Xavier & Maxime Thoné (As) win 1st Provincial Narbonne.

Xavier and Maxime Thoné from As claimed 1st Provincial on the long-distance race from Narbonne against 433 yearlings in the Province of Limburg. Their hen BE-25-5028733 recorded the fastest time to secure the provincial victory.

At the Thoné lofts in As, Limburg, the focus has been firmly on the international long-distance races for several years. Together with Guy Baerts, they invested in pigeons from Hugo and Anita Batenburg-van de Merwe. The breeding birds are housed at Guy Baerts' loft, where he manages the entire breeding programme under the name International Loft Baerts–Thoné. Today, more than 50 direct Batenburg pigeons are housed in the breeding lofts. Most of them are children of (Inter)National winners such as New Laureaat, Kleine Jade, Jef, Special One, Loyd, Ad and Amalia.

The famous Little Joe bloodline also continues to play an important role in the colony.

The racing pigeons are competed from the Thoné lofts. Since this season they have been raced on the nest system, whereas in previous years they were raced on total widowhood.

The winner we are pleased to present was basketed while sitting on eggs.

Narbonne – 868 km

1st Provincial Narbonne against 433 yearlings with Narbonne First 23

36th National Narbonne against 4,223 pigeons

A total of 31 yearlings were entered.

Provincial result:
1, 6, 19, 23, 25... against 433 pigeons (15 prizes from 31 entries).

Pedigree of Narbonne First

Sire: Monty NL23-9300090 – Direct Hugo & Anita Batenburg-van de Merwe

Son of Loyd Laureaat

• 1st International Pau 2023 against 12,631 pigeons

Grandson of Number 8

• 1st International Barcelona 2023 against 16,561 pigeons

Dam: Barcelona Bens First BE21-6235927 – Direct Jan & Rik Hermans

Daughter of Barcelona Ben

• 1st International Barcelona 2021 against 16,485 pigeons