Jan Grootoonk wins with ‘FLEUR’ 1st National Pau (Netherlands) against 3,281 pigeons

The national winner of Pau (international) 2025 in the ‘old birds’ category is Jan Grootoonk from Bant. His winning pigeon, NL22-8100806, arrived on Saturday at 10:52 CEST after a gruelling flight of 1,144.56 kilometres, with an average speed of 871.87 m/min. From now on, she will be known as ‘Fleur’.

The name was chosen with care: ‘Fleur’ is named after the daughter of Grootoonk's good friend Henderikus Ruiter and his partner Corina Prins. It is no coincidence that Fleur's father also comes from Henderikus' loft. This beautiful pale cock descends from two direct Koopman pigeons and is a product of line breeding on ‘Aristos’ and ‘Noël’, both top flyers and ace pigeons at C. & G. Koopman. ‘Aristos’ and “Noël” are in turn direct sons of the legendary ‘Red Bullens’.

Fleur's mother comes directly from Jelle Jellema and was bred from proven lines such as Romee, Julia, Kiara and the Bergerac cock.

Fleur has already demonstrated her class on previous occasions:

• In 2023, as a yearling, she won 26th NPO Cahors and 89th NPO Bergerac.

• In 2024, she was basketed once and finished 814th national Pau.

Now she has crowned her career with an absolute top performance: 1st National Pau 2025!

‘Fleur’ is a small but graceful hen, supple in the hand, with strikingly beautiful eyes. What Jan Grootoonk particularly appreciates about her is her long wing, which extends well beyond the tip of her tail. A characteristic that he himself values highly.

A beautiful pigeon with top pedigree and character: a worthy national winner!

Jan and Yoël, congratulations from the entire Herbots team!

Christophe Mathues