one of the best breeding hens that this country has ever seen. She bred no less than 5 other Combine winners and 15 fed winners when paired to each of the other cocks that came with her.
“…and they could also fly the distance. One fancier topped the federation from over 500 miles from two different race points on the same day!”
Even more amazing was that her offspring not only won races but also went on to breed even more champions. One of her youngbirds called Moneypacker, for good reason, won 4 open first Combines, 1st Federation and 5th Combine and went on to breed Wilbur to win the Rennes central Southern classic, also Blue Steel to win 1st open Parkstone, 1st Dorset fed, Imperial black and Black fire who both went on to take 1st Solent fed. At one time Danny had in his loft 40 fed winners and 5 combine winners. Other famous Busschaerts and Busschaert flyers were the Larkin pair of Mr & Mrs Shuttleworth of Harrogate, Billy Parkes of Northern Ireland, John Palmers no 1 and no 2 pair. Bill Johnstons with his famous Busschaert ‘Old man’. John Hodgson of Annan. The list went on and on. Johnston Eagleson & sons went on to win over 50 x 1st open Combines with the Busschaerts.
People who purchased the Busschaerts were ending up with not one but a whole loft full of champion birds. Alf Wright was another example he obtained birds from George Corbett and started to then breed his own champions. Clapper 36 x 1sts, Twirler 30 x 1sts, Slimmen 20 x 1sts.Other famous Busschaert fliers were Arthur Beardesmore, with his Terror Busschaerts, Little Terror 12 x 1sts , Short terror 12 x 1sts, Flying solo 12 x 1sts. Fred Elliot and his famous Euro Busschaerts. The Highview and Starview Busschaerts. The list goes on and on.
In 1982 Busschaert held a final dispersal sale. It turned out to be three clearance sales on the 9th, 10th and 11th October. 274 birds were entered into the sale, of these 271 were bred by Georges Busschaert. All birds were sold. This sale shortly proceeded his death. Busschaerts can be said to be the most versatile strain in the world.
In recent years, Busschaerts were creating quite a stir by winning high birdage prestigious races, in Northern Ireland. The amazing achievements of the legendary Ron Williamson from Portadown N. Ireland are amongst some of the most recent. His winners include;
Tom boy 1st 20,367 birds,
Ron Ville Del boy 1st 25,243 birds,
Lauras boy 1st & 2nd open to 22,337 birds,
Ron Ville dark Destroyer 1st 24,108b,
Flash Gordon 1st 14,600 birds,
Ron Ville Superboy 1st 26,770 birds,
Millenium Superstar 3 x 1st against an average of 23,000 b,
Ron Ville Heartbreaker 1st, 3rd, 4th NIPA,
Ron Ville Lee Der & Ranger 1st open winners,
Ron Ville Maggie Ann 1st NIPA 7,000+ birds.
Never has a family so dominated against this level of birdage in races (13+ times 1st against on average 20,000+ birds). This has happened nowhere else in the world by any strain of birds and one fancier and all achieved with Busschaert Birds.
“…At the time the English fancier was using predominantly what effectively were just homers on the natural system, which was simply no match. The old English strains were absolutely slaughtered in all types of races.”
“These Kirkpatrick pigeons were combined with Arthurs original family of Barker-Gits, to produce what we now refer to as the Walkingshaw strain of pigeons”
“
Gaeilge 
English 
Arabic 
Chinese (China) 
Chinese (Taiwan)