What an incredible afternoon it was in Kerkdriel. While the Netherlands was slipping and sliding on icy roads and snowflakes beat against the windows, we witnessed a historic moment in the auction room that will be talked about for a decade. As an enthusiast, you get goosebumps when passion and quality collide like this. Jan de Werd didn’t just sell pigeons; he sent a powerful message to the entire international pigeon racing community.
Jan de Werd Sets the Tone for 2026
Let’s be honest: Jan de Werd has an uncanny nose for absolute top quality. He understands better than anyone that in today’s pigeon sport, you can only storm the top with the very best bloodlines. By dedicating himself for years to the lines of the grandmaster from Reeuwijk, he has built a breeding loft that is truly second to none. The fact that these 75 young pigeons fetched a total of €430,680 is no fluke. It is the ultimate reward for a man who dares to invest and who only settles for a winning mentality.
With an average of over €5,742 per pigeon, the results prove that the market for exclusive bloodlines is hotter than ever. Jan has firmly put Herwijnen on the world map.
The Magic of Willem de Bruijn Racing Pigeons
Why are buyers from China, Germany, and Belgium fighting over these birds? The answer is simple: the unprecedented dominance of the Willem de Bruijn Racing Pigeons. Jan de Werd has managed to capture the essence of this strain in his own breeding strategy. We are talking about pigeons that are not only beautiful in the hand but, more importantly, possess an ironclad internal compass and an enormous drive to return home.
The lines of icons like Murphy’s Law and Uranus have become legendary. When you hold that genetics in your hands, you aren’t just buying a bird; you’re buying a ticket to the winner’s podium. That was clearly reflected in the bids that went through the roof.
The Stars of the Day
Under the expert guidance of Rik Hermans (De Duif), the bids flew thick and fast. Several pigeons truly stood out and created an electric atmosphere in the room.
The absolute highlights were Lot 44 and Lot 75. The “Grandson Floris Junior” (NL25-1348048) and the “Sister 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Young Fondspiegel” (NL25-1385434) both moved to new owners for the astronomical sum of €24,000 each.
The Uranus line also made the registers ring. A “Double Granddaughter Uranus” (Lot 8) brought in €19.200, an amount that was matched shortly after by a “Granddaughter Murphy” (Lot 74). It didn’t stop there, as we saw prices of €12,000 for both a “Double Uranus” (Lot 37) and a “Double Granddaughter Murphy’s Law” (Lot 41).
Other notable sales included “Super James’ Vixen” (Lot 26) for €11,400, and two different granddaughters of Murphy (Lot 20 and Lot 47) which each went for €10,200. It is pure promotion for our sport to see such craftsmanship being so highly valued.
The Future of Our Passion
Of course, these are figures that make you take a deep breath, but let’s look primarily at what this means for the promotion of pigeon racing. This kind of sensation grabs the attention of the outside world and shows that we practice a sport at the highest level. It is elite sport, genetics, and pure emotion rolled into one. Jan de Werd has shown that if you navigate your own course with pleasure and a bit of bravado, the whole world is willing to come to the polder, regardless of the weather.
This success reflects on all of us. It gives the community hope and proves that the Dutch pigeon is still the undisputed king of the skies.
What was the most surprising moment of this auction for you? Is it the dominance of the Murphy line that amazes you, or did you expect prices to reach such heights so early in the 2026 season? Let me know in the comments.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
