When the sun scorches the Pyrenees and most birds seek cover, the real work begins for the men in Buggenum.
Johan and Wil Boonen have forged a colony that only truly wakes up when conditions seem impossible. At Boonen Racing Pigeons, everything revolves around character, endurance, and an almost obsessive drive to reach the home loft. For the followers of PigeonBoss.com, we dove deep into the history of this loft because this is no success story that appeared out of thin air.
A Deliberate Restart in the Shadow of the Maas
The success we see today originates from a bold restart in Buggenum between 2010 and 2012. Johan and Wil decided to start with a clean slate and built a foundation entirely focused on the extreme long distance. These are not one hit wonders, but pigeons with the “diesel engine” of Ton Vorselen from Thorn and the indestructible Belgian lines of Nouwen Paesen from Peer. They added the legendary toughness of Janssens Hausoul from Epen, particularly the famous “Evi” line known as the Primus Interpares over five years in Barcelona. The input from Jos Martens and Schreurs Hauben also proved to be a golden move for the current generation.
The Black Chapter of 2022
Every great epic has its low points, and for Johan and Wil, that was April 2022. A cowardly theft robbed them of their absolute top birds. It was a blow that shook the foundations of their sport. But instead of giving up, they became more resilient. Today, the absolute breeding jewels are no longer kept on the flying lofts in Buggenum for safety reasons. This measure was bitterly necessary, but it has only fueled the competitive drive of the racing team.
The Icons that Amazed the World
Anyone who looks at the results from recent years sees that Boonen Racing Pigeons has a patent on the top of the national results. Take “Caatje,” a hen that won 1st National Barcelona in 2021 at a distance of no less than 1,112 kilometers. She did not just come home; she arrived with a speed of 1019 m/min and had a lead of 26 m/min over the number two in the Netherlands. That is not just a victory; it is a demonstration.
The strength of the strain is currently highlighted by “Dolores,” the brand new winner of 1st NPO Barcelona 2025. She also flew a 5th in the Euregio against over two thousand pigeons and a 56th National against more than 4,500 birds. “Dolores” is a grandchild of the current foundation sire “Jaak,” a cock who himself already claimed a 50th National Narbonne and a 70th NPO Cahors. “Jaak” is now the (grand)father of an impressive list of top performers, including 3rd National Marseille 2024 and 14th National Barcelona 2022
References that Speak Volumes
The ultimate test for any breeding loft is the performance of the descendants in other locations. The list of references for Boonen Racing Pigeons is almost endless. Myron Mestrini from Beek is the absolute sensation of recent years and he reached the top mostly with pigeons from Buggenum. In 2025, he achieved, among other things, the 1st and 2nd Euregio old Ace Pigeon and a 4th National Marseille.
At Henri van Venrooij in Deurne, there is also a phenomenon: “De Alleskunner”. This cock is 50% Boonen blood and was crowned 1st International Ace Pigeon Marseille over the years 2022 and 2023. And what about the 3rd NPO Bressols for W. van der Velden or the 5th NPO Pau for the Gebr. Dekker? They are each proof that the lines of “Lowie,” “Jaak,” and “Dolberg” are worth their weight in gold.
The Law of Buggenum
Johan and Wil Boonen show that you do not need a huge commercial machine to storm the world top. With an ironclad system of selection at the basket and a deep trust in their own lines, they have created a strain that performs under all circumstances. For fans who dream of success in the ZLU races, there is no escape: the road to the top runs through the genes of Boonen Racing Pigeons.
A Palmares That Commands Respect
The list of achievements of Boonen Racing Pigeons reads like a hall-of-fame record. Whether it’s Barcelona, Marseille, or the recent triumphs at Narbonne:
1st National Barcelona (The ultimate dream)
1st National Marseille (The confirmation of class)
1st International Ace Pigeon Marseille (Three years of dominance)
1st Fondclub Midden-Limburg Barcelona 2025 (The most recent hammer blow)
16x Top 25 National on ZLU flights (Proof of consistent top form)
Why PigeonBoss Fans Need to Pay Attention
The true power of Boonen Racing Pigeons is that their birds win for others too. Look at fanciers like Myron Mestrini, who is racking up provincial top prizes with 100% Boonen blood. These genes pass on grit.
When the conditions look impossible and the flight line crosses the toughest mountains in Europe, the birds from Buggenum are the ones that drop. That is the Iron Law of the Boonen Brothers. And that law isn’t changing anytime soon.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
