Adrien Mirabelle (Quaregnon, BE) turns ambition into success

In 2011 the general rehearsal was outstanding winning 10x 1^st in young bird racing, winning 1^st from 4,268 birds, 8th Nat. Zone & 42^nd National with the 6. Nat. acebird ‘Denis’ … 2012 is bound to be the year of his definite breakthrough!

Showing his record of 2011, including a 72% prize percentage, the colony of Adrien and his skills as a fancier leave a big impression. Result of a quest for the ‘secret behind pigeon racing’ he started at the age of 5, in the lofts of his grandfather. A very good fancier, who stopped racing when Adrien was a young boy but who never stopped feeding him with love for pigeons. In 1998 a trip to JC Debiève from Hornu light a fire in inside the young Adrien. “We attended their National Bourges victory in 1998, one of the 4 within 7 years. We came home and I said to granddad – I want to race pigeons. He still owned some breeding pairs and in the winter I got a round of eggs from Debiève … what a gesture … and what a top material to make an entrance in pigeon racing.”

As teenager … between the old elite … Adrien directly showed to be a future champion winning 2x 2^nd against over 2,000 birds and 2 pigeons in the National top 250 from Bourges against 44,184 birds in his first year of racing. From 1999 until 2005 Adrien and his grandfather raced together … his grandfather as tutor and Adrien as ambitious young man, willing to learn all there was about pigeons. In this period several 1^st prize per year (5 to 10) were won and the Mirabelle-pigeons did well for many local fanciers. In 2002, he won the 2^nd place at the national championship of the youth, followed by the 12^th place in 2003 and the 6^th place in 2004. In 2002, he also won the 1^st National Ace Pigeon Critérium of the Youth KBDB. In 2005, when grandfather got back-problems and Adrien had to focus on his study, there was no other option than to lay back a while. “However on PIPA I saw how young guys like myself as new champions and National winners … it made me hungry for the sport again. From 2008 on JC Debiève’s son offered the opportunity race in partnership. Our results were promising and in 2009 with young bird racing were superb. Even though in 2010 already our partnership ended, this period was very useful as JC Debiève senior tought me many things in this period. I always consider him as my teacher in sport!”

Again granddad came in the picture, as he offered his old lofts for Adrien to race from individually … a dream came true and since than the name of Mirabelle was a name to take seriously! The old pigeons that granddad never removed became the old base (Debiève and Vandersmissen from Rummen) and fresh blood came in, partly thanks to PIPA. Adrien: “I wrote articles for PIPA than already and some of the fanciers I wrote about, offered me pigeons to thank me … like from Beukenne Fred and J.M. Thibaut-Boons, who let me choose a few pigeons into a whole tour of youngsters … Secondly, for those I bought (Allemeersch, Roziers, Van Noordenne), the money earned with my activities at PIPA was very useful. Many more pigeons I received as a gift and all these fanciers I like to thank for their help.”

For 2011, the colony consisted of 11 breeding pairs & 11 feeding pairs, that were coupled at the end of November and the first round was put under the feeders … Adrien started with 37 youngsters that were darkened and separated beginning of July. In many ways in 2011 Adrien followed the young bird system of Rik Hermans … it means a toss on Wednesday and the sexes get to have fun until the evening. Thursday night they are basketed really calm. Adrien tried this for Bourges, Argenton & La Souteraine … and it worked out. The tosses were canceled sometimes because bad weather; however in the weeks Adrien did toss (July 2^nd and August 8^th),  the results were spectacular.

In preparation to Bourges. Adrien prepared a few old hens to give more ‘spice’ into the loft … Wednesday around 5 p.m., he put everybody together and it was like hell in the loft. The cocks went crazy. Nothing was really did for my young hens (no old cocks, etc). One cock -  later called ‘Denis’ - went to the top of the window and … a hen directly went next to him. They stayed there during 2 hours, without getting really excited. It was more ‘eye coupling’ but not too much. Adrien: “My attention was attracted by my 1^st nominated cock - he took possession of the top of a box and coupled with 2 hens on the ground, next to the box. It wasn’t the best of my youngsters but the situation was ideal. ‘Denis’, who had already a strong performance list, was 2^nd nominated. Around 7.30 p.m., I separated everybody. Thursday, I opened the doors again but for five minutes only. Then I went to the club and the result was amazing!”

“As a preparation, I used a few products of Belgica Deweerd combined with Zell Oxygen, something I often use. When they are getting back home, they receive Belgasol + BS in the water. For the food, I use the depurative Casaert at the beginning of the week, then they receive a mix of two sport mix, mostly Versele and Sport Debiève. I often use vinegar and thee in the water. For the care, my grandfather is doing everything in the morning … I have a student life and I hold it, plus I’m not living at the loft’s place) … I take control in the afternoon.”

- 'Denis' (BE11-9104251)

6th Ace Pigeon Middle Distance Youngsters LCB
7th 'As des As' Youngsters LCB
July 2nd    Soissons       451 birds : 10th
July 9th    Orléans        267 birds : 5th 
July 16th   La Ferté       416 birds : 14th
July 30th   Bourges        323 birds : 1st
            D&S            725 birds : 1st
            Noyau        3,676 birds : 1st
            Prov         4,208 birds : 1st
            CFW          9,071 birds : 7th
            ZoneB       12,199 birds : 8th
            National    31,719 birds : 42nd
August 27th La Souterraine 135 birds : 6th
            Provincial     928 birds : 18th
            Dendre&Senne   307 birds : 9th
            Derby Hainaut  917 birds : 24th

‘Denis’ is bred from ‘Tapiné 683/07’ (BE07-9028683) … son of the pair ‘Le Débagué’ x ‘Last Hope Smis’, great granddaughter to ‘Last Hope’ x ‘Vandersmissen hen’ … ‘Last Hope’ is father to 1^st Nat. Bourges 15,171 birds 1998 and grandfather 1^st Nat. Bourges 9,091 birds 2000 as well as 3rd Nat. Bourges 2002 … he is in fact father & grandfather to more than 100x 1^st prize! ‘Le Débagué’ is father to ‘695/00’ (6x 1^st,  17x top 10), ‘051/03’ (several 1^st prize & top 10), ‘13rd Nat. Bourges 2007’, etc. etc.

Mother to ‘Denis’ is ‘Freda’ (BE 09-9119624), her father is a full brother to ‘Gaby’ (1^st Nat. acebird MD KBDB 2008) and from Frederic Beukenne … Mother to ‘Freda’ is sister to the 1^st ‘As des As pigeonneaux LCB’ & 1^st prov. acebird MD 2001 (Damien Baert strain).

A full brother to ‘Denis’ is ‘Loic’ … also a supreme 2011 youngster and 1st prize winner on the La Souterraine National … his prizes 2011 are:

June 25th   Collégien      822 birds : 44th
July 2nd    Soissons       451 birds : 3rd
July 9th    Orléans        267 birds : 8th
July 30th   Bourges        323 birds : 47th
            Noyau 1000   3,676 birds : 157th
August 20th Nanteuil       382 birds : 22nd
August 27th La souterraine 135 birds : 1st
            Dendre&Senne   307 birds : 1st
            Derby Hainaut  917 birds : 1st
            Provincial     928 birds : 2nd
            Noyau 1.000  1,814 birds : 17th
            Noyau Direct 2,231 birds : 30th
            Zone B       6,005 birds : 147th
            National    16,665 birds : 268th

'Le Débagué', basis cock, father to the supercrack '695', grand father to 'Denis' & 'Loic'.

- 'The 695' (BE 00-9022695)
 

From 2000 until 2004, this supercrack managed to win 43 prices from 54 basketing, 24x per 10, 14x per 100, 17x top 10 position on average 700 pigeons.
Best prices were:

La Ferté 1/394 '02
Toury    1/366 ’02 (1.193 m/min)

Top of the bill at the end of his career in 2004 when he won during 5 weeks in a row:

Noyon  2/984 
Pont   1/1068 (1.278 m/min)
Pont   1/1011
Toury  10/949 (1.192 m/min)
Gien   1/670  (1.131 m/min)

Now excelling at the breeding loft where he became father and grandfather of numerous first prize winners.

The season could have been even better if he didn't made a mistake for Argenton. ''We didn't expected pigeons so early. We were talking outside when i received a call from a friend who said that there was a few pigeons clocked not so far from me. So i went into my loft... and found a hen. I clocked her at first then watched the electronic system... she was there since 13 minutes ! It was again the first price at the club, top of the top at provincial level and top 250 national... but this mistake costed me more than 60 m/min!''

In the end, Adrien like to mention his nr. 1 founding hen christened 'Last Hope Smis'. “A strong breeding hen. She has a role in mostly all my young birds. She is apparented to 17 of the 26 pigeon that took part at the beginning of the season. All grandchildren, great grand children and sometimes further (the direct youngsters are never raced). That’s why I know I’ve something special with her. It’s a crossing of a coupling Debiève x Vandersmissen from Rummen (in fact, 'grandson Last Hope' x ‘Juweel’ lines). Both ‘Denis’ and ‘Loic’ are grandchildren to her … as well as my others 1^st prize winners.''

2012 performances Adrien Mirabelle (only youngsters)

12-06 St. Quentin 900 birds: 56th-59th-148th-156th-157th-159th-169th-171st-174th--... (16/26)

19-06 Noyon  1,035 birds: 53rd-56th-61st-62nd-65th-71st-77th-82nd-99th-180th-181st-.. (20/26)

25-06 Collégien 325 birds: 10th-12th-13th-14th-26th-36th-37th-46th-48th-49th-50th-... (13/24)
                433 birds: 21st-23rd-24th-25th-54th-55th-66th-68th-70th-71st-140th (13/24)
                822 birds: 40th-42nd-43rd-44th-64th-87th-88th-111th-113th-115th-... (13/24)

02-07 Soissons  451 birds: 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th-6th-9th-10th-11th-15th-17th-19th-20th-22nd-
                           23rd-27th-30th-39th-40th-42nd-.. (21/23)
                499 birds: 1st-2nd-4th-5th-7th-8th-11th-12th-13th-18th-21st-23rd-24th-31st-
                           34th-38th-49th-... (21/23)

09-07 Orléans   267 birds: 2nd-5th-8th-9th-14th-42nd-46th-59th-60th-61st-63rd (11/22)

16-07 La Ferté 329 birds: 12th-13th-14th-15th-24th-25th-41st-52nd-84th (9/21)
               416 birds: 13th-14th-15th-16th-25th-26th-44th-94th-137th-139th (11/21)

23-07 Collégien 438 birds: 3rd-5th-24th-29th-46th-111th (6/11)
              1,053 birds: 3rd-5th-46th-54th-98th-275th (6/11)

24-07 Nevers Dendre & Senne 257 birds: 19th-63rd (2/4)
Derby Hainaut 531 birds: 36th-131st (2/4)

31-07 Melun 318 birds: 3rd (1/1)
La Triangulaire 390 birds: 6th (1/1)
Général 917 birds: 7th (1/1)

31-07 Bourges 323 birds: 1st-9th-19th-30th-37th-47th-53rd-54th-77th-83rd-103rd (11/19)
      Dendre & Senne 725 birds: 1st-18th-53rd-55th-76th-82nd-95th-125th-131st-.. (11/19)
Derby Hainaut 1,772 birds: 4th-85th-171st-176th-240th-250th-283rd-348th-364th-.. (11/19)
Derby Ht prov. 1,046 birds: 4th-64th-120th-124th-160th-169th-189th-225th-233rd-.. (11/19)
Provincial 2,237 birds: 4th-78th-160th-164th-223rd (12/19)
Noyau 1000 3,676 birds: 1st-29th-97th-101st-147th-157th-183rd-263rd-283rd (12/19)
Noyau Direct 4,268 birds: 1st-36th-121st-126th-189th-204th-236th-336th-359th (12/19)
CFW 9,071 birds: 7th-182nd-449th-461st-679th-706th-795th (12/19)
Nat. Zone B 12,199 birds: 8th (12/19)
National 31,176 birds: 42nd (12/19)

13-08 Argenton 191 birds: 6th-9th-13th-25th-44th-51st-53rd-63rd (9/19)
Dendre & Senne 479 birds: 14th-22nd-27th-47th-130st-141st-145th (8/19)
Derby Hainaut 1,102 birds: 34th-50th-59th-107th-258th-292nd-313th-358th (8/19)
prov. 1,539 birds: 42nd-58th-70th-116th-323rd-368th-390th-447th (8/19)
Noyau 1000 2,372 birds: 64th-100th-114th-185th-517th-569th-602nd-688th (8/19)

20-08 Nanteuil 382 birds: 4th-5th-6th-9th-12th-18th-20th-22nd-24th-81st (12/14)
La Triangulaire 505 birds: 11th-12th-13th-19th-25th-33rd-34th-35th-37th-41st-43rd-.. (12/14)

20-08 Toury 161 birds: 15th-25th-26th-42nd-43rd (5/6)

27-08 La Souterraine 135 birds: 1st-3rd-5th-6th-7th-8th-9th-11th-14th-17th (10/15)
Noyau 1000 1,814 birds: 7th-22nd-32nd-33rd-50th-71st-83rd-100th-173rd-264th (10/15)
Prov. 928 birds: 2nd-9th-17th-18th-28th-40th-47th-59th-96th-150th (10/15)
Derby Hainaut 917 birds: 1st-9th-22nd-24th-38th-66th-75th-94th-155th-223rd (10/15)
Derby Ht prov 528 birds: 1st-7th-16th-17th-24th-38th-47th-60th-94th-130th (10/15)
Dendre & Senne 307 birds: 1st-5th-8th-9th-15th-19th-22nd-27th-41st-69th (10/15)

27-08 La Ferté 250 birds: 3rd (1/1)
La Triangulaire 321 birds: 3rd (1/1)

10-09 Guéret 111 birds: 9th (1/2)
Derby Hainaut 649 birds: 66th (1/2)
Derby Ht prov. 352 birds: 36th (1/2)
prov. 741 birds: 47th (1/2)
Noyau 1000 1,422 birds: 31th (1/2)
Noyau Direct 1,793 birds: 71st (1/2)
CFW 4,113 birds: 285th (1/2)

So, 63x top 10, 10x 1^st, 4x 2^nd, 7x 3^rd, 234x per 10, 432 prices from 592 basketted (72% price !!!) with a team of only 26 youngsters in the beginning of the season, 19 left for mi-july/august !!!!