Guy Van Huynegem Wins 1st Provincial Limoges (Flemish Brabant) Against 1,300 Old Birds

On Saturday, June 2, 2025, 71-year-old pigeon fancier Guy Van Huynegem from Brussegem made an impressive achievement by timing his pigeon first into the National Limoges race (Flemish Brabant), flying ahead of 1,300 old birds in the province of  Flemish-Brabant. This victory is the culmination of over 55 years of dedication to the sport and the outstanding pedigree of his winning hen.

Personal Background

Guy has been active in pigeon racing since childhood—more than 55 years ago. Until 2000, his lofts were located above his electronics shop, where, pressed for time (the shop was also open on Saturdays), he focused on sprint and short middle-distance races. In 2000, new pigeon lofts were built in Brussegem, allowing him to gradually shift his attention to longer middle-distance and one-day races. After turning over his business in 2015, he has dedicated himself fully to long middle-distance and one-day events.

The Winning Hen: BE 21-4050621 “Limogeke”

The victorious hen carries the ring number BE 21-4050621 and is affectionately known as “Limogeke.” She was bred by Marc De Cock from Temse. In 2021, Guy acquired about twenty youngsters from Marc, among which he found several exceptional performers:
Tulle National 6/4,993 (2022)
Tulle National Zone 3/2,033 (2024)
Limoges Provincial 6/970 (2023)
Aurillac National Zone 20/1,496 (2023)

Her full pedigree reveals outstanding bloodlines:
Father (BE 18-4238234 M, “234/18”), a direct son of “Rockefeller” (BE 17-4093430 M), who was 1st National Ace KBDB Allround in 2018, and grandson of “Super Ace Rockefeller” (BE 11-4118895 M)—full brother to “Super Ace.”

Mother (BE 18-4164156 V, “Miss Libourne”), winner of the Libourne club race, with multiple top positions in Bourges and Noyon.

Prior to this season, "Limogeke" had already competed on Vierzon (22/6,133 in 2024; 11/1,554 in 2023), Limoges Provincial 43/1,990 in 2023, and Toury (32/1,358 in 2024) prior to her signature victory. She is raced on traditional widowhood with a fixed mate, confirming her top-class abilities in challenging conditions.

Feeding and Breeding Method

Guy relies on high-quality feeds: his pigeons receive the Vandenabeele mix from Beyers as a staple. In the final two days before the race, they switch to an energy-rich mix with higher fat content. After returning from a tough flight, they are given a supplementary protein-rich feed to aid muscle recovery.

Breeding-wise, Guy maintains 15 pairs of breeders and 15 pairs for fostering eggs. He produces about 120 youngsters annually. Young birds are lightly raced in their first year—typically two to three Noyon races and one or two short middle-distance races—before strict selection. As yearlings, only birds with at least 10 prizes plus a standout performance are retained.

Outlook

Guy does not follow a fixed championship program. Instead, he evaluates each race’s progression, assesses the birds’ condition, and decides whether to enter a shorter or longer distance next time. With this hands-on approach and his carefully selected pigeons, he hopes to achieve many more top results. With “Limogeke” leading the way, he will continue to target the most prestigious one-day races, letting both condition and weather guide his decisions.

Maarten Herbots