Racing Pigeon News, Results and more...

Get ready to feel the heat, taste the thrill, and soar with the best—because the 2026 Carnival City Gold Cup in South Africa is calling all pigeon fanciers from across Europe to take part in one of the most exciting One Loft Races in the world!

The Dutch pigeon sport is alive and thriving — and no team shows that better than Team Nijman from Heemskerk. On Saturday, April 19, during the race from Lennik (BE), they delivered another masterclass in consistency, quality, and teamwork.

In the passionate and fiercely competitive world of racing pigeons, champions aren’t born—they're bred, trained, and loved into greatness. And once in a while, a pigeon comes along who turns heads not only in her loft, but across the entire nation. Today, I’m beyond proud to introduce you to such a gem: BE22-4149604 "Lotte", the young hen who’s taking Belgian pigeon racing by storm.

On Saturday, April 12th, 2025, the first sprint race of the season for Dutch Region 7 South (Afdeling 7 Zuid) took place, with the liberation point in Bierges, Belgium. The weather conditions were perfect for a fast race: clear skies, mild temperatures of 10°C, and a light southeast wind. At 9:10 AM, a total of 7,538 racing pigeons from 257 fanciers were released for this early-season classic.

The pigeon racing season is shifting into high gear! Fanciers all over the Netherlands are preparing for an exciting weekend as their feathered athletes get ready to take flight. The baskets are full, the lofts are buzzing with anticipation, and the weather forecast couldn’t be more promising. Let’s take a look at who’s liberating where this Saturday!

What a fantastic kickoff to the new racing season! Under perfect weather conditions, thousands of pigeon fanciers got back into action. The excitement was palpable, expectations were high, and our feathered athletes were ready to show what they’re made of.

In the picturesque town of Rijssen, the Netherlands, lives a man whose name is etched in the hearts of marathon pigeon racers across Europe: Cees Nijdeken. With over 50 years of experience in the sport, he’s not just a fancier—he’s a master breeder and marathon strategist. And at the heart of his incredible story flies one unforgettable pigeon: ‘Late Blauwe’.

On April 12, 2025, the first major race of the season took place from Maissemy. With clear skies and ideal flying weather, a total of 522 old birds were released at 09:30 AM. The race was organized by Eendracht Ruien.

On Saturday, April 12th, all eyes were on a sharp race from Mettet, released at 09:15 under clear skies and a gentle southeast breeze. Perfect conditions for our feathered athletes to shine — and that’s exactly what Team van Oss did!

What an exciting weekend we have ahead in the wonderful world of pigeon racing! With the sun high in the sky and summer-like temperatures, Sections 1 through 11 are preparing for beautiful races from locations such as Quievrain, Mettet, Bierges, and Charleville Mézières. This promises to be a true spectacle!

Saturday, April 5th, 2025 – a date that won’t be forgotten in Dutch Section 1 anytime soon. From the Belgian city of Quievrain, no less than 8,833 pigeons were released at 9:45 AM under perfect racing conditions: clear skies, a light northeast wind (NO2), and 12 degrees Celsius. Everything pointed toward a beautiful race… and what we witnessed was a masterclass.

What a phenomenal display of pigeon racing excellence! On April 5th, during the Moeskroen-Menen race, one fancier rose far above the competition: C. Verhees-Baremans from Hoeven. With four pigeons in the top five, he delivered nothing short of a masterclass in modern racing pigeon sport!

In every sport, there are legends—icons that change the game forever. In the world of pigeon racing, Sagan B12-6108355 is such a legend. Bred and raced by the talented Patrick Boeckx from Vorselaar, Belgium, Sagan isn’t just another national ace—he’s a phenomenon, a true foundation cock whose impact still reverberates through the sport to this day.

In the quiet town of Nieuwleusen, one pigeon has risen to legendary status: Blue Lucy. With her ring number NL.20-1122379, she has become the star of the season after claiming victory in the 1st International Marseille 2023 against an impressive field of 10,046 pigeons. Her win was not just a victory; it was a triumph of perseverance, strategic preparation, and exceptional talent. And her story becomes even more remarkable when you discover her background, achievements, and future as a top breeder.

I’m absolutely thrilled to share something special with you today. As many of you know, I’ve always been passionate about providing the best for our wonderful sport, racing pigeons, and, of course, all of YOU – the fans, the fanciers, the true heart of this incredible community.

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, something rare will happen in the sky above Belgium and the Netherlands: a partial solar eclipse will take place between 11:17 AM and 1:04 PM. While this celestial event is a wonder for many, it raises questions for pigeon fanciers: Can a solar eclipse affect the homing ability of our racing pigeons?

I’m bursting with pride — once again, a top-notch name in the pigeon racing world joins my elite client list. As Jan de Wijs, better known to the world as The Pigeon Boss, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in the sport: Team van Oss, Andreas Drapa, Piet Lindelauf, Roger Debusschere, Huub Hermans, Kees & Kim Post, Nico Fourneau, Coen Brugman, Alexandru Huzu, and Jan Nijboer. And now… the Keekstra Brothers are joining this powerhouse lineup!

Today, I want to share a personal moment with you. It’s about saying goodbye to a true champion, and witnessing the birth of a new generation that carries his spirit forward.