Some One Loft Races attract attention because of their prize money. Others earn their reputation through the quality of their organization, the challenge of their racing program and the people behind the scenes.
Derby AS Croatia has a very convincing combination of all three. With the 2027 season approaching, The Pigeon Boss believes this Croatian adventure deserves serious attention from ambitious pigeon fanciers across Europe and beyond.
The 2026 season already showed what makes this competition so exciting. During the 550 kilometre Final, 520 pigeons were basketed and the first three arrivals were clocked within a single second. Imagine that for a moment. After hundreds of kilometres in the air, months of preparation and countless hours of care, the difference between victory and third place was less than one second. That is the kind of finish that reminds us why we love pigeon racing.
The subsequent Super Final, flown over 631 kilometres, added another demanding chapter to the season, with Vladimir Zec taking the victory. Performances like these give the organizers something meaningful to build upon. For 2027, Derby AS Croatia is preparing its fourth edition, with further investment in its facilities, an ambitious prize program and a clear determination to keep improving.
Slavonia: A Beautiful Setting for a Serious Pigeon Race
When people think about Croatia, they often picture the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, picturesque islands and historic coastal towns. But travel inland towards eastern Croatia and you discover an entirely different side of this wonderful country.
Derby AS Croatia is based in Đurđanci, near the historic town of Đakovo, in the heart of Slavonia. This region is known for its open landscapes, fertile agricultural land, rolling countryside, vineyards and traditional villages. It is a place where nature, agriculture and a rich cultural heritage remain closely connected.
For visitors, there is plenty to discover. The magnificent Cathedral of St. Peter dominates the skyline of Đakovo, while the famous Lipizzaner horses have been part of the region’s heritage for centuries. Add the excellent local wines, authentic Slavonian cuisine and welcoming hospitality, and you have a destination that offers much more than an afternoon watching pigeons arrive.
Personally, I love the idea of combining a serious international pigeon competition with a visit to a region that still has so much genuine character. A trip to Derby AS Croatia gives fanciers an opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, exchange breeding ideas, enjoy the atmosphere surrounding an international final and discover a beautiful part of Europe.
And then, of course, there is the racing itself.
A One Loft Race brings pigeons from different breeders together to compete under shared management. Their preparation takes place in the same environment, and their performances are measured through the same electronic timing system. It is an attractive concept for breeders who want to see how their youngsters perform against international competition.
Petar Brlošić: The Man Who Makes the Difference
Every successful One Loft Race has someone behind it whose dedication rarely receives the recognition it deserves. Someone who understands that the real work starts long before the first official training flight and continues every single day until the final pigeon has been accounted for.
At Derby AS Croatia, that man is Petar Brlošić.
I want to be very clear about something. In my opinion, Petar is one of the very best One Loft Race managers I know, and I do not say that lightly.
Petar is a pigeon man through and through. His background reaches far beyond organizing races. He has achieved championship success in Croatia and across European pigeon competitions, while his experience with breeding, training and managing birds has developed over many years. His work with AS Shop also keeps him closely involved with the practical side of pigeon nutrition, equipment and daily management.
But championship titles alone do not make an outstanding loft manager.
Managing an international One Loft Race requires an unusual combination of knowledge, discipline, organization and responsibility. Every pigeon arrives with its own background, level of development and individual characteristics. The challenge is to bring those youngsters together, establish a reliable routine, manage their health and preparation, and gradually develop a team capable of handling an increasingly demanding racing program.
There are no shortcuts to doing that job properly.
What particularly impresses me about Petar is his willingness to keep examining the operation and looking for improvements. Rather than simply repeating an existing formula, he is prepared to make changes when he believes they can benefit the pigeons and strengthen the competition.
The plans for 2027 are a perfect example.
Petar and his team have identified losses around the loft as an important issue, particularly when young pigeons are disturbed by birds of prey or other activity before becoming fully accustomed to their surroundings. Their response is a planned large protective net over the area in front of the aviaries, designed to give youngsters a more controlled environment in which to become familiar with the loft.
That is the sort of practical thinking I appreciate. Good management is not simply about having an impressive loft or an expensive transport system. It is about recognizing a problem, understanding its consequences and being prepared to do something about it.
A great loft manager never stops learning, and Petar clearly understands that.
Derby AS Croatia 2027: Bigger Ambitions and Better Preparation
Following three completed seasons, Derby AS Croatia is entering 2027 with an advertised prize fund of €100,000 and a Final scheduled over 550 kilometres.
However, the financial attraction is only part of the story. The organizers are putting additional emphasis on rewarding performance throughout the season, including different Ace Pigeon classifications and increased recognition for the best all round performers.
I particularly like this approach. A pigeon that can demonstrate consistency across several distances deserves recognition alongside the bird that produces one exceptional result. Both qualities matter in competitive pigeon racing, and a good program should create opportunities to reward them.
The announced improvements extend into the loft itself. Additional aviary space, a new landing area, increased transport capacity and more BENZING antennas are among the developments being prepared. The health and management program is also being adjusted, with six planned vaccinations, natural moulting without darkening and additional preparation time built into the schedule.
The organization continues to work with respected names including Vanrobaeys for nutrition, Tollisan for pigeon care products and BENZING for electronic timing and race information.
For international participants, transparency is especially important. Breeders may be hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away from their pigeons. Having access to electronic results and live coverage helps them remain connected to the competition.
Derby AS Croatia intends to expand its camera coverage and provide live broadcasts of training sessions and races during the 2027 season.
Of course, no management system can eliminate every risk involved in competitive pigeon racing. Weather, orientation, health and the unpredictable nature of the sport will always play a role. What matters is that an organization takes those responsibilities seriously and continues working to improve the conditions under which its pigeons compete.
That commitment is a major reason why Derby AS Croatia has earned my respect.
Why Derby AS Croatia Is Pigeon Boss Approved
Regular followers of Pigeon Boss know that I am passionate about promoting One Loft Racing. I believe well managed international competitions can make an important contribution to the future of our sport.
They allow smaller breeders to challenge established names, create international connections and give fanciers opportunities to evaluate their pigeons against birds from different bloodlines and breeding environments.
But I also believe we should be selective about the organizations we support.
For me, an attractive prize fund is never enough on its own. I want to see dedication to the pigeons, experienced management, transparent results, a credible racing program and an organization willing to invest in its future.
Derby AS Croatia ticks those boxes for me.
The experience and commitment of Petar Brlošić, the continuing investment in the facilities, the professional partners and the ambition shown in the 2027 plans give me good reasons to support this race.
And there is another important factor. I genuinely enjoy seeing passionate people succeed in pigeon racing. When an organizer puts substantial effort into creating something worthwhile for our community, I believe that deserves recognition.
Derby AS Croatia is an official Pigeon Boss VIP Partner, and I am proud to support Petar and his team as they prepare for another exciting season.
DERBY AS CROATIA 2027 IS PIGEON BOSS APPROVED!
The Next Chapter Could Feature Your Pigeons
The 2027 season is now open for registration, with the published entry fee starting at €60 per pigeon. Separate activation conditions apply, and participants should review the complete official rules and prize conditions before entering.
The published registration deadline is April 30, 2027, with pigeon delivery and payment deadlines extending to May 31, 2027.
Whether you are an experienced international competitor or a dedicated breeder considering your first One Loft Race, Derby AS Croatia offers an appealing opportunity to put your breeding ambitions to the test.
And perhaps 2027 is the year one of your youngsters makes its mark on the international stage.
My advice? Take a serious look at this race, study the conditions, contact the organization or one of its agents and start thinking about the pigeons you would like to send.
Because there is something special about watching a pigeon you bred compete hundreds of kilometres away, knowing that its performance is being tested against an international field.
And when that pigeon finally arrives at the loft, every kilometre, every training flight and every moment of anticipation suddenly becomes worthwhile.
Petar, keep building. Keep improving. And above all, keep that passion alive. The pigeon racing world needs people like you.
I look forward to following Derby AS Croatia 2027.
See you in beautiful Slavonia!
