Modern European Masters (1)
By Liam O'Comain

In 'Modern European Masters' I present (initially) insights into six of the best European lofts of long distance and marathon racing presently operating as we traverse the first decade of a new millenium.

Denys

Emile Denys is one of the greatest masters of the sport of long distance pigeon racing and in the opinion of many amongst the top three Barcelona flyers since the race's origin. He was one of the famous Denys Brothers who in 1969 were so outstanding in national racing that the great pigeonologist Piet De Weerd said that the Denys loft was the second best in Belgium. De Weerd made his announcement in 1970 and because of his standing amongst the world's pigeon community the Denys name came to the fore.

One of Emile Denys notable achievements was his ability to successfully nominate pigeons to win the Belgium Golden Wing Award on a number of occasions. This award was conceived by the Barcelona Club of Brugge in order to equalize the competition from Barcelona. With fanciers sending one or a few entries and other fanciers basketing 50, 100 or more it was felt that a single bird nomination would be more equal. Thus one entrant alone was nominated i.e. a 'One Bird International'. It followed that Emile Denys won the competition in 1982 and 1986 with a father and son combination named 'Tee' and 'Playboy'. On another occasion 'Tee' was runner up. The odds against the latter achievements are tremendous and the fact that Denys was so successful implied he was one of the great masters of the sport.

His success at nominating winners of the Golden Wing Award are not alone the reason for his appearance in this series. For other results of the Denys strain in high class competition reveals 1st International St.Vincent in 1969 with 'Bliksem'; 1st International Narbonne with 'Prins' in 1974; 1st, 2nd and 3rd National St.Vincent (hens) in 1974. During that period Emile Denys was crowned General Champion of All Belgium KBDB from a total of 97,000 other fanciers. Then in 1983 Deny won 1st International Hens Perpignan with 'Blue Perpignan'. A great pigeon which flew from Perpignan 5 times in total.

Perhaps Denys best racer was the famous 'Tee' whom many consider was the greatest Barcelona racer ever. He flew Barcelona 5 times and each time he was in the prizes. Being officially recognized as the best from the Spanish race point for the years 1978- 1982. In Belgium Nationals from Barcelona 'Tee' scored 2nd, 3rd, 24th, and 69th as well as 4th, 8th, 46th, and 102nd in the Internationals. Competing against entries of between 12,200 and 15,600 of the best pigeons in Europe. 'Tees' son 'Playboy' scored 2nd National Barcelona and 5th International as well as the Golden Wing Award in 1986.

Apparently the Denys base were Vandevelde but Stichelbauts were introduced and this proved to be a stroke of breeding genius for from the cross came the great producer 'Remi' who left his mark upon this outstanding strain. Other bloodlines were apparently introduced over the years such as Vanbruaene and Cattrysse which added to the ongoing development of the strain which continued to win for the founder and others in many countries. Yes, this is one of the great strains since the origins of the sport and in this brief introduction or tribute there is not the space to illustrate its successes wherever it has taken root. No wonder Emile Denys is known throughout Europe as 'Mr. Long Distance"

The following are the 1st positions obtained by the Deny team, at National and International level from various race points, followed by results from Barcelona: 1st National Limoges Derby 1966, 1st National Limoges OB 1966, 1st National St.Vincent 1969, 1st National Cahors 1970, 1st International Narbonne 1974, 1st National St.Vincent Hens 1974, 1st National Limoges YL Hens 1981, 1st National Limoges Derby Hens 1982, 1st International Perpignan Hens 1983, 1st National Perigueux Hens 1984, 1st National Limoges YL Hens 1985, 1st National Limoges Derby Hens 1986, 1st International San Sebastian 2002, 1st International San Sebastian Hens 2002, 1st National St.Vincent Sector A 2003, 1st International San Sebastian Hens 2003, 1st International San Sebastian Hens 2004

Barcelona – 1075 km: 1st Golden Wing 1982; 1st Golden Wing 1986; 2nd Golden Wing 1980; 2nd National 1982; 2nd National 1986; 3rd National 1980; 4th Golden Wing 1988; 4th International 1982; 5th National 1997; 5th International 1986; 6th National 1999; 6th National 2001; 7th International 1997; 7th National Hens 1998; 7th International Hens 1975; 8th International 1980; 12th National 1999; 15th National 1974; 15th National 1977; 15th National 1988; 18th National 2005.

Van Der Velden

The subject of this article is one of the best European distance pigeon racing strains at the present time as results over the years confirm. Mention the name however to the most knowledgeable fancier and the response is usually a blank. Perhaps this article may change all that. The van der Velden partnership of father Chris and son Jap live at the small village of Zuid- Beijerland in the Netherlands, in an area which apparently was won from the sea.

Chris started the sport a few years after the second world war in 1948 and except for approximately a decade of time he has always had pigeons since. Always flying in earlier years with a good pigeon latterly he has concentrated solely on the overnight races and this dedication in a later partnership with his son Jap has borne fruit. For the van der Velden's have won many races indeed too numerous to mention but which includes five 1st Dutch nationals.

The latter firsts were as follows: 1st nat. Barcelona 2003; 1st nat. Mont de Marsan 2002; 1st nat. Bergerac 2000; 1st nat. Cahors 1996; 1st nat. Carcassonne 1994. Yes nationals won within the period of approximately the last ten years and not ages ago. Of which one was enough to bestow national glory within the archives of Dutch distance pigeon racing. Following upon the families decision to concentrate upon the overnight marathon classics in 1987 the loft has gathered 1st in the 'Keizer v.d Grote Fond' (ZLU) Championship in 1992. But better achievements lay upon the horizon for the van der Velden's won the prestigious European Cup in 1995. Of course the winning of the Dutch national from Barcelona in 2003 was the creme de la creme of their success so far.

The family has also registered twenty four times in the first ten national prizes and one hundred and thirty six times in the first one hundred national prizes since winning the European Cup in the mid 1990s. For about 15 years prior to 1992 the van der Velden strain was being formed based upon what has become known as 'the Bleu' or the 'Old Blue Strain'. The roots of this important aspect of the van der Velden enterprise comes from about 1977 when Chris bought pigeons from a D van Solingen from Oost - Voorne. The latter birds were of the Aarden and Stichelbaut bloodlines and an important result of this buy was the birth of 'De Ouwe' in 1978. The latter was the founding base of the 'Blue Strain' for he turned out to be a great breeder after winning 36th Netherlands national from Barcelona in 1981.

In fact as a breeder of national prize winners ' De Ouwe' must rank among the top five in Western Europe. This progenitor's descendants have already won: 1st- 1st- 1st- 1st- 2nd- 2nd- 2nd- 3rd- 3rd- 3rd- 4th- 5th- 5th- 5th- 6th- 7th- 7th- 9th- 9th- 9th- 11th- 11th- 11th- 11th- 11th- 11th- 12th- 12th- 12th- 12th etc., national prizes.

The are many other outstanding representatives of the Blue Strain in the van der Velden lofts which also contributed to its development but eventually like all master breeders because of the possible negative effects of a too close regime of inbreeding a programme of carefully selective crossing was initiated. The latter involved pigeons from the cream of European lofts such as Batenburg and Son; Ch Vanoppen; A Damen; K Ouwerkerk; and Th. Degens And most importantly the crosses have been very successful which is the basis for further overnight successes from Barcelona and other marathon distances in the future.

In conclusion I look forward to the further development of this strain because I believe that it is one of the most exciting developments in the world of long distance pigeon racing in modern times.

Van Coppenolle

In 2003 Luc Van Coppenolle a well known fancier in Europe was general champion of the Entente Belge and it is said that when he was standing awaiting the title at the ceremony he mentioned to a friend 'This championship is very nice to win, but I hope to win once in my life-time the 'European Super Marathon.' Well, one year later in 2004 and Luc's dream became a reality. Winning a championship which is very difficult to win based upon the first two nominated birds in the International races from Barcelona, Perpignan, Pau, Dax and Marseille against strong opposition from Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Britain and France. Van Coppenolle won the championship with the following positions: 215th International Pau 8,270b; 327th International Barcelona 24,913b; 483rd International Marseille 19,627b; 594th International Perpignan 17,570b; and 699th International Dax 17,526b.

Luc Van Coppenolle was born into the sport of pigeon racing for his father who died a few years past used to bring Luc into his loft to see the pigeons and eventually the father and son became a partnership in Belgian racing. In fact Luc and his father Leon were the KBDB General National Champion in 1986. Today Luc Van Coppenolle still has the bloodlines of his father's 'Barcelona' in the loft which contains one of the leading modern European strains. As for the Coppenolle famous reds they arise from Leons old stock. The 'Barcelona' in his time won 28th International Barcelona 1977 against 10,502b; 88th National Barcelona 1979 against 6,612b; 286th International Barcelona 1978 against 11,000b. The latter great flyer contained the bloodlines of Desmet- Matthijs 'Klaren', Devriendt x Cattrysse and Van Hee - Wervik. A true champion also at stock for he was the father of the 'Primus Barcelona': who scored 61st National Barcelona 1987 against 8,915b; 183rd National Barcelona against 7,252b; 491st National Barcelona 1982 against 8,351b; 489th National Barcelona 1984 against 7,066b; 521st National Barcelona 1985 against 8,647b; 879th National Barcelona against 8,886 birds. The bloodlines of 'Primus Barcelona' is now found in a lot of the top birds in the Van Coppenolle loft at present including 'Pau' who won: 3rd National Pau 1996 1,953b; 27th National Pau 1997 2,084b; 98th National Marseille 1994 1,267b. Raced as a widower 'Pau' was in 1996 4th World Champion Very Long Distance and 1st Provincial Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB East Flanders.

It should be mentioned that another great flyer Roger Florizoone contributed to the formation of the Coppenolle strain since about the beginning of the 1990s. So much so that today approximately 65/70% are off the bloodlines of a fancier who was nicknamed 'Mister Barcelona' and who died in 2004. Van Coppenolle's mother was a niece of Roger Florizoone and through this relationship both families shared their best with each other. An arrangement apparently which was mutually beneficial.

An important base pigeon of the strain is the 'Blauwe Narbonne' who was 10th National Narbonne 1997 6,021b; 35th National Barcelona 1997 12,371b. He comes from the 'Blauwen Roger' who was bred by Roger Florizoone and comes from a son of the 'Benoni who scored 9th National Perpignan, 20th National Pau and 25th National Marseille. The son of 'Benoni' was paired with a sister of the 'Witneus' who was 5 times at the top from Barcelona and was the father of the 1st National Barcelona for Florizoone. The dam of the 'Blauwen Narbonne, is 'Stammoeder 1' who derives from 'Nest brother Primus 1' and a daughter of the 'Freddy' who was 5th International Barcelona 13,033b.

The Coppenolle's are a hardy type of pigeon and they are winning for others wherever they have been raced and are acknowledged by pigeon commentators to be a strain expected to make a large impact in the distance racing of the new millennium. Little did Luc's father Leon realize that when he encouraged his son into the sport that the name and the strain was destined to play an important part in the continuing history of the sport of long and marathon distance pigeon racing.

Hermes

When Raymund Hermes entered the sport of pigeon racing this was nothing new nor extraordinary for the Hermes family were involved at sometime or another over the previous decades with a strong belief that good pigeons were the bottom line. For only the best could conquer the geographic configurations into Westerwald, Germany, where the pigeons are based.

From the start Hermes did well in the German national programme and this success was to be carried over into the internationals. In fact the results of the latter participation are phenomenal and it is opined that his successes arises from the fact that all the pigeons in his lofts are carefully raced after a strong process of culling.

At a period around the the beginning of the 1980s a decision was made to ensure that only the best bloodlines available would be used to tackle the international races. Breeding wise was the best so to speak and in addition a record of successful flight. One of such was the 'Steenberger', a red cock raised by Cees de Groot who was a friend of Jan Aarden. This bird produced a number of great long distance pigeons for Hermes which included the 'Nachtflieger' who won 2nd National at Perpignan and the 3rd International in 1985. 'Steenberger' is also a grandfather of the pigeon that won the 1st International from Barcelona in 1990 against a convoy of 28,128.

The bloodlines of Marcel Braakhuis have also played an important role in the lofts of Raymund Hermes as well as the genes of the pigeons of the late Erich Heinemann, a former President of the German Pigeon Association. One of the latter being a Bostijn pigeon whose father was a brother of the famous Benoni and her mother was a sister of Passport. Of course there are many more great pigeons at breeding that could be mentioned but as this is only an insight into this great fancier and his pigeons our space is limited. However it should be noted that between 1982 and 2004 the Hermes pigeons have scored as follows: lst National Marseille 1982; lst International Pau 1983; lst National Perpignan l983; lst National Marathon 1984; lst National Perpignan and 1st International Perpignan plus 2nd and 3nd International Perpignan 1985; 1st National Marseille and lst International Marseille 1988; lst National Perpignan 1989; 3rd, 6th and 13th International Barcelona 1989 with 25,502 pigeons competing; lst and 2nd International Barcelona 1990 against 28,128 pigeons; 1st and 4th International Perpignan 1990 against 10,444 pigeons; 1st, 2nd and. 3rd International Marseille 1990; lst International Dax 1991; lst National Barcelona 1992; lst International Marseille 1992; lst and 3rd International Dax 1993; lst International Europa Marathon 1993; lst National Dax and lst International Dax 1994; lst National Marathon 1994; lst National and 1st International Perpignan 1995; lst International Pau 1996; 1st. International Dax 1997; 1st. International Dax 1998. Outstanding flying by any definition!

An interesting aspect of husbandry associated with this maestro of international pigeon racing is the Hermes- Mazee method in which pigeons are kept in open aviaries in summer and winter exposed to all types of weather. This occurs usually in the wake of Etampes when the birds are left outside and the traps are closed. They remain for a month being forced to adapt to natural conditions where they learn to forage for themselves, seek shelter against inclement weather and protect themselves from predators of any kind. As a result the birds appear to reflect glorious health and the theory underlying the method is that the healthiest and most intelligent birds will survive and that the experience will be retained for the rest of their lives.

In the history of the sport Germany has produced some outstanding pigeon breeders and racers but there is no doubt that Raymund Hermes is an outstanding example of their best. An innovator of the sport as we traverse a new millennium.

Klip/ Verhagen

This Dutch partnership races extreme long distances into the area of Rotterdam. In the opinion of reliable pigeon sport commentators it is the best Dutch loft of the present time. The partnership is composed of Hans Klip, Jan Verhagen and Arjan Verhagen.

As a partnership it was formed in about 1989 and although they had success early at the shorter distances by winning many local championships their hearts were not satisfied until they set their sights at the long and marathon distances. This objective motivated the partners to send to the Dutch nationals and from the start the results were good for example 24th National Bergerac, 14th National St Vincent. Then in approximately 1996 a decision was taken to enter the extreme distances. Being astute fanciers they knew that they required new bloodlines for the ultras therefore they disposed of most of their old stock and brought in what was required. This included Marcel Braakhuis bloodlines from Willie Beuken and the bloodlines of Henk/ Wim Timmermans with Kempeneers and Biemans plus Overwater (Strijen), Neerbos (Tiel), and Thei Hermans. Which would have included Eijerkamp/Muller and Batenburg genes.

The new blood coupled with outstanding management ensured, for example, the winning of the following championships for 2004: 1st Champion Fond PV Zuiderpost; 1st Champion Fond Linker Maasoever Morning release; 2nd Champion Fond Linker Maasoever Midday release; 1st Champion Fondclub Rotterdam Midday release; 2nd Champion Fondclub Rotterdam Morning release; 2nd Champion Provincial Midday release; 2nd Champion Provincial Morning release; 1st Champion Attractie ZB Midday release; 1st Champion Attractie ZB Morning release; 1st Ace Pigeon Midday release Fondclub Rotterdam; 1st Ace Pigeon Morning release Fondclub Rotterdam. Flying from two modest lofts and on the natural system only.

In 2004 the partnership from Bordeaux National were- 48th, 57th, 210th, 383rd, 414th; St. Vincent National.- 6th, 121th, 232nd; Montauban National- 261th, 668th, 740th; St. Vincent National- 222nd, 298th, 651st, 685th; Bordeaux National- 65th, 277th, 327th, 647th, 675th, 704th; Bergerac National- 34th, 342nd, 712th; Ochtendlossing ZLU.Pau National- 3rd; Dax National- 59th, 247th, 392nd, 424th; Barcelona National- 195th, 429th; Marseille National- 228th, 270th, 405th, 758th; Perpignan National- 8th, 335th, 712th, 1188th. And this against the cream of the Dutch fancy and covering extreme distances to Rotterdam in the north against thousands of pigeons. Look at the positions of their first arrival in each of the above Nationals and taking their geographical position into consideration confirms the quality of their family of racing pigeons.

The Klip- Verhagen partnership is one of the most exciting ones in Europe at the present time and I look forward to the evolution of their strain and its successes in the future. Again I must emphasize, what I implied by implication, that when their birds are still flying homewards because of the distance to cover many others lofts are closed. Yes, they are the stayers of the stayers!

Muller

Although a major component of the Jan Aarden dynasty it would be true to state that Wim Muller has, after approximately 30 years at the top of breeding and racing, moulded his family of pigeons into a top modern strain namely the 'Muller Strain'.

Around 1970 Wim Muller entered the sport of pigeon racing and he obtained his stock from a friend named Piet Schot. The stock were Aarden and there was one of special bloodlines from the history of the latter strain. Gradually Muller through study and thoughtful experience developed a good stock sense so much so that he was quickly on the road to success in the sport. Some of us may take a life time but Wim Muller blossomed within a decade or thereabouts.

For at the beginning of the nineteen eighties the Muller lofts were supreme within a national context with great pigeons like Hercules, Willem and Adonis amongst others with the highlight of that decade being the winning of the Europa Cup in 1985. The year prior the famous 'Magic Boy' had won the title of 1st Ace Pigeon in races from Barcelona, Marseille and Perpignan; also the latter bird for the period 1993-1997 was crowned best European pigeon for five races from Barcelona. Some of the positions attained by this fabulous pigeon were as follows 44th nat. Barcelona; 73rd nat. Barcelona; 118th nat. Marseille; 119th nat. Perpignan; 149th nat. Barcelona from thousands of a convoy. Of course the basis for this family greatness was as implied the immortal Zilvervosje- a silver winged hen with an impeccable racing record that was to become the star of the Aarden dynasty and the pigeon acknowledged by Wim Muller (through a far from beautiful grand-daughter) to be the lynch pin of his racing pigeon enterprise.

The fabulous success of the Muller lofts at this time was observed and acted upon by an astute fancier called Hans Eijerkamp who decided that he would purchase the entire Muller family including Wim Muller himself. Eijerkamp was a stud owner (the successful Ponderosa enterprise) who throughout his life invested large sums in the sport and he hoped that he could impress the mind of Muller. His ambitions were not entirely achieved for Muller was as astute as Hans Eijerkamp. Finally there would be a new partnership Eijerkamp- Muller but the latter would remain at Wilhelminadorp on the Oosterschelde because he decided contrary to the wishes of his to be partner to sell 'the fruit of his orchard but retain the trees'. This Muller did when he sent his entire team of widowers and their hens to the Eijerkamp base and retained the stock birds which included the so called Superkoppel (super couple) of 'Kraag + Superduivin'.

For other lofts this would have spelled disaster but not for Muller for as a thinking fancier he had been influenced by the genetic writings of the Hungarian Professor Alfons Anker and according to the latter's principles the master of Wilhelminadorp knew that he had retained as rich a genetic pool as had won the Europa championship. Well, whose to know better than a strain's founder? For in due course Muller was again producing a team of new champions such as 'Madonna 86' and 'Madonna 2' alongside cocks of the quality of 'Hercules 2'. Yes this was a unique partnership beginning in 1989 and never seen before in the world of pigeondom and both partners were happy in fact very happy with the arrangement and in next to no time the productive aspect began to bear fruit via the multitude of breeders and winners. The off spring of Muller's pigeons spread throughout Europe via the Ponderosa experience and beyond to other parts of the world. This distinct strain moulded by Muller and distributed by Ponderosa became known as the indestructible marathon pigeons of the planet. Others began winning with the strain and breeding winners in which the Muller name became mentioned in the same breath as Delbar, Vanhee, Cattrysse and of course his mentor Jan Aarden.

An important aspect of all this was the continuing winning and the fact that Muller became a full time pigeon fancier backed up with the most upto date computerized equipment which arose from the large financial injection by Eijerkamp based upon an allegedly five year agreement which was open to renewal if required. An agreement perhaps similar to those unique partnerships which exist in the field of horse and greyhound racing. It began well for 'First Lady' won the Perpignan national in 1989 which was into approximately the first six months of the new venture. Then in 1990 Mona Lisa won 1st National Bordeaux Yearlings. Bred from a brother of 'Madonna '82' who later became known as the Golden Breeder. To be followed by 'Lady Sarina' who in 1996 won 1st National Munchen. Then the strain won its second Europa Cup in 1997, which no other loft had achieved previously. And as well as being the winner of the General Championships of the ZLU it also won the title of Ace Pigeon Ultra Distance.

Being 39th in the Barcelona National in 1999 from a personal entry of four pigeons. Also the combination Houtekamp (a relative) won the millennium Barcelona International in 2000 with a one hundred per cent Muller bird. These continuing achievements were accomplished when the partnership of Eijerkamp- Muller was approximately fifteen years and allegedly three contracts in existence. It had proved to be a worthwhile arrangement but through the growth of his sons Wim and Andres and their interest in the sport the time had come for an end to the arrangement which had seen much success and today the partnership is a family of Muller and Sons. The contract with Eijerkamp ended on the last day of the year 2003.

As Muller and Sons (not forgetting Wim's wife and mother of the boys- Rina - who has been there as an important part of the enterprise from the beginning) the change in partnership did not effect the winning ability of the stud. For in 2004 the loft won 4th national Perpignan with a hen named 'First Class', 7645 birds; 1st national Perpignan hens; 1st international Perpignan hens; 5th national Pau; and 5th national Bordeaux as well as 23 prizes in the Barcelona race beginning with 70th national. Also from Dax 31 prizes beginning with 31st and 33rd national. So the Muller lofts appear to be ready for another period of outstanding results and in the process stamp the strain as one of the greatest of the new century. I look forward to its progress!

In conclusion I offer for the readers consideration some notable pigeons from the Muller family and their positions in the top ten: La Signorita- 2nd national Barcelona; Red Bull- 4th national Dax; Power Boy- 4th national Bordeaux; Marseille Star- 4th national Marseille; Lady Melissa- 5th national Bordeaux; Magic Max- 5th national Pau; Silver Boy- 5th national Perpignan; Black Rose- 5th national Barcelona; New Madonna- 6th national Barcelona; Porsche 911- 8th national Perpignan; Porsche 911- 8th national Pau; Grand Cru- 9th national Bordeaux; Evita- 10th national Perpignan; Willem II- 10th national Perpignan; Adonis- 10th national Pau; and Lourdes- 10th national Lourdes.