Robert Ben & The Great Super Ben
by Liam O Comain
There have been many outstanding pigeons in the history of the sport and perhaps people have their own favourites but there is one bird bred and raced by Robert Ben of France who would warrant attention as being the greatest bird in the world at present or since the sport's origins. This outstanding racing pigeon born in 1998 and rung 361048/98 is known as '048' and, irrespective of weather conditions, this black chequer cock during his racing career was to the fore at the extreme distances. An outstanding specimen of our racing thoroughbreds.
However, prior to considering the exploits of '048' let's introduce his owner. Robert Ben is from a large family in which his father was also involved in pigeon racing therefore the sport is in the blood so to speak. A reserved, modest man with a good intelligence, Robert is in his mid-50s and is now retired from his job in the communication industry. His love of his pigeons and long distance racing is second to none and based upon this he was determined to lay the right basis for he knew that to race and win in France only the best of bloodlines would do it. That is why he turned towards Holland which, in the opinion of many, is the modern home of the long distance and marathon type of racer.
The sire of '048' is of the strain of Chris van der Velden, coming from a brother of the 34th National Dax plus a direct daughter from the famous 'Witbuik' of Batenburg. Whereas the mother of the '048' comes from Sprenkels and has pure Van Den Eijnde bloodlines as well as that of of the great 'Dolle'. The product of this blue blooded pair is a pigeon of a quiet disposition and a pigeon good in the hand but let us retrace our steps for a moment before we consider the exploits of '048'. Initially Robert Ben flew well at the short and middle distances in his native country but approximately 2 decades ago decided to concentrate upon the longer races. As stated he turned to Holland and in due course (1989) had 4 birds from the Van Den Eijnde lofts to be followed by stock from Kruvers, Theo Ernest, Sprenkels, Dingemans, Van Thuyne and birds from Waelkens. All noted distance fanciers. Stock from which he began to build his very successful family of today. Let us now record the exploits of what many consider to be the greatest pigeon of all time.
As stated '048' was born in 1989 and had a few races that year resulting in being placed 283rd of 1,996 birds from Le Mans and 1,894th position from 21,652 pigeons from Poitiers. In the following year he only won one prize and that was 111th position from 2,028 in a race from St. Vincent. Not bad but nothing outstanding but promising. Then in the year 2000 '048' was 56th of 1,691 birds from Le Mans; 2,896th from a convoy of 15,381 from Vichy; 164th from 1,731 birds at the Barcelona National and 3,372nd from 26,597 International; 3rd from 1,765 birds in the National from Perpignan and 119th from a convoy of 18,246 in the International. In 2001 he was 3rd from 1,590 pigeons in the Barcelona National and 44th from 25,760 birds in the International; 21st from 1,646 pigeons in the National from Perpignan and 206th from 20,859 birds in the International. Followed in 2002 with 360th from 16,608 birds from Limoges; 2,210th from 10,842 of a convoy from Tulle; 85th from 1,901 birds in the Barcelona National and 2,792nd from 26,928 in the International; 34th from 1,664 Perpignan National and 667th from 18,264 International. Of course 2003 was a great year for '048' for he won again two top prizes from Barcelona and Perpignan in bad circumstances in which the convoys had to fly from Barcelona and Perpignan against strong head winds and temperatures far above 30°C. Being 2,443rd from 13,154 birds from Tulle; 2nd from 1,835 birds in the National from Barcelona and 20th from a convoy of 20,204 birds in the International; 3rd from 1,514 birds in the National from Perpignan and 3rd in the 16,800 bird International. And now we arrive at 2004 where the 5 year old '048' shows no sign of lowering his standard with 388th from 13,518 birds at Limoges; 1,362nd from 11,872 of a convoy from Tulle; 1st National Barcelona and 5th International Barcelona against 24,914 pigeons, followed with 5th French National Perpignan and 20th International Perpignan against 22,519 pigeons. Fantastic flying!
Ben's is not a one bird loft and he has a strong force of breeders and racers such as 'Zwarte Witpen' and with '048' now in retirement other birds will replace him but only time will reveal if his record will be beaten by them or others. Perhaps he is one who comes along only now and again - that is one in a million! There is no doubt when we get away from the addiction of being 1st, our obsession with winning and consider the distance, the drag numbers and the natural configurations to be faced year after year this bird of Robert Ben cries out as being one of if not the greatest marathon pigeon of all time. I leave it to your thoughts to reach your own conclusion but whatever your opinion there is no doubt that '048' is an extraordinary racing pigeon. Again, just reflect upon his record!
Super Ben as he was re-named was sold to a Japanese fancier - Kijima. So far the International winner Barcelona 1992 (Biemans, Holland) was the highest priced pigeon ever (bought by the English Masarella Stud) but now the record holder is Super Ben. The price 200,000 euro. That is, £135,302.45 GB Pounds Sterling.
Other great Ben birds are F2000-681271 who scored 3rd International Dax from 11,898 pigeons as well as 1st National from 1,411 pigeons while just three weeks before he had taken 213th International Pau from 8,438 pigeons as well as 60th National from 1,606 pigeons to be followed three weeks after Dax he flew Perpignan where he was 2,656th International from 17,653 pigeons and 179th National from 1,940 pigeons. Prior to this from Dax in 2002, while still only a two year old, he took 345th National from 1,396 pigeons. In 2003 he was 11th National Dax from1,336 pigeons and 31st National Perpignan from 1,514 pigeons. In 2004 he was 96th National Pau from 1,335 pigeons, 35th National Dax from 1,714 pigeons and 353rd National Perpignan from 1,598 pigeons. Another F99-268713, won 1st International Hens Pau from 1,665 pigeons, 21st open International from 8,438 pigeons and 18th National from 1,696 pigeons. Previously scoring 90th National from Pau with 1,335 pigeons. Another good pigeon is F99.268719. In the 2005 International Barcelona race this dark chequer cock was 170th International from 25,815 pigeons and 3rd National from 1,920 pigeons.The second time he has achieved 3rd National from Barcelona, the previous occasion being 2003 when he was also 54th International from 20,204 pigeons. He has flown Barcelona on four occasions, winning prizes on each occasion, and has 10th /1,598 and 39th/1,514 National in the 2004 and 2003 International Perpignan races. To name but a few.
In conclusion, there are some who hold the opinion that Robert Ben is the number one fancier in modern international pigeon racing. For many his 2005 results tend to confirm this opinion.
