What a fascinating weekend for marathon pigeon racing! Last weekend, the classic race from Bordeaux was on the program, and it immediately served as an interesting benchmark for the rest of the season. While many fanciers expected a grueling battle beforehand, the reality on the flight line turned out quite differently. It became a relatively easy race with a smooth and rapid course.
Yet Rex de Leeuw looks back on the result with a highly critical and ambitious eye. Although the prize percentage was absolutely decent and his proven crack birds immediately showed they are ready, the grandmaster from Made is not completely satisfied. The true absolute peak form is yet to come, and for Rex, the bar is simply always set at the very highest level. Things can and must be even better in the coming weeks.
The Flight Line from Bordeaux: A Smooth Course
Bordeaux 2026 will go down in the books as a race that went surprisingly smoothly. Released at 2:00 PM under a lightly clouded sky, the pigeons encountered a weak southwest wind and a temperature of 18 degrees Celsius at the start. The conditions along the flight line allowed the pigeons to develop great speeds, resulting in a smooth and fair race.
For Rex, this is the perfect baseline test. His nest system method, driven by total motivation and a tight structure, is designed to guide the birds toward an absolute peak later in the season. This first result is a nice boost, but his focus is already fully shifted to the upcoming races where the targets are locked in.
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The Results Under the Microscope: Solid, but Room for Improvement
Rex basketed a team of 6 marathon pigeons for this season opener. Looking at the hard numbers in the Zuid West region against 3,212 pigeons, we see a stable foundation:
108th in the Zuid West region: The absolute clock bird and also his first nominated on the list! With this, Rex showed that his top pigeon starts the season razor-sharp.
4 out of 6 in the prizes: A prize percentage of no less than 66 percent. A fine score, though Rex is always looking for absolute dominance.
The Series: The pigeons claimed the 108th, 480e, 550e, and 564th positions in the Zuid West region.
Brotherly Love at the Start
One of the most positive aspects of this Bordeaux edition is the fact that the proven pigeons immediately showed their class. The story behind the first and third pigeon clocked by Rex proves that the strain possesses an enormous amount of quality. These two powerhouses, the 3-2303944M (clocked at 07:35:33 AM over a distance of 855 kilometers with a speed of 1283 mpm) and the 3-2303912M, are actually full brothers! Both brothers had already flown early prizes as young birds and yearlings, and they are now showing right at the start of the new season that they have retained every bit of their quality.
The Character Hen Without a Tail
And what about the fourth pigeon on the sheets, the beautiful hen with ring number 3-2303996V? Her performance commands deep respect, as she had lost almost her entire tail upon arrival! Because of this, she had a lot of trouble trapping at the lofts in Made, losing precious minutes in the process. Despite this obstacle, this tough lady fought her way to the 564th place in the Zuid West region.
It is no surprise that this hen shows such character; last year she crowned herself 1st Ace Pigeon in the NIC on the afternoon releases. Furthermore, she is a direct daughter of the legendary Amazing Louise , the top hen that captured the 1st National Sector 1 Bordeaux against 10,638 pigeons back in 2020.
Looking Ahead
Even though the prize percentage is okay and the proven pigeons immediately handed over their calling cards, Rex de Leeuw remains the critical sportsman pur sang. A solid foundation has been laid, but in Made, no one is resting on their laurels. The system is simple but tight. Top nutrition from the Beyers range , medical guidance via specialists like Jan van Wanrooy and the De Weerd veterinary clinic, and daily training must lift the squad to an even higher level in the weeks to come.
Rex de Leeuw Pigeons have shown they are ready for action. The start is there, the proven cracks are awake, and now the gaze turns full of bravado toward the absolute classic marathon races of the season!
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
