Will & Falco Ebben Once Again Absolute Standouts in the AS Golden Race Final Greece

During the final of the prestigious AS Golden Race Final on May 15, Will & Falco Ebben once again proved their exceptional class with an impressive series of top rankings against 830 pigeons in a demanding final race of 480 kilometers: 5 - 9 - 19 - 21 - 27 - 39 - 59 - 67
A result that not only demonstrates depth, but above all confirms that the loft of Will & Falco Ebben has now firmly established itself among the absolute elite of this international competition. Placing eight pigeons within the first 67 positions against 830 pigeons in a tough international final is an achievement rarely seen.

“Mr Greece”

The final once again turned into a very difficult race. The winning pigeon finished no less than 44 minutes ahead of the number three pigeon. While the winner arrived at a speed of 1281 meters per minute, the pace from third place onwards dropped back to approximately 1146 mpm. It is precisely under these conditions that true long-distance qualities come to the surface. It strongly reminded many of the 2024 final, when the winning Ebben pigeon even arrived 28 minutes clear ahead of the international top competition. The results of Will & Falco Ebben in Greece are now becoming almost unbelievably consistent:

🔹 2021: 9th Final
🔹 2022: 21st Final
🔹 2023: 4th Final + 1st Semi-Final
🔹 2024: 1st Final + 1st Semi-Final
🔹 2025: 5th Final
🔹 2026: 5th Final

A remarkable detail: in 2021 they participated for the first time with only five pigeons. All five reached the final, including the pigeon that immediately won 9th prize. What at the time felt like a dream start now appears, in hindsight, to have been the beginning of an exceptional series. And perhaps even more beautiful: the pigeon from 2021 was later bought back and now turns out to be the mother of the pigeon that once again won 9th prize in this year’s final. A wonderful example of how performances in international one loft racing can directly translate into exceptional breeding value. After the sensational victory in 2024, the well-known Evert-Jan Eijerkamp jokingly even called Falco Ebben: “Mr Greece.”

Dominance in Tough Editions

That difficult races suit Will & Falco Ebben perfectly may have been demonstrated even more clearly in 2024. During the semi-final, raced at only 1207 meters per minute, the partnership managed to place no fewer than seven pigeons within the first twenty positions of the result list. A performance rarely, if ever, seen within the AS Golden Race. The absolute standout at the time was Spartacus, a grandson of foundation pigeon Linus. Spartacus not only won the semi-final, but later also claimed victory in the extremely demanding final. In doing so, he achieved an exceptional double victory at international level. Remarkably, it is precisely the difficult editions that seem to suit the Ebben bloodline best. When conditions become tough and recovery ability, character, and perseverance become decisive, the pigeons of Will & Falco Ebben consistently rise to the top once again.

OLR Performances Carry Extra Weight

It is precisely within one loft racing that such series are even more impressive. In one loft races, fanciers have no influence on loft location, care during the season, or daily preparation towards the races. All pigeons live under exactly the same conditions, meaning the quality of the pigeon and its genetic background come to the surface much more clearly. Building such a series over multiple years, in different demanding finals and semi-finals, is therefore perhaps even more difficult than in regular pigeon racing.

Odar Once Again Worth Gold

It is also remarkable that among the first five arriving Ebben pigeons, super breeder Odar appeared no fewer than three times. This proven line, originating from G. & S. Verkerk, continues to distinguish itself at the very highest level. The first arriving Ebben pigeon in this final is bred from Slavko, winner of the 1st Extra Final AviRings 600 km in 2023 at 1160 mpm, paired with Peke, winner of the 1st National Ruffec 760 km. A pairing in which proven international toughness, recovery ability, and character come together. Especially in races where the difference is made by mental and physical reserves, these bloodlines seem to rise above the rest time and again.

Deliberate Focus on Only Two OLRs
Remarkably, Will & Falco Ebben deliberately focus on only two international one loft races: the AviRings Summer Race and the AS Golden Race yearling race. With a relatively small loft, it is simply impossible to compete everywhere. That is precisely why the full focus is placed on quality, selection, and preparation towards the races that best suit the type of pigeon with which the partnership has been successful for many years.

International Confirmation
While many fanciers occasionally achieve a standout result in one loft racing, Will & Falco Ebben now demonstrate year after year that these performances are no coincidence. The combination of top rankings, consistent depth performances, and success in demanding finals makes it clear that this is a bloodline perfectly suited to the character of international OLR racing. With yet another outstanding top result, Will & Falco Ebben once again confirm their reputation as one of the most successful international participants in the AS Golden Race of recent years.

BE20-6130898 “Peke” 
(direct from Fernand Mariën and Koen Mariën) won, for Will & Falco Ebben, among others the 1st National Ruffec (760 km) against 9,998 pigeons and developed into an exceptional breeding hen. She is also the mother of the 5th Final AS Golden Race 2026.

NL23-9132019 “Slavko”
(a grandson of foundation pigeon “Linus”) won the 1st Extra Final AviRings (607 km) with a lead of 4.5 minutes and became the father of the 5th Final AS Golden Race 2026 prize winner.

NL23-9132033 “Spartacus”
(a grandson of foundation pigeon “Linus”) became an absolute dream come true for Will & Falco Ebben in the AS Golden Race. In 2024, he won both the semi-final and the final.