We go back in time, to the year 2018. Boswachter, a one year old cock at the time, arrived home at 10:26 pm in the loft of Vanden Berghe, claiming a 2nd National Agen of 4,086 yearlings. It was a magnificent result, and Bert knew he would continue to basket this talented pigeon. One year later, Boswachter showed that he is more than a one trick pony: he went on to win a 6th provincial Issoudun and a 16th national Perpignan. And then came the icing on the cake: a 1st National Pau last weekend. Boswachter is quite an impressive racing bird!
Hooymans, Batenburg en Cor de Heijde.... these are the bloodlines which most of Bert's pigeons are related to. The sire of Boswachter is a brother of the renowned Harry (1st Nat. Ace Pigeon one day long distance WHZB 2009). Harry is a grandson of top breeder Bliksem of Gaby Vandenabeele, which 75% of Bert's pigeon family comes from. The dam, NL13-1390395, is a daughter of Dreampair (the Bosua x Koopman bloodline), straight from Snellen & Son. Boswachter was raced in classic widowhood and he successfully completed a few shorter races first, plus Vierzon and Limoges. "He had not one but two hens around him when he was basketed for Pau, and apparently this was enough of a motivation to beat the entire Belgian field", Bert says laughing.