Anyone who looks at the championships and ace pigeon rankings of recent years cannot overlook the name Dirk Cloetens. From Rotselaar, he built a strong all-round colony for sprint, small middle distance, and large middle distance races. Not only does he perform exceptionally well in his own loft: Cloetens pigeons also create winners and ace pigeons for other enthusiasts, both at home and abroad.
One name runs like a thread through the entire success story: “Magic Dries” BE19-2121389. The children and grandchildren of this exceptional foundation male have won championships and ace pigeon titles, and also form the backbone of the collection offered through Pitts.
Started independently at the age of twelve
Dirk started independently with pigeon racing at the age of twelve. A significant turning point came in 1993 when he moved from Peutie to Rotselaar. From that moment on, he began to search more purposefully for pigeons of exceptional quality.
Over the years, he invested in enthusiasts such as Louis Van Paesschen, Gaby Vandenabeele, Roger Debusschere, Gebr. Herbots, Kobe Herbots, and Pascal Ariën-De Keyser. The joint breeding with Pascal Ariën-De Keyser also produced valuable material.
Dirk has always sought pigeons that have proven they can perform or come from families where top performances are firmly rooted. This principle still forms the basis of his selection today.
“Magic Dries”: the current foundation male
The most important pigeon in the breeding loft is undoubtedly “Magic Dries” BE19-2121389. He was placed directly in the breeding loft as a summer youngster and grew to become the current foundation male of the colony.
“Magic Dries” comes from the strong Herbots bloodlines and possesses a pedigree filled with national achievements and first prizes. However, his true value was mainly expressed in breeding. His children and grandchildren have prominently marked the championships and ace pigeon rankings in recent seasons.
In particular, the cross of the “Magic Dries” line with pigeons from Pascal Ariën-De Keyser proved to be exceptionally successful. The numerous mentions among the best ace pigeons show that his descendants can not only fly early but also maintain this quality throughout the entire season.
A second important pillar is “De Limoges” BE18-2094038. This doffer proved his class in the long-distance with, among others:
2nd Châteauroux against 563 pigeons, 7th against 4523 pigeons, and 24th National against 17,281 pigeons;
40th National Limoges against 10,319 pigeons;
29th National Souillac against 6,668 pigeons;
133rd National Bourges against 23,854 pigeons;
1st Momignies against 72 pigeons.
As a breeder, “De Limoges” has already produced descendants that distinguished themselves nationally.
If we must present a third pillar, that choice is also quickly made: he goes by the name “Master Porsche Junior” BE25-2050110. This top breeder in the making was already the father of 4 top pigeons at a young age, including:
720/26: 1st Provincial and 14th National ace pigeon small middle distance KBDB 2026
740/26: 1st Ace pigeon in “Sans Peur” Herent and in “Demer & Dijle” small middle distance 2026
Strong championships from 2024 to 2026
In recent seasons, Dirk Cloetens confirmed his place among the strongest lofts in the region. In 2024, he became in the club “Sans Peur” in Herent:
1st Overall Champion small middle distance;
1st Champion small middle distance old;
1st Champion small middle distance young;
1st Ace pigeon small middle distance old with a daughter of “Magic Dries”;
1st Ace pigeon small middle distance young with a son of “Prudence”;
2nd Ace pigeon small middle distance yearlings with a daughter of “Magic Dries”;
2nd Ace pigeon small middle distance young (314/24, Murez-Marichal)
2024 in “Demer & Dijle”:
1st Champion large middle distance young
1st Ace pigeon old small middle distance, again with a daughter of “Magic Dries”
2nd Champion small middle distance old
2nd Champion small middle distance young
2nd and 4th Ace pigeon small middle distance young
4th Ace pigeon large middle distance young, with a granddaughter of “Magic Dries”
5th, 10th, and 22nd Ace pigeon large middle distance young
Furthermore, 2024 also brought:
4th Provincial Champion large middle distance young
6th Provincial Champion small middle distance young
4th Ace pigeon large middle distance young (granddaughter of Magic Dries)
7th Ace pigeon small middle distance yearlings (daughter of Magic Dries)
8th Ace pigeon small middle distance young
8th Champion Young 1-2-3 Brabantse Unie
25th National Ace pigeon KBDB large middle distance young
In 2025, the strong line continued. Dirk achieved among others:
2nd Overall Champion small and large middle distance;
2nd Champion old and yearlings small middle distance;
2nd Champion young small middle distance;
3rd Champion large middle distance young;
1st Ace pigeon small middle distance old with a daughter of “Magic Dries”;
3rd and 4th Ace pigeon small middle distance young;
1st Ace pigeon small middle distance old at Demer & Dijle;
2nd Champion old and yearlings at Demer & Dijle.
Although not everything is yet known for the 2026 season, there is already an impressive series of results on record. Among them, a 1st Ace pigeon small middle distance yearlings, a 1st Ace pigeon small middle distance young, and several places within the top ten of the ace pigeon rankings have been achieved. Many of these pigeons are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of “Magic Dries.”
As an absolute standout, there is also a 14th National Ace pigeon KBDB small middle distance on the honors list.
Simplicity as the basis of the flying system
Dirk plays total widowhood. Before the season begins, the pigeons are trained in March to about 25 kilometers. After that, they train once a day around the loft. Intermediate transports do not occur, and no special tricks are applied for the major races.
This simplicity is also reflected in the nutrition. Dirk uses one mixture that was created by Pascal Ariën and is provided throughout the entire flying season. Mixtures from Vanrobaeys and Beyers are used, supplemented with, among others, Multi-Mix from Beyers and WonderPigeon.
The medical supervision remains limited and targeted. After the season, the vaccination against paramyxo follows; necessary vaccinations are administered before the season. Upon return, the pigeons do not receive an excess of medication. Veterinarian Norbert Peeters monitors the colony and provides advice when necessary.
According to Dirk, the main principles remain especially punctuality and good treatment of the pigeons.
Strictly selecting based on build AND performance
The breeding loft consists of about twelve fixed breeding pairs, supplemented with some foster pairs. The pairings are assembled based on performance, lineage, and the crossing of various proven top lines.
In the selection of a breeding pigeon, perfect build and performance within the family are essential. Each year, only a few new pigeons are introduced, preferably directly from national champions.
The bar is equally high for the racing pigeons. A good racing pigeon must have a strong body build, perfect wings, and proven performance. Old pigeons must regularly fly early, while young pigeons must also show themselves at the front multiple times. Lineage, build, performance, and vitality are equally important. A pigeon must fit perfectly in the hand.
Nonetheless, according to Dirk, there is one trait that distinguishes the very best pigeons: intelligence.
International references
The quality of the Cloetens pigeons has not been limited to their own loft. Excellent results have also been achieved elsewhere.
At Cesário and Gibilio Pereira in Portugal, a pigeon with a direct Cloetens doffer as father won the 1st place and the 1st Hotspot in the Mira One Loft Race 2025.
Graham Hope from Newcastle breeds first prize winners from the Cloetens material every year. At Charly Loster in Germany, winners are also regularly bred from pigeons that originated from Rotselaar.
At Raf and Kobe Herbots, a granddaughter of “Magic Dries” grew into a particularly strong racing pigeon. She achieved, among others:
1st Sens against 1,917 pigeons;
2nd against 1,024 pigeons;
3rd Laon against 651 pigeons;
456th National La Châtre against 15,447 pigeons.
Another direct pigeon developed into a valuable breeder at Marius Boboc and helped establish a 1st Ace pigeon young pigeons in the Derby-Hainaut rankings.
Moreover, enthusiasts in Brazil, China, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Egypt have already achieved successes with descendants from the Cloetens lines. Especially the line of “Magic Dries,” whether combined with other successful lines from Herbots or not, confirms its value internationally.
An exceptionally strong anchored auction collection
A collection of about 25 pigeons is offered via Pitts, possibly divided into two parts. It includes racing pigeons and children from the best breeders of the loft.
The selection was very strict. Every pigeon offered was evaluated on build, appearance, lineage, and quality in hand. The collection consists of:
2 direct children of “Magic Dries”;
13 grandchildren of “Magic Dries”;
1 direct child of “De Limoges”;
children from the best racing and breeding pigeons of the current loft.
Thus, “Magic Dries” is notably present in this sale. Enthusiasts not only get the chance to acquire grandchildren of this proven foundation male but even some direct children.
Dirk also aims to focus more on the long-distance in the future. For that purpose, suitable bloodlines have already been acquired to combine the existing sprint and middle-distance quality with more endurance.
Quality that continues to return for generations
This collection rests on three clear pillars: top quality, a particularly strict selection, and lineages from the current proven racing and breeding pigeons.
The strength of a true foundation pigeon is not determined by one random winner but by the quality that continues to emerge in consecutive generations. With “Magic Dries,” we see exactly that pattern: children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continuously appear at the forefront of championships and ace pigeon rankings.
With two children, thirteen grandchildren, and a series of descendants from the other best breeders, this Pitts auction offers a rare insight into the heart of Dirk Cloetens' colony. A collection for enthusiasts looking for proven performances, international references, and a line that knows how to pass on its qualities from generation to generation.
The beautiful lofts at Cloetens' residence. And especially: very sparsely populated: for only the best is good enough!