What a sport, what a passion, and what an unparalleled spectacle we were treated to last weekend on the marathon flight from Bordeaux La Sauve! While most of the Netherlands was still fast asleep, a sporting fairy tale unfolded in De Bilt that makes the heart of every pigeon fancier beat faster. Comb. Steenbeek & Son has done it again. And how! With a thrilling early arrival in the dead of night, they proved exactly why marathon pigeon racing is the ultimate king of disciplines. This is no ordinary victory, this is pure class with a generous side of bravado.
The Numbers that Amaze the World
Let’s dive straight into the hard facts, because they are truly mouth-watering. Released on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Bordeaux La Sauve, the pigeons faced a serious challenge. With four,eighths cloud cover and a moderate southwesterly wind, force 3, at a temperature of 21 degrees, it looked like a beautiful flight on paper. But a flight path spanning over 910 kilometers demands everything and separates the wheat from the chaff. In total, a whopping 3297 pigeons entered the competition, sent in by 399 fearless competitors.
And then Saturday morning arrived. Or rather, the dead of night.
At exactly 4:05:52 AM, a pigeon slammed onto the landing board in De Bilt. The clock does not lie. Over a distance of 910.855 kilometers, the absolute top pigeon of the combination clocked an astronomical speed of 1907.929 meters per minute. It was still pitch black outside, but at the Steenbeek home, the fireworks erupted. The ultimate grand prize was secured, 1st Afd. Holland West against 3297 pigeons!
What gives this performance a royal status is the fact that this was the 1st nominated pigeon on the list, carrying ring number 1,1018911. The ultimate favorite making it happen when the pressure is at its absolute highest. That commands the deepest respect from any true Pigeon Boss. And the party did not stop there. Out of 8 pigeons sent, they took a phenomenal 4 clean prizes in the Holland West region:
1st Holland West in the early hours of the night
82nd Holland West in the morning at 8:12:29 AM
348th Holland West at 9:21:47 AM
666th Holland West at 9:57:00 AM
Four rock,solid pigeons clocked and a prize percentage of 50 percent on a grueling marathon. That is the very definition of dominance.
The System Behind the Steenbeek Pigeons Speed Trains
You do not become a Grandmaster overnight, it requires a rock,solid system. Koos Steenbeek is down,to,earth personified, but his passion for the sport radiates through everything he does. While he used to race the entire program from Duffel all the way to Barcelona, his focus shifted completely to marathon flights a few years ago. And that focus is paying off big time.
Operating from a compact setup in a cozy backyard, Koos proves that you do not need mega lofts to storm the national top. With a racing loft less than 6 meters wide, he manages to deliver extraordinary performances year after year. The old birds are traditionally raced on the nest. Koos has a clear preference for a nest position of 10 days of brooding up to youngsters of about 4 to 5 days old. That is the magical moment when their motivation goes through the roof.
The preparation is meticulous. The racing team is fed high,quality Beyers mixtures, specifically the Jellema line, heavily reinforced with peanuts, hemp, and TOVO as the big races approach. Nothing is left to chance. From a medical standpoint, Koos keeps a close eye on things using natural products, strictly swearing by the power of Naturaline by Natural and a thorough health check before the season starts. The result? Pigeons bursting with health that are brave enough to conquer the night.
A Foundation of Pure Gold, The Steenbeek Pigeons Strain
Behind this phenomenal victory lies a golden breeding pedigree. The foundation of the modern Steenbeek Pigeons colony rests on the absolute top power of First Price Pigeons. Their absolute stock pair, consisting of a Son of ‘Donkere Barcelona’ paired with a Daughter of ‘Raket’, has caused a true earthquake in the Dutch marathon racing scene.
Just think of the legendary ‘Miss Puck’, the wonder hen crowned Best Marathon Pigeon of the Netherlands over a three,year period from 2016 through 2018. Her achievements include winning 6th National St. Vincent and 18th National St. Vincent. Other icons like ‘Leo’ and the legendary winners of National Cahors and National Orange also descend from these magnificent bloodlines.
Crossings with the noble bloodlines of Gerrit and Jaco van Nieuwamerongen, specifically the line of the ‘Carteus Giant’, and top hens from Verweij de Haan, have created an indestructible strain of pigeons. These are birds with an iron will, a perfect compass, and the unprecedented courage to fly through the dark to reach their nest. That is exactly the kind of quality that claimed the Holland West victory from Bordeaux this weekend!
Promoting the King of Sports
This is why we love pigeon racing so passionately. It is the unpredictability, the thrill of the wait, and the pure explosion of joy when an athlete of the skies drops down in the early morning dew. The performance of Comb. Steenbeek & Son stimulates and inspires. It proves that with a limited number of birds, pure craftsmanship, and a heart full of passion, you can beat the biggest names in the sport.
Pigeon racing is elite sport, but above all, it is a fantastic hobby that connects generations. The smile on the face of the champion, the excitement shared with friends and family, and the deep respect for the bird’s achievement, that is what Pigeon Boss stands for. Koos and his team have shaken De Bilt and the entire Holland West region to their foundations. A deep bow for this magisterial victory by Steenbeek Pigeons. On to the next spectacular show!
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
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