Two top transfers have just taken place in pigeon racing, with both Invictus, the best extreme long distance pigeon of Europe in 2015, and Hugo, the international winner of one of the hardest international classics of 2015, having been transferred from France to Belgium.
Sébastien Casaert, Michel Dubois holding Invictus, and Joost Desmeyter
Invictus, the best marathon pigeon of Europe in 2015
This is an outstanding racing bird. He is one of the, if not the best extreme long distance pigeon at international level. This top class racing bird takes the first place in the PIPA ranking for international races both with two and three prizes. This exceptional pigeon was raced from the lofts of Michel Dubois from Maisnil (Saint-Omer) in Northern France.
His remarkable results did not escape the notice of Sébastien Casaert and Joost De Smeyter. They are always on the outlook for pigeons of exceptional quality. Both these top fanciers were eager to get to know this super class pigeon, since there is always something to learn from this type of bird, in terms of plumage, muscles, wings, eyes, and other characteristics.
Their admiration for Invictus only grew when they saw him up close. This impressive racing bird would be a great addition to their super class collection. Sébastian and Joost placed a joint bid and a deal was made. Invictus moved to Belgium. This was a major investment in a super quality pigeon both for Casaert-Sénéchal and De Smeyter-Restiaen.
The transfer of Hugo, the international winner from St. Vincent
The international race from St. Vincent took place in sunny conditions. Perfect weather for a pigeon race, as some would say. There were hardly any clouds along the course, temperatures reached around 30°C, and the first pigeons reached a velocity of 1084 m/min. These are the conditions in which the true stars can stand out from the others. One of these stars was Hugo, a pigeon of Claude Ledoux from Enquin sur Baillons (FR), the best pigeon in the entire field. Sébastian Casaert was genuinely impressed with this achievement, and he was really interested in obtaining this international winner. He was eventually transferred to his breeding loft in Russeignies.
Sébastien Casaert and Joost De Smeyter have realised two top transfers in pigeon racing with the purchase of Invictus, the best extreme long distance pigeon of Europe 2015 and Hugo, winner of one of the greatest international classics of 2015.
Reinforcements are crucial even for national top lofts
Transfers are very important in any sport, and they often draw a lot of attention, especially when a famous athlete is involved. Think for instance of Kevin De Bruyne’s transfer to Manchester City, which has been extensively discusses in Belgian media. In every sport, the goal of a transfer is to strengthen your existing team.
Pigeon transfers are an important part of pigeon racing as well, and we see a number of remarkable transfers on a yearly basis. This usually involves national and international winners, exceptional ace pigeons and other remarkable breeding or racing pigeons; Hugo and Invictus are a great example: they are two outstanding racing birds that have been transferred to a loft in Russeignies and Melden.
We take a closer look at both these top transfers.
Invictus FR12-294562
Best European pigeon over all international races - 3 prizes Best European pigeon over all international races - 2 prizes 5th Internat Pau 9,052 p. ’15 (834 km, velocity of 933 m/min) 15th Internat. St-Vincent 10,737 p. ’15 (814 km, velocity of 1043 m/min) 21st Internat. Perpignan 15,954 p. ’15 (893 km, velocity of 1032 m/min)
Sire: Ignace FR09-116648
A stock breeder in the lofts of Michel Dubois. He originates from a single bloodline (father x daughter combination), namely that of Super Pigeon, a top class racer and winner of a 4th Nat. Dax. Ignace is in fact a direct son of Super Pigeon FR98-046324, which was in turn bred from extreme long distance pigeon Ardiles FR90-064672 x Nestsister Zoulou FR89-061124 (Zoulou won 5 prizes from Pau and 4 from Marseille) x Zezette FR05-295103 (dochter van Super Pigeon FR98-046324 x Daughter Zoulou FR98-728902). The dam of Ignace is Zezette FR05-295103, a daughter of Super Pigeon FR98-046324 x Daughter Zoulou FR98-728902.
Dam: La Jellema NL07-1187406
A direct 1st international Barcelona 2014, Jelle Jellema.
She is a daughter of Iceman NL04-1369232 (a son of Orion NL01-1110401 x Mirna NL01-1110452) x Daughter Saffier NL03-1708721 (bred from Kars NL02-2234861 x Saffier NL01-1110402). Both Orion (winner of a 6th Nat. Bergerac ’04 and 7th Nat. St.Vincent ’05) and Saffier (winner of 1st NPO Ruffec ’03 and 6th NPO Brive ’04) are direct youngsters of stock breeder Zwart Goud.
A crossing of two inbred pigeons has once again led to the creation of a new top class pigeon!
You can find his full pedigree here.
And what about Hugo? Some say that top class birds breed top class birds. Well, Hugo is an inbred pigeon to 1st European Ace Pigeon extreme long distance 2005 Royal Sylvestre, combined with the invaluable bloodline of Joost, winner of a 1st international Perpignan.
Hugo FR12-304018
1st Internat St-Vincent 10,737 p. ’15 4th Pontoise 106 p. ’13 9th Châteaudun (279 km) 2,226 p. ’15 10th Montoire (320 km) 138 p. ’15 48th Châteaudun (279 km) 2,295 p. ’14 257th Internat St-Vincent 11,388 p. ’14 284th St-Junien (525 km) 8,415 p. ’14
Sire: Marseille FR09-418797
Comes from a crossing of Jos Joosen x Royal Sylvestre. His sire is the FR07-545039 (Jos Joosen breed) x Daughter Royal Sylvestre FR07-571800. Royal Sylvestere was 1st European Ace Pigeon extreme long distance for Jack Gruson, having won a 4th Intnat. Dax 11,898 p. and 22nd Intnat. Pau 8,438 p.).
Dam: Granddaughter Royal Sylvestre FR08-212278
From Son Royal Sylvestre FR07-226989 x Granddaughter Joost FR04-583355 (from Son Joost BE03-4456339 x Daughter Perpignan King NL03-1536622). Joost won a 1st Intnat. Perpignan for Joost De Smeyter-Restiaen.
These two top transfers have enabled Sébastien Casaert and Joost De Smeyter to significantly increase the level of quality of their breed. These top quality pigeons will further strengthen their existing pigeon collection. They are always aiming to maintain their status as national top players.
