“25 years ago you were already here to admire our national Limoges winner,” Patrick begins his story. “Back then it was a few hundred metres further down the road, at my parents’ house. At that time I raced together with my father, who sadly passed away a few years ago. Since 2015 I have formed a partnership with Gregory Kubica. Gregory is currently on holiday and unfortunately had to experience everything from a distance. Our tasks are clearly divided. I take care of the pigeons, while Gregory handles all the paperwork. Pigeon racing is a true passion here, and we compete from sprint races all the way up to the extreme long-distance races... and, without boasting, we certainly cannot complain about our results. In 2018 we won the 1st National KBDB Great Long Distance Ace Pigeon title with ‘Françoise’, in 2024 ‘Adele’ became the 1st European Great Long Distance Ace Hen, and in 2025 ‘Jeanette’ was crowned 2nd National KBDB Sprint Ace Pigeon. Add two Olympiad participations to that, and you have a brief overview of our greatest achievements.”

Widowers and hens

At the start of the 2026 season, the lofts in Cuesmes (located near Mons) housed 50 widowers and 20 racing hens. All were raced with a partner remaining at home. In addition, around 100 youngsters are ringed every year. A remarkable feature of this tandem's system is that, weather permitting, the racing team is taken on a daily 30 km training toss. This always takes place in the morning, while in the evening they are allowed to fly freely around the loft for some additional exercise.

As for feeding, Versele-Laga mixtures are used. The supplements come from Belga-Vet, while veterinarian Wim Boddaert is responsible for the medical guidance.

The Vandeputte-Kubica colony is based for 80% on pigeons from Joost De Smeyter-Restiaen. There is a genuine friendship between them, and they regularly cooperate in joint breeding projects.

“Larrah”

The national winner from Valence in the old birds category. “Larrah” (B24-1029118) covered the 617 km at an average speed of 1,160.83 m/min. With this performance she defeated the old birds of Dewolf Olivier (Besonrieux – 1,094 m/min) and Regnier Guy & Michal (Pesche – 1,092 m/min) in her category.

“Larrah” was raced on widowhood, and when asked whether she had been especially motivated, Patrick did not immediately have an answer.

When we examine “Larrah’s” pedigree, we see that she was bred from two direct De Smeyter-Restiaen pigeons. Her father is “Son Cas” (bred from the pairing “Cas” (1st International Pau) x “Françoise” (1st National KBDB Marathon Ace Pigeon)). “Larrah’s” mother is a daughter of the pairing “Celcius” (1st International Narbonne) x “Miranda” (the dam of the 1st National KBDB Ace Pigeon “Françoise”).

The future of “Larrah” will now unfold in the breeding loft, and hopefully she will produce many outstanding descendants. Patrick and Gregory certainly deserve it.

"Larrah"
BE24-1029118
1st National Valence 1,866 old birds

Distance: 617km
Velocity: 1,160.83 m/m

Stefan Mertens