Agen International, the second race on the extreme long-distance calendar, was already expected before basketing to become an exceptionally tough contest. The reason was the heat dome that had settled over Western Europe for almost two weeks and simply refused to move.
As a result, extremely high temperatures were recorded day after day, with the epicentre located in central France.
The Atlantic coastal region of France, and more specifically the Bordeaux area, also experienced temperatures ranging between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. Something truly unprecedented! The opening race from Pau had already been of a similar calibre, with very high temperatures en route and severe thunderstorms upon the pigeons' return. The days leading up to Friday, which was initially scheduled as the liberation day, brought some of the highest temperatures ever recorded. Many questions were raised about how the pigeons would cope with such conditions while confined in the baskets.
It was decided not to liberate the pigeons, and to make matters even more difficult, thunderstorms were forecast in the flight corridor during the following days. Eventually, the decision was made to liberate the pigeons on Monday.
The average temperatures had dropped somewhat, and conditions appeared much more favourable for a normal race.

June 29th, a day the Vandemeulebroecke family will forever engrave in their memories.

Let us go back in time to 2018, Agen International.
On June 29th at 9:29 p.m., a blue chequer yearling wrote himself into international pigeon racing history at the Vandemeulebroecke lofts in Saint-Léger.
Named "Saint Emilion", he became the International winner against 11,572 yearlings.
Eight years have now passed, father Carlos is now 63 years young, while son Xavier is 38.
Exactly eight years later, on June 29th 2026 at 9:30 p.m., a two-year-old cock pigeon carved his own place in history at the very same address by winning the National Agen race against 4,283 old birds.
Is this a coincidence? Most probably it is, but in Rue de Warcoing they are slowly beginning to believe that their pigeons have a guardian angel watching over them. Moments like these truly touch a person. It was wonderful to see father Carlos, in his modest and humble manner, telling the story around the kitchen table. It is enough to make anyone become emotional. Agen 2026 turned out to be an extremely demanding race.
The old birds handled it reasonably well, but for the yearlings it proved to be much more than just a test. A severe selection took place, and many would-be heroes are still making their way home. The National winner is a rather medium-sized two-year-old cock. We would describe him as slender and athletic. He is a true powerhouse in the hand and difficult to hold. He is raced on the traditional widowhood system and was clearly highly motivated to return to his nest box and his hen. He certainly did not feel exhausted upon arrival, and once again we fall back on the well-known cliché that a pigeon in top condition and arriving early has usually suffered the least.
Nevertheless, covering 778 kilometres at an average speed of 1,022 metres per minute required an entire day of relentless effort.

A loft built on class and quality.

Father Carlos and son Xavier form a perfectly coordinated team.
Over the years they have produced many outstanding achievements from their lofts.
The 1st International Agen victory was already the crowning achievement of an impressive record, followed two years ago by the 1st Ace Pigeon on the Rhône races, and now another 1st National victory from Agen. These are simply further confirmations of the class and quality of this outstanding loft.
Their colony has been built upon old breeding lines, combining middle-distance marathon pigeons with proven extreme long-distance bloodlines.
Their own top-performing racers have been moved to the breeding loft and now form the backbone of the colony.
With careful planning and without unnecessary extravagance, they selectively strengthen their loft with pigeons from fanciers they know and trust.
They also engage in carefully planned breeding partnerships with several top lofts in their region.
They race both cocks on the traditional widowhood system and hens on widowhood as well.
Their pigeons are true hard workers and perform at their very best under genuinely demanding racing conditions.
The management is solid, efficient and straightforward, without unnecessary complications.
They feed Vanrobaeys mixtures, while almost all supplements come from Röhnfried, a company with whom they have enjoyed a successful partnership for many years. The winner is therefore the result of an excellent breeding strategy.
His sire originates from their own long-established family, based on the bloodlines of Bolle, Casaert, Limbourg and De Smeyter-Restiaen.
His dam comes from another top fancier living close to the French border, Patrick Dubois of Gauraing-Ramecroix.
She is a daughter of an outstanding Barcelona racer with Deneufbourg x Lekeuche bloodlines.
Once again, it is the successful cross between top middle-distance marathon pigeons and proven extreme long-distance bloodlines, an approach that has already produced numerous champions here.
As we were leaving, Carlos said in his characteristically modest way, "Until next time—and as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't have to take another eight years," followed by a wink.
It is always a genuine pleasure to visit the Vandemeulebroecke family.
Congratulations from the entire Herbots Team!

BE24-1028348
1st National Agen 4,283 old birds

Distance: 777km
Velocity: 1,022 m/m

Geert Dhaenens