This year's results were consistent with their previous two seasons, which were a great success as well: they won a 1st national Montauban and a 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance old birds KBDB in 2016, as well as a 1st national Jarnac in 2017. Keep in mind this father-son combination has a rather small racing team, especially compared to most other long distance lofts. This makes their palmares all the more impressive.
Natinonal stars in the long distance
The city of Aalter – home to mayor and minister of internal affairs Pieter De Crem – is home to quite a number of successful pigeon fanciers. Jozef (often nicknamed 'Jos' by his friends) and his son Jan Loobuyck have been in a successful combination for several years. Grandson Jens looked like he was about to join the combination one day as well, but those plans changed when he started a pilot training course, which is difficult to combine with a pigeon racing career. But that does not mean Jens has lost his passion for the sport. He is the biggest supporter of father Jan and grandfather Jos.
Jos moved from Zwevegem to Aalter in the 1960s, when the Bekaert company set up a branch there. He basically moved along with the company. He got in touch with pigeon racing at an early age through his uncle, and Jos built himself a proper pigeon loft in Aalter in 1968. In the early years, the Loobuyck pigeons were particularly successful in the middle distance, especially the races from Dourdan. As the races from Poitiers became increasingly popular with neighbouring fanciers, Jos decided to try his luck as well, and it was quite a success. This is when his passion for the long distance and the extreme distance took root: he began to focus on these two competitions from the 1990s. And it was thanks to these long distance races that Team Loobuyck became an internationally renowned breed; here are some of their most notable results:
1st Nat. Perigueux 1998 1st Nat. Montauban 2016 1st Nat. Jarnac 2017 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance olds KBDB 2016
And they were close to winning another national first prize: they claimed a 2nd Nat. and 2nd Inernat. Marseille in 2001 (a mere two seconds behind the winner). They also lost a national first prize from Bordeaux in 2011 due to a control ring not being clocked in time. Their bird eventually had to settle for 5th national. Over time, the Loobuyck pigeon family developed an international reputation.
An invaluable team of breeders
The winner of a 1st Nat. Perigueux eventually became the stock sire of this breed. He is a truly fantastic breeder, and most of the team's recent achievements in the long distance can still be attributed to this bird: basically every top bird is related to him. His grandson Bordeaux eventually followed in his footsteps, in turn breeding several successful birds in the long distance and the extreme long distance. Bordeaux and Perigueux are now the cornerstones of this team, along with Fonne (from the late Alfons Hoste), a group of birds of Chris Hebberecht, the line of a 1st Nat. Castres of Hendrik Mortier, and a hen of Van Damme-Boddaert. In the meantime, the team also exchanged pigeons with other renowned lofts, with some promising results. But they decided to not yet reveal their names until further notice.
The breeding birds are kept in a loft of his son Jan in Bellem, who has 12 proven breeding pairs and some new pairings. This breeding loft consists of descendants of the following stock pairs:
-Fonne BE05-4071032 (winner of 1st club and 40th Nat. Narbonne 6,801 p.) x Superkweekster BE09-4101722 (a granddaughter of 1st Nat. Perigueux): the parents of a 1st Nat. Montauban 4,327 p., a 3rd Nat. Montauban 3,990 p., a 59th Nat. Souillac 3,641 p., a 75th Nat. Argenton 22,284 p., an 89th Nat. Narbonne 4,571 p., a 147th Nat. Barcelona 8,764 p., a 195th Nat. Barcelona 10,542 p. etc.
-Bordeaux BE07-4214274 (moral winner of a 1st Nat. Bordeaux in 2011, and a grandson of a 1st Nat. Perigueux) x Nest sister Fantoom BE08-4146457 (Fantoom – 2nd Prov. Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB - the supercrack in the lofts of grandson Jens Loobuyck, and a grandson of a 1st Nat. Perigueux). They are the parents of Spirit, winner of a 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB 2016.
-That same Bordeaux BE07-4214274 was also paired to Bungaduivin BE04-3160649: they are the parents of Bunga Bordeaux, 10th Prov. Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB, and winner of a 65th Nat. Poitiers 13,135 p., 70th Nat. Tulle 5,976 p., 55th Nat. Limoges 7,221 p.
Long story short: this is a fantastic group of breeding birds based around national race winners, occasionally combined with the bloodlines of other renowned racing birds and top teams from around the neighbourhood. However, these newcomers have to prove their worth in the racing loft first, before they are introduced in the breeding loft. One of their best breeders of today, De Keikop, is a good example of this approach.
A racing loft full of winners
This team from Aalter focuses mainly on the long distance and the extreme long distance with the old birds. Their results as young birds are not all that important, they mainly have to gain experience for later on. At the age of one, they have to complete two national long distance races, where they should at least deliver a few decent results, or perhaps a few prizes per 10. The long distance racing birds should be on top of their game by the age of two, and they are now required to win top prizes in order to make it through to the next round. The fanciers expect a lot from their birds at this stage: after about four years of racing, only the very best birds will be selected for a transfer to the breeding loft.
And that is what makes this team so strong: they race with a limited number of birds, keeping only their best pigeons. And these super class birds have turned the Loobuyck family into a nationally famed breed. In 2018 they claimed two more provincial first prizes, and a top prize in the national championships KBDB: 4th Nat. Champion Long Distance and Extreme Long Distance Yearlings KBDB 2018. Here is a look at some of the team's best birds.
Elias: winner of a 1st Prov. Brive 2,043 olds
The team's provincial first prize winners of 2018 have similar origins: the lines of Bonte Hebberecht and Jens Favourite. And they claimed their provincial first prize in similar conditions as well: excellent yet very hot weather and a headwind. Racing bird Elias claimed his provincial victory in Brive in particularly tough weather:
-Elias BE16-4118568
1st Prov Brive 2,043 p. ’18 12th Nat Brive 9,278 p. ’18 148th Nat Limoges II 7,274 p. ’18 103rd Prov Vierzon 7,369 p. ’18 2nd Clermont 182 p. 8th Fontenay 289 p. etc.
Sire: Chris BE09-4335489
A son of Bonte Hebberecht BE05-4347968 (a direct Chris Hebberecht) x Daughter of 1st Nat. Castres BE06-3051081 (a direct Hendrik Mortier).
Dam: Daughter Jens Favourite BE15-4008399
As her name suggests, she is a daughter of Jens Favourite BE11-4078440, winner of a 61st Nat. Barcelona 7,791 p., 75th Nat. Barcelona 8,764 p., 86th Nat. Perpignan 6,248 p. He was paired to Blauw Peiren BE11-4078451 (the line of Klamper x Nika, two stars of Noël Peiren, crossed to the bloodline of Roger Florizoone).
Click here for the full pedigree of Elias
Elias is obviously a talented bird and a natural born winner. It shows once more that champions breed champions.
Jeff: winner of a 1st Provincial Limoges 1,807 olds
This fantastic bird worked really hard in the demanding race from Limoges II in early July, claiming victory in hot and tough weather.
-Jeff BE16-4118539
1st Prov Limoges II 1,807 p. ’18 4th Nat Limoges II 7,274 p. ’18 129th Nat Tulle 9,578 p. ’17 214th Nat Tulle 4,139 p. ’18 6th Fontenay 289 p. etc.
Sire: Keimooi BE13-4291010
A son of Keikop BE06-4064270: winner of a 6th Nat. and 15th Itnat. Tarbes 12,537 p., a 57th Nat. Montauban 5,438 p., a 64th Nat. Tarbes 4,812 p., and a 109th Nat. Brive 17,546 p., and a son of Bonte Hebberecht 968/05 x Hendrika 170/03 H.Mortier. Keikop was paired to stock dam Daughter 20 BE04-3160649 Van Damme-Boddaert (a half sister of Warrior, 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB 2015 for Team Freddy De Jaeger).
Dam: Lovely BE10-4173127
A super class breeding bird and the dam of Jens Favourite: winner of a 61st Nat. Barcelona 7,791 p., 75th Nat. Barcelona 8,764 p., 86th Nat. Perpignan 6,248 p., and a 100% Chris Hebberecht from Son Torjaan BE05-4347964 (winner of Golden Oscar Flanders Cup) x Granddaughter Pancho BE05-4347970 (Pancho was 1st Prov. & 2nd Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB).
Click here for Jeff's full pedigree
Bronze Star: winner of a 2nd Prov. and 3rd Nat. St.Vincent
The team was close to winning a third provincial first prize this season, with Bronze Star finishing in 2nd place and 3rd place national. Here is a closer look at the pigeon that was close to winning the team's third first prize of 2018:
-Bronze Star BE14-4283218
2nd Prov St.Vincent 512 p. ’18 3rd Nat St.Vincent 2,777 p. ’18 203rd Nat Cahors 6,356 p. ’18 250th Nat Perpignan 3,966 p. ’18 78th Prov Brive 1,622 p. ’17 15nd Nat Bourges 23,155 p. ’17 278th Nat Jarnac 4,167 p. ’16 342nd Nat Argenton 13,629 p. ’16 Etc.
Sire: De Tulle BE13-4156911
A brother of a 1st Nat. Montauban 4,327 p. in 2016, and a son of Fonne BE05-4071032 (winner of a 1st Club and 40th Nat. Narbonne 6,801 p.) x Superkweekster BE09-4101722 (from son 1st Nat. Perigueux: Vechter 191/98 x stock dam Daughter 20 649/04 of Damme-Boddaert).
Dam: Omega BE11-4078060
A daughter of Alfa BE10-4173123, a full brother of Stouten (1st Prov. Tulle, 1st Ace Pigeon Long Distance Meetjesland), Superkweekster etc. (from Vechter191/98 x stock dam Daughter 20 – Van Damme-Boddaert). He was paired to Geschelpt De Rauw BE09-4101766, a direct Etienne De Rauw (from the best of Marcel Aelbrecht: line of Goede Blauwen x granddaughter Marseille).
Click here for the full pedigree of Bronze Star
Onix and Florian: two promising one year olds
Team Loobuyck is particularly fond of pigeons that give a hint of their potential already in the yearlings' category, for instance with an early arrival or a prize per 10. Onix and Florian are two birds that were very promising one year olds, both winning a first prize winners in the long distance. Jos and Jan believe that they both have a promising future.
-Florian BE17-4058201
11th Nat Tulle 5,326 p. ’18 - 4th Prov. 972 p. – 1st club 130 p. 79th Prov Limoges 2,138 p. ’18 150th Prov Bourges 3,886 p. ’18 – 668 Nat 19,133 p. 196th Prov Argenton 4,556 p. ’18 – 623 Nat 19,859 p.
Sire: AXL-Ike BE14-4263950
A genuine Chris Hebberecht bird from Son AXL BE07-4373150 (AXL: 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance KBDB ’05) x Daughter Half Sister Ike BE12-4165714 (daughter Super 609 of Michael Rodts x Half sister Ike – Hebberecht).
Dam: Daughter Bordeaux BE12-4305862
She comes from stock breeder Bordeaux BE07-4214274 (moral winner of 1st Nat. Bordeaux) x stock dam Daughter 20 BE04-3160649 Van Damme-Boddaert.
Click here for the full pedigree of Florian
-Onix BE17-4058256
19th Nat Angoulême 5,030 p. ’18 – 5th Prov 1,374 p. – 1st club 195 p. 68th Prov Limoges 2,138 p. ’18 – 171st Nat 7,236 p. 143rd Prov Chateauroux 5,209 p. – 892nd Nat 27,081 p.
Sire: Diamant BE09-4101742
A full brother of Chris (the sire of Elias). A son of Bonte Hebberecht BE05-4347968 (a direct Chris Hebberecht) x Daughter 1st Nat. Castres BE06-3051081 (a direct Hendrik Mortier).
Dam: Nestzus Barca Fonne BE11-4078087
A full sister of a 1st Nat. Montauban 4,327 p., a 3rd Nat. Montauban 3,990 p., a 59th Nat. Souillac 3,641 p., a 75th Nat. Argenton 22,384 p., an 89th Nat. Narbonne. She is a daughter of Fonne BE05-4071032 (winner of 1st club and 40th Nat. Narbonne 6,801 p.) x Superkweekster BE09-4101722 (from Son 1st Nat. Perigueux: Vechter 191/98 x stock dam Daughter 20 649/04 Van Damme-Boddaert).
Click here for the full pedigree of Onix
Team Loobuyck does have quite a collection of top class long distance champions in their collection. As you know, this team races with a small group of high quality birds that excel in the long distance season after season.
Loobuyck pigeons excel in other lofts as well
Their pigeons have excelled outside of their own loft as well: numerous other fanciers saw their results improve when introducing Loobuyck birds in their collection. Here are a few examples:
-Martin Dhooge (Ursel, BE): discovered an invaluable stock sire in Golden Loobuyck (full brother of 1st Nat. Perigueux). This is the line that helped him win the title of 2nd Nat. Champion Extreme Long Distance KBDB 2016. Martin had some great results with other Loobuyck lines later on as well, including:
Loobuyck Pursang 944/07: winner of 4th Intnat. Narbonne 12,605 p. ’11
Be Sure 806/10: winner of 2nd Nat. Bourges 9,639 p. ’13
-Sjaak van de Velde & Zoon (Breskens, NL): winner of a 3rd Nat. & 7th Intnat. Agen 5,900 YLs ’17 (line of Keikop-Loobuyck). They also win a 22nd Nat. St.Vincent 2,570 p. and an 89th Nat. Pau 3,551 p. in 2018 with a grandson of Fonne x Superkweekster!
-John Meurysse (Oeselgem, BE): he wins a 1st Prov. and 2nd Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB in 2014 with Dieudonné. The dam of this top bird was Vaillant, a 100% Loobuyck hen.
-Com van Wanrooij (NL) bred their Valesco 193/15 from that same Vaillant. Valesco wins a 1st NPO Argenton 3,817 pigeons.
-Manuel Pereira (Fr) have an excellent breeding dam: Loobuyckduivin 473/12 (from Nest brother Keikop x Daughter Stouten). She is the dam of several talented birds, including the winners of a 1st Bergerac 2,304 p. and a 1st Montluçon 1,284 p.
-Injon-Vanrie (Beernem, BE): they win a 1st Nat. Gueret 5,331 olds in 2018. The dam of this pigeon comes from the line of Pursang Loobuyck, winner of a 2nd Nat. and 2nd Intnat. Marseille in 2001.
-Koen Crucke (Onkerzele, BE): he wins a 3rd Prov. and 11th Nat. Bourges 19,063 YLs in the national race from Bourges I in late May 2018. The sireo f this pigeon is a son of Keikop – Loobuyck.
-August Mouton (Ursel, BE) wins the 4th Prov Ace Long Distande KBDB East-Flanders 2018 with the BE15-4008229, a grandson to the 1st Nat. Perigiueux Loobuyck
Natural born winners
To summarise, the pigeons of Loobuyck have won several victories and top results, even at national level, both for Jos and Jan Loobuyck from Aalter, and for numerous other fanciers that invested in these birds. It says something about the breeding and racing potential of these birds. These are natural born winners indeed. As you know, Jos and Jan prefer to race with a select group of birds, as you can tell from their results in 2018: great results with a small team. Winning provincial, zonal or even national first prizes in the long distance and the extreme long distance with a limited numer of birds is quite a challenge indeed. Congratulations!
Top results in 2018
19/5 Vierzon 1,398 olds: 11- 48- 49- 170- 172- 178- 183- 250- 386- 392- 401- 444 (12/17)
Prov. 7,369 olds: 103- 353- 366- 1019- 1023- 1058- 1083- 1372 (8/17)
26/5 Bourges 786 olds: 6- 22- 37- 48- 54- 82- 106- 192 (8/10)
Prov. 3,385 olds: 33- 71- 131- 167- 183- 278- 273- 692 (8/10)
Nat. 20,284 olds: 213- 398- 752- 944- 1016- 1464- 1872- 3372 (8/10)
02/6 Limoges 786 olds: 14- 27- 34- 40- 42- 97- 156- 164- 275- 298 (10/17)
Prov. 3,111 olds: 42- 74- 105- 124- 127- 307- 506- 557 (8/17)
Nat. 15,789 olds: 237- 421- 612- 753- 773- 1680- 2683- 3021 (8/17)
16/6 Cahors 199 olds: 4- 5- 14 (3/3)
Prov. 1,046 olds: 10- 13- 53 (3/3)
Nat. 6,356 olds: 38- 46- 203 (3/3)
16/6 Chateauroux Prov. 4,185 YLs: 155- 205- 259- 451- 704 (5/9)
23/6 Argenton Prov. 2,400 olds: 61- 581 (2/2)
Nat. 11,823 olds: 201- 2328 (2/2)
Nat. 19,859 YLs: 623- 1699- 1934- 1998- 3085- 3176 (6/7)
23/6 Brive Prov. 2,043 olds: 1- 30- 54- 123- 193- 360 (6/9)
Nat. 9,278 olds: 12- 83- 171- 427- 737- 1464 (6/9)
29/6 Agen Prov 905 olds: 24- 62 (2/4)
Nat. 4.477 olds: 102- 253 (2/4)
07/7 Barcelona Nat. 7,438 olds: 668 (1/4)
07/7 Limoges Prov. 1,807 olds: 1- 42- 82- 260- 326- 359 (6/8)
Nat. 7,274 olds: 4- 148- 296- 853- 1093- 1216 (6/8)
Limoges Prov. 2,138 YLs: 68- 79- 115- 118- 338 (5/7)
Nat. 7,236 YLs: 171- 191- 294- 299- 916 (5/7)
13/7 St.- Vincent Prov. 477 olds: 2 (1/2)
Nat. 2,758 olds: 3 (1/2) 15-07-18
13/7 Jarnac Nat. 5,371 olds: 280- 1167- 1236 (3/4)
Jarnac Nat. 4,940 YLs: 310- 615- 671 (3/3)
21/7 Libourne Nat. 3,176 olds: 230- 326 (2/3)
27/7 Narbonne Nat. 3,506 olds: 124 (1/2)
27/7 Narbonne Nat. 3,017 YLs: 164- 347 (2/2)
29/7 Tulle Nat. 4,169 olds: 214 (1/2)
29/7 Tulle Prov. 972 YLs: 4- 20 (2/2)
Nat. 5,326 YLs: 11- 75 (2/2)
03/8 Perpignan Nat. 3,966 olds: 249 (1/2)
04/8 Angoulême Prov. 1,148 olds: 28- 139 (2/2)
Nat. 4,525 olds: 119- 448 (2/2)
04/8 Angoulême Prov. 1,374 YLs: 5- 21 (2/2)
Nat. 5,030 YLs: 19- 73 (2/2)