Top rankings and a golden line: Martin de Poorter continues to excel

Martin de Poorter, from Sluis in Zeeland, is a name that immediately rings a bell for many pigeon fanciers. In his early years, Martin was already a strong competitor in the sprint to extreme middle distance races in Zeeland, and not just any fancier. He raced at a high level and quickly became a fancier to watch. He is now among the absolute top in the Netherlands at international competitions, and has been for many years running.

The beginning of a passion

“How did I get into pigeon racing?” Martin says with a smile. “As a child, I had fantails. A few of my uncles also had racing pigeons. One day, a Belgian swooper wandered into my fancy pigeons. That one pigeon made me switch to racing pigeons, helped by a few young pigeons from my uncles. That's how it all started, in the early 1990s.” In 2003, Martin moved and decided to seriously invest in a strong loft. The results were immediate: strong NPO rankings and championships were quickly achieved in the sprint and middle-distance races.

Breakthrough in the marathon

2012 was a turning point. Martin cautiously decided to enter his first ZLU competition and immediately won 1st National St. Vincent. A dream start that left him wanting more. From that moment on, he raced sprint, middle-distance, and long-distance races, as well as international races, from April to September. From 2013 onwards, his focus shifted entirely to international races, a focus that has remained unchanged to this day.

Building a strong line

The foundation of his colony was laid with pigeons from Piet Blancke from Tielt. Two pigeons proved to be immediate successes: "Rainman," winner of the National St. Vincent ZLU, and "New Rainman," who won a 1st NPO Bergerac and a 9th National Agen ZLU. These two pigeons would prove invaluable not only in racing, but also in breeding. Later, top pigeons were added from, among others, AP Overwater, Jelle Jellema, Frans Bungeneers, Sjaak van de Velde & Sons, Gerard van Tuyl, and the Van Houten family. With fellow fanciers AP Overwater and Piet de Vogel, they also purchased "Levi," an absolute crack who won the National St. Vincent. These three top pigeons, Rainman, New Rainman, and Levi, form the loft's core today. Martin purchases one or two proven pigeons every year, preferably top-tier racing or breeding pigeons. For example, he acquired the sire of the 1st National Narbonne and the sire of the 1st National Montélimar. His most recent acquisition: "Zeus," purchased at a Jelle Jellema auction. And most long-distance fanciers know that "Zeus" has unparalleled breeding credentials. I searched for some outstanding descendants of "Zeus." What do you think of: "Zeus" NL 13-1755808 won the 18th National Barcelona, ​​but also sired the breeding wonder "Eline" of Carlo Gyselbrecht. This breeding phenomenon also sired:

• 4th Nat. Barcelona '22
• 5th Nat. St. Vincent '22
• 26th Nat. Barcelona 22
• 29th Nat. Perpignan 23
• 36th Nat. Narbonne 20
• 40th Nat. Perpignan 22
• 68th Nat. Barcelona 21

But "Zeus" also sired the dam of "Anouk" of Herman Hendrix & Son from Broekhuizenvorst. "Anouk" won 13th National Agen against 10,527 pigeons in 2019, and in 2020 she won 15th National Barcelona against 4,477 pigeons and 21st International against 14,586 pigeons. So I think: a purchase for the future of our host and his "Zeus."

Collaboration and reinforcement

"I've always had the urge to acquire the best," says Martin. "In the early years, I made targeted purchases. Lately, I've also been collaborating a lot with strong lofts. For example, I exchange youngsters or breed with the Van Houten family, Frans Bungeneers, Leon Roks, AP Overwater, and Richard Kuijer, among others. Some of these youngsters stay here, while others are tested with fellow fanciers. This is how strong bloodlines are created." Impressive palmares

• 1st NPO Argenton 3,467 p.
• 1st NPO Beckingen 4,852 p.
• 1st NPO Mantes-la-Jolie 8049p.
• 2nd NPO Gien 4349p.
• 2nd NPO Orléans 6036p.
• 2nd NPO La Souterraine 3388p.
• 3rd NPO La Souterraine 3388p.
• 4th NPO La Ferte Jouarre 13461p.
• 5th NPO Orléans 3354p.
• 7th NPO Mantes-la-Jolie 4555p.
• 8th NPO Phitiviers 8461d.
• 10th NPO Châteauroux 4386p.
• 10th NPO La Souterraine 4033p.

national top rankings marathon

• 1st Nat. St. Vincent ZLU 3161d.
• 1st NPO Bergerac 2343p.
• 3rd Nat. Tarbes ZLU 2308d.
• 5th Nat. Barcelona ZLU 5325d.
• 5th Nat Agen ZLU 6211d.
• 6th Nat. Narbonne ZLU 3829d.
• 6th Nat. Perpignan ZLU 4363d.
• 8th Nat. Bordeaux ZLU 4447d.
• 9th Nat. Agen ZLU 4464d.
• 9th Nat. Dax NPO 2230d.
• 10th Nat. Agen ZLU 6019d.
• 10th Nat. Pau ZLU 4255d.

Some results (only prizes 1:10 or better are listed)

2025

• Barcelona NPO 4,515 p. – Nationals 23, 381, etc.

                                                                   1st Prov.

• Dax NPO 2,230 p. – Nationals 9, 35, 170, 209, 210, etc.

                                                       2nd and 7th Prov.

• Narbonne NPO 4,020 p. – Nationals 72, etc.

                                                                    6th Prov.

2024

• Agen ZLU JL 5,553 p. — Nat. 24, 25, 66, 77, 80, 341, 506, 542 etc.
• Barcelona ZLU 5,325 p. — Nat. 5, 231 etc.
• Narbonne ZLU 4,672 p. — Nat. 39, 50, 65 etc.
• Perpignan ZLU 4,360 p. — Nat. 6, 232, 273 etc.

2023

• Barcelona ZLU 4,820 p. — Nat. 16, 266, 359 etc.
• St-Vincent ZLU 2,522 p. — Nat. 41, 108, 217, 294, 313 etc.
• Narbonne ZLU 5,837 p. — Nat. 43, 61, 108, 307 etc.

2022

• Tarbes ZLU 2,308 p. — Nat. 3, 26, 166, 168 etc.
• Agen ZLU 6,019 p. — Nat. 10, 365, 469 etc.
• Agen ZLU JL 6,174 p. — Nat. 38, 97, 123, 175, 196, 225, 228, 406, 430, 501, 514, 592 etc.
• Perpignan ZLU 3,805 p. — Nat. 73, 116, 135, 194, etc.
• Bordeaux ZLU 4,891 p. — Nat. 97, etc.
• Barcelona ZLU 4,842 p. — Nat. 178, 198, 333, 443, etc.

Care

During the season, mornings run strictly according to schedule, mainly due to work commitments. Evenings are usually quite punctual as well, although training can sometimes vary by half an hour to an hour, depending on the timing and the weather conditions at the time. The lofts are cleaned daily: both the old racing pigeons and the young pigeons. The breeding lofts are also cleaned several times a week. During the winter period, cleaning is minimal. The racing pigeons stay in the aviaries day and night from the end of September to the beginning of April. During this period, providing them with food, water, and a weekly bath is sufficient.

Feed

For several years now, the feed has been supplied by Vanrobaeys. During short flights, the pigeons are fed Pro Revolution, and once they're on the nest, they're generously fed Marathon Pro Revolution. After basketing, they receive feed in pots until release: for the older pigeons, this consists of 100% Marathon Pro Revolution, while the youngsters receive a mixture of 50% racing feed and 50% Marathon Pro Revolution. In addition, grit, minerals, and treat seeds are provided daily in the loft. The homecoming water is enriched with electrolytes and amino acids. Furthermore, the purest possible drinking water is always available. The pigeons don't get anything mixed with their feed; this comes at the expense of their food, which is just as important for the marathon races.

Racing System

We race from the nest here. I usually try to basket the pigeons when they have youngsters or are sitting on eggs of about ten days old. Although, to be honest, I don't think this is a decisive factor. I've also had early pigeons at less than ideal locations. Ultimately, it all comes down to the quality of the pigeon, its health, its form on the day, and its suitability for the distance. Every year, I start with around 50 to 60 pairs of old pigeons. The old pigeons are paired here between early and mid-April. They breed once, after which they are separated until the first pairing for their first major race. I pair a team weekly. From that second pairing, the pairs stay together until the end of April of the following year. In fact, they are only separated for a few weeks each year. Moreover, from late September until the first pairing in April, they stay in the aviaries day and night. This saves a lot of work and is good for both their immune system and their respiratory system. Neither the young nor the old pigeons are trained here beforehand, but are immediately transported by truck. Only towards the end of the season, towards Perpignan, do I sometimes drive myself again. So, in principle, the pigeons are hardly, if at all, driven.

Luckily, I get some help: my father occasionally comes by on Fridays to help with the cleaning. Sometimes he also takes on other chores. I handle the daily care and training entirely myself. Since this year, someone from the neighborhood has been helping with the major cleaning a few times a year. It's a wonderful collaboration, and I'm very grateful for it. This help is essential for me. Due to physical limitations, I have to plan carefully and manage my time efficiently. Nevertheless, I always try to get my pigeons in top condition at the start and participate fully in the races.

Especially for the Barcelona auction, Martin has selected two top pigeons: a promising son of “Zeus” and a promising son of “Mr Thin”.

Martin, congratulations on these fantastic results from the entire Herbots team!

Christophe Mathues