Anyone closely following the international extreme long distance marathon scene knows that 2026 belongs to Rex de Leeuw. Racing under the banner of De Leeuw Pigeons (Lions Pigeons) from the Dutch town of Made, Rex has turned this racing summer into an unforgettable showcase of grit, stamina, and pure flying class.
Supported every single day by his partner Toos, Rex approaches the pigeon sport with genuine joy, deep respect for the birds, and a healthy dose of authentic Dutch bravado. With the upcoming auction season right around the corner, international fanciers from across the globe have their eyes firmly fixed on the lofts in Made. The results generated by this exceptional nest-racing colony in 2026 are nothing short of phenomenal.
Provisional Ranking: 8th West European Super Marathon (WESM) 2026
The West European Super Marathon (WESM) stands as the most prestigious, hard-fought international championship in long distance pigeon racing. Only fanciers whose first-nominated birds consistently clock at the very top of punishing ZLU and international classics can ever dream of climbing this leaderboard.
In the 2026 provisional standings, Rex de Leeuw holds an outstanding 8th place in the West European Super Marathon.
This provisional 8th position against the elite of Western Europe proves several key facts about De Leeuw Pigeons:
Unwavering reliability at the highest level, achieved by clocking early nominated birds across brutal distances.
A deep, ironclad foundation capable of competing head to head with the most famous lofts in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and France.
Absolute mastery of the natural nest method, bringing cocks and hens to peak performance exactly when the pressure is highest.
Season 2026: Race by Race Review and All Official Results
The 2026 racing calendar was defined by grueling heat waves, persistent north and northeast headwinds, and bone-crushing conditions. When others faltered, the athletes of De Leeuw Pigeons stepped up and delivered.
1. Bordeaux (South West Region, 3,212 Pigeons)
The season opener served as a smooth baseline test where the proven racers immediately showed their readiness:
Birds basketed: 6
Prizes won: 4 (66% prize rate)
Regional prizes won:108th (1st nominated clock bird) , 480th, 550th, and 564th
Notable highlights: The 108th and 550th prizes were claimed by two full brothers, NL23-2303944M and NL23-2303912M. The 564th prize went to the tough hen NL23-2303996V, a daughter of Amazing Louise, who lost almost her entire tail during the journey yet fought home with sheer willpower.
2. St. Vincent (Afternoon Release Classic)
A masterclass in preparation and loft form, ending in a flawless Clean Sweep:
Birds basketed: 4
Prizes won: 4 (100% Clean Sweep)
Prizes won: 159th (NL21-2112413, full brother to Amazing Louise) , 278th (NL24-2413798V, daughter Amazing Louise x granddaughter Zoë) , 582nd (NL23-2303908, direct son of Zoë) , and 586th (NL23-2303921V).
3. Agen ZLU (National, 8,016 Pigeons)
Released into scorching temperatures and a headwind, the colony showed true fighting character:
Birds basketed: 18
Prizes won: 10 national prizes (55% prize rate)
Leading national prizes: 73rd National (NL24-2413788V, clocked at 903 m/min) , 359th, 667th, and 773rd National (1st nominated bird).
4. Bergerac (South West Region, 1,190 Pigeons)
The second part of a demanding double-header weekend:
Birds basketed: 6
Prizes won: 4 (66% prize rate)
Regional prizes won: 6th Regional (NL24-2413722M, flying 1,007 m/min over 855 km as 3rd nominated) , 71st, 141st, and 388th.
5. Barcelona (The International Queen Classic)
Extreme conditions with clear skies, tropical heat, and tough headwinds across France:
Birds basketed: 6
National and International triumph: * 10th National against 5,057 pigeons with crack cock Furious Barca (NL22-2211966)
11th International against 16,278 pigeons with Furious Barca
2nd in Zeeland-West-Brabant Section (1,339 pigeons) and 1st Club Geel (234 pigeons)
217th National with hen NL21-2112417 (same mother 10th Nat.)
6. Bressols (National, 16,940 Pigeons)
Flown during the same weekend as Barcelona, resulting in one of the most dominant series of the entire year:
Birds basketed: 8
Prizes won: 7 national prizes (nearly 90% prize rate)
Official national prizes: 13th National with champion cock Frits (NL23-2303912, also taking 3rd Section against 3,349 pigeons) , 760th (NL24-2413718M), 1015th (NL24-2413740M), 2075th (NL24-2413724V), 3718th (NL23-2303908M), 5027th (NL21-2112413M), and 5045th National (NL24-2413735M).
7. Dax ZLU (One of the Hardest Races on Record)
Delayed for two days in the baskets, facing 35 °C heat, heavy headwinds, and wildfire smoke along the route:
Birds basketed: 8
National prizes against 1,922 pigeons: 140th National (NL23-2303992, clocked on day two at 21:06 PM after 991 km) and 536th National (NL23-2303945).
8. Marseille ZLU (International Classic, 1,863 Pigeons)
A punishing long-distance test in heavy summer heat that yielded another immaculate score:
Birds basketed: 3
Prizes won: 3 (100% Clean Sweep)
Official national prizes: 235th National (NL20-2003593M, 2nd nominated) , 254th National (NL23-2303916V, 3rd nominated) , and 346th National (NL23-2303986V, 1st nominated).
9. Castres (National, 3,911 Pigeons)
The crowning performance of the late season in temperatures exceeding 30 °C and an unyielding northeast headwind:
Birds basketed: 11
Prizes won: 5 national prizes (over 45% prize rate under brutal conditions)
Official national prizes: 29th National (NL24-2413706V over 925 km) , 141st National (NL25-2505718V) , 477th National (NL24-2413742M) , 931st National (NL25-2505793V) , and 1062nd National (NL25-2505773M).
National Winner Spotlight: Georgina, 1st National Dax ZLU
No review of De Leeuw Pigeons is complete without highlighting the unforgettable victory of Georgina (NL23-2303918).
On a grueling edition of the National Dax ZLU race, this remarkable hen wrote marathon racing history. Flying an imposing distance of 991 kilometers, Georgina refused to land when night fell. Pushing through the dusk, she thundered onto the landing board in Made at 22:27 PM to claim 1st National Dax ZLU.
Georgina embodies the exact breeding philosophy of Rex de Leeuw:
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Bloodline: Pure Cor de Heijde heritage through Son Jonge Don Michel paired with the golden foundation hen Handsome Grey.
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Performance: Supreme night-flying ability, unyielding stamina, and relentless drive to reach home.
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Breeding Impact: Her close relatives continue to dominate the lofts today, including Furious Barca (10th Nat. Barcelona) and top scorers across Bergerac and Agen.
Legendary Base Breeders and Past Triumphs
The current success of De Leeuw Pigeons is anchored by decades of selective breeding and iconic foundation birds:
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Foundation Sire De Ad (NL03-0334830): Won 8th National Barcelona himself and became the absolute patriarch of the loft. His blood flows through nearly every key flyer in Made.
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Amazing Louise (NL17-3717011): Winner of 1st National Sector 1 Bordeaux against 10,638 pigeons. Her children and siblings won top prizes across St. Vincent and Bordeaux in 2026.
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Cathy (NL19-3913143): Crowned 1st National Ace Pigeon ZLU 2021 and 2nd Best European Marathon Pigeon, forming the backbone of Rex’s 1st International PIPA IATP Ranking victory.
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Super Breeder Bertus (NL18-3804281): 1st Dutch Pigeon in the International Narbonne Ranking and 9th National Narbonne (6,732 birds). Sire to top performers like Fayenne (1st Provincial Marseille / 36th National) and grandsire to the 2nd National Sector 1 for Jan van Gijzel.
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Zoë (NL16-3621570): The iron racing hen with 7 prizes from 7 long-distance races, including 2nd National Sector 1 and 3rd National overall St. Vincent against 12,152 pigeons.
The Secret Behind the Lofts of Made
Rex de Leeuw didn’t inherit a famous pigeon dynasty or build his success on oversized budgets. Having entered the sport through agricultural and animal feed, he learned the craft through hard work, keen observation, and total dedication to his birds.
Rex races exclusively on the natural nest system with complete pairs. Loft motivation is paramount, whether it is an extra handful of straw on the floor or timing the nest position to the exact hour of basketing. Medically, Rex keeps things strictly disciplined: regular health checks by veterinary experts like Jan van Wanrooy and Clinic De Weerd, treating only when a specific issue is diagnosed. This disciplined care ensures that De Leeuw Pigeons retain their natural vitality and iron immune systems when enduring 13 to 15 hours on the wing.
Beyond his own racing loft, Rex gives back tirelessly to the sport as chairman of both the Madese Bond and Fondclub Zuid-Nederland, advocating for positivity, sportsmanship, and deep respect for the sport’s volunteers.
With multiple 100% Clean Sweeps, top national placements from Barcelona to Bressols, and an 8th position in the West European Super Marathon, De Leeuw Pigeons has established itself at the absolute summit of modern marathon racing. For fanciers searching for authentic, heat-tested, headwind-proven marathon genetics, the upcoming auction season represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire the very best of Made.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
