Not the first time we’ve written about these men...
If you read our previous article on PigeonBoss.com about their dominant Châteaudun performance – where they won 1st, 2nd, and 4th prizes with 23 total prizes – you know: Derksen-v.d. Keuken from Almelo are no one-hit wonders.
Already hailed as a loft in peak condition, they’ve now etched their name even deeper into the history of Dutch pigeon racing. Because on August 3rd, 2025, at the highly competitive Orléans mid-distance race, flying in Sector 3 against 1301 pigeons, they did it again. And how!
Race facts: Orléans – August 3rd, 2025
📍 Release point: Orléans
🗓️ Date: 03-08-2025
⏰ Liberation: 08:00 CET
🕊️ Pigeons in competition: 1301
🌤️ Weather: Clear skies with a light southwest wind – ideal racing conditions
🏁 Winning velocity: 1471.036 m/min
📐 Distance: 616.291 km
This was a classic pigeon race, no tricks, no tailwinds. Just pure class and stamina. And that’s where Derksen-v.d. Keuken shine brightest.
Spotlight on the winners: Derksen-v.d. Keuken – Almelo
📍 Location: Almelo, The Netherlands
🐦 Winning pigeon: 2-8124628 V
⏱️ Clocked at: 14:58:57
⚡ Speed: 1471.036 m/min
📦 Team size: 10 pigeons
🏅 Prizes: 7
📊 Prize percentage: 70%
🥇 1st National Sector 3 – Orléans 2025
This was not just a win. This was a masterclass. Derksen-v.d. Keuken didn’t just participate – they dictated the pace. And it wasn’t a one-bird show either – their second pigeon also made the national result at position 133.
📜 A Pedigree of Performance – “Marit” Shows True Class
The winning pigeon NL22-8124628 “Marit”, bred by Derksen & van de Keuken from Almelo, descends from a bloodline stacked with proven champions and performance-driven genes. She is a direct daughter of BE.21-4203991 “Bourges”, a standout racer with top results such as 1st Orleans vs 1301 birds, 1st Chalon s C vs 3022, 2nd Chalons and Champagne 1404 and 2nd Charleville vs 2019. His pedigree traces back to the old and trusted Baert-Debusschere line, including BE18-4108552 and BE18-4194804, the latter being a daughter of the legendary “Porsche 911” and “Last Chance” from the PIPA Elite Center – a line that thrives in tough classics like Limoges.
The dam of “Marit” is the outstanding NL21-1559465 “Daughter Mayra”, herself a daughter of the famous “Mayra” (NL18-1509650), nominated for the FCI Olympiad Team 2022. This family boasts top results in races like Orleans, Chalon, Bierges, Issoudun, Sourdun, and Duffel. On the maternal side we also find “Son Olympic Madison” (NL18-5154679) – a direct son of Olympic Madison, a celebrated racer with a pedigree full of Olympic-level class.
With a genetic base combining legends like Porsche 911, Olympic Madison, Goofy, and the Debusschere family, “Marit” proves she is not just a paper pedigree – she delivers where it counts: in the race basket. A textbook pigeon in every sense of the word.
Built on golden genetics and hard truth
This loft doesn’t rely on hype or massive numbers. They rely on quality, character, and consistent selection. Their birds are built from proven lines – focused on speed, resilience, and homing instinct.
Everything is sharp and calculated: feeding, training, loft management. But what truly sets them apart is how they understand their pigeons. This is not trial and error. This is craft. This is conviction. This is champion-level pigeon racing.
National Top 10 – Sector 3 Orléans 2025
- 🥇 Derksen-v.d. Keuken – Almelo
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Team Hooymans NL – Wijk en Aalburg
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Eijerkamp H. & E.J. – Brummen
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Comb. van Rooij – Tull en ’t Waal
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Eijerkamp Lotte – Brummen
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Eijerkamp H. & E.J. – Brummen
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Team Hooymans NL – Wijk en Aalburg
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Team Hooymans NL – Wijk en Aalburg
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C. Walda – Zwolle
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Eijerkamp Lotte – Brummen
With this level of competition, finishing 1st is no coincidence. It’s a statement.
Analysis: A loft in top form
Back-to-back brilliance. First Châteaudun, now Orléans. Derksen-v.d. Keuken are proving they’re not just consistent – they’re dominant.
Their 1st National win in Sector 3 is the result of years of building, belief in their system, and relentless focus on quality over quantity. With just 10 pigeons in the basket and a 70% strike rate, they’ve once again shown that small teams can achieve big things – if the foundation is solid.
If this continues, we’re no longer just witnessing a strong season. We’re witnessing the rise of a new dynasty.
The Pigeon Boss Perspective 💥
What Derksen-v.d. Keuken did at Orléans isn’t just impressive – it’s inspiring. In a sport that’s often chasing size and numbers, they remind us that precision and purpose still win races.
This loft deserves more than applause. They deserve a standing ovation. They’re not riding a wave – they’re creating one.
Watch this space – the best may be yet to come.
Until the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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