Comb. Kroesen Wins 1st Prize Against 9,157 Pigeons from Kerkrade in Afdeling 10!

But the victory didn’t stand alone—Comb. Kroesen secured 15 positions in the top 2,500, including 115th, 125th, 199th, 558th, 675th, and many more. That’s not just a great pigeon; that’s a powerful team.

This top result is a reflection of a systematically built racing program based on selection, care, and world-class breeding.

🧬 The Winning Hen: Born to Perform

The winning pigeon NL23-4704289 V is the result of a strategic pairing from the loft of Comb. van de Nieuwendijk & Henk Douna. Her pedigree is packed with national winners, Olympiad pigeons, and proven genetics. She also won 8^th National Sector 4 from Arlon against 12.483 pigeons!

🧨 Sire: “Super Douna” (NL19-1214958 M)

A top breeder and son of the Van der Stouwe-Douna lines, “Super Douna” sired:

• 1st Prize winners from Vierzon, Issoudun, Arlon, Sens, and Gennep
• Father to “Frank”, 1st Ace Pigeon Rayon 6 Afdeling 10
• 5th Best Long Distance Pigeon of the club

🌟 Dam: “Miss Nationaal” (NL21-1501074 V)

One of the best hens of her generation:

• 1nd National Section 4 Chalons en Champagne vs. 5,421 pigeons
• 15th Olympiad Pigeon (2021)
• Multiple early prizes in Arlon, Gennep, Weert, Tongeren, and more
• Daughter of “De Knokker” (Olympiad pigeon young 2021)

This hen stems from three generations of elite Olympiad-level blood, including lines like Precious, Gold Lady, and Olympic Hans (via Eijerkamp).

📊 Race Overview: Kerkrade – Section 10

• Liberation Point: Kerkrade
• Distance to Kroesen loft: 217.582 km
• Liberation Time: 07:00
• Wind Direction: Southwest
• Participants: 637 fanciers
• Total pigeons in race: 9,157
• Winning speed: 1,972.044 m/min
• Number of prizes by Comb. Kroesen: 15
• Estimated prize ratio: Exceptionally high

👨‍👦 Father & Son Kroesen – Dutch Pigeon Sport Icons

Father and son Kroesen – a name every serious Dutch fancier knows. Based in Erica (Drenthe), they are known as one of the strongest racing pigeon lofts in Section 10, consistently delivering results not only regionally but also nationally. Their race team is well-structured, their loft management professional, and their results speak for themselves.

🏅 Top Performers in National Competitions

Their racing record goes far beyond this one win. In 2023, Comb. Kroesen dominated the Samenspel ZOD league with the following titles:

• 1st Vitesse Champion
• 1st Middle-Distance Champion
• 4th Long Distance
• 1st Young Bird Champion
• 2nd Natour
• 1st Overall Short Distance
• 1st Overall Long Distance
• 1st Overall Old Birds
• 1st Overall Loft Champion

And in 2024, they captured no less than 11 clean 1st prizes and multiple championship titles—proof of year-round consistency.

🔬 Bloodlines from the World’s Finest

Comb. Kroesen built their loft with investment in top-quality pigeons from legendary lofts, including:

• Leo Heremans
• Gaby Vandenabeele
• H. & E.J. Eijerkamp
• Gerard Koopman

These fanciers are synonymous with Olympic-level pigeons, and Kroesen has successfully integrated these lines into their own stock—producing winners on the national stage.

💡 Fun Facts

• The winning hen descends from three different Olympiad pigeons in just two generations
• “Miss Nationaal” herself was ranked 15th Olympiad Pigeon in 2021
• Their family has consistently produced top birds in both speed and long distance races

🔚 Conclusion From The Pigeon Boss

The 1st prize win from Kerkrade is yet another milestone in the already impressive track record of Comb. Kroesen. Their blue hen NL23-4704289 V represents the very best of modern pigeon racing: elite genetics, sharp management, and racing excellence.

With 15 prizes out of thousands of pigeons, the Kroesen team once again proves they are not only a force in Section 10, but among the elite in all of the Netherlands.

Until the next blog,

Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss