(11/08/2010) Gaby Vandenabeele - Dentergem (BE) na dubbele ‘Provinciale winst’ uit Tours maakt nationale winst Argenton Jaarlingen het feest kompleet!

Gaby Vandenabeele - Dentergem (BE) na dubbele ‘Provinciale winst’ uit Tours maakt nationale winst Argenton Jaarlingen het feest kompleet!

We moeten het toch met zijn allen durven toegeven… het zijn de ‘grote namen’ uit onze nationale duivensport die aan het feest zijn uit Argenton… die de lakens hebben uitgedeeld. Eén van de grote tenoren uit onze nationale duivensport is zonder meer Gaby Vandenabeele uit Dentergem!

Er gaat nagenoeg geen week voorbij of de Vandenabeeleduiven liggen aan de basis van ‘klinkende overwinningen’ of ‘spetterende prestaties’ in onze duivensport… niet alleen op de hokken van de ‘maestro’ te Dentergem zelf… maar op talrijke andere hokken in ‘eigen streek’… in eigen land… ja, zelfs tot ver buiten onze landsgrenzen! We woorden van Gaby liggen nog vers in ons geheugen toen hij ons op een onbewaakt moment toevertrouwde… mijn ‘grootste concurrenten’ zijn vaak mijn ‘eigen duiven’… maar dan op andere hokken! Ontelbaar zijn ze intussen… de hokken waar de ‘Vandenabeeleduiven’ aan de basis liggen van grandioze prestaties, roemrijke overwinningen… ja, zelfs van fenomenale ‘asduiven’! Wie… waar ook te wereld… kan zeggen dat hij zovele andere sportgenoten heeft ‘groot’ gemaakt… heeft laten oprukken naar topprestaties in de duivensport… als deze Gaby Vandenabeele! De ‘creator’ van een ‘wereldras’… met als hoofdlijn.. zeg maar de ‘as’ waar alles zowat omheen draait… de lijn van de legendarische stambeer de ‘Kleinen’ B81-3238253. De rest van de story is genoegzaam bekend… want deze ‘Kleinen 253/01’ werd te Dentergem vader van een hele meute aan uitzonderlijk crackduiven, zoals de ‘Picanol 240/82’ (1° Prov Asduif Jaarlingen KBDB), de ‘Fideel 147/83’ (zelf 2° Nat Limoges 6.911 d… en grootvader 1° Nat Brive zowel bij de 4.719 oude als de 3.970 tweejaarse), de ‘Stier 028/89’ (1° Prov Orleans, 2° + 3° Prov Chateauroux), de ‘Turbo’ (1° Prov Asduif Fond KBDB ’93, 2° Prov Asduif Fond KBDB ’94), De ‘Wolfgang’ (vader ‘Neptunus’ en grootvader 2° Prijs ‘Sun City’ one loft race 2009), de ‘Parel’, de ‘Dokus’, ‘Bambino’… maar bovenal van wonderboy ‘Wittenbuik 112/88’ (1° Intprov Angoulême 2.450 d., 1° Intprov. Poitiers 2.713 d., 1° Intprov Limoges 2.309 d…), zonder meer het ‘paradepaardje’ en ‘uithangbord’ van de Vandenabeele-kolonie. Via zijn zoon de ‘Kolonel’ werd hij grootvader van het nieuwe boegbeeld te Dentergem… de ondertussen ook reeds befaamde ‘Bliksem’… niet alleen een supercrack als vliegduif, maar later ook een gigant van een topkweker… en reeds grootvader van machtige 1° Prijswinnaars en 1° Nat Asduiven!

6e Nationale zege

Dit weekend was Gaby nog eens aan het feest, en behaalde hij zijn 6° Nationale overwinning uit zijn carrière… want op zijn erelijst prijkten reeds de zeges van

1° Nat Bourges     13.154 duiven ’88 (met ‘Rambo’)

1° Nat Brive        4.719 oude   ’95 (met ‘Blauwe Fideel’)

1° Nat Brive  Derby 3.970 duiven ’95 (met ‘Blauwe Fideel’)

1° Nat Limoges      8.883 oude   ’95 (met de ‘Ronker’)

1° Nat Bourges     13.116 jaarse ’02 (met ‘James Bond’)

En nu dus 1° Nationaal Argenton 7.390 jaarlingen met een jaarse duivin ‘Paola’ genaamd, die tussen de jonge duiven wordt gespeeld op weduwschap! Gaby klokte zijn ‘Paola’ om 14u36’55” op een afstand van 506,497 Km, wat de hoogste snelheid bij de jaarlingen liet uitrekenen aan 1326,19 m/min. De duif van Johan Van de Voorde uit Eeklo kwam het dichtst in de buurt met 1324,77 m op plaats 2… de nationale winnaar bij de jonge duiven Jef Van Winkel staat hier op plaats 3… terwijl het een secondenslag zal worden tussen Serge Dhondt uit Deinze een ‘Berreke’ Derwa-Luxem uit Herent voor plaats 4 en 5 nationaal aan 1321 m!
Gaby had 4 jaarse duivinnen ingemand… waarvan er lokaal 2 op de uitslag staan op plaatsen 1 en 8 tegen 81 jaarlingen. Winnares ‘Paola’ ging als 1° getekende de mand in, en bedankte dus voor het vertrouwen door de ‘nationale zegebloemen’ mee te brengen naar Dentergem. Zij is een kruisingsproduct van de aloude succeslijn… zeg maar de ‘wereldlijn’ van stambeer ‘Kleinen’… met de nationale winnaars Maurice & Gregory Casaert uit Néchin

-‘Paola’ B09-3095001
Kleindochter van de ondertussen al even legendarische ‘Bliksem’!
Vader: De ‘Maurice’ B03-9021198… rechtstreeks Maurice & Gregory Casaert
GV: ‘Nasdaq’ B98-9147146… winnaar 1° Nat Souillac 7.154 d. in 2000… en op zijn beurt zoon van de ‘Limoges King 925/91’ x ‘Arcadja 968/96’
GM: ‘Chanel’ B99-9128001… zus van de 1° Semi-Nat Chateauroux 15.507 d.
Moeder: ‘Spicegirl’ B03-3003390… extra kweekduivin uit de ‘Bliksem’
GV: De ‘Bliksem’ B98-3158062 (zelf kleinzoon van de ‘Wittenbuik’)
GM: ‘Kaatje’ B00-3195099… volle zus van superduivin ‘Bieke 029/00’

De ‘gouden stamlijn’ Gaby Vandenabeele blijft dus ‘scoren’… ditmaal uit Argenton. Deze ‘Paola’ maakte het succes tijdens dit weekend compleet, want op zaterdag luidden de zegeklokken ook reeds te Dentergem toen Gaby met zijn jonge duiven ‘dubbele provinciale winst’ uit Tours op zak stak, met
Tours Prov 2.625 jonge 1-2-27-56-57-62… of reeds 6 duiven (Top 100 Prov) enz...

De teller staat nu meteen op 8 x 1° Provinciale overwinningen dit seizoen… waarvan zelfs 3 keer de 1° + 2° Provinciaal! Wat eens te meer bewijst dat de ‘topvedette’ uit Dentergem opnieuw een ‘briljant duivenseizoen’ aan het neerzetten is… iets waar we binnen enkele weken beslist eens dieper zullen op ingaan. Net voor de aanvang van dit sportseizoen 2010 deden we overigens in een reportage over het voorgaande seizoen het ‘reilen en zeilen’ achter de kolonie Gaby Vandenabeele reeds uit de doeken… u kan daar alles omtrent het spel, voeding en verzorging gerust nog eens nalezen.
Gaby Vandenabeele is en blijft een echte ‘topper’… één van de ‘boegbeelden’ en ‘vaandeldragers’ binnen onze nationale duivensport! Proficiat Gaby en Christine met jullie schitterend duivenseizoen 2010… bekroond met ‘nationale winst’ uit Argenton Jaarlingen!

11/08/2010) Freddy & Jacques Vandenheede - Zingem (BE) zien hun ‘topseizoen 2010’ uiteindelijk bekroond met nationale winst Argenton Oude!

Freddy & Jacques Vandenheede - Zingem (BE) zien hun ‘topseizoen 2010’ uiteindelijk bekroond met nationale winst Argenton Oude!

Reeds een gans sportseizoen 2010 draait hun kolonie op een ‘uitzonderlijk hoog’ toerental… zelden een kolonie gezien die dergelijk ‘meesterschap’ kon etaleren… die week na week zulk een serie aan ‘kettinguitslagen’ op papier wist te plaatsen… die zo zijn ‘wil’, zijn ‘dominantie’ aan de concurrentie kon opleggen… als deze van de broers Freddy en Jacques Vandenheede in 2010!

Superieure prestaties die tot nu toe waren gezegend met 6 x 1° Provinciale overwinningen… waarbij eenieder zich afvroeg wanneer nu die ‘over verdiende’ kers op de taart zou volgen… want als er één kolonie was die in 2010 kon aanspraak maken op een nationale overwinning… dan was het wel deze van Freddy & Jacques! De nationale Argenton bracht uiteindelijk de ‘verlossing’… het ‘orgelpunt’ op een ‘spetterend 2010’ werd geplaatst door de oude duiven… door het winnen van de 1° prijs Nationaal Argenton bij 5.756 Oude! Freddy & Jacques klokten hun winnende duivin omstreeks 14u33’47” op een afstand van 504,927 Km, wat de hoogste snelheid bij de oude duiven liet uitrekenen aan 1333,02 m/min. Nipt geklopt was Andre Aerts uit Haacht (1331 m) die op plaats 2 eindigt… voor Luc, Bart & Jurgen Geerinckx uit Wommelgem (1326 m) die 2 topduiven behalen op plaatsen 3 en 17 in de voorlopige nationale prognose… 4 was voor de topkolonie van Rik Cools uit Ruiselede en op plaats 5 beginnen Van Hove-Uytterhoeven aan hun serie met 3 ‘topduiven’ Nationaal op plaatsen 5-18 en 23!

De zege van de ‘verlossing’
Vorig jaar wonnen Freddy & Jacques Vandenheede reeds 1° Nationaal Bourges Oude en 1° Nationaal Bourges Jaarlingen op de eerste nationale Bourges van eind mei… ze waren op deze Argenton niet aan hun proefstuk toe, sinds ze 2 jaar terug de handen in elkaar sloegen… en hun gezamenlijke ‘beste trekpaarden’ voor de kar hebben gespannen. ‘L’union fait la force’… moeten ze daar ook te Zingem gedacht hebben… De concurrentie heeft ondertussen genoeg aan den lijve kunnen ondervinden wat voor een gevolgen deze ‘unie van verenigde krachten’ voor hen zoal heeft teweeg gebracht. We waren vorige week nog te gast bij de kolonie Vandenheede (blijkbaar een weekje te vroeg?), om hun exploten uit 2010 eens van naderbij te bekijken en uit de doeken te doen… u kon er reeds alles over lezen in de reportage die we hierover hebben gepubliceerd eind vorige week. We verwijzen u dan ook graag naar deze hommage aan de familie Vandenheede… waarin we hen tezamen met de kolonie Verreckt-Arien nog omschreven als de ‘smaakmakers’ van 2010, de kolonies die het duivengebeuren in ons land dit seizoen hebben gekleurd en gedomineerd… en die op de allerlaatste nationale fondvlucht van het seizoen uit Tulle op de plaatsen 1 + 2 ‘nationaal’ stonden geklasseerd. Freddy & Jacques strandden toen op een zucht van ‘nationale winst’… wat een bekroning van hun schitterend en vaak overrompelend sportseizoen 2010 zou betekend hebben.

Wel… ze hebben te Zingem niet lang meer op hun bekroning dienen te wachten… want goed een week later zijn zij nu aan de beurt. Het is een overwinning die er enigszins zat aan te komen… we zaten er bij wijze van spreken met zijn allen op te wachten… wanneer zou het gebeuren… het kon niet uitblijven. Al moeten we er wel degelijk rekening mee houden dat voor ‘nationale winst’ alles moet meezitten… want naast de ‘topconditie’ op die bewuste dag, spelen ook nog factoren als massa, wind en ligging een bepalende rol… en als alles meezit, dan kan het! Het is dan ook voor een stuk een ‘zege van de verlossing’, want alle ogen waren week na week op Zingem gericht, ze behoorden wekelijks tot het fijne kransje der ‘favorieten’… een ‘favorietenrol’ die ze nu uiteindelijk hebben waar gemaakt… de kers zit op de taart, de druk kan van de schouders!

-‘Blauw Argenton’ B07-409331
Het is de ‘Blauwe duivin’ B07-4093331 die voor de ‘ontlading’ zorgde… vorig jaar won ze op diezelfde Argenton reeds 3° Nat Zone A tegen 985 oude en 36° Nat Argenton 5.034 oude… ditmaal ging ze met de ‘oppergaai’ aan de haal. Een klasrijke duivin voor 50% afstammend uit de eigen ‘oude soort’ want zowel vader als moeder zijn ‘kleinkind’ van één der stamkoppels ‘Delirium x Dodo’… terwijl de andere 50% door het edele ‘De Rauw-Sablon’bloed wordt ingebracht! Haar pedigree ziet er als volgt uit

Vader: ‘First Son Young Dreamer’ B03-4146103… zelf een bewezen topvlieger met 3° Chantilly 146 d, 31° Dourdan 1.298 d, 2° Dourdan 55 d, 10° Chantilly 274 d, 14° Chartres 194 d, 309° Nat Vichy 4.140 d… als jonge duif
GV: ‘Young Dreamer Sisqo’ B01-4241981... superkweker afkomstig van De Rauw-Sablon (als zoon van de wereldberoemde ‘Dromer 519/99’ x ‘Aline 958/96’, een dochter ‘Dream Couple’)
GM: ‘Navaron’ B98-4553713… dochter van het topkoppel ‘Delirium x Dodo’.

Moeder: ‘Beyoncé’ B04-4277044.. zelf 1° Toury 416 d, 2° Toury 164 d, 5° Prov Blois 1.127 d, 8° Prov Argenton 2.119 d, 74° Prov Chateauroux 3.011 d, 175° Prov Chateauroux 5.831 d... enz.
GV: ‘Verloren Zoon’ B98-4553715... zoon van ‘Delirium x Dodo’
GM: ‘Shaggy’ B02-4376070… een dochter van stamkweker ‘Frans 875/94’ (rechtstreekse zoon van het ‘Dream Couple’ Derauw-Sablon) x ‘Zohra 126/99’.

Pedigree nationale winnaar "Blauwe Argenton

Palmares "Blauw Argenton"

De appel viel dus ook hier opnieuw niet ver van de legendarische boom! ‘Goed bloed’ liegt nooit… we kunnen ons zelfs stilaan beginnen afvragen hoeveel ‘asduiven’ en ‘nationale winnaars’ het ‘Dream Couple’ De Rauw-Sablon ondertussen zoal heeft voortgebracht? Waar gaat dit schip ooit stranden…? Toch fenomenaal hoe die ingeteelde stam… in aanraking met ‘vreemd bloed’ (hier de aloude beresterke Vandenheedestam) … tot fenomenale, zeg maar ‘wonderbaarlijke’ prestaties heeft geleid in onze duivensport op nationaal en internationaal vlak! Niet in het minst bij Freddy & Jacques Vandenheede.. die met de inbreng van deze duiven in hun eigen oude stam… nog enkele trapjes hoger…meer zelfs… op dit moment op ‘eenzame hoogte’ zijn gaan acteren! Deze nationale zege is een zoveelste succes in een lange rij… bijna onvoorstelbaar! Een successenreeks die zich straks ongetwijfeld verder zal vertalen in het winnen van menige kampioenentitel en asduiven… wie weet zelfs tot op nationaal vlak? Waarvoor niet alleen een ‘dikke proficiat’ aan Freddy en Jacques en de ganse familie Vandenheede… want deze mensen verdienen straks een ‘staande ovatie’ voor zoveel ‘stuntwerk’… bijna nooit eerder vertoond!

(10/08/2010) Van Damme’s legend “De Locco” found a new home!

Van Damme’s legend “De Locco” found a new home!

Tony Robbins talks about constant and never-ending improvement, and I believe that's a very valid concept that has kept certain key players at the very top and continues to do so. If you are not improving then you are inevitably falling behind.

In fact a great number of highly successful super fanciers in our racing pigeon sport believe this implicitly and rarely do they allow anything to stand in the way of their continued success, especially not money. A “locco” concept you say. Yes ,maybe, for most ,but those truly dedicated to their improvement, those dedicated to the improvement of their lines, their colonies, their future success, legends like Limbourg or Koopman would insist that there is no other way! These professionals are as “Locco” as a “Fox”!

You see the reality is that if you are to remain at the pinnacle then it is necessary to cast your sights beyond the local, regional or provincial levels. You need to constantly be aware, you need to ferret out the very best wherever it might be; you need to recognize it immediately when the exceptional pigeon appears and act forcefully to take possession of it without hesitation. So it was that the weekend of May 29 to 30, 2010, the opener of the national long distance season in Belgium and the moment that it was official that “De Locco” had won “National Brive” the unsolicited offers to purchase this incredible racing machine began in earnest!
First off the mark was Erik Limbourg with a staggering offer of €125,000.00 Euros. Such an offer would make lesser men quiver and become weak in the knees but Van Damme knew only too well what he had and what its value truly was. Offers continued, all were refused, including the Koopman offer of €150,000.00 Euros tendered via PIPA the weekend of June 5/6 /2010.Agents from around the world are knocking at the doors of PIPA but Van Damme has made it very clear that “De Locco” is not for sale at “any price”! Will this deter the offers from China? Somehow I do not think so. Does this mean that Van Damme is “Locco” for refusing these mega amounts .well as the American’s are fond of saying “crazy like a fox”!

This “De Locco” pigeon is special, I mean very special. Indeed look at his age, how many pigeons of this caliber would still be racing at five years old? Especially since the offers to purchase this “super bird” go back to his earliest years. How many (let us say “less courageous fanciers”) fanciers would have had the resolve to keep such a valuable bird racing for five years? I assure you, no other person on the International scene would have even contemplated continuing to race such a valuable bird to such an age.

But I certainly understand Van Damme’s decision from a philosophical point of view, sometimes you just need to “know”! ”Know What”? Well you just need to know if what you think is the very best really is in fact the very best in the world. Van Damme knew that “ De Locco” was the best, he felt it in every fiber of his body but “knowing” and “proving”( to what is a very skeptical world) are two very different things. That is why “De Locco” had to be raced as a five year old because it truly was the only way to prove that he really was the very best performance racing pigeon in the world. So the story of “De Locco “is as much a story of the man “Van Damme” as it is about the bird “De Locco”! “De Locco” had the raw ability, the ability to swiftly orient, the drive to return, the physical perfection to withstand test after test year after year but his breeder, owner and manager conducted a brilliant multiyear campaign. Van Damme got the very best out of “De Locco” and he continued to do so fort five full years and he further demonstrated exceptional managerial skills in knowing when to decline one offer of purchase and sale after another.
But I am not the only person that believes what I have herein expressed. At 6:38 AM Monday May 31st 2010 I received an email from Belgium, from the founder of PIPA, the website that is recognized worldwide as the authority on racing pigeon sales and valuations. The site responsible for selling the real “Jewels of the Sky” stated the following to me in a private communication.

Mon 5/31/2010 6:38 AM
Silvio, this weekend the first national Brive was won by Johan van Damme, by his Locco.
Locco is now with this performance one of the best pigeons ever raced in history !
Erik Limbourg offered 125.000 euro to buy it,...
The pigeon is 50 % De Rauw Sablon. This racing phenomena.

Van Damme was right all along and “Locco” did not let him down. All over the world fanciers are speaking of “De Locco” already ( July 2010) some in America have taken action to acquire children or grandchildren or other close relations of “Locco”. It’s only the beginning!
Like Koopman and Limbourg these other individuals are also appreciative of great talent. It’s only the beginning because it cannot be disputed that “Locco’ is without a doubt the best middle distance pigeon of all of Belgium and “most probably the best middle distance pigeon of all time!” In the hands of a less courageous man, a man of less vision, less resolve, less self assurance this bird “De Locco” would have been just another great bird, one amongst many but in the hands of “Van Damme” who campaigned him strategically “De Locco” became the “best of the best” possibly the best of all time?

“De Locco” head shot shortly after his winning effort from Brive.

In my mind from here on any time I think of “De Locco” I will think also of “Brive”. Brive la Gaillarde, is a city with an amazing architectural, natural and cultural heritage. Its amazing to think that the founding of this area dates back to the 1st Century . Brive is a quite industrial city without pretensions. Houses dating from the 12th Century amid those of the 19th Century and beyond into the 21st Century. The original city started to develop around a church dedicated to Saint-Martin-l'Espagnol. During the 12th century walls were built around the city and during the Hundred Years' War a second wall was built however these walls no longer exist having long since been replaced by boulevards. The community was named "Brive" until 1919, when it was renamed "Brive-la-Gaillarde". (Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brive-la-Gaillarde )
But just how good was the performance of “De Locco” from this ancient location Brive? Well there were 16,813 pigeons that competed in this National Brive race and Johann Van Damme’s “De Locco” arrived and was clocked a full 10 minutes ahead of the 2nd place bird in a National race flying a distance of 682.633 KM (424.1685 Miles).Ten minutes, it may as well have been an eternity. You can see from the map enclosed on this page that the birds flying from Brive were required to fly across most of France for their journey back to Belgium.

So who is Johan Van Damme?

Currently the name of Johan Van Damme is little know in America, Australia and the UK but all of that is about to change dramatically. Johann was born in Dendemonde the son of Maurice Van Damme and Cleontine Vlassenroot on August 14, 1966. Dendermonde is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Dendermonde proper and the towns of Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde. As its name implies, Dendermonde is located at the mouth of the river Dender, where it flows into the Scheldt. (reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendermonde,_Belgium ) Today, this 15th Century city is the administrative, commercial, educational, and medical centre for the surrounding region.

Johan studied to be a “mechanic” and is currently involved in the assembly of vehicles at the Volvo new truck plant. Inspired, early on, by both his father and his brother Jozef who were already involved in racing pigeons Johann started with his pigeon career in 1980 and became quite serious about the sport in 1988.
From 2006 to 2009 Johan Van Damme has won 104 1st prizes (no duplications).He was 1st General Champion East Flanders (remember that East Flanders is the Belgian province that calls itself home to over 11,000 active racing pigeon fanciers) in 2009. From 2000 to 2009 he was awarded 46 professional rankings, additionally he had the 7th Ace Pigeon Fond 2009, 3 Provincial wins, two National Victories plus General Provincial Champion oost-Vlaanderen. So it would be a little bit of an understatement to say that the name “Van Damme” stands for “very good performances”!

Van Damme holds his "De Locco" shortly before his sale to China on August 2 2010

I would say that at least 50% of the Van Damme birds are from his Mentor, friend and close advisor “Frans Sablon” ( De Rauw Sablon). The other 50% are pigeons from his brother Jozef Van Damme (St Gillis, Patrick and Guido Claes (Vorselaar), Van Hautte Marc (Smetlede) and Charles and Tom Hufkens (Geel).

One of "De Locco's" last flights in Belgium prior to moving to his new home !

"De Locco" sells on August 2, 2010 to a buyer !

Johan Van Damme had for several years been “”steam rolling” the local competition in the small to middle distance. Locally he was well known but nationally few knew his name (except for real insiders) for he never sought publicity. Three years ago, several of his pigeons were ranked amongst the “provincial middle distance pigeons”. Two years ago Johan shifted his sights and began competing seriously in the one day long distance races. In 2009 Johan won the prestigious title of "General Provincial Champion KBDB East-Flanders” clearly he was number one, as the Americans love to say! '! With “De Locco” he undoubtedly has one of the best middle distance pigeons of all time.
As I already mentioned Johan’s pigeons are 50% of the line of the “De Rauw Sablon” and he has made use of inbreeding, line breeding and out crossing in his breeding program. Johan commented to me in our personal correspondence that the “pigeons of De Rauw Sablon are the best when it's warm weather and headwind.” It was interesting for me to note that Van Damme also supplied the mother of Benny Steveninck great racer “Chipo”; however he did note that it originated with his brother Jozef.

Johan van Damme is indeed fortunate to have as his mentor Frans Sablon

For those Interested please see the detailed pedigree below to view the role played by the De Rauw Sablon hens in the success of “De Locco”.
Johan van Damme wins 1st National Brive with super bird Locco!
As I was completing this article the exciting news came through of the monumental victory of “Locco” of Johan van Damme by an astounding 10 minutes ahead of the 2nd place pigeon at National Brive
Against 16,813. Interestingly enough as if to prove my point we see that both of “Locco” grandmothers are descendants of the fabulous “De Rauw Sablon” foundation pair “Albert X Paola”. Therefore the Mitochondrial DNA ( which you will remember are the energy engines of all of the cells of the entire body of “De Locco”) of “De Locco” is that of his maternal grandmother who traces back to the original “De Rauw Sablon” foundation pair or to be more specific from a Mitochondrial point of view back to “Paola”.
I did some investigating as to the whereabouts of these two grandmothers of “De Locco” and interestingly enough they were purchased not long ago by Marc De Cock.Smart move Mark, a very smart move!

Since preparing this chart it now seems clear that both of the referenced grandmothers of De Locco trace back to the famous De Rauw Sablon pair.

There are a number of other interesting points that Van Damme made during our email correspondence. He advised that he first became aware of the name “Frans Sablon” from an article that appeared in the racing pigeon press locally in 1991.It was about 1993 before he had the occasion to personally meet Frans Sablon. Johan was so impressed with his abilities that he eventually asked Frans Sablon if he would be prepared to become his “advisor” or what we in North America call “A Mentor”. Johan noted that “Frans is an honest man who is there for you when you need him”! Frans in his capacity as mentor has been giving Johan advice for several years. Johan began crossing his base stock with the “Sablon” pigeons in 2002 and finds great success with the lines of “Limonge, “the Dream Couple”, the “Dromer Line” amongst others. The formula that has worked well in breeding superior racing pigeons is “75%-25% back to the Sablons”
I asked some very pointed questions regarding the ability of Frans Sablon as a breeder. I told Johann that I had heard Eric Limbourg state in a video prepared after his famous sale that “Frans Sablon is a Master Breeder” and did Johan Vandame think that Frans was a master breeder? Johan responded as follows, “Yes I do. He gave me advice assembling some couples and they worked out perfect.”

Frans Sablon Friend and Mentor to Johan Van Damme. Frans is to be encouraged to mentor as many young fanciers as possible as the experience and abilities that were developed over a lifetime must never be lost to our sport.

As I was writing this article news arrived via email on evening of Monday August 2nd 2010 to me in Canada that “De Locco” had just been sold. An unnamed buyer from China had arranged to purchase De Locco through the intersession of “PIPA” for a record sum. All in all I would say that, that was one incredible weekend for the Van Damme family!
Once De Locco moves to China it will be impossible for Europeans, Americans, Brits and Australians to obtain any direct children or for that matter anything from the line of De Locco. Those that were fortunate enough to have direct children really do have some very rare and valuable “Jewels of the Sky”. Since Johann Van Damme has 18 direct children of De Locco he will remain the originating source in Europe. Nor have we heard the final story on Van Damme for he is young, aggressive, ambitious, strategically oriented and very close to a veritable goldmine of ability in the person of his mentor and adviser “Frans Sablon”. I have enclosed a series of photos which should be of interest to our readers in gaining a sense of the line of pigeons developed by Johan Van Damme with the guidance of his mentor Frans Sablon.
One final observation that is intended for the, as yet, unnamed Chinese buyer of “De Locco”. Without a doubt you have purchased an incredible racing machine that has also proven his abilities as a key breeder. Once “De Locco” is put to Stud in China there is no doubt whatsoever as to the impact that he will have in terms of raising the quality level of the racing pigeons in China for generations to come.

Photo Gallery

Johan Van Damme with Son Jonas and daughter Sarah Van Damme. Jonas is 18 years old and Sarah is 15 years old.

Johan Van Damme and Sara

Lofts

The Lofts of Johan Van Damme

Grandparents of “Chipo" of Benny Steveninck

I have purposely not gone into cataloging the full race results of the pigeons listed for those interested in full racing results and details Martin Martens of PIPA has written extensively on this aspect and you can find further details at www.pipa.be as well as using the following hot links that I have provided below.

(07/08/2010) National ZLU Perpignan is for the combination D. Bakker and Son - Poortugaal (NL)

National ZLU Perpignan is for the combination D. Bakker and Son - Poortugaal (NL)

Last weekend the international classic Perpignan was raced. On Saturday morning at 06h40 the pigeons left the baskets in which they had made the long journey.

‘The threshold is low but the aims are high’

The weather was in their favour, so much so that there were pigeons expected home the same day. And indeed; a widow hen dived down from the skies above Poortugaal that same evening. She landed at the lofts of the combination Bakker and Son. Dick and John Bakker win the first National Perpignan with their hen 07-1759478.

The 07-1759478 is a blue hen which was bred by the combination W. Seton and Son. Father and son Seton, both called Willem, live just above Poortugaal, in Rotterdam. The combinations have a close pigeon friendship with each other. The 07-1759478 moved to Poortugaal just after the summer of 2007. She was trained in 2008.
Her honours list is short, but improving:

1st    Perpignan ZLU National 2010 against  3987 pigeons
392nd  Bordeaux  ZLU National 2010 against  3987 pigeons
2057th Bordeaux  sector 2     2009 against 11187 pigeons  

Her name is Fatima, after Fatima Moreira de Melo.
The 07-1759478 also comes from Rotterdam, is blue (read blond ), nice and has the potential to win everything.

"Fatima"

The combination had entered 22 pigeons for the race from Perpignan. Of these, 14 were to achieve a prize nationally. On Saturday evening they clocked three pigeons and by ten thirty the next morning they had eighteen pigeons home. Perpignan is then a successful closing to the season for them.
Dick and John prefer, just like anybody else, to race early prizes. And preferably earlier than number two. After all these years the combination can be reassured of early pigeons. Even though the achievement of a first national is something very special, early pigeons in the long distance races is not strange to them. When the pigeons were basketted they didn’t expect them to be extremely early, but they thought they would be by the first hundred. This was frankly told to everyone; not to brag, but to illustrate the setbacks and the perception of the sport.

In 1987 ten couples were bought as eggs from Anton and Lucie van der Wegen. They also bought more pigeons from them over the following years. These pigeons were coupled with a pigeon originating from Dick’s father, grandfather Bakker. This cock, named ‘De Rooie’, originates from own sort against a pigeon from friend Peet Verlinden. ‘De Rooie’ was an extraordinary pigeon. He is the absolute stock father of the combination, with the following descendants;

1st  nat Perpignan 1994
1st  St. Vincent sector 2 Comb. Burg-Luijken
1st  Nat. St.Vincent Fastest of the race Cor Bakker
1st  International Barcelona Comb Gardien RBB
1st  national hens Pau
1st  national Bourges in England  ( 1000 km )
1st  national  Tarbes Sector 2 A. v/d Berg

Inthe winter period there are about 175 pigeons in the loft. This includes the old birds of yesteryear, including their Perpignan winner from sixteen years ago, an old hen out the stock father. These pigeons are allowed to stay out of love and respect. Yearlings and two-year olds are given the benefit of the doubt by Dick and John. Patience is a virtue according to Dick and John. There are several pigeons in the loft which have improved over the years. The patience with and the trust in the pigeons has served them well. Dick and John have won a first National Perpignan twice, a second Bergerac against more than 40000 pigeons, the second Grand Prix, several championships and numerous notations of pigeons by the first hundred national.

In addition, they have performance pigeons so as:
· The ‘16 won 9/ 9, including 29th National Perpignan and a 54th National Marseille
• The ‘747 won 2x top from Barcelona in ‘08 and ‘09. He was 8th best Barcelona pigeons over these years.
• The ‘86 won 8/8, including 13th National St.Vincent Sector 2 ( He is a son of the Red Bull. In 2001 this pigeon won the 6th nat St. Vincent S2 and 5th nat Perpignan )

"747"

"16"

The youngsters are entered for the races as training. As a yearling a pigeon is given a number of extreme middle distance races with an overnight race for closure. As two-year olds it is time for Bordeaux ZLU, Marseille and the last afternoon liberation. The pigeons are deliberately not entered for more than 1000km. Once they are three years old they are entered for the very long distance races, including Barcelona and Perpignan. The pigeons are given Mariman Mixture in addition to plenty of peanuts and nibbling seeds.

The combination friends Bakker & Son and Seton & Son have a special joint couple; their Saya-Wijnands couple. This couple produces good children, including the ‘ 53 from Seton & Son. This pigeon won 6 prizes in 6 races with a 2nd Bordeaux Sector 2, 2nd Cahors Sector 2 and 27th Montauban Sector 2.
In addition to the drive to win, the love that this combination has for the pigeons is evident.
The aims are high, but the threshold is low.

(05/08/2010) Premier Stud - UK - a Belgium Odyssey

Premier Stud - UK - a Belgium Odyssey

Not many people would have failed to notice that there are some new kids on the block in the province of Antwerp, that are getting themselves noticed by the super performances of their wonderful racing pigeons.

Many locals will know that Ed Sittner of Las Vegas, bought the home and lofts of Louis Van Hove several years ago and has flown to this loft with moderate success since. Then in 2009 it became apparent that Edd could no longer spend all summer away from the USA to fly his birds in Belgium, with this in mind a combination was formed with Premier Stud UK to take over the place by getting their racing director to move from England to Belgium, and bring some of the Premier Stud birds with him, and fly in tandem with Ed when he hopes to get more time from 2011 onwards, flying a combination of his birds and Premier birds, but at the moment he has not been to Belgium for over a year and will not get back until the summer of 2011 at the earliest, so his larger than life USA personality for the time being is sadly missed by the residents of Merksplas.

Now the question is Who are Premier Stud and why are they flying in Belgium?
the three directors are Graham Sparkes, Derek Nicholls, and Brian Bolton,
They have between them nearly 100 years of winning pigeon experience ! all 3 have won many many races in the UK with up to 20,000 birds in competition, and indeed over 100 races have been won by these guys with over 1000 birds in competition in each! plus countless races with lesser birdages, so it would seem they know what they are doing.
The Stud itself houses some absolute super birds that have bred winners all over the UK and indeed just recently birds are now being sent to the USA, China, South Africa etc.
They have a super collection of Direct Koopman, Reynaert, Van Dyck and Bosua birds that could rival any in the world, indeed their ‘Manchester Kannibaal’ has just retired from racing with 17 x 1sts and been added to the wonderful team of stock birds! (see photo)
Although it must be said the birds winning in Belgium at the moment are mostly of Kees Bosua Extraction.

But why Belgium? Well the truth is Brian Bolton after winning, really all there is to win, in his home area needed a new challenge! and as the Belgium pigeon sport is regarded by most as the absolute elite of the world, and he and Premier Stud want to be judged against the best in the world, he has agreed to move to Belgium for the foreseeable future, and try to write the name of him and the Stud into the history of the sport in Belgium! Lofty ideals and big ambitions I know but the British always did like a challenge!

After winning
1st 2nd 3rd Antwerp Union Mulen 2265 birds in May
1st Antwerp Union Mulen 2037 birds also in May
1st Antwerp provincial Argenton in June beating all 3176 birds
1st Antwerp Union Dourdan in July
1st Antwerp provincial Bourges also in July beating all 2745 birds
You have at least got to start taking them seriously!
As they say, lets all watch this space.

NL091023931
Bred and raced by Anne Van Meerkerk
This bird is 2nd Ace Bird Vitesse 2010 Rayon D Afdeling 6
Bred from a grandson of Kannibaal bred by Premier Stud for Anne Van Meerkerk

(04/08/2010) Batenburg-Van de Merwe ~ Once again, A super Year 2010 !

Batenburg-Van de Merwe ~ Once again, A super Year 2010 !

Batenburg-Van de Merwe did it, once again a super year in 2010, 16 times in natioanl top 100 ~

They were very successful, with on the day of liberation, 8 pigeons in the clock from a distance of 1.002 km … and the following morning at 07h22, 25 of the 53 clocked … an impressive final for the wonder duo from Klaaswaal …

In the ZLU classic Perpignan, with 5.410 pigeons, Batenburg-Van de Merwe had their ‘finest hour’ of 2010 … expressed in National figures, the series can be referred to as more than excellent with 9.-12.-21.-55.-83.-etc. against 5.410 pigeons. If we look at the arrival times linked to these prizes, then the performance in this +1.000 km competition is even more impressive:
20h41 - 20h42 – 20h50 – 21h07 – 21h17 – 21h30 – 21h40 – 21h55.
The following morning at 7h22 the counter stood at 25 Perpignan pigeons … when at 7.49 and 7.58 the first two yearlings reported home from National sector II race Cahors, to earn the 11.and 14. place against 10.323 pigeons … and with this completing the glorious weekend of the 31st of July.

National focus
“As the season progressed, the pigeons kept improving,” evaluates Hugo, who manly concentrates on the races organised by the famous Zuid Limburgse Unie (ZLU). “Those are real national races, in which the whole of the Netherlands is liberated at the same time and there is a result for the whole of the Netherlands. I love it when the pigeons are liberated in the morning for a distance of 900 to 1000 km and arrive home the same evening … Beautiful!” Hugo’s renowned ‘Witbuik’-stock, with its unyielding character, seems to be perfectly at home in these classics. The total list of National top 100 classifications that Hugo and Anita amassed in 2010, support this fact even more:

9. National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
11. National Cahors 10.323 pigeons 2010
12. National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
14. National Cahors 10.323 pigeons 2010
14. National Bordeaux 5.660 pigeons 2010
21. National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
23. National Pau 2.657 pigeons 2010
24. National Narbonne 3.850 pigeons 2010
30. National Tarbes 2.950 pigeons 2010
40. National St.Vincent 5.336 pigeons 2010
55. National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
66. National Cahors 6.397 pigeons 2010
74. National St.Vincent 5.336 pigeons 2010
79. National Bordeaux 5.660 pigeons 2010
83. National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
94. National Cahors 10.323 pigeons 2010

Top pigeons
Hugo explains the breeding policy behind the success. “Everything revolves around the ‘Witbuik’ family, Jan Aarden origin obtained via granddad J. Versendaal from Strijen, who had them from legendary men so as Bakker Barendrecht (Puttershoek) and Piet Lazeroms (Zegge). To prevent close inbreeding, fresh blood is obtained, where only the performances are used as a guide: only very good racing pigeons or youngsters are allowed to act as crossing material for ‘De Witbuiken’.” Hugo races all the racing pigeons with a nest and when necessary consults Piet Blanke (Belgium) orJan van Wanrooy (Belgica de Weerd).

In 2010 the following Batenburg-diamonds were the eye-catchers of the champions colony:

* NL07-1765713 ‘Miss Narbonne’, in 2010 winner of 11. Nat. Narbonne 3.773 pigeons, also 3. Nat. hens 856 pigeons and 51. Internat. 14.457 pigeons and 74. Nat. St. Vincent 5.336 pigeons. This is a real top hen which has previously won 32. Nat. Bordeaux 2009. In addition she red the winner of 83. Nat. Perpignan 2010. Her father is a grandson of ‘De Witbuik’ and mother comes out ‘Brassie’ (2. Nat. St. Vincent - 20. Nat. Montauban - 82. Nat. Perpignan).

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

* NL06-1014661 ‘Lady Tarbes’, in 2010 winner 30. Nat. Tarbes 2.950 pigeons & 55. Nat. Perpignan 5.410 pigeons, after already winning a.o. 252. Nat. St. Vincent 2009, 331. Nat. Tarbes 2009, 483. Nat. Perpignan 2009 and 228. Nat. Tarbes 2008. She comes out a grandson of ‘De Witbuik’ x ‘Kweekmoedertje 145’, who bred a.o the winner of 13. Nat. - 18. Nat. - 21. Nat. - 24. Nat. - 30. Nat. - 51. Nat. - 44. Nat. - 86. Internat. - 98. Nat. … This 145 is a granddaughter of ‘Kleine Didi’ (1. Nat. Ace pigeon Long Distance KBDB)

* NL07-1765709, full sister of ‘Lady Tarbes’ and in 2010 winner of 21. Nat. Perpignan 5.410 pigeons (97. Internat. 15.857 pigeons) … in previous years she won 103. Nat. Narbonne 2009, 143. Nat. Mt. de Marsan 2009.

* NL07-1765748 ‘Bonte Narbonne’, another brother of ‘Lady Tarbes’ and winner 24. Nat. Narbonne 3.850 pigeons in 2010.

* NL07-1765741 ‘Daniek’, winner of 12. Nat. Perpignan 5.410 pigeons in 2010, also 58. Internat. against 15.857 pigeons. Her father had already bred ‘Jin Pao’, the winner of 2. Nat. Bordeaux against 13.574 pigeons and is a son of ‘De Kerstman’ (1. Nat. St. Vincent 16.515 pigeons). Mother comes out top hen ‘Miss Bergerac’, 3. National Ace pigeon Grand Distance Versele Laga and winner 13. Nat. St. Vincent - 14. Nat. Bergerac - 15. Nat. St. Vincent - 27. Nat. Bergerac.

* NL07-1765799 ‘Maja’, a jewel which won in 2010 23. Nat. Pau 2.657 pigeons (5. Nat. hens) and 153. Nat. Marseille 3.248 pigeons. In 2009 she won 19. Nat. Perpignan 6.505 pigeons. Her father is ‘As 155’ (1. Ace pigeon Extreme Long Distance 2006, grandson St. Vincent-cock) and mother is ‘Marie’ (6. Nat. Carsasonne hens), daughter of 1. Ruffec winner‘Guus’.

* FR08-518848 ‘Jack’ won 9. Nat. Perpignan 5.410 pigeons in 2010 and was bred by Moulin Rouge Breeding Stud … he is inbred to ‘De Prins’ (father 1. Internat. Pau 1994).

* NL08-1138084 classified herself as 11. Nat. Cahors … her father comes out the ‘Blauwe Vanoppen’ (Wijnands) and mother is a beautiful hen from‘Jonge Wittenbuik’

* List of Top National 100 from 1999 ~ 2010:

2nd National Bordeaux 13.574 pigeons 2009
2nd National Mont de Marsan 7.245 pigeons 2003
3rd National Cahors 7.321 pigeons 1999
4th National St.Vincent 6.385 pigeons 2004
6th National Montauban 8.514 pigeons 2009
6th National Barcelona 7.520 pigeons 2007
9th National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
9th National Bordeaux 3.235 pigeons 2006
10th National Montauban 5.711 pigeons 2000
11th National Cahors 10.323 pigeons 2010
11th National Marseille 3.999 pigeons 2009
11th National Narbonne 3.773 pigeons 2009
11th National St.Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999
12th National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
12th National Bordeaux 7.409 pigeons 2006
13th International Barcelona 25.820 pigeons 2007
13th National St.Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000
13th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
14th National Cahors 10.323 pigeons 2010
14th National Bordeaux 5.660 pigeons 2010
14th National Bergerac 11.953 pigeons 2000
15th National St.Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999
15th National Perpignan 5.294 pigeons 2007
16th National Bordeaux 12.423 pigeons 2008
18th National Perpignan 6.505 pigeons 2009
18th National Bordeaux 8.051 pigeons 2007
18th National St.Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000
19th National Perpignan 6.505 pigeons 2009
20th National Bergerac 13.001 pigeons 2005
20th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
21st National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
21st National Tarbes 5.210 pigeons 2007
21st National St.Vincent 6.385 pigeons 2004
23rd National Pau 2.657 pigeons 2010
24th National Narbonne 3.850 pigeons 2010
25th National Dax 5.617 pigeons 2002
25th National Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005
25th National Pepignan 4.719 pigeons 2006
26th National Narbonne 3.816 pigeons 2008
27th National Bergerac 14.284 pigeons 1999
28th National Narbonne 3.773 pigeons 2009
30th National Tarbes 2.950 pigeons 2010
30th National Narbonne 2.563 pigeons 2006
31st National Narbonne 3.773 pigeons 2009
31st National Bordeaux 3.890 pigeons 2004
32th National Bordeaux 12.423 pigeons 2008
32th National Bordeaux 3.890 pigeons 2004
33rd National Perpignan 4.719 pigeons 2006
33rd National Perpignan 6.505 pigeons 2009
34th National Bordeaux 13.574 pigeons 2009
36th National Perpignan 5.622 pigeons 2008
36th National Bordeaux 8.149 pigeons 2003
36th National Mont de Marsan 3.699 pigeons 2006
37th National Narbonne 3.816 pigeons 2008
37th National Mont de Marsan 6.220 pigeons 2002
39th National Narbonne 2.563 pigeons 2006
39th National Bergerac 14.429 pigeons 2006
40th National St.Vincent 5.336 pigeons 2010
41st National Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005
42th National Carcassonne 3.167 pigeons 2006
44th National Perpignan 5.622 pigeons 2008
44th National Pau 2.493 pigeons 1999
45th National Perpignan 5.622 pigeons 2008
45th National St.Vincent 5.232 pigeons 2007
46th National Perpignan 7.195 pigeons 2000
46th National Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005
48th National Montauban 8.307 pigeons 2008
49th National Narbonne 3.843 pigeons 2007
50th National Narbonne 3.843 pigeons 2007
51st National Barcelona 7.043 pigeons 2008
53rd National St.Vincent 5.232 pigeons 2007
53rd National Bordeaux 7.409 pigeons 2006
54th National Bordeaux 4.748 pigeons 2001
55th National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
55th National Perpignan 7.195 pigeons 2000
56th National Dax 5.617 pigeons 2002
58th National Perpignan 5.622 pigeons 2008
58th National St.Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999
59th National Bordeaux 7.409 pigeons 2006
60th National Bergerac 12.870 pigeons 2001
61st National Montauban 5.711 pigeons 2000
61st National St.Vincent 5.909 pigeons 2004
62th National Perpignan 5.294 pigeons 2007
63rd National St.Vincent 5.201 pigeons 2008
63rd National Perpignan 5.294 pigeons 2007
64th National St.Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000
65th National Bordeaux 3.235 pigeons 2006
66th National Cahors 6.397 pigeons 2010
68th National St.Vincent 6.621 pigeons 2005
69th National Narbonne 2.563 pigeons 2006
69th National Tarbes 4.011 pigeons 2008
71st National Bergerac 14.093 pigeons 2002
74th National St.Vincent 5.336 pigeons 2010
74th National Bergerac 14.429 pigeons 2006
75th National Bergerac 11.953 pigeons 2000
75th National St.Vincent 6.829 pigeons 2006
76th National St.Vincent 5.232 pigeons 2007
77th National Montauban 4.882 pigeons 1999
77th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
78th National St.Vincent 5.232 pigeons 2007
78th National Bordeaux 4.000 pigeons 2007
78th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
79th National Bordeaux 5.660 pigeons 2010
79th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
80th National Pau 2.758 pigeons 2000
80th National Bergerac 14.424 pigeons 2006
81st National Barcelona 7.520 pigeons 2007
81st National Barcelona 7.491 pigeons 2005
81st National Perpignan 4.719 pigeons 2006
81st National St.Vincent 6.829 pigeons 2006
82th National Barcelona 6.419 pigeons 1999
83rd National Perpignan 5.410 pigeons 2010
83rd National Perpignan 5.294 pigeons 2007
83rd National Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005
84th National Bergerac 12.870 pigeons 2001
85th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
85th National Perpignan 4.719 pigeons 2006
86th National Barcelona 8.713 pigeons 2002
86th National Mont de Marsan 6.220 pigeons 2002
87th National Bergerac 10.903 pigeons 2007
87th National St. Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999
87th National Pau 2.413 pigeons 2006
88th National Dax 4.328 pigeons 2001
90th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005
91st National Tarbes 5.210 pigeons 2007
91st National Cahors 7.321 pigeons 1999
93rd National Bergerac 12.125 pigeons 2004
94th National Cahors 10.323 pigeons 2010
97th National Dax 4.328 pigeons 2001
98th National St.Vincent 5.909 pigeons 2004
99th National Bergerac 11.953 pigeons 2000
100thNational Marseille 4.539 pigeons 2008
100thNational Perpignan 5.890 pigeons 2003

(03/08/2010) Casaert-Sénéchal : voila un nom qui parle, tant au nord qu’au sud du pays. (2010)

Casaert-Sénéchal : voila un nom qui parle, tant au nord qu’au sud du pays. (2010)

Un nom qui est synonyme de succès, de continuité, de régularité dans le microcosme du sport colombophile. Et je pourrais employer énormément d’autres adjectifs…

Il est vrai que le père Maurice, secondé par son fils Grégory à Néchin, possède un tableau de chasse exceptionnel avec trois victoires nationales ( à Montauban, Souillac et Brive), plusieurs victoires semi nationales, provinciales, des titres de champions de toutes sortes et j’en passe.
Casaert, c’est aussi une race qui s’exporte merveilleusement bien ailleurs avec, pour meilleur exemple, ‘Invincible Montauban’ vainqueur de Montauban national en 1992, par après acheté par Silvère Toye, qui en a fait une des pierres angulaires de son pigeonnier d’élevage avant qu’un certain Etienne Meirlaen ne décide, courant 2000, d’introduire ce prestigieux sang dans son équipe de reproducteur.
Mais Casaert, c’est surtout une famille qui ne se résume tout bonnement pas aux exploits du père.
Cela fait déjà bien longtemps que les yeux se sont tournés sur le second fils, Sébastien, un des colombophiles les plus doués de sa génération. Très vite, il s’est détaché ‘colombophilement parlant’ du cocon familial et ce par désir d’indépendance.
Il aurait été bien plus aisé de travailler sur la continuité avec son père et son frère à Néchin. Toutefois, c’est un autre chemin qu’il décida d’emprunter. Inconsciemment peut être, il s’était fixé comme objectif de rivaliser, sinon faire mieux, avec son père.
Son écolage, il a pu le parfaire dans des colonies de renommée comme lorsqu’il fût manager de la colonie Hétru de Kain, pour plus tard s’envoler vers Otegem chez Silvère Toye, avant de se poser chez François Sénéchal.

C’est bien après qu’il s’installa avec sa famille, d’abord à St Léger, au nord de Tournai ou il remporta déjà entre autre le 1er semi national Châteauroux de 7.495 yearlings et le 1er interprovincial La Souterraine 5.621 yearlings la même année.
En 2008, nouveau déménagement après avoir fait bâtir à l’adresse actuelle à Russeignies, à un jet de pierre du Mont-de-l’enclus. Un endroit situé parfaitement sur le plan géographique pour le jeu puisqu’il est vraiment à l’avant main des deux Flandres. C’est donc là, à son nouveau QG, qu’il s’attèle semaine après semaine à préparer sa colonie, avec l’aide précieuse de son fils Hugo (dont on parlera ici plus tard), pour qu’elle brille de mille feux durant le week end.
Si l’année 2009 fût un grand cru, notamment grâce à une équipe de yearling hyper compétitive, 2010 se retrouve dans la même lignée, avec une participation désormais encore plus active sur toute la ligne de vol (entendez par la, participation aux étapes de fond et grand fond !).
On en arrive donc à passer des journées entières à scruter le ciel, avec des concours qui débutent au matin et d’autres qui ne commencent qu’au soir. Cela permet d’arriver à des journées comme celle du 26juin (un exemple parmi tant d’autres) qui aurait été une journée mémorable chez 90% des amateurs alors qu’elle pourrait presque passer inaperçue à Russeignies.

Ce jour la, début des hostilités à Orléans avec les 4 premiers prix dans 273 vieux et 10 prix de 11 engagés, les deux premiers prix de 311 yearlings et 9 prix de 13 engagés.

La suite sur Argenton national avec au provincial les prix suivants dans 1134 vieux : 8, 14, 21, 22, 24, 32, 44, 52, 54 soit 9 prix par 20 de 10 engagés ( !!!!), le dernier pigeon remportant également son prix plus loin.
Au club fond Wallonie dans 2.762 vieux : 10, 24, 39, 44, 48, 61, 87, 110, 133,… soit 9/10.
Avec les yearlings au provincial dans 1374 pigeons : 4, 6, 14, 22, 57, 70, 75,… soit 12/14.
Au club fond Wallonie dans 4.194 pigeons : 5, 7, 30, 68, .. soit 12/14.
Au national (provisoire), 54e de 10.571 vieux, 46e et 51e national de 19.757 yearlings.
On continue plus tard à Orange national avec la 66e place nationale dans 4.466 vieux et 1 prix sur 2.
Finalement, Bordeaux 4 et 15 dans 159 vieux (2/2) et 11 et 31 dans 165 yearlings (2/3).
Soit un bilan total pour cette journée faste de 46 prix de 55 engagés dont 28 fois par 10 et 4x top 100 national !!!!!!
Qui dit mieux ?

Installations
C’est donc au numéro 72 de la rue des marais que Sébastien et son épouse Anne ont fait bâtir une superbe villa avec une vue imprenable sur la campagne aux alentours.
Là bas, calme et sérénité sont au rendez vous. L’idée était d’habiter bien entendu dans un havre de paix, mais celui-ci devait proposer diverses facilités pour le jeu.
Comme déjà dit, la position géographique est optimale et le cadre, verdoyant, est vraiment magnifique. Ils ont la chance de pouvoir voir arriver leur pigeons à plus d’un kilomètre tant la vue est dégagée.
Tout le monde se souvient de l’agencement des pigeonniers à St Léger ou chacun de ceux-ci possédait à ses extrémités une volière de plusieurs dizaines de mètres de long.
Après des nuits à faire et refaire les plans de ses installations dans sa tête, Sébastien est finalement tombé sur la disposition qu’il trouvait la plus optimale.
C’est le même principe qu’à St Léger, sauf que la disposition des volières a été mieux répartie. Celles-ci sont une composante essentielle du système de Sébastien. Après la volée, chaque équipe à la possibilité d’y aller pour se ressourcer.
Il pense que cela a un impact sur la récupération, le moral de ses troupes. Cela présente aussi diverses facilités, notamment lorsque l’on souhaite leur donner un bain.

En hiver, inutile de préciser ou se retrouvent les équipes de jeu.
Lorsque l’on m’a chargé de faire ce reportage, j’y allais bien entendu pour voir les pigeons mais je dois avouer que j’ai surtout été fasciné par les installations.
Les pigeonniers, excepté celui des jeunes qui est un pigeonnier de jardin, ont été construits en dur, avec les mêmes briques que celles employées pour la construction de la maison. On respecte ainsi l’unité du coloris. Sans doute une touche de madame ? Quoiqu’il en soit, cette maison a vraiment sa place dans l’émission ‘une brique dans le ventre’.
Des boxes, au nombre de 13, ont même été prévus au dessus du garage pour abriter les couples spéciaux. Tout a été soigneusement et minutieusement pensé pour que la pratique de notre sport soit facilitée le plus possible. Ces installations peuvent recevoir le titre de ‘4 étoiles’ et cela se ressent dans les prestations de ses habitants. Si dans notre sport le luxe n’est vraiment pas une nécessité, il n’est cependant pas interdit de pouvoir en disposer. Sébastien l’a bien compris et il s’est fait plaisir !

Management
Sébastien a le désavantage de commencer sa journée relativement tôt : 4h.
Avouez que pour gérer une colonie d’une telle importance, ce n’est pas l’idéal.
C’est la qu’Hugo entre jeu. Agé de 12ans, cette petite tête blonde nourrit l’ensemble de la colonie à son réveil avant de partir à l’école. Il connaît toute sa colonie par cœur et fait déjà preuve d’ambition puisque c’est ‘à cause’ de lui que la colonie se dirige de plus en plus vers le fond et le grand fond.
D’ailleurs il soumet déjà des propositions à son père concernant la construction d’un pigeonnier uniquement destiné à cette catégorie…avant que son père ne le rattrape en lui rétorquant qu’il a déjà suffisamment de boulot comme ça !
Sa femme Anne est également d’une aide précieuse même si depuis ‘l’éclosion’ du fils son implication est moindre. Ils peuvent également compter sur l’aide de l’ami Bernard Henry, qui est toujours disponible pour donner un coup de main.
Les volées n’ont lieu qu’une fois par jour lors du retour du travail. ‘C’est suffisant, même pour les veufs’, estime-t-il.
Le système du veuvage total a donc été développé à Russeignies. Les femelles voyagent toutes les semaines, en alternant le petit et le grand demi fond, une fois sur deux.
On a déjà démontré maintes et maintes fois la faculté de récupération des femelles, supérieures à celles des males. On en a encore ici une preuve.
Les males voyagent en fonction des possibilités, mais avec une semaine de repos plus fréquente.
Toute la colonie est accouplée au mois de décembre et les œufs des reproducteurs sont passés aux voyageurs. Puis ils sont directement veufs.
Après l’élevage, ils séjournent jusqu’au 15 mars en volière.
Le jeu avec les jeunes est moins pratiqué. Toutefois, que veux dire ‘moins pratiqué’ chez un colombophile du top ? Jugez plutôt la prestation de cette semaine(31/07) :
Toury local 303 jeunes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,.....23/40
Toury Général 501 jeunes 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,....23/40
Bourges local 188 jeunes : 1,3,4,6,7,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,.. 22/51
De bonne augure pour Argenton et compagnie… non ?

Les origines
Sébastien s’est bien évidemment focalisé sur ce qui se faisait de mieux en Belgique.
Il a ainsi pu puiser tout naturellement dans la crème de la crème chez son père.
Viennent s’y ajouter des Bolle, des Vandenabeele mais aussi des Limbourg et récemment des œufs de chez son ami Carlos Vandemeulebroeck.
La majorité de ces introductions se sont faites sous forme d’œufs, ce qui permet de donner un peu de souffle au portefeuille…
Quelques mois après, on peut également avoir quelques surprises.
C’est ainsi que Sébastien s’est retrouvé involontairement en possession de deux œufs provenant des propres parents de… Eagle Eye, le meilleur pigeon que Limbourg n’ait jamais élevé, et ce bien avant qu’il ne se soit révélé ! Comme quoi le hasard fait parfois bien les choses…
Preuve s’il en est qu’il s’agit de pigeons d’exceptions, cette femelle est la mère du 381/09, un des portes drapeaux de 2010 !
Après avoir élevé énormément et joué un maximum les produits de ces accouplements, il ne pouvait qu’en récolter les fruits. La sélection fut draconienne et désormais le tandem Casaert-Sénéchal compte bien s’installer au sommet et y rester.

Les portes drapeaux
Précité juste avant, le 9079381/09 en mérite le titre.
Epinglons :
En 2009, Blois 9/467, 52/4094 et Lorris 8/344, 8/553
En 2010, Ecouen 1/169, Angerville 7/316, Orléans 1/218 et 2/506, Dourdan 4/240 et 5/448, Orléans 2/232 et 2/483, Orléans 7/129 et 11/280, Orléans 1/189 et 1/311, Dourdan 1/92 et 2/148. Soit en 2010, 5x 1er, 4x 2e,13x dans les 10 premiers avec doublages et ce jusqu’au 3 JUILLET !!

Son père, dénommé ‘Staaf’, est déjà le père de ‘Stecy’ la révélation en 2009 avec la 6e place nationale dans les as pigeons grand demi fond. ‘Staff’ est un fils de ‘Slim’, vainqueur semi national de Châteauroux contre 7.495 pigeons, lui-même fils de ‘Stan’, 2e semi national Châteauroux de 11.526 vieux le même jour !!
La mère de ‘Staaf’ est ‘Shady’, une propre fille du ‘Spencer’, pigeon de base de la colonie et directement issu de chez Limbourg !
Sa mère, la propre sœur de ‘Eagle Eye’ Limbourg, est donc une fille du ‘Donkere 240’ x ‘De 218 duivin’. Il est utile de préciser que le ‘Donkere 240’ est un petit fils du ‘Marseille’ de Marcel Aelbrecht dans lequel on retrouve le sang….De rauw-Sablon… comme par hasard !!

Le deuxième pigeon choisi est le 9079401/09.
Epinglons :
En 2009, Bourges 2/809, 15/977, 20/1905, 23/2287, 20/11.355 et 1.166/37.357
Lorris 9/294, Argenton 7/458, 19/732, 29/1402, 23/1642, 247/6.647, 185/8.004, 768/23.900
En 2010, Noyon 15/348, Bourges 1/73 et 5/466, Bourges 8/539, 25/834, 30/1540, 34/1663, 37/4.806, 102/4.906,265/17.138, Châteauroux 10/552, 12/755, 13/1221, 21/1432, 29/4.056, Orléans 1/129 et 3/280, Orléans 9/189 et 13/311, Dourdan 3/92 et 5/148.
Son père, ‘Orane’, reçu comme œuf à nouveau en provenance de chez Limbourg, est un fils du ‘186/00’, père du 1er national Orange 07, lui-même fils de la ‘Witkopje’, 1er national La Souterraine 9.583p. chez Aelbrecht en 97. La mère de ‘Orane’ est une fille du ‘Lucky 77’, as pigeon national fond en 05, accouplé à nouveau à la ‘218 duivin’, mère de ‘Eagle Eye’.
Sa mère, ‘Capucine’, est une fille de ‘Ultra’, 2x top 10 dans plus de 4.000 pigeons, lui-même fils du ‘Borgne Dedeyne’, pigeon de base de Casaert père. La mère de ‘Ultra’ est une sœur de ‘Invincible Montauban’, 1er national Montauban ’92.
‘Ultra’ était accouplé à ‘Dior’, mère du 1er national Brive 7.446 en ’04, et elle-même fille de ‘Nasdaq’, 1er national Souillac en 2000.
Le ‘401/09’ est donc un cocktail explosif du meilleur de chez Limbourg et de chez Casaert. Le résultat ? Un gros BOUM !!

Le troisième et dernier pigeon est issu de la génération 2008. Il s’agit du 9044347/08
Epinglons :
En 2009, Etampes 20/356 et 21/688, Bourges 6/600, 8/773, 11/1759,7/2002, 62/5738, 9/6561, 75/22.499 national, Issoudun 20/506,10/656, 21/1117, 49/5848 interprovincial, Châteauroux 63/755, 401/7.871 interprovincial, Tulle 5/316, 7/331, 10/682, 8/844, 106/2030, 14/2579, 125/7467 national
En 2010, Noyon 5/729, Tours 1/119 et 3/2898, Châteauroux 17/273, 60/867, 187/4.093, Bourges 35/753, 69/1309, 112/2253, 112/2625, 156/6.154, 856/22.476, Orléans 1/210 et 1/368, Châteauroux 9/682, 10/757, 9/1273, 14/1406, 28/4.255, Argenton 8/441, 7/511, 14/1020, 9/1134, 12/2762, 54/10.571 national

A l’heure actuelle, les jeunes montent en puissance et il ne serait pas impossible qu’un exploit puisse venir embellir le cadre d’or de cette jeune colonie déjà tant titrée. Argenton, La Souterraine et Guéret, voici les prochains objectifs de la colonie alors gardez un œil attentif sur notre duo !
Bonne fin de saison et bonne m**** pour la suite.

Palmarès (mois de juillet non inclus !!!)
VIEUX
 
11-avr Noyon                 348p. 2,3,25,26,27,29,39,41,42,51,52,... 15/45
18-avr Ecouen                169p. 1,6,8,15,16,26,27,29,….14/24
18-avr Noyon                 729p. 5,13,22,23,34,35,46,54,58,59,60,73,74,….29/50
25-avr Ecouen                754p. 12,20,32,37,38,45,54,58,74,75,81,….35/74
1-mai Dourdan                370p. 13,38,46,50,68,…8/22
8-mai Toury                  443p. 2,4,6,14,30,37,38,41,42,43,46,…15/21
8-mai Dourdan                642p. 12,25,41,50,62,…10/19
8-mai Tours Local            119p. 1,6,10,16,22,24,25,35 8/12
8-mai Tours Prov            2898p. 3,84,168,343,433,….9/12
15-mai Orleans               345p. 2,33,34,41,43,47,….10/12
15-mai Châteauroux local     273p. 9,11,15,17,18,19,…7/12
15-mai Châteauroux Prov     4093p. 68,108,139,187,188,190,…7/12
15-mai Châteauroux Prov 2Ans 867p. 24,42,49,60,61,62,…7/12
15-mai Vierzon L-Lessines   1100p. 15,18,101,120,…7/10
15-mai Vierzon DH           2489p. 49,62,333,387,…7/10
15-mai Vierzon DHH          1374p. 30,40,210,…7/10
15-mai Bourges Local         183p. 1,2,3,5,15,18,20 7/10
15-mai Bourges General      1073p. 4,10,14,25,66,80,85 7/10
22-mai Bourges L-Lessines    753p. 11,29,35,40,41,58,59,61,….17/22
22-mai Bourges National ZA  6154p. 46,130,156,194,196,276,281,296,386,425,449,472,499,503,…17/22
29-mai Orleans               316p. 8,12,20 3/3
29-mai Châteauroux Prov      562p. 34,35,36,46,47,55,98,128,136,….20/28
29-mai Brive L-Lessines      572p. 2,37,…4/12
29-mai Brive Provincial     1733p. 4,102,…4/12
5-juin Orléans local         210p. 1,2,5,…7/11
5-juin Orléans Général       358p. 1,3,6,36,…8/11
5-juin Châteauroux Prov     1978p. 4,11,58,72,77,92,122,263,200,…12/18
5-juin Châteauroux C-Est    8189p. 39,67,266,335,359,415,550,….11/18
13-juin Orléans local         99p. 1,2,6,10,12,18 6/13
13-juin Orléans Général      193p. 2,6,10,14,…9/13
13-juin Châteauroux Prov    1273p. 2,9,19,40,49,56,63,83,….15/18
13-juin Châteauroux CFW     4255p. 6,28,57,148,198,221,….15/18
13-juin Cahors Provincial   1145p. 5,34,132 3/3
 24-juillet Bourges prov    1159vx 22,29,31, et 7/12
31-juil  Bourges L-Lessines  137   6,9   2/3
31-juil  Tulle Provincial    891   3,17,54,79,…6/6
 
YEARLINGS
 
11-avr  Noyon     223p.   8,13,14,15,20,22,23,24,…14/30
18-avr  Ecouen            5,12,13,15,22,24,38,42,46,…15/22
25-avr  Ecouen    256p.   5,9,17,23,24,34,35,37,….14/32
1-mai   Dourdan   237p.   6,10,15,17,26,…11/26
8-mai   Toury     312p.   5,12,18,19,20,27,28,42,44,…18/31
8-mai   Dourdan   316p.   5,7,16,…5/8
15-mai  Orleans loc 304p  2,3,5,14,33,41,44,…11/23
15-mai  Orleans Gen 567p. 2,4,8,39,76,….11/23
15-mai  Vierzon Less 26p. 19,53,54,…5/8
15-mai  Bourges Local 73p.1,2,4,6,9,10,…9/10
15-mai  Bourges Gen 466p. 5,6,9,12,25,31,40,41,…9/10
22-mai  Bourges L-Les539p.2,5,7,8,13,25,31,48,….14/14
22-mai  Bourges Nat. Zone A 4806p. 3,13,35,37,85,163,205,317,370,422,…14/14
22-mai  Orléans 218p.     1,5,13 3/5
29-mai  Châteauroux Provincial 1221p. 4,13,16,25,54,69,71,129,….18/32
29-mai  Châteauroux CFW        4056p. 9,29,41,72,174,230,238,….18/32
5-juin  Orléans                 483p. 2,34,37,42,45,….11/14
5-juin  Châteauroux Provincial 2007p. 8,12,29,56,63,64,67,82,101,140,193,….14/18
5-juin  Châteauroux Centre-Est 9026p. 31,56,151,292,336,337,356,455,499,685,….14/18
13-juin Châteauroux Provincial 1436p. 10,24,28,76,…15/24
13-juin Châteauroux CFW        5077p. 47,94,117,364,….15/24
13-juin Orléans local           129p. 1,3,5,6,7,15,17 7/11
13-juin Orléans Général         280p. 3,5,8,9,11,29,32 7/11
24-juil Bourges provincial     1318Y: 5,43 et 5/7
24-juil Libourne CFW           1815Y: 9,20 et 2/5
31-juil Tulle Provincial        910   30,31,72,…5/6

Jeunes (incomplet)

24-juillet  Bourges provincial 2135 j: 9,13,20,35,36,39,85,86,....26/32
24-juillet  Ecouen 838 jeunes :        1,…….. et 47/71
31-juillet  Bourges local 188 jeunes : 1,3,4,6,7,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,.. 22/51
 31-juillet Toury local 303 jeunes     1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,.....23/40
31-juillet  Toury Général 501 jeunes   1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,....23/40