Herbots | Pau: Old Pigeons

It was wonderful to see how an entire group of people radiated happiness and how strong the sense of goodwill toward one another was. It was on a Sunday morning when we visited the home of Kati and David Lippens in Izegem to photograph and film them, but above all, their Mister Pau. Both literally and figuratively, the dust had already settled, and the first emotions had already faded by the time we arrived. However, the pride and gratitude were no less present. The last traces of dust were then washed away with a delicious glass of champagne.

Back in Time

Kati and David are the children of Noël Lippens and his wife Rita. The family runs its own transport company, specializing in refrigerated transport for industries throughout the greater West Flanders region. Father Noël and his wife built this company from the ground up, and their children Kati and David have been successfully continuing it for quite some time. Noël was not only a driven business leader; he was also a gifted pigeon fancier who established a reputation with the Lippens strain that still resonates strongly in both national and international pigeon racing. Lippens pigeons were renowned for winning under true pigeon-racing conditions on the toughest races. In addition, they proved to be exceptional breeders whose influence can still be seen in many lofts today. Pigeons such as Vital, Cancellare, Gorki, Den As, and others are names that still echo because of their performances and breeding qualities. Noël and his wife later moved to Aarsele-Tielt, while Kati and David continued the business. We can also link Noël’s pigeons to other top lofts such as those of Gaby Vandenabeele, Eric Vermander, Frederick Everaert, Antoine Van Landuyt, and several others. These fanciers contributed to each other’s success and benefited from one another’s pigeons through exchanges, joint breeding projects, and direct competition. It was therefore a pleasure to see Gaby Vandenabeele, Eric Vermander and his wife, father Noël, and mother Rita joining in a toast to this magnificent international victory from Pau.

They Picked Up the Thread Again

What was not written in the stars was that Kati and David would resume pigeon racing after Noël had stopped. It came as something of a surprise, but apparently there was still a form of “pigeon-racing virus” in their blood that led to a restart. Do not underestimate their approach. The lofts, where everything had already proven its worth, were still present on the parental property. Some pigeons of the old strain could still be found, both had their work at home running the transport company, and they decided to tackle everything together. And with success! The victory from Pau is not their first major achievement. Several top pigeons have already emerged again in Izegem, and numerous top results have been achieved. But this feat, accomplished by a strongly built dark chequer cock of medium size, with soft plumage, two powerful wings, and an intelligent head, surpasses everything.

Pau, What a Race!

In the 2026 season, the preparatory races, unlike last year, went remarkably well. There were no truly bad races and no disaster races, allowing the pigeons destined for the marathon races to enjoy a good preparation period. At the Lippens loft, this preparation also proceeded smoothly and normally. The opening race of the marathon season is traditionally Pau, and six very solid pigeons were entered. However, the heat dome of recent weeks caused some concern as to whether this race would unfold normally. The outlook for the organizers was far from easy. A Friday release carried the risk of thunderstorms in the evening, while a Saturday release would have meant sending the pigeons into an oven. It was a difficult decision. The pigeons were released on Friday morning at 8:45 a.m., with an easterly wind at the start that later shifted to a more southwesterly direction. It was touch and go whether any pigeons would reach Belgium on the same day. The first arrivals in northern France showed that it was possible, but then the weather gods unleashed their fury over Flanders and Belgium. Thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain, and even severe storms in some places followed, until BE23-3007315 crossed the timing board in Izegem at 8:36 p.m. Heavy rain had fallen shortly beforehand, and a slight clearing had become visible. He literally dove through the opening and, with a velocity of 1,251.74 meters per minute, covered the 890-kilometer distance from Pau to Izegem in magnificent fashion, securing an international victory. A few more pigeons were clocked in Belgium, most of them along the West Flanders flight line. There was still some nervous waiting until the next day because, with a southerly wind in the final stage, the Netherlands would also enter the competition.

Before the season, Mister Pau raised a youngster and is raced on the traditional widowhood system, with the nest bowl serving as motivation at basketing. As a young pigeon, he had already shown his desire to race by winning 224th National Châteauroux against 13,852 pigeons. Later in his career, he added 344th National Brive (3,489 pigeons), 193rd National La Souterraine, and last year 182nd National Narbonne (4,021 pigeons). It became clear that long and demanding races truly suited him, with an international victory as the ultimate reward. On his father's side, his origin can be described as the old Lippens strain, while on his mother's side he descends from a hen of Peter Baert bred from a top performer on Cahors. More than enough class to achieve success.

The care and management are fairly traditional.

The cocks train freely once a day and are gradually moved from lighter to heavier feeding using the Versele-Laga range. Medically, medication is avoided as much as possible, and veterinary checks are conducted more as a preventive measure than as a curative one. It was wonderful to see so much pigeon-racing history united in joy through this victory, and especially to see father Noël, as they say in West Flemish, “as proud as can be,” beaming with happiness amid it all.

It shows how pigeon racing can still be a truly emotional and meaningful experience.

Heartfelt congratulations on this beautiful victory from the entire Herbots team!

Geert Dhaenens