When the man behind an ambitious international One Loft Race takes the time to personally express his appreciation, you listen. And when that message reveals a lifetime of devotion to racing pigeons, it deserves to be shared with the entire pigeon racing community.
Following recent Pigeon Boss coverage of Derby AS Croatia and its plans for 2027, I received a remarkable personal message from Petar Brlošić, the passionate man leading this Croatian racing organization.
His words were warm, sincere and deeply appreciated. But what struck me most was not the praise directed towards Pigeon Boss. It was the mentality behind his message. Here was a man who clearly believes that no matter how much you achieve, there is always another opportunity to become better.
That is the kind of attitude I love seeing in our sport.
A Pigeon Fancier Since the Age of Seven
Petar’s connection with pigeons did not begin when he established Derby AS Croatia. It started when he was just seven years old.
“I have had pigeons since I was seven years old. I love this sport, and pigeons are my life.”
Those words tell us something important about the man.
Anyone who has spent a lifetime around racing pigeons understands that genuine dedication cannot be measured simply by the number of trophies in a cabinet or the size of a prize fund.
It is measured by what happens on an ordinary morning when nobody is watching. The feeding, the observation, the cleaning, the training, the decisions and the constant responsibility for the pigeons in your care.
Petar explained that he approaches his pigeons with the same attention and dedication he gives himself. That personal philosophy forms the foundation of his ambitions for Derby AS Croatia.
And those ambitions are considerable.
Recognition From Thousands of Kilometres Away
In his message, Petar expressed genuine surprise that Pigeon Boss had managed to describe the character and working philosophy of Derby AS Croatia so accurately despite us never having met in person.
He appreciated that the recognition was based on observing what his organization does rather than on personal conversations or explanations from him.
For me, that is an especially meaningful compliment.
I believe that serious pigeon racing organizations reveal their character through their decisions, their communication, the way they care for their birds and their willingness to keep developing.
Derby AS Croatia has attracted my attention because of its racing program, transparent electronic timing, professional partnerships and the clear ambition to improve its operation.
The demanding 2026 season provided plenty of sporting evidence. The 550 kilometre Final produced an extraordinary finish, with the first three pigeons arriving within a single second. The subsequent Super Final over 631 kilometres added another serious challenge for the participating youngsters.
These are the kinds of performances that remind us why competitive pigeon racing can be so fascinating.
But strong results are only part of the story.
Behind every international One Loft Race stands an enormous amount of daily work. And the willingness of the people responsible to keep evaluating that work says a great deal about the organization’s future.
A Motto That Says Everything
Perhaps the most powerful part of Petar’s message was his explanation of the philosophy that drives the entire Derby AS Croatia team.
“We are not ‘just another Derby,’ and we are never satisfied.”
He went on to describe how he searches for improvements every single day, convinced that the organization can always take another step forward.
That mentality is perfectly captured in the motto that has become the identity of Derby AS Croatia:
ONLY GOOD IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
I like that attitude enormously.
Not because every ambition automatically becomes reality. Running a One Loft Race involves challenges that no organizer can completely control. Weather, pigeon health, orientation and the unpredictable nature of competitive racing will always demand respect.
What makes the difference is how an organization prepares, responds, learns and improves.
And the announced plans for 2027 show that Petar wants to turn his philosophy into practical action.
Additional aviary space, a new landing area, planned protective netting around the loft environment and expanded camera coverage are among the developments announced for the coming season.
The organization is also preparing adjustments to its management program and greater recognition for pigeons that perform consistently throughout the competition.
These are plans that deserve attention, and their implementation will give participants the opportunity to judge the progress for themselves.
Why This Matters for Our Sport
I strongly believe that people like Petar Brlošić have an important role to play in the future of international pigeon racing.
One Loft Racing offers something special. It connects breeders from different countries, gives talented youngsters an opportunity to compete under shared management and creates friendships that extend far beyond national borders.
For smaller fanciers in particular, it provides a sporting platform where the quality of their pigeons can speak for itself.
But for that system to flourish, participants need confidence in the people responsible for their birds.
They need organizers who take their responsibilities seriously, communicate openly and understand that caring for pigeons is not merely a business obligation.
It is a commitment to living athletes and to the people who bred them.
That is precisely why I appreciate Petar’s message. It reflects a personal conviction that goes much deeper than simply wanting to organize a successful event.
Petar, The Appreciation Goes Both Ways
Petar concluded his message by explaining that the recognition from Pigeon Boss would motivate the Derby AS Croatia team to work even harder and return stronger.
That is exactly the reaction I hoped my words would inspire.
Petar, thank you for taking the time to share such a personal and generous message. Your appreciation means a great deal.
But the real congratulations belong to you and your team for continuing to invest your energy, experience and passion into the development of Derby AS Croatia.
Keep setting ambitious goals. Keep improving the conditions for the pigeons. Keep listening to your participants. And above all, never lose the enthusiasm that brought you into this wonderful sport at the age of seven.
I look forward to watching how your ambitions translate into results during the 2027 season.
Derby AS Croatia is a Pigeon Boss VIP Partner, and I am proud to support its commitment to the future of pigeon racing.
Because when genuine passion meets the determination to keep improving, our entire sport stands to benefit.
ONLY GOOD IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
