On Saturday, August 3rd 2025, a total of 781 pigeons were released in Orléans for a challenging middle-distance race in National Sector 4. The birds took to the skies at 08:00, with light southeast winds and warm summer temperatures – conditions that made for a fast race. And fast it was: the winning pigeon clocked an average speed of 1446.494 meters per minute over 678 km. 🕊️💨
The fanciers behind that lightning-fast pigeon? None other than the Schrik Brothers (Gebr. Schrik) from Ter Apel. A name synonymous with power, precision, and peak performance.
Gebr. Schrik: Masters of Consistency and Class
It’s no surprise we’re writing about these brothers again. The Schrik loft has become a beacon of excellence in Dutch pigeon racing. And this weekend, they once again delivered a world-class performance.
Tara: Wings of Royalty, Results of a Champion
The pigeon that conquered Orléans is named Tara, ring number NL23-4706729 V – and she’s no fluke. Tara is the product of vision, elite selection, and a pedigree soaked in championship DNA.
On the father's side, we find none other than "Blue Levi" from Luc De Laere. A direct son of the legendary Brave Bliksem, who himself descends straight from Bliksem x Asayo of Vandenabeele. This bloodline has produced:
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1st NPO Vierzon (12,674 birds)
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3rd NPO Châteauroux
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Numerous national top finishes
Blue Levi himself won 20 prizes and proved to be a top breeder, producing multiple NPO-winning descendants. This isn’t hype — it’s firepower in the genes.
Her mother? That’s “New Romy”, a top hen straight from the heart of the Gebr. Schrik loft. Her dam is the famous “Blue Romy”, sister to NL11-834, who won 1st Orléans vs 22,224 pigeons. This family line has produced:
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1st NPO Troyes (6,351 birds)
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4th NPO Vierzon
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126th WHZB Ace Pigeon
and so much more...
And now — get this: Tara has already won 14 prizes in her first season. Fourteen. One year. One pigeon. Various distances, different weather, against strong fields. That’s not luck. That’s repeatable, breedable class.
🏆 Key Stats from the Winning Loft:
- Pigeons entered: 23
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Prizes won: 15
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Prize percentage: 65.2%
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Top 10 finishes: 3 (1st, 7th, and 9th)
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Speed of the winning pigeon: 1446.494 m/min
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Distance: 678.022 km
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Clock time of the first pigeon: 15:48:44
Their winning hen NL23-4706729V took the top spot with authority, backed immediately by loftmates in 7th and 9th position. It was an all-out show of strength from Ter Apel. 💪
It’s no coincidence they ranked 9th in the “Grootmeester” classification, scoring a formidable 395.461 points. Few lofts can match this blend of depth and precision.
The Top 10 Finishers – Names That Matter
The Orléans race saw both veterans and new challengers battle it out at the top. Here’s your top 10:
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Gebr. Schrik – Ter Apel
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Klaas Talen – Meppel
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D. & J. van den Berg – Lemmer
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Freek Smit – Zwartemeer
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Freek Smit – Zwartemeer
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Wilco & Jacob Smit – Feanwalden
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Gebr. Schrik – Ter Apel
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Bert Bloemert – Staphorst
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Gebr. Schrik – Ter Apel
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Freek Smit – Zwartemeer
Notably, Freek Smit also delivered an elite result with multiple pigeons in the top 10, as did P. Veenstra & Zn., showing incredible strength deeper in the result list. But make no mistake — this day belonged to Gebr. Schrik.
Analysis: A Loft in Total Control
Winning is one thing. Dominating is another. With 15 out of 23 pigeons in the prizes and 3 in the top 10, Gebr. Schrik proved that they are not just sharp — they’re surgical.
The secret? Their depth and timing. Every detail is dialed in. Feeding, training, loft management, pairing — nothing is left to chance. Their program is a blueprint for success.
This wasn’t a one-off. This is just another chapter in the rise of a loft that’s quietly rewriting the standard. They’re no longer chasing others — they are the benchmark.
📣 The Pigeon Boss says:
If you’re wondering how they keep doing it, you’re not alone. But don’t be fooled — this level of performance doesn’t come easy. It comes from years of dedication, smart investments, and relentless refinement.
Gebr. Schrik aren’t just race winners. They are ambassadors of modern pigeon racing.
Until the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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