A visit to Dorel Borlovan’s International Breeding Station

      

                                              By Neil Christiansen

 

I won my first pigeon race on May 1^st 1949. I watched as a silver Hen number 223 who after 10 hours and 400 miles set her wings from very high in the air and dove through the sky to find her landing board and then run through the traps to greet her little hatchlings. If the strength, courage, and grace of these great thoroughbreds of the sky had not already won my heart that day my awe for a great pigeon was set for life.

 

I was blessed to have as a pigeon partner for over 50 years my father Leon Christiansen until his death at 94 in 1999 He was father, friend and partner. What a gift for a son to have enjoyed so many hours with his hero and friend.

 

Over the years we had about 100 different of partners who won with our Christiansen Breakaway Bricoux. The last 20 years of racing our principal partner was Jim McCabe of Denver, Colorado. Jim is a man recognized throughout the USA as an exceptionally fine man and a true champion. 

 

Shortly after My father’s death the entire loft of over 200 pair of breeders were dispersed to our partners. I kept only a few old pigeons that were too old to ship and a few just weaned birds. Providence chose to give me a new pigeon partner on Feb. 16, 2000 when my wife presented me with a young son—James Franklin Christiansen.

 

James was two before he found the birds and fell in love immediately. I put a few pair together to let him know the joy of raising babies. He always wanted to pick them up and love them even when they were just hatched. He did learn quickly how to keep the littlest ones safe. He would climb in our large nests emerging with two new hatchlings announcing daddy these birds are to little to touch, but they are not to little to kiss. He would then kiss the day old babies and hand the nest bowl for me to do like wise.

 

By the time he was four he flew our first young bird series. In 2004 I traveled from New York to California collecting some of the sons and daughters of our former champions.

 

He had flown 4 race series when I friend told me an amazing story of a man in Sacramento, California who had with integrity and commitment built relationships with the most successful lofts in Europe. A man with the financial resources, who is committed to putting together the greatest genetic pool of pigeons in the history of our sport.

 

I have chosen to share with you what this fancier of nearly 60 years racing and breeding, with many All American awards saw at the International breeding Station in Sacramento, California.  

 

I have had three extended visits with Dorel as a guest in his home for nearly a week on each visit. I handled many, many of his amazing pigeons. James (now 7)was with me on the last of my three visits. While we were there I was touched at how Dorel treated my son with special interest and respect.

 

Where do I begin to talk about this unbelievable collection of pigeons?

 

 

                                  Chapter one the long distance birds

 

Lets first look at the long distance Genetic pool.  Jan Aarden specialists the world-over know the names Piet Lazeroms, Jan Ernest, and Hugo Batenburg. The Jan Aardens have been sought the world over for there toughness and tenacity. The Jan Aardens also became the classic cross for the Janssen’s to create the best middle distance pigeons. I have handled most of these birds and they are a real experience to hold in your hand, supple muscle, velvety feathers, excellent wings, beautiful athletes with long powerful bone structure, dazzling eyes and a distinctive look of extreme intelligence. They are a delight to behold. What a joy to sit in the yard and look into the large aviaries watching these beautiful birds as they move around and interact with each other.

 

Yes, winning is most important, but it is extra special to win with a truly beautiful pigeon. And Dorel’s Jan Aardens are truly beautiful birds. They live in the healthiest of environments, a wire aviary with a covered top. They shine with health. Health is important to Dorel. His birds are frequently tested. The samples are sent to the top European vet. Van Der Sluis for testing to maintain this outstanding health.

 

So what does Dorel Borlovan’s long distance Gene pool include?

 

Piet Lazeroms

 

No one made the power and courage that lies in the Jan Aardens more obvious to the pigeon world than Piet Lazeroms. Piet Lazeroms family of long distance thoroughbreds of the sky are the best Jan Aardens in the world today. They are also the purest Jan Aardens in the world today.  Piet bought out the best Jan Aarden loft of his time to collect this amazing group of long distant pigeons. Untold numbers of great long distance champions owe their success to the Piet Lazeroms birds. When many won with his birds they told no one of the origin of their success. This led to Piet Lazeroms’ loft becoming known around the world as the ghost loft. After the untimely death of Piet Lazerom in May of 2005 Dorel Borlovan bought the entire collect of Piet Lazerom’s Jan Aardens over 280 pigeons and brought them to the International Breeding Station in the U.S.A. Not one bird was left behind.

Piet Lazeroms’ Jan Aardens are responsible for 15 1^st Nationals from Barcelona

Jan Ernest

After Dorel purchased the entire collection of Piet Lazeroms, Piet had some serious advice for Dorel he told him to go to Jan Ernest and purchase a complete round from his best and to do it three years in a row. Piet told Dorel that he would then posses the complete genetic pool of the amazing Jan Ernest family of inbred Jan Aardens. Piet told Dorel that both he and Jan Ernest agreed that these two pure Jan Aarden families would be the best possible cross that would allow Dorel to take each of the families of Jan Aardens to the next level. Trusting and respecting Piet Lazerom completely Dorel followed his advise and now over 200 from the best of Jan Ernest breeders call the International Breeding Station home. Both champions agreed that the two Jan Aarden families could create an improved pigeon.  These birds were also purchased by Dorel for his own loft and to fulfill the commitment he made to both Jan Ernest and Piet Lazeroms that he would do everything in his power to keep their work alive of producing better and better long distance Jan Aardens.

Hugo Batenburg

In 2006 Dorel asked Hugo if he would mate the best 15-20 pairs in his loft and breed him a complete round from his best. Hugo already becoming a fine friend of Dorel agreed. Dorel has two Grandsons and two granddaughters of NL 1533120 the legendary Witbuik cock. This cock was one of the best long distance breeders ever in Holland. Today the Witbuik lives on in his prodigy with many 1^st national long distance winners. To read more about this family of birds and their amazing records go to Dorel’s web site ibspigeons.net under articles and get the details of all the wins from this great family of pigeons.

 Hugo Batenburg’s pigeons are a wonderful family of birds with amazing records. They are an excellent collection. They are amazing in the hand and seem to sparkle. These are birds anyone would be proud to own.  Hugo Batenburg first flew with is father—a true champion. He later married the daughter of Piet Van De Merwe. Piet’s best pigeon in 2006 was a cross of the two families. Hugo and Dorel each bought a child from the Euro-diamond in 2006 a cock and a hen. Dorel’s cock will have his first breeding year in Hugo’s breeding loft.  Dorel told me it has been such a joy to meet men with the integrity of Hugo and his father-in- law Piet Van De Merwe. That he is excited about what the future holds regarding the pigeons as these friendships grow and deepen.

Dorel is committed to keeping this Jan Aarden genetic pool as good as it has been made by the present day champions who have molded and where possible make improvements in this strain so that future generation of fanciers will have access to the fine family of sky warriors. It is my opinion that never in the history of our sport has such am amazing pool of quality pure Jan Aardens been assembled. This was accomplished with a powerful commitment to the Aarden legacy involving both time and money.

 

 

 

Chapter two the middle distance pigeons

 

Gommaire Verbruggen--Frans Van Roey-- Flor Engels and Sons--Piet Van De Merwe are names that the entire world reveres as the kings of the middle distance game.

I was particularly impressed with the Verbruggen and Van Roey birds. Dorel has done everything we could to secure birds close to the old Golden pair that made Verbruggen and Van Roey famous as well as many other middle distant flyers. The birds from the “Kletskop” and the “Godfather” have amazing structures very strong bones and skeleton with amazing wings that are controlled in the Secondaries. The primaries reach out with separating fingers 

There is no way to describe to you the amazing middle distance birds that are housed at Dorel’s International Breeding Station. The fan of the middle distance pigeon will find a well muscled, very buoyant bird that is powerfully build and very well balanced.

When I first visited Dorel I was egger to handle the birds from Gommaire Verbruggen’s golden pair. I have know of the Verbruggen pigeons for many years as I have handled them in the lofts of two friends in Bakersfield California Floyd Jackson and  

On my first visit I asked to see the decedents of the Kletskop and the Godfather to tell you the truth the birds Dorel has acquired were in my mind far superior to any Verbruggen’s I had ever handled. What can I say there are not really words to tell you of these birds. Their bone structure is astounding I have never seen so many pigeon with the strength and power sporting amazing muscles and wings. To read more about this family of birds go to Dorel’s web site ibspigeons.net under articles and get the details of this truly great family of pigeons.

Look at the pictures of these birds at isbpigeons.net and maybe you can get a sense of what I am saying.

 

Piet Van De Merwe

 

The name Piet Van De Merwe is whispered with awe in Europe. After selling his entire loft in 1999. He was national champion the next year flying late hatches he bred for himself prior to the sale.  Dorel Borlovan was able to secure birds out of his very best including a direct son of Sophie.  This is a wonderful collection.  When Dorel put a son of Sophie with Femeke on the cock’s side in my hand I had to say my oh my. I had a powerful, buoyant well-muscled bird that really caught my eye I did not want to let go of the pigeon. I am sure you can relate to this phenomenon as we have all held a few pigeons that tell us without any doubt that they are something special. I could not set him down I wanted to hold and bond with this excellent pigeon.

 

As I handed the bird back to Dorel after holding it for some time I looked Dorel in the eye and said I must have a son from this bird.

To read more about this family and its records go to Dorel’s web site ibspigeons.net under articles and get the details of this truly great family of pigeons.

 

Flor Engels and Sons

 

For the last 50 years the loft of Flor Engels and his sons Jos and Jules has been and continues to be one of the most famous middle distance lofts in all of Europe. Unlike some lofts that rise to fame on the back of one great pair and then soon fade away this family of pigeons has proven over an over again that there is always another golden pair waiting in the wings to keep the famous loft on top.

From the Famous “Witpender” to the “231” most often referred to as just the 31 the great breeders just keep coming. Dorel has two children and 15 grandchildren from the 231

Though Flor Died in late 2002 the sons Jos and Jules Engels have continued the winning ways—they have not missed a beat. To read more about this family of birds go to Dorel’s web site ibspigeons.net under articles and get the details of this truly great family of pigeons.

 

The loft of Frans Van Roey

 

The great Middle distance loft of Fran Van Roey secured continuing fame when he purchased a full brother to Gommaire Verbruggen’s famous “Kletskop”. Frans Van Roey has amazing results with the cock he purchased from Gommaire Verbruggen’s spectacular “Golden Pair”.  He named the cock the “Godfather”. In middle distance racing all of Europe is aware of the impact of Frans Van Roey's cock the "Godfather". Many children and grandchildren of the Godfather are in the stock lofts of Europe’s finest lofts today.

 

At Frans Van Roey’s total sale Dorel Borlovan purchased sons and daughter and grandchildren from the Godfather” to go with his very fine collect of Verbruggen’s direct from Gommaire Verbruggen’s best birds.

 

 

 

Gommaire Verbruggen

 

The name Gommaire Verbruggen is synonymous with excellence at the Middle distance with more recent success in the marathon races.  Gommaire Verbruggen has created so many outstanding breeders of winners for him self and others. The "Godfather" of Frans Van Roey was a son of his golden pair. Dorel has spared no expense in acquiring the best of Gommaire Verbruggen and Frans Van Roey’s pigeons. You can read our article about Gommaire at ibspigeons.net under articles.

 

 

Marc Pollin

Marc Pollin is in a category all by himself speed, middle, and long distance all rapped up in one family His family of birds fly very well in young birds and old birds winning from 100 to 600 miles. These birds are ideal for young bird futurity and one-loft races--one family that does it all. A small loft can compete with the larger lofts with this family of outstanding birds.

 Marc Pollin flies in West Flander where the competition is very stiff. In the last 15 years Marc Pollin has never been out of the top 5 lofts in Flanders. Marc Pollin is one of the best all around flyer in Belgium.

 For last two years Dorel Borlovan has purchased pigeons from Marc Pollin’s top breeders. I really like the Marc Pollin birds they are a beautiful well-designed pigeon with all the qualities found in champions. 

 

Chapter three the sprint pigeons

 

The speed birds of W. Klaverstijn

 

When we think pure speed--speed in orienting and speed on the wing we must think of the loft of W Klaverstijn. This family of Janssen’s is ideal for futurity and one-loft races.

 

Dorel Borlovan purchased 40 plus birds from W. Klaverstijn best breeders.  Speed in orienting and on the wing 100-350 miles one of the top speed lofts in all of Europe. W Klaverstijn is a true champion. Time has shown this family to possess tremendous genetic qualities that are transmitted from generation to generation.

 

 

Comb Bleeker small numbers--outstanding results. 

 

Comb. Bleeker is one of the amazing stories of racing in Europe a very small loft that never fails to place high in the final results. Speed –Speed—Speed. The comb Bleeker family of Janssen’s has been sought after in Europe for many years.

Comb. Bleeker has only 8 pair of breeders 30 plus young birds and 15—20 widowhood cocks

 

Dorel Borlovan purchased an entire round from their best in 2001 including 2 grandchildren from their famous Van loon—Janssen Foundation cock De Romareo.

 

 

Joop Groenen speed and consistency

 

Joop Groenen is another of the very few select small lofts that is always seen at the top. There have been many years of phenomenal racing results.

 

Joop Groenen has only 6 pair of breeders, flies 25-30 young birds and keep only 17-18 widowhood cocks and yet his name is known through Europe as possessing superior pigeons.

 

For three years in a row Dorel Borlovan has purchased a complete round from his best breeders. The hen of the famous golden pair of C.D.W.V. Oostenbrugge was bred by Joop Groenen. Dorel purchased the enter loft of Oostenburgge in 2004

 

 

C.D.W.V. Oostenbrugge

 

C.D.W.V Oostenbrugge’s birds are well known for their ability to quickly orient and fly with amazing speed. His golden pair was really making a name for itself when Dorel Borlovan bought the entire loft so he could get Oostenbrugge’s Golden pair. Joop Groenen bred the hen of this pair.  C.W. Oostenbrugge’s golden pair is well known for breeding birds that quickly orient and fly with superior speed.  His family is based on Joop Groenen’s family of birds.

 

 

I have been in thousands of lofts handled 10’s of thousands of pigeons in my nearly 60 years as a pigeon fancier. The birds at the International Breeding Station makes all I have seen shrink from my mind as the unbelievable elegance of pigeon after pigeon makes you ask Dorel to stop handing you birds because you are beginning get a sense of overwhelm. You walk outside and look up at the sky or sit in a comfortable chair to watch the birds from a short distance so you can bring yourself back a state where you can continue to examine and evaluate the birds.

 

I am delighted that in the near future my loft will have birds from Dorel’s key families. I am going to visit Dorel in April of 2007 to make matings for the birds I will bring into my loft.

 

I have kept an inbred family of Bricoux’s for over 50 years, which I truly love, and as I have indicated my father and I and dozens of other lofts have had considerable national recognition with this family.

 

Now a warning: Do not go visit the International Breeding Station unless you want to fall in love and want to bring some of these amazing pigeons into your own loft.

While all imports will remain at the International Breeding Station none will be sold. Young birds are available from the key pairs at prices of $1,000 to $2,500 each.

Dorel does something I really think is special. He will allow you to visit his lofts in Sacramento Calif and make the matings of your choice. You pick the parents and he will make that mating just for you. All birds will be bred in individual pens to guarantee parentage. Dorel does not breed thousands of pigeons to peddle around the country. He breeds for himself and makes mating when fanciers wanting some of these bloodlines place orders.

 

Listen closely now for I am most apt to loose some of you in the next few sentences. Dorel did not buy these birds to sell them. He brought these birds for his own pleasure and enjoyment. To race them and improve them as it is possible. That is why not one of the imports will be sold. I know of a man with $100,000 cash in a suitcase challenged Dorel saying anything is for sale if the price is right as he opened up his briefcase displaying all the money. Dorel smiled and said perhaps--please close you case and follow me. Dorel led the man through the house into the front yard and then to the gate. The man was ushered through the gate and as Dorel locked the gate Dorel smiled at the man saying have a nice day.

 

Dorel has to like who you are and what you stand for to sell you pigeons. Personally, I truly appreciate the love and committment Dorel has to his pigeons. Dorel Borlovan is not a classic pigeon peddler no way at all. When you deal with Dorel you are not so much negotiating the purchase of some pigeons as you are applying to adopt some of his babies.

 

Dorel what you have done will with these acquisitions will, in this mans opinion; reverberate through our sport for many years to come. It is my delight to call you friend.