When you enter the village of Made in the Netherlands, you are entering the heart of long distance racing. This is the home of Cor de Heijde, a man who has turned pigeon racing into an art form. While others look for shortcuts, Cor has spent decades perfecting a strain of birds that simply refuse to quit. With a signature smile and a healthy dose of bravado, he has built a legacy that is as strong in 2026 as it was forty years ago. This is not just a story about birds; it is about a genetic masterpiece born from a legendary survivor.
The Legend of De Klamper: The ultimate comeback
Every great dynasty has a foundation stone. For Cor, that stone is De Klamper (NL84-1870149). The history of this bird reads like a thriller. On a cold Christmas Eve in 1990, thieves broke into Cor’s lofts and stole his entire breeding team, including De Klamper. Cor was devastated, believing his life’s work had been wiped out in a single night.
But nature had a surprise in store. Months later, a exhausted and thin pigeon landed on the loft in Made. It was De Klamper. He had escaped his captors and flown home with a ring that had been nearly filed through. That unbreakable will to return is exactly what Cor has bred into his entire strain. Every champion in Made today carries the blood of this legendary survivor.
Results that shake the world
Cor doesn’t just participate in the ZLU (International) races; he dominates them. His birds are built for the toughest conditions, the highest temperatures, and the longest days.
Cor de Heijde’s Personal Hall of Fame:
1st International Perpignan (2025): Won by the phenomenal “Miss Perpignan,” showing the world that the De Heijde strain is still the one to beat in 2026.
1st National Barcelona (2015): A historic victory with “Blue Dream,” a hen that conquered the most prestigious race in the world.
1st National St. Vincent (1997): The victory that put the “Klamper” line on the map forever.
1st National Ace Pigeon ZLU Barcelona: Won by “Jonge Don Michel,” a bird that proved consistency is the mark of true quality.
The Local Hero: Rex de Leeuw and the Made Dominance
The power of Cor’s birds is perhaps most visible in the success of his close friend and fellow villager, Rex de Leeuw. Rex has achieved incredible heights using 100% De Heijde pigeons, proving that these birds can turn any ambitious fancier into a national champion.
1st National Dax ZLU (2024): Rex de Leeuw stunned the nation with a victory fueled entirely by the De Heijde bloodlines.
Dominating the Marathon: Beyond the Dax victory, Rex has consistently placed at the top of the national results on flights like St. Vincent and Pau, almost exclusively with descendants of the Klamper and Don Michel lines.
The success of Rex de Leeuw proves that Cor’s birds are not “one hit wonders.” They are a system of winning that works for anyone who understands the value of character and grit.
A Global Impact: The Hofleverancier
The list of people winning with Cor de Heijde Racing Pigeons is endless. From the polders of Holland to the hills of the UK, the De Heijde influence is everywhere.
Jan Hooymans: In 2025, the legendary Hooymans won 1st National Barcelona with a bird bred from a 100% De Heijde hen.
Batenburg van de Merwe: The masters of Klaaswaal have integrated Cor’s bloodlines to add that extra “bite” needed for the morning releases.
Jan van Gils: Secured 1st International Pau in 2024 with a bird carrying the famous Don Michel genes.
Mark Gilbert: The British superstar has relied on De Heijde pigeons to conquer the English Channel on 1,000 kilometer races.
The Secret? Selection and Joy
Cor’s system is deceptively simple. He relies on the natural nest position because he believes a bird sitting on eggs or a youngster will fight harder to get home. He selects for soft plumage, supple muscles, and above all, a heart of iron. But his biggest secret is his joy. Cor loves the sport, loves his birds, and celebrates the success of others as if it were his own.
For the followers of PigeonBoss.com, the message is clear. If you want to own the sky when the sun is hot and the distance is long, you need the spirit of Made in your loft.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
