The Raw Passion of Pigeon Racing
There is truly nothing on earth that matches the pure electricity of pigeon racing. That unmistakable rush when your birds come tearing through the sky after hundreds of kilometers, folding their wings and diving straight toward the landing board, brings pure joy to every true fancier. We witnessed another unforgettable chapter written in the skies, a masterclass loaded with flair, guts, and unstoppable speed.
When fanciers talk about relentless dominance at the very peak of Dutch pigeon racing, one name stands tall above the rest: Bakker Pigeons from Zoelen. What Ruud Bakker and his team pulled off from the classic French release point of Orléans was nothing short of an aerial demolition.
The Battle of Orléans: Pure Power Into a Headwind
On Saturday, August 1st, 2026, the birds were liberated in Orléans at 07:30 AM for the provincial showdown in Afdeling Zuid Oost.
Distance to Zoelen: Over 525 kilometers
Competition: 58 passionate lofts sending 914 pigeons
Race Conditions: 16 degrees at the start under lightly clouded skies with a Northwest wind
Facing a Northwest breeze across more than 500 kilometers strips away all luck. It demands brute muscle, razor sharp homing ability, and peak conditioning. In conditions like these, true champion stock comes to the front, and the flock of Bakker Pigeons completely overwhelmed the competition.
51 Prizes From 64 Birds: An Unheard-Of 79.7% Strike Rate
At 14:43:05, the winning hen NL25-1161919 hit the antennas in Zoelen, clocking an elite winning speed of 1213.263 meters per minute to capture 1st place.
Moments later, the sky above the loft was alive with birds dropping in rapid succession. Ruud basketed 64 pigeons and clocked a mind blowing 51 official prize cards. That represents an astonishing 79.7% prize rate on a genuine long distance test.
Full List of Prize Cards:
1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 37, 42, 43, 44, 46, 54, 55, 59, 60, 62, 73, 77, 78, 81, 82, 83, 89, 90, 97, 104, 111, 127, 128, 129, 140, 216, 219, 227, 229, 235, 236, 247, and 251.
Look at the extraordinary depth in these numbers:
7 birds inside the Top 10: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th
12 birds inside the Top 20
36 birds inside the Top 100
This is the ultimate signature of a world class loft operating at peak performance.
Golden Genetics: The Backbone of Bakker Pigeons
Unstoppable results start with unbreakable bloodlines. Since establishing their professional approach in 2007, the loft has built a dynasty centered on roughly 95% pure Gerard Koopman genetics, combined with elite introductions from champions such as G. & S. Verkerk, Chris Hebberecht, Dirk van Dyck, and the Leideman Brothers.
Spotlight Breeder: The Immortal “Valitas”
The undisputed foundation sire of this empire is the legendary red cock Valitas. On the wing, Valitas forged his status with 1st National Blois in the Northern Union against 9,586 birds and scored four separate Top 10 NPO positions. As a producer, his bloodline continues to mint champions generation after generation:
Germiny: Direct son of Valitas, winner of 1st NPO Blois against 2,310 pigeons, alongside 2nd and 6th NPO Bourges.
Gene: Full brother to Germiny and a 5 time Top 10 NPO performer.
Artus: Grandson of Valitas, winner of 1st NPO Issoudun against 4,296 birds and sector champion against 14,084 pigeons.
Elite References Across Other Lofts
The truest test of any elite strain is how they perform in other hands and on the international one loft circuit. The genetics of Bakker Pigeons consistently produce winners everywhere they land:
Offspring from the Valitas dynasty have bred major winners for other fanciers, including 1st NPO Derby der Junioren Mantes la Jolie against 5,965 pigeons.
Children of foundation star Germiny have racked up elite prizes for fellow lofts, including 6th against 8,605 pigeons and 8th against 8,755 pigeons.
The Artus line has produced winners of 1st Pont Saint Maxence against 11,844 birds and 2nd Salbris against 5,780 pigeons for other lofts.
With the upcoming auction season on the horizon, fanciers seeking relentless winning instinct, stamina, and proven breeding power will find that Bakker Pigeons sets the gold standard for the modern racing era.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
