On a scorching Friday in July, with the sun blazing and temperatures soaring past thirty degrees, the legendary marathon race from Marseille was released. A brutal 825+ kilometer ordeal, only to be conquered by the toughest, most resilient pigeons. This was not a race for the faint of heart. And in that relentless battle, one man and his pigeon rose above them all.
Loed & Eric Senden, from the Dutch town of Berg en Terblijt, knew exactly what they were doing. They trusted their process, their system, and above all — their yearling NL24-8569556 “Ronnie.”
At 20:13:40 on Friday evening, Ronnie appeared out of the warm southern skies and hit the trap after flying 841 kilometers… and just like that, made history:
🥇 1st National Marseille against 2,347 pigeons
🥇 1st Provincial Marseille against 832 pigeons
🥇 1st in the Samenspel Westelijk Zuid-Limburg (WZL) against 348 pigeons
🥇 1st in Samenspel Beek-Bug against 243 pigeons
And if that wasn’t enough… 🌍 8th International Marseille against 7,233 pigeons
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t luck. This was mastery.
One breeding pair. One pigeon. One dream come true.
The story behind Ronnie is just as special as the result itself. At the Senden loft, there’s only one dedicated breeding pair for long distance. One carefully crafted combination of battle-tested marathon bloodlines. And from that very pair came Ronnie.
No big loft, no masses of birds, no factory racing. Just sharp selection, precise breeding, and from day one, full confidence in this dark-feathered powerhouse.
This victory proves their entire philosophy right. And those who know Loed Senden understand this is no fluke. It’s the result of decades of experience, cold-blooded selection, and a deep passion for the sport.
🧬 The pedigree: pure power in every feather
Ronnie’s bloodline is built on a foundation of ironclad genetics:
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Sire “Ber” (NL20-1695743) is a direct son of the famous “743”, a top performer with early prizes on Limoges, Bordeaux, and Cahors. His lineage runs deep through the legendary Jacquemain-Humblet base.
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Dam “Black Diamond” (NL19-1793095) is a double Zwarte Lourdes, and mother of several early birds including Eric, winner of 1st NPO Limoges.
Every feather in Ronnie’s wings carries the weight of proven results. This is not potential — this is pedigree.
👑 Meet the man: Loed Senden
Loed Senden has been a fixture in the Dutch pigeon sport for over five decades. In his younger days, he was dominant on short and middle distance, now for years a master on the heavy fond. Ask him for his secret and he remains humble: “Routine, rhythm and healthy pigeons,” he’ll say. And above all: stay calm, and never stop improving.
His care system is straightforward and pure. Medical interventions are kept to a bare minimum. “Just the necessary vaccinations and an occasional yellow treatment,” he says. “I believe in natural resistance and hard selection.”
This is a fancier who knows what he’s doing — and his pigeons reflect that. They don’t give up. Just like him.
📊 The 2025 season: a masterclass in consistency
Ronnie’s performance on Marseille was the absolute highlight, but it wasn’t an isolated miracle. The Senden loft has been flying at the front all season long. Here’s a glimpse of their results in the powerful WZL competition:
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Issoudun (May 24) – 1,508 pigeons → 44, 78, 83, 116, 162 (14/23)
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Châteauroux (June 8) – 786 pigeons → 2, 24, 74, 75, 99 (10/22)
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Issoudun (June 21) – 331 pigeons → 1, 18, 27, 30, 36 (7/15)
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Agen (June 27) – 845 pigeons → 13, 94, 178 (3/4)
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Issoudun (July 5) – 667 pigeons → 29, 40, 53, 71, 85 (9/15)
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Issoudun (July 19) – 358 pigeons → 2, 9, 22, 31, 34, 36, 51, 54 (8/15)
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Marseille (July 18) – Clean sweep: 1st Nat., Prov., WZL, Beek-Bug
These are the stats of a professional operation — yet this is still a small loft, built on efficiency and trust.
💎 What makes this victory so special?
Let’s break it down:
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🐦 Ronnie is a yearling, flying Marseille for the first time — and wins it all
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🌡️ Temperatures were extreme, testing stamina and mental strength
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📦 Only one breeding pair focused on the fond
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🥇 Wins all levels, including National and International Top 10
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🎯 Proves that small lofts with sharp strategy still win BIG
This is what happens when everything comes together — planning, breeding, care, and confidence.
🎤 What does the Pigeon Boss say
“A yearling that storms home from Marseille in July, beating thousands of veterans — that’s not luck, that’s a message. Ronnie is a statement. And Loed? He’s been proving for decades that the sport belongs to those with vision, patience, and guts. This isn’t about mass. This is about mastery. Watch this loft — because they’re just getting started!”
Until the next blog
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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