Christiaens – De Smedt (Pamel) dominates the extreme long distance in 2026 with 2 x 1st National Champion Extreme Long Distance KBDB
31 Aug 2026
The demanding long-distance races faced an extremely tough trajectory this season, all our races naturally due to the multiple heatwaves that both our country and France had to deal with. Consequently, races of 800 km and more became truly demanding challenges, sometimes accompanied by extra nights in the basket, meaning you really need pigeons in super condition capable of handling this weather. In the 2026 season, we absolutely must put one colony in the spotlight that no one could match. The colony of Dirk Christiaens and Kristel de Smedt from Pamel in Flemish Brabant was rock solid and ready for every race. If the pigeons never disappoint throughout an entire season, you automatically end up at the top of the rankings, but this surpasses all expectations. Anyone who becomes 1st National Champion twice, has five ace pigeons in the top ranks among the old birds and yearlings combined, and also has the best Barcelona flyer of three years in their loft can speak of supremacy at the highest level. Dirk himself always remains level-headed about this and always starts the season from scratch, but the drive and quality that have been selected for here over the past few years are naturally bearing fruit now.
What Dirk was perhaps even prouder of is the following. He entered 138 pigeons, of which 30 finished in the national top 100, and more than 53 pigeons flew national prizes within the top 10%. The foundations are there, and Dirk simply needs to build on his momentum, because the breeding loft can only be strengthened thanks to this super season.
We are therefore pleased to present the championships to you, along with a video of all the Ace Pigeons achieved this year. Hats off, I would say, and be sure to check out this top quality; this coming winter, we will once again auction off children from the best national Ace Pigeons online via www.herbots.be
Championships 2026
1 National Champion Extreme Long Distance Old Birds KBDB 2026
1 National Champion Extreme Long Distance Yearlings KBDB 2026
1 National Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2024-2026
1 National Master Barcelona 1+2 2026
2 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Old Birds KBDB 2026 with (Three Six 666/23)
2 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Old Birds ( 3 races ) with (Favoriet 335/24)
3 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Old Birds KBDB 2026 with (Lena 240/24)
4 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Yearlings KBDB 2026
5 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Yearlings KBDB 2026
6 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Old Birds KBDB 2026 with (Favoriet 335/24)
11 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Old Birds KBDB 2026 with (Narbonne Star 919/24)
20 National Ace Pigeon Extreme Long Distance Old Birds KBDB 2026 with (Narbonne Master 703/23)
Overview 2026
138 pigeons entered for the extreme long distance
85 prizes – 30 x National TOP 100 – 53 prizes in the top 10 national
Perpignan Nat 3,148 old birds : 5, 47, 78, 91, 117,… 16/23
Narbonne Nat 3,662 old birds : 41, 78,… 3/4
Narbonne Nat 4,223 yearlings : 24, 55, 60, 141, 260, 265, 270, 281, 324,… 11/17
Marseille Prov 208 old birds : 1,3,4,6,7,11,20,… 8/12
Marseille Nat 1.759 old birds : 4,9,19,37,38,52,136,… 8/12
Dax Nat (z) 973 old birds : 5,7,32,41,62,… 9/9
Dax Prov 266 old birds : 2,3,8,12,19,… 9/9
Barcelona Prov 823 old birds : 5,9,43,83,… 14/19
Barcelona Nat 5,945 old birds : 17,27,197,400,412,416,… 14/19
Agen Prov 448 old birds : 1,3,… 5/6
Agen Prov 753 yearlings : 3,9,13,14,28,61,68,…11/26
Agen Nat 4,283 old birds : 37,65,… 5/6
Agen Nat 5,526 yearlings : 15,49,71,75,172,381,424,512,… 11/26
Pau Provincial 267 old birds : 1,2,5,11,19,… 9/16
Pau Nat (z) 1,061 old birds : 1,2,9,19,40,86,89,91 8/16
Pau Nationaal 2,702 old birds : 7,10,37,76,128,249,… 8/16
Just a brief explanation from Dirk regarding his nest system:
The pigeons are always basketed after 10 to 12 days of brooding, even after they have returned from Pau, for example. The nest is broken up, and then they go back to the same position. Sometimes this doesn't work because they lay more slowly, but if the pigeons are in good condition, it comes pretty close.
Dirk's most important key to success is, in his opinion, training, training, and more training. The pigeons train here twice a day (all pigeons are taken off the nests) and they have to train. 1 hour and 15 minutes in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. Yes, even in 30°C, the pigeons trained at full throttle. On Friday and Saturday, there is an 80km training run on the agenda, and then they can go back into the basket on Monday evening. The old system of resting and letting them recover does not apply to Dirk; it is better to go out with the pack the next day, and a large group naturally flies more easily than a small group. In terms of nutrition, he did adjust the mixture this year; he never sticks to a fixed mix and is always looking for something extra to keep the tank full. This year, the pigeons received the Beyers Jellema mixtures. First, the regular mixture, which is always available in full troughs, and starting Wednesday evening, the pigeons get a separate small pot in the loft into which Jellema Power is added. From Thursday evening onwards, they also receive a portion of peanuts and as much Tovo as they want.
With so many nights in the basket, how do you keep the colony free of trichomoniasis?
I always put yellow drops in the drinking water in the middle of the week. Furthermore, the pigeons going into the basket get a trichomoniasis pill inserted at the time of basketing. So, the very moment I am about to catch them to basket, I push that pill down.
I always go for a check-up at Wim Boddaert's at the end of March, and there is always some trichomoniasis present during the winter period. But personally, I don't mind that; a pigeon has to overcome some challenges and must also be able to stay healthy. In mid-May, when I am racing the middle distance, I treat them for trichomoniasis and they also receive a week-long course of treatment for respiratory issues. After that, I do nothing more and do not take them for a check-up at the vet. I keep the pigeons flying; they eat well and have to do the rest.
National Ace pigeons 2026
BE 23-2064666 “Three Six” Red Hen
2 Nat Ace marathon old birds KBDB 2026
38 Nat Ace marathon old birds KBDB 2025
1 Prov Marseille 208p – 4 Nat 1.759p (2026)
2 Nat (z) Pau 1.061p - 2 Prov 267p – 10 Nat 2.702p (2026) after loftmate
2 Prov Pau 351p – 27 Nat 3.028p (2025)
55 Nat Marseille 2.239p
Father BE 13-2012600 Den 600
Super Breeder and father of 10 Nat Barcelona – 26 Nat Narbonne – 29 Nat Narbonne – 74 Nat Barcelona
Son of “NL 412/10” Son Bergerac C.A.J. Van den Boom x NL 085/11 Daughter Miss Gijsje Arjan Beens is the foundation hen of the loft
Mother BE 12-2197478 Silver Barcelona Hen
Won Silver Wing Bruges Barcelona Club 2016 with, among others, 4th National Barcelona
Daughter of “492/02” Sampras is granddaughter of Laureaat Gyselbrecht x “428/10” Blauwe Natural 100% Vanbruaene
BE 24-2032240 “Lena” Blue Hen
Breeder : Luc Wiels
3 Nat Ace marathon old birds KBDB 2026
1 Nat (z) Pau 1.061p - 1 Prov 267p – 7 Nat 2.702p (2026)
2 Prov Marseille 208p – 9 Nat 1.759p (2026)
Father BE 12-2197412 Son New Laureaat Luc Wiels
Son of “675/08” New Laureaat 1 Int.Nat Barcelona 2013 and 8 Nat Barcelona 2011 x “NL 664/03” Granddaughter Laureaat Gyselbrecht
Mother BE 19-3122840 Blue Noel Peiren
Daughter of “197/16” Son Magic Barcelona 1 Nat Barcelona 2015 x “310/16” Sister 1 Nat St.Vincent 2,953p
BE 24-2031335 “Favoriet” Cock
2 Nat Ace marathon old birds ( 3 races ) 2026
6 Nat Ace marathon old birds KBDB 2026
5 Nat (z) Dax 973p - 12 Nat Dax 2.315p
9 Nat (z) Pau 1.061p - 37 Nat Pau 2.702p
133 Nat Narbonne 5.553p
284 Nat Perpignan 2.980p
Father BE 22-2014325 Inbred Miss Gijsje
Son of “NL 300/11” Brother Olympic Miss Gijsje x foundation dam “NL 085/11” Daughter Miss Gijsje
Mother BE 19-2015650 Inbred Cancellara – Jan Pol
Daughter of “NL 755/10” Super breeder son Cancellara is father and grandfather of 17-20-30-30-38-42-43-48-48 National
x “NL 202/16” Ina is daughter Cancellara
BE 24-2112919 “Narbonne Star”
11 Nat Ace marathon old birds KBDB 2026
3 Prov Agen 448p – 65 Nat Agen 4.283p
4 Prov Narbonne 550p - 18 Nat Narbonne 3.734p 2025
41 Nat Narbonne 3.662p 2026
Father NL 21-1084699 Erik – Gebr. Bruggeman
Son of “NL 257/19” x “NL 221/19” Bonita herself won 97th Nat Barcelona
Mother BE 16-2007473 Barcelona Princes
Herself won 1st Int. Nat Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2019-2021 + 1st Nat Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2019-2021 + 2nd at Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2019-2020.
She won 10th Nat Barcelona 6,178p - 26th Nat Narbonne 3,506p – 73rd Nat Barcelona 7,301p – 183rd Nat Barcelona 6,913p
Daughter of “600/13” Super Breeder 600 see info above x “343/03” Granddaughter Bijou Gijselbrecht
BE 21-2013561 “Barcelona Master”
1st National Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2024-2026
3rd National Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2024-2025
5th Provincial Barcelona 782p (32nd National 6,310p) 2024
72nd National Barcelona 5,819p 2025
197th National Barcelona 5,945p 2026
Father BE 12-2162880 “Hendrik”
This topper was 2nd Nat. Ace Pigeon Barcelona '17-'18, 5th I.Nat Ace Pigeon Barcelona '17-'18.
He won 30 Nat Barcelona 7,874p – 43 Nat Barcelona 7,438p
Son of “255/10” Son Cancellara is a super breeder x “664/03” Granddaughter Laureate Barcelona Gyselbrecht
Mother NL 1213085/2011 Daughter Miss Gijsje - Arjan Beens
Super breeding hen
Mother of 20 Nat Pau , 36 Nat Marseille, 38 Nat Marseille, 45 Nat Marseille, 66 Nat Agen
Daughter of “NL 830/08” Mr.Beautiful Arjan Beens himself won 33 NU Brive + 89 NU St.Vincent x
“NL 874/08” Olympic Miss Gijsje Arjan Beens herself won 6 Nat Brive 18,246p – 7 Nat Montpellier 10,253p – 7 Nat Cahors 11,054p – 15 Nat Brive 12,332p
BE 23-2064703 “Narbonne Master I”
5 National Ace Pigeon Marathon Yearlings KBDB 2024
20 National Ace Pigeon Marathon old birds KBDB 2026
1 Prov Agen 448p – 37 Nat 4.283p
2 Nat Narbonne 5.553p – 3 Int.Nat 10.924p
106 Nat Agen 7.396p
Father BE 16-2007350 Brother New Laureaat – Luc Wiels
Brother of superstar “New Laureaat” 1 Int.Nat Barcelona
Son of “BE 03-639” Grandson Arthur Alex Rans x “BE 04-750” Laureaat Lady is granddaughter of “Laureaat Barcelona” Gyselbrecht
Mother BE 20-2117147 Daughter Ed – Stijn & Jeroen Rans
Daughter of “BE 10-709” Ed – De Clercq – Vervaeren is father of “Frans” 1 Nat Perpignan x “BE 16-119”
BE 25-2008562 “Blue Wonder”
4 Nat Ace Marathon yearlings KBDB 2026
7 Nat (z) Agen 2855p - 15 Nat 5.526p
60 Nat Narbonne 4.223p
Father BE 18-2156523 Son Hilaire
Son of “131/17” Hilaire won 6th Nat Narbonne 2018 and 52nd Nat Agen x “NL 827/15” Sister Sunny Boogaard – Van Buuren
Mother BE 21-2013626 600 Barcelona Princess (Inbred super breeder 600, father x daughter)
Is also mother of 5th National Dax in 2015½ sister of “Three Six” 10th Nat Pau 2,702p – 27th Nat Pau 3,028p – 55th Nat Marseille 2,239p
Daughter of “600/13” 600 is a super breeder and also father of 10th Nat Barcelona – 26th Nat Narbonne – 29th Nat Narbonne – 74th Nat Barcelona x “473/16” Barcelona Princess won 1st herself Int.Nat Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2019-2021 + 1 Nat Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2019-2021 + 2 at Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2019-2020.
BE 25-2008589 “Night Lighting Bol”
5 Nat Ace Marathon yearlings KBDB 2026
12 Nat (z) Narbonne 2.128p
75 Nat Agen 5.526p
Father BE 13-2012600 Den 600
Super breeder and father of 10 Nat Barcelona – 26 Nat Narbonne – 29 Nat Narbonne – 74 Nat Barcelona
also father of “Three Six” 2 Nat Ace Pigeon extreme long distance old birds KBDB 2026
Son of “NL 412/10” Son Bergerac C.A.J. Van den Boom x NL 085/11 Daughter Miss Gijsje Arjan Beens is the foundation hen of the loft
Mother BE 21-2013608 Daughter Hendrik
Daughter of “880/12” Hendrik 2 Nat Ace Pigeon Barcelona 2017-2018 with 30 and 43 Nat Barcelona x
640/17 Narba Jan Vanermen won 3 Nat Pau + 7 Nat Narbonne + 70 Nat St. Vincent
Dirk and Kristel, heartfelt congratulations on your amazing season from the entire HERBOTS TEAM.
Buelens Kim
