Jan & Tom Iwens shine with 2nd National Bourges III against 11,056 yearlings

In Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Jan & Tom Iwens delivered another brilliant performance this past weekend. On the national race from Bourges, they secured the 2nd national prize against no fewer than 11,056 yearlings. A remarkable result in itself, but not a solitary highlight: the tandem also excelled among the old birds with four national top 150 positions—19th, 21st, 74th, and 142nd against 8,132 old birds.

Their yearling with ring number 6011141-2024 took center stage with a 2nd national place. Yet the results among the old birds once again highlighted the depth and quality present in their loft. Here's a summary of the ring numbers and results:

6011141-2024: 2nd national yearlings

6105115-2023: 19th national old

6105081-2023: 21st national old

6105039-2023: 74th national old
 

6105114-2023: 142nd national old

6011198-2024: 171st national yearlings

Golden breeding pair

These top results are no coincidence. At the root of this success is a rock-solid breeding pair: "Jules" x "Perfect Lady". This pair is currently the jewel of their breeding loft. They are the grandparents of the 2nd national yearling, and the parents of the 21st and 74th national old birds. Birds of exceptional genetic value.

Consistent season

What makes the Bourges III performance even more impressive is the context of their entire 2025 season. From Noyon to Argenton, from Montargis to Orléans, Jan & Tom Iwens have consistently made their mark on every race and with both yearlings and old birds.

Season overview 2025
20/04, Noyon (195 km): 1,438 old birds: 12-13-14-17-18-28-33-50-67-68-92-106-146-160-208-232-270-320-417 (19/29)
20/04, Noyon: 834 yearlings: 8-9-11-12-18-27-34-35-50-63-108-125-198-238-239-241 (16/21)
27/04, Noyon: 1,506 old birds: 4-21-27-29-39-41-46-63-65-72-75-84-133-141-161-243-263-331-356-358-381-409-449 (23/29)
03/05, Melun (296 km): 520 old birds: 4-11-18-27-30-32-33-47-51-55-61-73-86-87-95-109-111-121-137-141-172 (21/29)
03/05, Melun: Union Antwerp (zone w): 2,172 old birds: 6-24-46-64-78-81-82-137-154-163-195-224-275-276-320-365-368-425-509-517-643 (21/29)
10/05, Melun: 583 old birds: 4-5-6-8-13-20-22-31-71-84-131-140-146-155-172 (15/27)
10/05, Melun: Union Antwerp: 4,766 old birds: 21-22-26-30-62-115-120-167-480-562-1,017-1,125-1,173-1,218-1,381 (15/27)
17/05, Montargis (368 km): 408 old birds: 1-5-7-10-33-39-60-75-87-136 (10/16)
17/05, Montargis: 251 yearlings: 1-5-7-24-41-52-83 (7/13)
17/05, Montargis: Union Antwerp (zone w): 1,864 old birds: 2-18-24-34-123-160-216-260-314-544-613 (11/16)
17/05, Vierzon (458 km): 2,488 old birds (prov.): 27-102-335 (3/5, 3 first nominated)
17/05, Vierzon: 2,175 yearlings (prov.): 13-87-328 (3/4)
17/05, Vierzon: 7,626 old birds (interprov.): 65-251-884 (3/5)
17/05, Vierzon: 4,728 yearlings (interprov.): 30-163-627 (3/4)
24/05, Toury (368 km): 190 old birds: 1-16-22-48-53-63 (6/10)
24/05, Bourges (490 km): 3,613 yearlings (zone): 86-204-327 (3/5, 3 first nominated)
31/05, Orléans (391 km): 315 old birds: 3-6-13-16-19-32-41-45-53-60-93 (11/19)
31/05, Orléans: 206 yearlings: 3-9-11-13-20-25-30-52-60 (9/14)
08/06, Argenton (538 km): 2,638 yearlings (zone): 243-259 (2/3)
08/06, Melun: 169 old birds: 1-2-3-14-19-22-24-29-31-39-41-46-53 (13/15)
08/06, Melun: 107 yearlings: 1-2-9-12-14-18-22-27 (8/10)
08/06, Melun: Union Antwerp (zone w): 673 old birds: 3-8-9-90-106-136-141-149-163-203-209-221 (12/15)
15/06, Noyon: 419 yearlings: 7-20-24-45-70-81-103 (7/13)
21/06, Melun: 120 old birds: 2-4-6-9-11-15-18-19-22-24-25-26-31-32-38 (15/20)
21/06, Melun: 704 old birds: 13-16-28-52-57-75-84-96-119-121-142-145-168-170-207 (15/20)
28/06, Vierzon: 48 old birds: 1-6-13 (3/3)
28/06, Melun: 218 old birds: 1-2-3-4-5-14-15-21-22-32-53 (11/14)
28/06, Melun: 138 yearlings: 1-2-3-12-13-21-36 (7/10)
28/06, Melun: 1,442 old birds: 11-25-26-27-38-111-127-196-198-247-378 (11/14)
28/06, Melun: Union Antwerp (zone w): 863 old birds: 5-17-18-19-27-69-75-107-109-138-202 (11/14)
05/07, Melun: 122 old birds: 3-11-17 (3/3)
05/07, Bourges: 51 old birds: 1-2-4-6 (4/6)
05/07, Bourges: 151 yearlings: 1-7-17-49 (4/8)
05/07, Bourges: Provincial: 1,077 old birds: 9-11-34-66 (4/6)
05/07, Bourges: Provincial: 1,890 yearlings: 1-72-186-453-512 (5/8)
05/07, Bourges: Zone: 1,457 old birds: 5-7-13-31 (4/6)
05/07, Bourges: Zone: 1,925 yearlings: 1-37-92-254-296 (5/8)
05/07, Bourges: National: 8,132 old birds: 19-21-74-142 (4/6)
05/07, Bourges: National: 11,056 yearlings: 2-171-413-1232-1439 (5/8)

Their results show tremendous depth: time after time they place multiple birds in the top, often with more than 70% prize ratio.

Conclusion

A national victory was almost in it for Jan & Tom Iwens, but this 2nd place is certainly also a bang for the buck. Together with the four top placings in the old birds ranking and the solid season's performance, it confirms one thing: in 2025, the Iwens tandem will be one of the lofts to keep an eye on.

Maarten Herbots