Geert Maroy is not just any fancier. In 2006, he won 1st National Limoges Yearlings. This victory gave him the momentum to continue racing pigeons, his way. He set out a plan and kept to it, with success! Breeding, giving pigeons a chance by racing them often, and selecting strictly afterwords. Keep it simple.
Simplicity
How can it be that simple? It can be. Geert Maroy is the perfect example. Although he has his things sorted perfectly. The space in his garden is used optimally for his accommodation. Each loft has an aviary with windbreak netting, so that all pigeons (young and old) can enjoy the sun and fresh air all day long. Plexiglass sliding windows allow him to control airflow dependent on the weather conditions. It is an ideal set-up, something you see back in his pigeons. At night, all the windows are closed and the pigeons stay in their lofts. The aviaries not only provide fresh air, but also movement, life and atmosphere on the lofts, a healthy rivalry amongst pigeons. This is reflected in the results, pigeons which feel good...perform!
Back to basics
When new racing and/or feeding systems are successful for top fanciers, they are quickly copied by fellow fanciers. In the hope to do just as well, giving their pigeons just that little extra to perform better. Geert Maroy is no different, he tested various types of widowhood racing (also with hens). In the end, he returned to classic widowhood with old cocks. Back to basics. The fact that Sebastien Courtens has strengthened the team since 2 years, may have had something to do with this. Sebastien was one of the loft managers for Roger Mylle, and learnt the ropes of racing cocks on widowhood on long and extreme long distance. His skills and knowledge have been a great impuls to the team. This is also reflected in the performances of the old birds, reaching its highpoint in 2022. It was the racing season in which the colony of Geert Maroy joined the (inter)national top on long and extreme long distance racing, by winning a/o:
1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance YL KBDB 2022 (with Fritts)
1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance Old birds KBDB & PIPA 2022 across 4 races (with Luc)
6th Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance Old birds KBDB 2022 (with Luc)
8th Nat. Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance YL KBDB 2022 (with Blue Jackson)
10th Nat. Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Young birds KBDB 2022 across 4 races (with BE22-3026641)
24th Nat. Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Young birds KBDB 2022 (with BE22-3026641)
The 'no nonsense' strategy of Geert and Sebastien has led to fantastic results. The space is used optimally. With approximately 100 widowers (old birds and yearlings) they start the season. 300 youngsters are bred, of which one large first round. These - if possible - are basketed on the 4 national races for young birds, raced on ' the door'. A good test, which also gives them the necessary experience for later on in their racing careers.
Selection is simple. Basketing often, racing and a tough selection afterwords. Years of experience taught them that it is all about "good pigeons, the rest is bullshit". Both old and young birds are fed a light mixture which is self-made (without peas). The pigeons are fed increasingly more in 2-3 or 4 days, dependent on the distance of the race (heavy middle distance, long distance or extreme long distance). Pascal Lanneau is responsible for all medical interventions, and only acts on advice of a veterinary doctor. Nothing else. There is no simpler way to practice pigeon sport! The quality on the lofts does the rest.
Geert has never been afraid to invest in top-class pigeons, which is now paid back in full. From now on, focussing on racing long distance and extreme long distance with old cocks. Nonetheless, we can describe the Maroy pigeons as true allrounders, top results are won from speed disciplines to extreme long distance. Let's take a closer look at some of the key players from 2022...
Fritts: 1st National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance YL KBDB 2022
The newest revelation on the lofts, which put the Geert Maroy colony in the international spolights is Fritts. It is very clear where this cock got his talent, as the blood of many ace pigeons and national winners run through his veins.
- Fritts BE21-3061829
1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Grote Fond YL KBDB 2022
3rd Int. Ace Pigeon Grote Fond YL 2022
12th Nat. Agen 7,331 YL – 28th Int. 16,932 YL ’22
30th Nat. Narbonne 6,013 YL – 84th Int. 12,821 YL ’22
170th Prov. La Souterraine 4,023 p. ’21
186th Nat. Zone Argenton 2,537 YL – 806th Nat. 12,938 YL ’22
Video Fritts: 1st National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance YL KBDB 2022
He is a son of Gerard BE16-4244970 (Brantegem-Denooze), a 100% De Smeyter-Restiaen, who in turn is a grandson of:
- Cas: winner 1st Int. Pau 2015
- Elsie: 1. Nat Asduif Grote Fond KBDB 2013
- Pierre Mistral: 1. Nat Asduif Grote Fond KBDB 2014 (Pierre Bourgeois)
- Mother New Ace: de moeder van de 1. Nat Asduif Fond KBDB 2012 (Wilson Dekens)
His mother is Jeanine BE17-3131549, a granddaughter of stock pigeon Labeeuw (at Roger Mylle), and father of super crack St. Vincent, who became 1st Best St. Vincent pigeon in 2016 across 3 years PIPA Ranking (10th Nat. St. Vincent 2016, 40th Nat. St. Vincent 2015, 45th Nat. St. Vincent 2014).
Maybe you have heard it before; ace pigeons are bred from ace pigeons. This Fritts is the prototype of the modern long distance racer with endurance, character and perseverance. Top pedigree included. For a large part it is in the pigeons' genes.
Luc: 1st Best Belgian Long Distance pigeon across 4 races – 6th Nat Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB 2022
Fritts is not the only crack raced by Geert and Sebastien. Long distance star Luc became the best pigeon in Belgium across 4 national long distance races. In the tough 2022 season, these were his most prominent results:
- Luc BE19-3038034
1st Best Belgian Long Distance pigeon across 4 races 2022 – KBDB & PIPA Ranking
6th Nat. Ace Pigeon Long Distance Old birds KBDB 2022
11th Nat. Limoges I 15,547 p. ’21
18th Nat. Souillac 4,476 p. ’22
40th Nat. Tulle I 9,763 p. ’22
87th Nat. Brive 6,117 p. ’22
128th Nat. Limoges I 17,356 p. ’22
432nd Nat. Limoges II 6,986 p. ’21
Video Luc: 1st Best Belgian Long Distance pigeon across 4 races – 6th Nat Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB 2022
He is a son of Meelke BE18-3053598 (Ameel-Van Lake), who is also father of the 12th Nat. Limoges against 15,547 p. and half-brother of 1st Nat. Zone Bourges. Mother of Luc is Justine BE18-3080374 from the Roche bloodlines (Willem de Bruijn): 2nd Nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance 2011 paired to daughter New Bliksem: 1st Nat. Tulle YL at Gaby Vandenabeele....crossed with super breeder Blauw 212 De Smeyter-Restiaen BE16-4254313 (granddaughter Perpignanlady Meirlaen: 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance KBDB 2009, Elsie: 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance KBDB 2013, Kimi Barca 7th Nat. St. Vincent 7,356 p. and 10th Nat. Barcelona 13,502 p. and Le Gitan: father of Peggy, 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance KBDB 2011).
Blue Jackson: 8th Nat. Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance YL KBDB 2022
Three is a magic number, and so it was for Geert and Sebastien as they had a third pigeon with a phenomenal KBDB ace pigeon title. Blue Jackson not far behind Fritts as ace pigeon extreme long distance yearlings.
- Blue Jackson BE21-3061814
8th Nat. Ace Pigeon Grote Fond YL KBDB 2022
12th Int. Ace Pigeon Grote Fond YL 2022
20th Prov. Narbonne 1,172 YL – 130th Nat. 6,013 YL ‘22
49th Nat. Agen 7,331 YL – 106th Int. 16,932 YL ’22
70th Prov. Argenton 6,029 p. ’21
107th Prov. La Souterraine 4,023 p. ’21
624th Nat. Argenton II 12,938 YL ’22
This Blue Jackson is a son of Jannes BE18-3080437, his father in turn is a grandson to Vale Ullrich from Norbert Ally (6th Nat. Limoges 19,373 p., 27th Nat. Limoges 5,607 p.). Mother is Fabienne BE16-3095042, bred from 2 grandchildren to Cees of Joël Verschoot: winner 1st Nat. Brive 8,337 p. in 2013, also related to de Agen (1st Nat. Agen Verschoot) and Snype: 3rd Nat. Limoges 17,979 p. These genes don't lie.
Confidence for seasons to come
It is clear that Geert Maroy had his pigeons in peak condition throughout the 2022 season. Besides the above mentioned racers, there was a legion of racers which achieved top results up to the national level. They are ready to start 2023 with these winners and cracks, continuing where they left off in 2022. "This is the goal", Geert and Sebastien say simultaneously, focussing on (inter)national long distance and extreme long distance races. We already wish you the best of luck in the coming season!