On June 8th, 2025, 2,258 pigeons were released at 3:00 PM in Ruffec, France, for a challenging NPO long-distance race in Afdeling 11 (Friesland). Clear skies, warm conditions, and a light north wind set the stage for an overnight battle of stamina and orientation. And true to form, it was Jan Grootoonk from Bant who stole the spotlight again.
🥇 Unstoppable in the North: Grootoonk Strikes from Ruffec
Jan’s first arrival, NL23-48091546, covered the 851 km distance with an average speed of 2,015.11 m/min, clocking in at 04:05:11 AM. A phenomenal time – and a convincing win.
But the story doesn’t stop there. Jan Grootoonk sent 24 pigeons, and no fewer than 9 won prizes – an outstanding 37.5% prize rate, showing not just class at the top but also real depth in the team.
His prize positions included:
-
1st NPO Afdeling 11
-
4th, 49th, 61st, 163rd, 182nd, 307th, 348th and 370th
Jan’s birds didn’t trickle in – they stormed in, one after another. It's the classic “Grootoonk train”: when one arrives, the others are close behind.
👨🌾 A Life Dedicated to the Sport
Jan Grootoonk is more than a fancier – he’s an icon of Dutch long-distance racing. He began his pigeon journey in the 1960s, back when he and his brother would basket their pigeons by bicycle, too young to drive.
Since 1979, Jan has lived in Bant with his wife and children. His son Yoel now races alongside him. While once an all-rounder who claimed 1st and 2nd National Ace Pigeon Middle Distance, since 2002 he fully committed to the marathon races, building one of the most feared lofts in the Netherlands.
🧬 Bloodlines Behind the Ruffec Winner
The Ruffec winner, NL23-48091546, has a rich and strategic pedigree:
-
Father: A cock from Comb. Hommers en Zn. (top long-distance bloodlines)
-
Mother: A daughter of “Nygel”, one of Jan’s foundational breeders
The sire brings in external strength and freshness, while the dam ensures continuity of Jan’s proven “Nygel” line – a calculated blend of explosiveness and endurance.
“Nygel” himself goes back to:
-
“Livai” x “Daisy”
-
Crossed with “Ksenia”, daughter of the famed “Blauwe Hulk”
This pedigree reflects Jan’s signature strategy: maintain a powerful base, and inject new energy through top-class introductions – in this case from Comb. Hommers en Zn and earlier from Huigens–van der Molen, Jelle Jellema, Arjan Beens, and others.
🏅 Career of a Champion: Jan’s Marathon Highlights
Jan’s loft has earned national and NPO glory year after year. Just a few highlights include:
-
1st NPO Bergerac (1,642 b.) – 2019
-
1st NPO Cahors (701 b.) – 2019
-
1st NPO Dax (504 b.) – 2018
-
1st NPO Limoges (2,672 b.) – 2014
-
1st National Bergerac (2,767 b.) – 2019
-
3rd International Pau (9,932 b.) – 2016
-
Top 10 National and NPO finishes across Bergerac, Cahors, Dax, Perigueux, Limoges, St. Vincent, Orange and more
From asduif titles in the early 2000s to NPO domination in 2019, Jan’s achievements span decades of excellence.
🔟 Top 10 NPO Afdeling 11 – Ruffec 2025
- Jan Grootoonk, Bant – 2,015.11 m/min
-
Huigens–van der Molen, Bant – 2,006.05 m/min
-
J. Koehoorn, Twijzel – 1,977.46 m/min
-
Jan Grootoonk (2nd bird)
-
Joh. Hopman & Son, Noardburgum – 1,933.18 m/min
-
Piet Bakker, Urk – 1,931.82 m/min
-
J. Buwalda, Nijemirdum – 1,931.72 m/min
-
Bennie Homma, Balk – 1,925.48 m/min
-
K. de Vreeze, Bakhuizen – 1,904.60 m/min
-
Gebr. Limburg, Zuidveen – 1,891.44 m/min
📊 Race Summary
- Race name: Ruffec – NPO Afdeling 11
-
Date & time: June 8, 2025 at 15:00
-
Number of pigeons: 2,258
-
Winning loft: Jan Grootoonk, Bant
-
Winning speed: 2,015.11 m/min
-
Distance: 851 km
-
Prizes won by Grootoonk: 9 out of 24 (37.5%)
-
Top 100 positions: 4
Special mention to J. Buwalda (multiple top-200 finishes) and Bennie Homma, whose depth continues to impress year after year.
💬 Final Word from the Pigeon Boss
Jan Grootoonk’s Ruffec win is no fluke – it’s the result of a lifetime of dedication, smart breeding, and elite loft management. This was a victory with authority, and the pedigree behind the winner proves that nothing was left to chance. Jan is – without question – one of the great masters of marathon pigeon racing.”
Until the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
Add comment
Comments