Sébastien Casaert, the Maestro from Russeignies achieved the 2 highest speeds of the competition against 12,354 pigeons (7,626 old + 4,728 Yearlings). Released at 7.40am on Saturday, May 17, in a moderate north wind, the 2 yearling hens ‘FA’ (BE24-1026947) and ‘FU’ (BE24-1026991) presented themselves together at 1.17pm. They covered the 403.184 km at a speed of 1195.74 m/m, this with a wide lead of several minutes over the other competitors. 

"Fa" B24-1026947

‘FA’ and “FU” are both granddaughters of New Kim (1st National Ace KBDB Great Half-Fond 2018), Gaston Van De Wouwer's famous pigeon. These 2 hens were bred by Pascal Ariën (Tielt-Winge) and come from the ‘Kaier Europe’ breeding loft.

"Fu" B24-1026991

At this Vierzon, Sébastien Casaert had only basketed the hens, while their male partners participated in a speed race (Pont Ste Maxence). The Russeignie colony has been greatly reduced and is now populated by 31 olds and 94 yearlings (i.e. 60 cocks and 65 hens). The 31 old birds are all from PEC and for the 94 yearlings we have 50% from PEC and 50% from KAIER Europe.

In April, the flight team was played on the nest (breeding only), then they were separated in early May to tackle the small semi-fair. During the April breeding period, anti-trichomoniasis treatment was provided for a few days. Results from the first 2 small middle distance races were impressive, with top 10 from Toury and top 3 from Orleans.

- 3/5/2025 Toury (306 km)
1286 (oude + jaarse): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34... d.w.z. 75 prijzen van 117
637 jaarse: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 35, 36... d.w.z. 53 prijzen van 86

- 10/5/2025 Orléans (329 km)
1655 (oude + jaarse): 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 16, 30, 33, 34, 43, 44, 46, 50, 51, 52... 74 prijzen vanaf 111
659 jaarse: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 13, 14, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 30, 36, 39, 41, 42, 43, 45 ... dus 54 prijzen van 80

Sébastien attaches great importance to the daily training of his flight crew. In terms of motivation, only the nest dishes are turned over at the moment. Sébastien Casaert has been using complementary products from Wonder Pigeon (Wonder Pigeon, Wonder Turbo) for several years and since 2025 (Wonder Air, Wonder Tonic), on the advice of Pascal Arïen.

Because of the partnership with PEC and KAIER, Sébastien has no breeders and concentrates mainly on national great middle distance and long distance races. So the racers - as already mentioned - do not breed and were paired on 5 April to stay together until 25 April. During this period, they were trained (to a maximum of 60 km). Once separated, the hens return to their aviary, where they remain (day and night) throughout the racing season. 

As for veterinary care, the pigeons are vaccinated against smallpox and paramyxovirosis by vet Pascal Lanneau. Pascal checks the colony weekly during the competition period. The pigeons are also bathed once or twice a week. 

The team running the colony in Russeignies consists of three people: Sébastien, his partner Lydie and Sébastien's son Hugo. Sébastien would like to thank them warmly for their commitment and daily help. Lydie's support is vital to the success of the whole team, as she gives Sébastien enormous energy and motivation. And the hard work is paying off - just look at their first 2025 results.

Hugo also has his own colony made up entirely of marathon pigeons.

A brief review of the achievements of Sébastien Casaert (53), whose impressive record already includes 6 national wins and 2 National ace pigeon titles:              

1st Nat. ace pigeon KBDB great middle distance with ‘Amalia’ in 2021 and 2013 with ‘Nikolaas
1st Nat. La Souterraine 2,548 old) in 2015
1st Nat. Jarnac 4,899 old in 2018
1st Nat. Limoges II 10,319 old in 2020
1st Nat. Souillac 7,514 yearlings in 2020
1st Nat. Tulle 4993 yearling in 2022
1st Nat. Bourges 24,006 old in 2024

Congratulations on behalf of Team Herbots.

Bernard Henry