Nico had basketed 24 pigeons, 22 of which have managed to win a prize, including a 1-2-3-5-7-8-9-10 against 1,848 pigeons. This illustrates once again the vast amount of talent in Nico’s pigeon loft. Last year we were quite amazed by his Torero (NL01-5151021), 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance NPO 2004, this time we pay tribute to his pigeon Amazing Surprise (NL10-1700776).
Amazing Surprise won a 1st NPO Tours against 10,490 pigeons and a 3rd Mantes 3,123 pigeons. She is a daughter of Blauwe Belofte NL05-1413802 (2nd/814 Pont-St.-Max., 3rd/701 Creil and 4th/4,761 Strombeek) and X Surprise NL03-1157119 (1st Ace Pigeon ZH-Oost 2004). She was paired to No Limit (NL09-1204107) and became the dam of an 5th and 8th Peronne 1,848 p. Click here for the full pedigree and palmares of NL14-1071915. Click here for the best results of NL14-1071848.
Van Gastel
When we take a look at Nico's eight best pigeons, we come across the bloodline of the Van Gastel family. The third prize was won by a descendant of Van Gastel 006, while the 7th and 9th place were won by two youngsters of Gastel 199 (NL07-1942199). Van Gastel 199 is a grandson of Rinus' Winner (NL-02-1787880), 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance WHZB 2004. Winner is in turn a grandson of Rocket (NL96-9669302), 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Sprint 1999 with a 1st Creil 2,581 p., a 1st Chantilly 2,366 p. etc.
Click here for the pedigree of Van Gastel 199
Torero
We also take a closer look at the winner from Peronne, the NL14-1071833, which is inevitably related to Torero. The 833/14 has won a 16th NPO Nanteuil 16,722 p. a 42nd HZO Quievrain 3,771 p. and a 48th ZHO Morlincourt 2,307 p. The sire is Alonso (NL06-1088 - 205), a son of the renowned Torero. Click here to reread our article about Torero. Alonso won the title of 1st Ace Pigeon Middle Distance ZHO 2007, as well as a 1st prov. Creil 13,852 pigeons.
Another important bloodline in the pedigree of the winner can be found on his mother's side. Kasai's Witje (NL09-1204140) is one of the most talented pigeons in Nico's collection. The sire is Kasai (NL98-5809093), a 100% Vandenabelee through Colijn-Ganus. Kasai won a 1st Houdeng 6,626 p., a 1st peronne 6,289 p. and a 1st Creil 2,673 p. The dam 'Witje 975' (NL08-3821975) is a pure Ludo Claessens, which illustrates that the combination of a Belgian and a Dutch bloodline can lead to great success. Click here for the full pedigree of 833/14.
Nico thinks good quality pigeons are at the basis of a successful loft, and this clearly applies to his own loft as well. It makes him one the strongest fanciers in The Netherlands in modern day pigeon racing.