Pierre Habert (Hollain, Belgium) Wins 1st Provincial Châteauroux Against 1,166 Yearlings and Records the Fastest Time of 2,217 Old Birds & Yearlings

On July 11th, 2026, a total of 14,101 pigeons (8,597 yearlings and 5,504 old birds) were released for the National Châteauroux race at 7:15 a.m. under extremely demanding conditions. With scorching temperatures and a north-easterly wind, the race turned into a true test of quality, where only the very best pigeons were able to make the top of the result sheet.

The pigeon "Maurice", a blue cock carrying ring number BE25-1090930, raced by Pierre Habert of Hollain, covered the 429.620 km to his loft at an average speed of 1,120.60 m/min. This outstanding performance earned him 1st Provincial Hainaut against 1,166 yearlings, while also making him the fastest pigeon of all 2,217 old birds and yearlings. On a national level, "Maurice" secured an impressive 15th National against 8,597 yearlings, an exceptional achievement in one of the toughest races of the season.

A Yearling with Exceptional Class

The Provincial Châteauroux winner is certainly no newcomer. As a youngster, "Maurice" already won five prizes in sprint racing. During his yearling season in 2026, he has already produced an outstanding series of performances:

• Tulle: 4th against 124 birds (local)
• Limoges: 5th against 170 birds (local)
• Tours: 5th against 195 birds (local)
• Bourges: 26th against 577 birds (local)
• Châteauroux: 1st against 199 birds (local), 1st against 1,166 birds (Provincial), 15th against 8,597 birds (National)

An impressive list of achievements for a yearling. His pedigree combines the renowned bloodlines of Marc De Cock on the sire's side and Gaby Vandenabeele on the dam's side.

Pierre Habert

Pierre Habert, aged 51, and his wife Laurence have lived in the village of Hollain, part of the municipality of Brunehaut in western Hainaut, close to the French border, since 2005.

They are the proud parents of two daughters who are still studying: Margaux (19), who is passionate about horse riding, and Coline (10), who enjoys breeding rabbits.

Pierre's passion for pigeons began at the age of nine when he found a stray pigeon that he named "Coco." The bird followed him everywhere, and from that moment his love for racing pigeons was born.

In 1989, Pierre obtained his first racing licence and entered the sport. During his early years he received valuable advice and encouragement from Ghislain Maton (Orcq) and Pierre Ghislain (Blandain), whose support helped him through the difficult beginnings.

One meeting in particular left a lasting impression. In 1991, Pierre met the legendary Belgian champion Maurice Casaert from Néchin. Casaert generously gifted him four pigeons free of charge. For Pierre, simply having the opportunity to talk with such a famous champion was a dream come true—one that still gives him goosebumps today.

An Ambassador for Belgian Pigeon Racing

Besides his excellent racing results, Pierre Habert has become a true ambassador for the Belgian pigeon sport.

As a primary school teacher at Saint-Charles School in Péruwelz, he approached the Royal Belgian Pigeon Federation (KBDB/RFCB) with the idea of promoting pigeon racing among young people.

In 2022, thanks to this initiative, the school received a six-metre educational pigeon loft, installed in the school garden. It allows Pierre to introduce children to pigeon racing while teaching them respect for animals and responsibility.

The educational loft is accessible to all pupils. Tasks such as cleaning the loft, feeding the pigeons, caring for them and exercising them are shared among the students. Some children even prefer looking after the forty pigeons during recess instead of playing in the school playground.

With Pierre's enthusiasm and dedication, there is little doubt that several of his pupils will eventually become pigeon fanciers themselves.

Bloodlines Behind the Colony

Pierre Habert's colony is built around pigeons originating from some of Belgium's finest lofts, including:

• Gino Clicque (Wevelgem)
• Gaby Vandenabeele (Dentergem)
• Freddy & Jacques Vandenheede (Zingem)
• Marc De Cock (Temse)
• Jos Thoné (As)
• Christian & Cyril Harchies (Warchin)
• Jelle Van Sterthem (Maarkedal)
• Willy Van Thillo (Beerse)
• Jos Vanbrabant-Dams (Heusden-Zolder)

Loft Composition, Racing System & Daily Management

Pierre Habert keeps 40 pairs of breeders. His racing team consists of 12 cocks (6 old birds and 6 yearlings) and 20 hens raced on widowhood, of which 12 are paired with the racing cocks.

All pigeons are paired on November 25th. The racers are allowed to rear two youngsters before being paired again for only a few days in March, after which they are separated once more. The first training sessions start at the beginning of April.

Each year Pierre retains 36 youngsters for his own racing team, while the remaining youngsters are sold to local fanciers. This season, for example, 40 youngsters will be raced by Geoffrey Houzé of Froidmont, while another group has moved to the educational loft at the school where Pierre teaches.

Feeding Programme

Pierre places his complete confidence in the feed mixtures and nutritional supplements produced by Columbi, the brand developed by his pigeon-fancier friend Frédéric Leclercq from Taintignies.

The racing cocks are fed together from a communal feeding trough but receive their drinking water individually. The hens are both fed and watered individually while remaining in their nest boxes.

Pierre strongly believes in individual watering because it significantly reduces the risk of transmitting parasites and infectious diseases from one pigeon to another.

Before basketing, both cocks and hens are allowed to see their partners for a few minutes, providing additional motivation for the upcoming race.

The youngsters are raced exclusively in sprint races and are competed on the natural system.

Recovery and Nutrition Throughout the Week

Immediately after returning from a race, the pigeons receive Columbi Recovery Long Distance Mix, combined with electrolytes in the drinking water to promote rapid recovery.

The following day they are fed Columbi Depurative Mix. During the rest of the week, increasing amounts of Columbi Sport Prestige are gradually mixed with the depurative blend as race day approaches.

On the day before basketing, the pigeons receive Columbi Top Multivitamins. On basketing day itself, they are fed 100% Columbi Sport Prestige and receive fresh, clean drinking water.

A tray containing Columbi Mix minerals is permanently available on the loft floor. In the days leading up to an important race—especially when high temperatures are forecast—Pierre also provides small seeds as an additional energy source.

Health Care

The pigeons are vaccinated only against Paramyxovirus.

Preventive treatment against Trichomoniasis is given twice each season:

• once before the breeding period;
• and once before the racing season begins.

Pierre does not work with a regular veterinarian. His philosophy is to race his pigeons as naturally as possible, using medication only when absolutely necessary.

The pigeons are offered a bath every week. Once a month, brewer's yeast mixed with garlic oil is added to the feed as a natural supplement.

Although Pierre tries to exercise his racing team once every day, his professional commitments as a schoolteacher sometimes make this impossible.

Goals and Ambitions

Pierre's favourite races are the National Middle Distance Classics, which he considers the perfect balance between sprint racing and long-distance competition.

His ambition is clear: to see his pigeons finish consistently among the Top 100 National in these prestigious races.

A Word of Thanks

Through this report, Pierre would like to express his sincere gratitude to all the volunteers working within the local pigeon clubs. Without their dedication, organised pigeon racing simply would not exist.

He would especially like to thank L'Essor Froidmont, under the leadership of its energetic chairman Geoffrey Houzé, whose tireless efforts and numerous initiatives help keep the sport alive and attractive.

Pierre also sends his warm regards to the successful partnership Desmons-Wibaut of Rumes.

Congratulations

The Herbots Team warmly congratulates Pierre Habert on this outstanding Provincial victory and remarkable National performance.

At the same time, we would like to thank him for being such an inspiring ambassador for Belgian pigeon racing. Through his educational work and his commitment to introducing young people to the sport, Pierre is helping to secure the future of pigeon racing while passing on values of respect, dedication and responsibility to the next generation.

Bernard Henry