Christiaens – De Smedt (Pamel) shines again at Marseille with the same pigeons from Pau

The marathon races are tough enough as it is; the extra days and nights in the basket, combined with the very hot temperatures here and certainly in France, make it even more difficult. Therefore, hats off to the pigeons that deliver truly top performances in these races. A few weeks ago, we published an article about the loft of Dirk Christiaens and Kristel de Smedt. They won 1st and 2nd National (Z) Pau against 1,061 pigeons. Those same two hens had to enter Marseille again. What would the outcome be? That evening, only a few pigeons were home in our country, but afterwards, it was a celebration in Pamel, Brabant. The red hen “Three Six” turned the tables from Pau; she won first prize, and her loftmate won provincial silver. Nationally, they both fly in the top 10, just as they had done at Pau. Indeed, these are two formidable hens made of the right stuff. Below, we are pleased to introduce these top performers to you; take a look at the amazing results this colony is achieving again this year. Both hens are already set to finish very high in the national Long Distance Ace Pigeons after this season. The battle is still to be fought at Narbonne and Perpignan, and only then will we know the final result.

He also scored provincial silver and bronze on the grueling Dax, along with 9 prizes out of 9 old birds. Yes, the bar is set, but he is scoring high.

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

Top Results 2026

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.

First 2 arrivals Pau

BE 23-2064666 “Three Six” Red Hen
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 Blue Hen
Breeder : Luc Wiels

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

Congratulations to Dirk and Kristel on this fantastic victory from the entire HERBOTS TEAM.

Buelens Kim