Sometimes you come across fanciers who do not just practice the sport, but elevate it to a whole new level. People driven by tireless passion, a crystal-clear vision, and the courage to step outside the box.
Mat Janssen from Gennep is precisely that kind of phenomenon. While most fanciers focus solely on their own race sheets, Mat thinks bigger, sharper, and bolder. He is not just building his own success; he is laying the foundation for the long-distance dreams of others.
With over fifty years of experience under his belt, Mat has built a breeding colony under the banner of Flying Home Pigeons that is second to none. A story of craftsmanship, spartan selection, and the pure magic of pigeon racing.
After more than half a century at the absolute top, Mat decided to pivot. No more hassle with holding the clock himself every week, but focusing entirely on his greatest passion: breeding the ultimate marathon and One Loft Race (OLR) gladiators. Mat is no starry-eyed dreamer. He is a strategic builder. His mission is as clear as it is ambitious: your future winner should be born on his breeding loft in Gennep.
A Genetic Goldmine on the River Maas
Stepping into the breeding loft in Gennep means coming face-to-face with an unprecedented collection of top-tier genetics. Mat does not believe in “fancy names” on paper; he builds his strain like a national squad where only absolute quality earns a spot.
His breeding lofts house direct children and close relatives of legendary icons:
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PWA van der Meulen: Direct descendants of the famous Superkweker 823, Crack 61, and De Bergerac.
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Marathon & OLR Giants: Pure class from the lines of Milos, Red Rose, and Grace (Verweij-de Haan), complemented by the best of Piet de Vogel (such as Mister Gijs), Bert Saarloos, Robin Bakhuis, and Chris Debacker.
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Team de Hoogh: Modern powerhouses, including direct children of top breeder D’n Adwin and the lines of Golden Rico and Lotte.
Mat also brings pure facts and science into the sport. Every youngster leaving the loft comes with a DNA certificate and gender determination report. No guesswork or doubts, just one hundred percent certainty. That is how you build professionally for the future.
Hard Facts: The Heroes of Barcelona and Arona
That this breeding philosophy is no theoretical fairytale is proven by rock-solid results on the world’s most grueling races:
1. The Sensation at Derby Carmelo Yupi
On the punishing Barcelona race of Derby Carmelo Yupi (896 km), the Janssen pigeons demonstrated true spartan class. In a severe war of attrition where only a fraction of the fleet reached home on time, Team Flying Home made a massive statement:
11th and 12th National/International, arriving within twenty seconds of each other!
The 11th prize winner (NL25-1138487) is a direct son of a DNA-certified son of Mister Gijs (Piet de Vogel) x Barcelona Duivin, paired with top-tier bloodlines from Team de Hoogh.
In total, no fewer than 3 full brothers/sisters scored in the top 100 of this brutal classic. A golden breeding pair like no other!
2. Royalty on the One Loft Race Circuit
Gennep also shines brightly on the international OLR stage. Mat bred the world-famous Canela, who took 7th place in the grueling final of the Derby Arona Tenerife and was crowned 7th Ace Pigeon Grand Average. Canela’s nest brother also produced a 2nd prize winner in the 500 km final of Derby Carmelo Yupi for friend André van Boxtel.
Building the Future of Our Sport Together
What makes Mat Janssen truly special is his genuine goodwill and boundless enthusiasm for the sport. He measures his own success by the joy of others. That thrill when a fancier somewhere in the world clocks an early bird on Barcelona, Tarbes, or a major OLR final with a pigeon carrying Gennep blood—that is what it is all about for Mat.
Through his transparent approach, relentless selection, and uncompromising drive for quality, Mat gives the sport the positive boost it deserves. He proves that dreams only gain real power when backed by a well-thought-out plan.
Are you ready to give wings to your long-distance dreams? Keep a close eye on Mat Janssen and Flying Home Pigeons, because the best is clearly yet to come!
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
