Roger Vereecke - a True Legend in Our Time Deerlijk Loft Closely Linked to 3 X 1st Belgian National Wins in 2011

Roger Vereecke - a true legend in our time

Deerlijk loft closely linked to 3 x 1st Belgian National wins in 2011

by John David

It was written in 1970 that “Jerome Vereecke and son Roger are the owners of the most outstanding colony of breeding pigeons in Belgium. Their pigeons had won 1st prizes in both National and International long distance races and many fanciers owe their success to the Vereecke strain. The late Tony Oats wrote in 1996 that he was pleased to say that what was written in 1970 is as true in 1996 as it was then. Well I can confirm that this success story has continued for Roger Vereecke into 2011 as no fewer than 3 x 1st Belgian Nationals from Tarbes(Agen), Pau and Saullac are linked back directly to Deerlijk.

This photo was taken on the very first visit to Roger Vereecke by late Tony Oats on 23rd September 1979. Left to right Clifford Jackson, Late Tony Oats, Roger Vereecke, Guy Barrett OBE & late Harry Newton.

I was due to visit Roger Vereecke in early January of this year when I was given the worrying news that Roger had been admitted to hospital with a serious intestinal problem. This was indeed a matter of great concern for his family because Roger was ninety years of age and this operation would prove difficult for even a much younger person, but Roger was adamant that the operation must go ahead. He underwent surgery for four hours and although successful Roger was unable to eat afterwards for 21 days, during which time he was in intensive care. Although allowed home in early February, it was going to be a slow and gradual recovery process since as we all know, at Roger’s age the body takes much longer to heal than for a younger person. Walking was extremely difficult at first and Roger wrote to me in March to say that although he was gaining much of his strength he was still unable to walk to the loft and only had one hour of help each day to exercise his pigeons. However hope springs eternal and Roger knew that for him to continue in the sport it was imperative for him to be back in his loft ASAP. Certainly Roger’s love of the sport spurred him on with increasing grit and determination until eventually by May Roger succeeded in his quest and was once again back in his loft. This allowed him only very limited time to prepare a few old birds for racing in 2011. However Roger is not only a realist but also a perfectionist who had been at the top of the tree in the pigeon sport for almost a fifty year span. He knew quite well that one swallow does not make a summer and the four months lost during his illness had put his colony four months behind schedule and prevented him acquiring the ultimate racing condition to gain top national honours in today’s red hot competition in Belgium. In addition because of his hospital confinement no early young birds were bred but Roger’s closest friend and confident Georges-Henry Bodson of Momalle came to his aide and reared thirty young birds for Roger. Georges-Henry has done exceptionally well this year in National and International races mainly from Rogers own family direct from the many gold nuggets he had acquired direct from Roger over a period of many years. In June one of Roger’s yearling team won 86th National Libourne (8,269 birds) but these were sent mainly for future experience rather than expectations of actually winning the National. So Roger decided that despite his ninety years he would hold back and only lightly race many of his potential champions for next years races. However nothing could have prepared Roger for his fantastic breeding success at National level in 2011 for others in Belgium.

Leon Henry (and son Alain) of Nandrin has been a friend of Roger Vereecke since 1986. Stop Press: It has just been announced that the 1st and 3rd Belgian Ace pigeon 2011 Long & Very Long distance (Pipa Championship for two performances by a single pigeon) was won by Leon Henry with a coefficient of 0.23 and 0.27 respectively.

Leon Henry of Nandrin near Liege was 1st Belgian National from Soullac in competition against 5,659 birds on 25th July 2011. The National winner only 2 years old also won 17th National Cahors (8,105 birds) on 18th June 2011. The breeding of this super blue cock that has been subject to very large cash offers from around the world contains Roger Verecke bloodlines of at least 75%. The 3rd Ace Pigeon won 4th Nat Cahors and 12th Nat Souillac and was again of Vereecke lines 75%.

In 1992 Roger Veeecke had on load from his great friend the late Joseph Vandenbroucke the famous pigeon “Didi” which was one of the best long distance pigeons of Belgium at that time and was the 1st Ace pigeon long distance of Belgium KBDB.

On loan to Roger Vereecke for 1 year.  G/Sire of 1st Pau 2009 for Roger Vereecke. Le Medaille D`OR won 1st International Perpignan for Leon Henry

One of the hens paired to “Didi” was a daughter of Roger’s “Petrus” which was one of Roger’s best racers. In 1989 “Petrus” was 8th National Pau and 13th International Pau. “Petrus” also won 41 other top prizes at National and International level. Petrus is the brother of the famous breeder of Chris Hebberecht “Zwarte Vereecke”.

Fanciers will be aware that Chris Hebberecht of Evergem was possibly the best long distance loft in Belgium in 2010 winning 1st, 3rd and 6th National Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB. What fanciers may not be aware of is that Roger Vereecke gave a pigeon to a charity sale in Belgium and the purchasers of this bird were the late (Oktaaf) and Chris Hebberecht of Evergem. This dark chequer named “Zwarte Vereecke” as stated above has proved himself to be one of the greatest ever breeders in Belgium and is the base pigeon of the colony for Chris Hebberecht and is father and G/father of Witpen, Dax, Panache, Baron, Pandoer, Bandiet, Witterug, Balestra, Bonten, Aldo, Lobke, Raket, Bjorn (fantastic breeder), Kastar, Adjudant, Tipsey, Teddy, Pinocchio, President and Asterisk. More recently Pancho winner of 2nd National Ace Pigeon Long distance KBDB (quoted by Chris Hebberecht to be possibly the best ever racer in his loft) and “Champion” was also 2nd National Ace pigeon KBDB. Incidentally Bjorn is quoted as the current base breeder in the Hebberecht lofts) and remember Pancho is a G/son of Bjorn and Bjorn is a G/Son of Zwarte Vereecke. Plus many other champions too numerous to mention.

One of the world’s Greatest Breeders for loft of Chris Hebberecht (Gifted to Charity by Roger Vereecke)

It is quite astonishing how the influence of “Zwarte Vereecke” bred by Roger Vereecke  plays such a major part in the pedigree of the 1st Belgium Pau National( 11th International 8,601 birds) winner 2011 to the loft of Peter Symaeys of Bruges. It is clear that this champion is through Chris Hebberecht inbred to Zwarte Vereecke on all sides of the pedigree. “Champion” is on both sides of the pedigree and Pancho on the Sire side was paired to a G/daughter of Zwarte Vereecke. Again Bjorn is on both sides of the pedigree of the dam.  

Remy Vantorre winner of 1st Tarbes 4,877 birds 2nd International 10,675 birds 2011

Another prominent National winner in Belgium in 2011 was the Tarbes (Agen) winner to the loft of Remy Vantorre of Virelles who was 1st National (4,877) birds and 2nd International (10,675 birds) after losing 3 minutes trapping. The Sire is a son of BE94-3355551 direct Roger Vereecke a niece of his Petrus. The dam of the National winner is also a g/dtr of the sister to legendary Kleine Didi from Etienne Devos.

The next picture features the famous “Kleine Barcelona” of Roger Vereecke quoted as the best pigeon in Europe from Barcelona over the period 1996 to 1998 winning a staggering amount of money and is a prolific breeder of winners through his children and G/children.

Roger Vereecke with Etienne Devos & Late Joseph Van den Broucke

The late Joseph Van den Broucke donated two pigeons to a charity auction sale and it was Etienne Devos who purchased them both, these were a cock and a hen. The cock named “Young Didi” was bred from a daughter of the world famous Didi (see above). The hen named “Young Pip” was a daughter of “De Zieken”. These two pigeons when paired together produced some class pigeons but one in particular “Kleine Didi” became a world champion long distance champion. He won top National and International prizes over a three year period. He truly excelled in 1997 winning 47th Brive National (20,611 birds), 55th Pau National(2084 birds), 147th Pau International 6,689 birds, 1st Dax National 3276 birds, 11th Dax International 7,194 birds, 2nd Perpignan National 4,694 birds, 3rd Perpignan International 12,595 birds. Without doubt one of the greatest performances of all times in long distance races!!

The “Zieken” of Roger Vereecke was bred from “De Zieken” of Joseph Van den Broucke when paired to a daughter of Roger Vereecke`s Petrus winner of 13th International Pau. The “Zieken” is a half-brother to the mother of “Kleine Didi”. So fanciers look closely at the breeding of the Tarbes(Agen) Belgium National winner 2011 for Remy Vantorre and you will see the breeding link to Roger Vereecke on both sides of the pedigree.

When a fancier has champion pigeons and has good, trusted friends, who have champion pigeons, and they are prepared to breed and exchange birds together this is the way that they develop their strains. This is clearly the way forward as they are introducing the genes of tested champion pigeons that have won top National and International prizes over periods of several years as is the case with the Vereecke strain.

So you can see the Vereecke loft is still going through a golden period with the remarkable long distance strain that was founded in the 1960`s with the purchase of the four world-famous 1st National winners, “Figaro”, “De 90”, “De Izeren” and the “Roste Tanghe”. These four National winners were then blended with the best hens from their very successful middle distance family. At a later date an additional 1st National winner was purchased, this pigeon was given the name “Felix” after its original owner Felix Smits for whom it won 1st National Tulle in 1978. The main role that Felix was to play in the development of the Vereecke strain was being the father of two outstanding pigeons “Young Felix” and “Para”. He was paired to a first class hen, a mealy that was a direct descendent of “Roste Tanghe” from whom she had inherited her colouring. She also contained the proven winning genes of the “90” and “The Izeren”. The combination of these bloodlines played a vital part in the development of the Vereecke long distance strain, making it the only strain of pigeons in the world to have three generations of 1st National winners : - Father “Felix” , 1st National Tulle 1978, son “Young Felix”, 1st National Pau 1985, and G/son, “Kleine Felix”, 1st National Tulle 1990. 

Another outstanding pigeon that was given away in the early days to Andre & Patrick Desmet of Semmerzake by Roger Vereecke was from the bloodlines of “90” and “Roste.

The “Crack” quoted as one in “Five Million” for breeding and racing for the loft of Andre & Patrick Desmet and bred by Roger Vereecke.

Tanghe” mentioned above who was known as “The Crack” and became the father and G/father of the Desmet loft (the base pigeon of the whole colony). It has been said you could breed 5,000,000 pigeons and not find a better one than “The Crack”. He won for the partnership “15” top National prizes over a five year period and was 1st Long distance Ace pigeon of East and West Flanders two years running. The Crack was one of the best breeders of all Belgium being sire of such outstanding racers as “De Super Crack”, De Raket, De Super Crack 1, De Super Crack 11, De Super Crack 111, De Jonge Crack 1 and The Sproet to name but a few. The “Crack” and his sons and daughters founded the loft to produce the following performances: 1990-19x1st, 91-13x1st, 92-35x1st, 93-23x1st, 94-10x1st, 95-35x1st, 96-34x1st, 97-16x1st, 98-43x1st, 99-38x1st, 00-33x1st, 01-22x1st. A total of 389 prizes in the 1st ten at Provincial level between 1990 and 2001. At National level over the same period 262 prizes in the first 50 against up to 49,152birds. In the Nationals this included 11x1st, 7x2nd, and 4x3rd etc. I don’t think anyone in the whole of Belgium could better this record and remember all these performances come through this famous “Crack” from Roger Vereecke.    

Similarly the (late) Andre Brouckaert of Wervik whose birds had a world class reputation in Belgium purchased just one pigeon from Roger Vereecke called “Blue Vereecke” who was sire of one of Andre Brouckaert`s most important pigeons “Trimard”. Trimard won very little in the way of prizes until he was 4 years old when Andre sent him to the Barcelona International race 652 miles. Andre then realised that “Trimard” was a true long distance pigeon and his performances afterwards proved this. Over the next three years he won 77th International Barcelona; 49th National Barcelona, 74th National St Vincent; 73rd International Barcelona; 39th Nat Barcelona; 28th International Barcelona and 1st National St Vincent (1 Hr ahead).

He was also a great breeder of such pigeons as “Goliath” winner of 1st International Lourdes who was bred from a son of “Schuwen”; 2nd National St Vincent when he was paired to a daughter of “Trimard”. Then “Benjamin” winner of 2nd National Limoges (9,566 birds) was bred from a half-sister of “Trimard”. Without doubt “Trimard” was one of the best long distance racers of Belgium of all time!

“TRIMARD” was also 1st National

St Vincent

(1 Hour ahead)

This National winner is 50% Roger Vereecke and 50% Maurice Verheye

Another great champion Remi Hoebrechts of Hoeleden was 1st Champion KBDB at greater distance in 1993. In 1992 he had the best long distance pigeon of Belgium who was purchased by Den Fu-Chuang of Taiwan and Luc Sioen for their Great Wall Lofts. This Ace pigeon was bred from a pair of pigeons that had become known in Belgium as the Golden Breeding Couple, it was the sons of the Golden breeding couple that have brought huge success to Remi Hoebrechts in National and International races. He was winner of 3rd National Argenton (32,442 birds), 8th National Barcelona (13,343 birds), 21st International Barcelona (33,145 birds). Remi sent eight birds to Barcelona and won six prizes; two birds to Marseilles won two prizes and six to Perpignan and won six prizes. The Sire of “De Gouden Kweker”(Golden Breeder)of Remi Hoebrechts is named “Witpenneke Vereecke” He was bred from a son of “90” when paired to a daughter of “Figaro”(see earlier script). It is the sons from the Golden Breeding Couple that have been responsible for the remarkable success in the long distance races for Remi Hoebrechts winning him such titles as 1st Champion Belgium KBDB Grote Fond etc. The prizes won by sons of the Golden Breeding Couple would fill this magazine.

Sire of “De Gouden Kweeker” Bred by Roger Vereecke

There are very many more such champions that owe their success to Roger Vereecke but this information is too vast to cover in this report.

So fanciers can see from the above report that my trip to Roger Vereecke could not come quickly enough but at last along with my wife Liz we were on our way on Monday 8th August. It was the first time that we used our car on the Euro tunnel and in just over half an hour from Folkestone on the train we were driving on French roads. It certainly takes a lot of the hassle out of waiting for and boarding ferries and of course the crossings are not always smooth, but a little shaking is all you experience on the Euro tunnel.

After about an hour and a half drive we were approaching the area of St Lodewijk and I imagined for a moment about the many thousands of visitors that had searched out Roger’s beautiful home over the last few decades. I also wondered how I would find Roger health wise after such a major health set-back and would he still be capable of breeding and racing more of his Golden Nuggets in 2012 as he has done so successfully over the last 50 years or more. When I pulled up in the court yard of his home in Deerlijk at 3pm we were greeted very warmly by Roger’s lovely wife Renee and very soon Roger joined us for a very welcome cup of coffee in his reception room. Any doubts I had about Roger’s present state of health proved unfounded as this sprightly 90 year old(more like 60 year old) started to reminisce about his earlier life but was just as proud to talk about the fanciers who had National success with his strain in 2011. I asked him whether he still raced his 1st National Pau winner of 2009 and he replied “there is only one place for my latest champion and that’s in the stock loft”. Remember he said “Tarbes” as he is known (because of his great performance from Tarbes 530 miles the previous year when he finished 14th National, 26th International (12,537 birds) was not only the 1st National Pau clocked on the day of liberation into a head wind. But more important he is an inbred coupling of “grandson x granddaughter” of my “Kleine Barcelona” who in 96-97-98 was crowned best European Barcelona pigeon for his performances from Barcelona 79th (20,129 birds), 51st (24,908 birds), 16th (24,139 birds). The “Tarbes” also comes out of a brother of The “Superdax” 199/02 of Verhellen who won 1st International Dax (11,898 birds). Roger said he is also a G/son of the wonder pigeon “Medaille d`Or” 667/90 winner of 1st International Perpignan 17,331 birds in 1992 by Leon Henry who had completed his 20th race as a 2-year old. Roger said to me “with such a pedigree and performance would you race him again?” Incidentally Roger only entered two pigeons in Pau in 2009 and clocked his 2nd entry at 28 minutes past ten on the day. This pigeon is named “IRUN” after he won from this race point the previous year with a two hour lead and was also 3rd provincial (1,478) birds.   

John David is holding a brother to Sauternes that scored in Sun City for John winning 1,500 US Dollars. Another brother was the first bird home from Barcelona for Georges-Henry Bodson in 2009 (Well placed in National & International result)

Winner of 1st Pau National for Roger Vereecke 2009

I must admit after I won the Pau National and Queens cup from Pau, the late Albert Padfield of Cwmtillery fame who had a great record from Pau told me I should never have stopped my great yearling cock from racing. However I have never regretted stopping him and I was certainly not going to argue with this Belgian Grand Master who is over twenty years my senior!   

I then asked Roger about Georges Busschaert who was famous in England and he confirmed that Georges was the loft cleaner for his father Jerome between 1925 and 1930 until Georges had to do his National Service in the Belgian Army.

Roger reminisced about the wartime years when Belgium was occupied by German forces and luckily during this time pigeons were allowed to be kept in a large aviary if you lived away from the coast. During the wartime years Roger was in charge of the birds in the aviary until he was conscripted into the Belgian Army serving most of his time in England, stationed at Chester and then at Shipley in West Yorkshire. Incidentally Roger learnt at this time to drive in England and not in Belgium and when in Yorkshire lived near Saltaire the birthplace of Northrop Barker, the Yorkshire man who went to live in Belgium and was one of the founder members of the Royal Belgian Flying Club of which Roger is a member.

Roger then produced his Golden Book which now contains in excess of 4,000 signatures from visiting fanciers from all around the world. I signed the book on 20th October 1980 when visiting with a coach full of Welsh fanciers. Roger obviously took delight in showing me details of many world famous visitors including Louis and Michael Massarella on 21st November 1986 at the time when he purchased the best pigeons from Silvere Toye “Peter Pau” 1st International Pau 1984 and “Dikkop” 1st National Limoges 1984. Present at that time was Roger Lefebre (of the partnership Lefebre-Dhaenens) and Louis Massarella bought a round of youngsters from him.

A visit to Roger Vereecke by late Louis Massarella with son John and Silvere Toye.

Present was Roger Lefebre (Lefebre-Daenens) who Louis Massarella bought a round of youngsters from.

Another interesting story from the 1980s was that Roger would always drive to Brive to watch the liberation of the National race. This continued for twelve years until 1991 when his travelling companions were Count de Villegas President of the Royal Belgian FC, Norbert Norman President of Entente Belge and Michael Steverlijnck who was at that time President of the Sport Committee of the KBDB. On the way to Brive they stayed at a country house very close to the home of Phillipe Mitterand and brother of Francois Mitterrand who until his death was President of France. Roger invited Philippe Mitterrand and his wife to join Roger and his friends for the evening. Philippe had two favourite sports, pigeon racing and hunting. He first visited Roger Vereecke in 1985 and his last visit was in September 1991 and he died in May 1992. Roger had visited him twice, the first time in 1986 and Roger’s daughter Regine was at Philippe`s home for a months holiday on three occasions. Phillipe Mittterand was President of the local pigeon club and also President of the Hunting Association, he organised an annual hunting party for the President of France which was attended by other heads of state. After their first visit to Roger`s home in 1985 Phillipe and his wife returned every year for a three day visit when Roger and his wife Renee were pleased to show them the places of interests in Flanders.

As mentioned, Roger Vereecke and friends drove to Brive in 1991(402 miles) to watch the liberation of the National race. Twenty minutes after the liberation they left for home. The race was to be a very hard one. Roger and his friends arrived back in Belgium about three hours before the birds arrived. Roger was pleased to see his first bird home, which won 59th National out of a total entry of 18,416 birds. This was a good start to the 1991 National race programme and the beginning of what was to be an outstanding season for Roger Vereecke with top positions in all the National and International races including 36th National Barcelona 655 miles (11,423 birds), 82nd International(27,167 birds), 13th National Pau 552 miles (1,778 birds),18th Montauban National 482 miles(6,721 birds), 12th Dax National 535 miles (3,394 birds), 82nd Marseilles National(531 miles) 2,967 birds, 42nd Narbonne National (530 miles) 5,848 birds, 57th Perpignan National(566 miles) 5,217 birds.

Dearest to Roger’s heart has certainly been the Pau International which is classed as the Blue Riband race, the reason for this is that for this race there is a five bird limit, this makes the outcome less of a lottery and much more importance is given to the selection and quality of the entrants. Because of his unique achievements from this race point Roger Vereecke became known as Mr Pau and little wonder because his winnings from this race point up to 1991 amounted to £70,000 and of course a lot more since. He has finished 17 times in the first 14 in the National including 2 x 1st, 2 x 3rd, 2 x 4th, 5th, 2 x 7th, 8th and 9th etc. Of course once again he had a top pooler when he won the Pau National in 2009.

Sadly after three hours it was time to go but it was much clearer to me after the visit that the Vereecke loft will remain a leading force in Belgian circles on both a breeding and racing front for many more years to come. Roger was quick to point out that his daughter Regine has promised to help exercise his pigeons in 2012 so who knows the Vereecke household may continue with their success for generations to come! Certainly the will to win is still evident in abundance in this world famous “Grand Master” but like Roger himself quite aptly said to me before I left, it all depends on the health!