Despite a difficult year with postponed races and varying weather conditions, the Jacobs family can once again look back on a more than successful season, both at their own loft and at others where offspring of their pigeons are performing remarkably well.
2024 has again become a strong season for the father/son combination. So far, the tally stands at 12 times the 1st prize including 1st National Zone B1 Bourges (476 Km), 2nd National Zone B1 Vierzon (443 Km), 3rd National Zone B1 Bourges (476 Km), 5th National Zone B1 Bourges (476 Km) & 6th Interprovincial Vierzon (443 Km).
These achievements are the result of a breeding loft that brims with quality where spots are hard to come by; only pigeons with the necessary pedigree are eligible. The foundation mainly consists of pigeons from Gerard & Bas Verkerk, from whom pigeons were acquired in 2006. These pigeons were crossed with the existing sprint pigeons (like the now renowned Nero type), and soon a solid base was laid to tackle the heavy middle-distance races. Now, 18 years later, we can say these Verkerk pigeons from back then were a hit, and pigeons are still being sourced from the Reeuwijk champions. Another important factor in the success story is the joint breeding with Patrick Van den Abbeel in 2018. This immediately led to Patrick having the 1st National Ace pigeon young KBDB Heavy Middle Distance 2019 with “Remco.” Since then, several pigeons have been exchanged every year, much to the satisfaction of both. Even now, since Patrick formed a tandem with Rony Peleman in 2023, this exchange of pigeons remains in effect. Recently, they also achieved a 1st Provincial & 1st National Zone B1 Vierzon young pigeon (The father of this pigeon is a 50% Jacobs pigeon, namely a son of King Nero). Meanwhile, we can certainly say that Patrick and Rony are friends for life.
Another line at the breeding loft is the Van Dijck pigeons. A granddaughter of the Cannibal was obtained from Dirk in 2014. This immediately became a true breeding hen with numerous good offspring, including Remco (1st National Ace pigeon KBDB young 2019) as the most famous grandchild. But others like Jolien also held their own. Children and grandchildren from this hen pass on their traits very well; this year, a yearling male (SuperBoy) from a daughter of hers flew 2nd National Zone B1 from Vierzon. Due to these results, some more pigeons were acquired from Dirk's best lines like Di Caprio, Cannibal Junior & Olympic Niels. These also seem to make their mark on the performances.
A final pillar that we must not forget at the breeding loft is the ‘Blue Boddaert’ line. This male is a grandson of Rudy and Mr Magic, both icons of the Gaby Vandenabeele loft. This male was obtained from Wim Boddaert and immediately had a major impact on the flying level of the pigeons. Numerous first-prize winners emerged from this male. One of the most important was Wout with among others a 12th Interprovincial Vierzon 5462 pigeons but also 1st Bourges, 1st Orleans, etc. Later, it turned out that the children of ‘Blue Boddaert’ are also super breeders.
The current flagship of the loft “Blue Saphier” is a grandchild of him and has won 9 times 1/100.
Blue Saphier won the following top prizes:
Vierzon 6/ 2457
39/18729
Noyon 1/ 337
62/ 7066
Orleans 2/ 436
17/ 7205
Bourges 6/ 2456
68/23846
Orleans 9/ 1053
Toury 3/ 683
Argenton 2/ 374
23/ 2096
199/16547
Toury 7/ 711
Argenton 3/ 254
33/ 1529
Noyon 26/ 1258
Toury 6/ 225
Noyon 3/ 473
9/ 2056
Argenton 43/ 1611
Noyon 14/ 543
Bourges 21/ 671
Noyon 24/ 522
These results led to an Olympiad mention All-Round 2024 in Maastricht.
His brother (who was a young bird from the 3rd round) also already showcased beautiful performances with among others
Vierzon 1/ 127
7/ 1370
Argenton 2/ 254
32/ 1529
Toury 52/ 849
Toury 17/ 233
Sermaises 94/ 1284
Below are some highlights from the 2024 season.
1st National Zone B1 Bourges
“Jutta’s Girl” 100% Verkerk G & S
4 times 1/100
3 times 1st prize
60th best yearling pigeon KBDB Heavy Middle Distance races 4 prizes.
2nd National Zone B1 Vierzon
“SuperBoy”
3rd National Zone B1 Bourges
‘Blue Diamond’ 50% Dirk van Dijck
5th National Zone B1 Bourges
‘Special Eyes’
6th Interprovincial Vierzon
‘Coco Chanel’ 50% Van den Abbeel – Peleman
References
Also at other lofts, the bloodlines of the Jacobs family show their worth. Below is a brief list of references:
Van den Abbeel – Peleman: With several bloodlines performing well. Stars like Remco (1st National Ace pigeon) and Jolien (full sister of Remco) come from the “The Super” line and “Van Dyckske.” Their latest provincial winner “Isis” comes from the father’s side through the “King Nero” line. This line previously also produced the 28th National Ace pigeon KBDB young Heavy Middle Distance 2022 and several good pigeons.
Kristof Nechelput: The wonderman of speed from Kester and good friend of Patrick received via Patrick a child from “Sister King Nero.” This male (929/21) himself flew at Noyon among others 1/2186, 1/843, 2/687. At breeding, he proved even stronger with the following principal offspring:
385/22: 2/262, 3/3002, 6/1233
386/22: 1/857, 2/1422, 3/749
063/23: 1/1038, 1/327, 2/326
064/23: 6 x 1st prize!! 1/1038, 1/875, 1/347, 1/260, 1/250, 1/163, 2/195 (after loft mate), 3/2342, 10/1073.
The 386/22 is the father of 4025343/23, who was 8th National Ace pigeon KBDB yearlings Heavy Middle Distance 2024 with the following results:
5th Argenton II 2024 PE East Flanders 502.209 km 2781 pigeons
7th Argenton III 2024 PE East Flanders 502.209 km 2833 pigeons
12th Sancoins 2024 PE East Flanders 449.169 km 2410 pigeons
50th Bourges I 2024 PE East Flanders 455.291 km 5033 pigeons
Willy Arts (Herdersem): bought a bid and received a brother ‘King Nero.’ From this, he bred several 1st prize winners.
Benny Schuddinck (Meldert): Took a hen from the Spartacus line for a bid from which he obtained 1st prize winners in several generations. This year, Benny also flew a 9th national La Souterraine; this pigeon originates from the hen he acquired here.
Gilbert Van den Abbeel (Buggenhout): From a son ‘King Nero’ a young pigeon flew this year Noyon 21/3133.
Jan & Tom Iwens (St-Kat-Waver): Through Patrick Van den Abbeel, this combination obtained a grandchild of the top couple Julius x Cleopatra (Parents Remco, 1st national ace pigeon KBDB young 2019). From this male, Jan & Tom bred the 044/23. This pigeon flew 2nd National Argenton against 1787 pigeons! Also 1st Provincial and Zonaal. Previously, this hen already flew: Quiévrain 1/164, Sermaises 3/124, Noyon 3/44, Melun 4/261, Melun 9/201, Melun 15/1135, Sermaises 16/1084, Sermaises 21/414, Quiévrain 24/343, Sermaises 38/415, Noyon 66/931, Argenton 628/11777, Bourges 974/19369.