Pollin Marc & Geert (Snellegem): The Final Auction How it all started with “De Vooruit”

West Flemish smallholder

On May 4, 1946, a year after the end of World War II, Marc was born. Marc, the son of a West Flemish smallholder, practically grew up in the pigeon loft. Even before he picked up a pen, he could hold a pigeon. The first years after the war were hard work for everyone to get things back on track. Especially for smaller farmers like his father Leon, it was a struggle to put food on the table every day. Hard times that shaped Marc into what he became. Hard times that Marc never forgot and that made him realize that you always have to stay grounded and enjoy everything life has to offer. As mentioned, his father Leon was a pigeon fancier, but according to Marc, not fanatical enough. Marc couldn't settle for just "winning a few prizes"; no, his ambitions in pigeon racing reached further. For his father, Leon, social contact (read: going to the pigeon club) was the most important aspect of pigeon racing; for Marc, it was the pigeons' performances.

It was 1965, somewhere in a dance hall near Snellegem, that Marc met his Diana. They clicked immediately, and three years later they married. To save money, they moved in with Marc's parents. When Diana asked a few years later if they were planning to move, Marc looked at his sweetheart and said, "We can't move, with all those pigeon lofts in the garden." Diana saw that it was a good move, and they never considered moving again.

Marc worked as a plasterer during the day and basketed pigeons in the pigeon club for years. A "go-getter," as they say. During this period, Marc learned a great deal. Sensing the condition of pigeons was especially important to him. Based on his gut feeling, he made a prediction, and when the results later proved his gut feeling was correct, Marc knew all he needed. The gut feeling he developed back then may well have been one of the most important pillars in remaining at the top of international pigeon racing for decades.

“De Vooruit” of the year 1977

Although the middle and extreme middle distance races gained importance in the late 1970s, most fanciers focused on the sprint races. One of the well-known sprint fanciers from the Snellegem region was Vondeling-Delaleeuw. Their pigeons were sold in a total auction, and Marc was quick to assess them. He set his sights on "De Vooruit," and despite Marc competing in the middle and extreme middle distance races, he didn't let this unique cock slip away. We couldn't determine how much Marc had paid, but Diana remembered vividly that it was the most expensive pigeon in the sale. "De Vooruit," his name suggests he had repeatedly destroyed the competition. A record of achievements was never found, but what Geert does know is that "De Vooruit" subsequently appeared in 90% of all pedigrees. His breeding value must have been immense. He passed on his top qualities not only in first and second place, but even in several generations. One of the last and perhaps best-known sons of "De Vooruit" is "Montauban I." "Montauban I" (B89-3382432) won, among other prizes:

5th National Montauban '92 against 5,335 p.
20th National Montauban '93 against 6,814 p.
27th National Montauban '91 against 6,721 p.
41st National Brive '93 against 23,510 p.
150th National Brive '94 against 23,475 p.

"Montauban I" was also put to breed and is responsible for the "Nai" and "As-Trix" dynasty, which we will discuss later in this report. 

“De Barcelona”  

As previously mentioned, the middle-distance and even long-distance races were becoming increasingly successful, and in that respect, Marc was "moving with the times." He was a pioneer, so to speak, and one of the first to achieve success in these races as well. It must have been in the mid-1980s that Marc fully embraced the long-distance races. His first top performer was, without a doubt, "De Barcelona" (B79-3305007). In many lofts, this pigeon would be called "James Bond," but that wasn't Marc's nature. His heart beat faster at the word "Barcelona" than at the name of some movie hero. "De Barcelona" had more than earned his name. Enjoy his Barcelona results:

19th against 8,647 p. (1985)
94th against 7,252 p. (1983)
178th against 8,351 p. (1982)
223rd against 7,066 p. (1984)
440th against 6,729 p. (1981)

That you are honored as "Primus Interpares" with such results will come as no surprise to anyone.

The 1 first international victory

Not just any Perpignan victory, no...in 1994, the name Marc Pollin topped the international results. This resulted in the international recognition of the Marc Pollin pigeons. "De Perpignan" (B89-3115187) caused an unprecedented revolution. A man with the necessary experience, as it was already his fifth Perpignan participation.
Perpignan 1990: 73rd National 3,306 p. – 144th International 10,444 p.
Perpignan 1991: 51st National 5,217 p. – 96th International 13,573 p.
Perpignan 1992: 37th National 6,013 p. – 90th International 17,335 p.
Perpignan 1993: 239th National 5,390 p. – 677th International 18,447 p.
Perpignan 1994: 1st National 4,572 p. – 1st International 14,383 p.

Despite numerous offers, "De Perpignan" remained in Snellegem where he was assigned a breeding box, and it wasn't long before the first top results of his offspring were noted.
To give you an example. A grandson of "De Perpignan" is the "Internationale As" (324-97). Among other prizes, "Internationale As" won:

7th National Pau 2,473 p. (12th International 7,867 p.)
23rd National Perpignan 6,278 p. (52nd International 18,426 p.)
63rd National Pau (189th International 8,263 p.)

And – perhaps even more importantly – he became the father of Olympiad pigeon "Mortifer." We'll return to the "Mortifer" chapter later in this article.

"Gerardje"

But besides Barcelona, ​​Marc also wanted to excel in all the long-distance and extreme long-distance races, so the foundation of "De Vooruit" needed to be strengthened. Results were analyzed, conclusions were drawn, and Marc, with a well-filled wallet, headed to Oudenaarde in East Flanders to visit the renowned Santens Brothers.

The purchase of the Santens pigeons proved a success, and cock "Gerardje" (B99-4116196) in particular left his mark on the development of the Pollin long-distance colony.

In a next report we will return to the successes from the 2000s onwards.

Stefan Mertens