Casaert-Senechal Sbastien Casaert A Racing Pigeon Prodigy!

By Silvio Mattacchione BA MA
A prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding field of endeavor.
Figure 1 Sbastien Casaert and young son Hugo at age 14 he is second in command.

The giftedness of prodigies is determined by the degree of their talent relative to their ages. Examples of particularly extreme prodigies could include Mozart and Jackie Evancho in music, Magnus Carlsen, Sergey Karjakin, and Judit Polgar in chess, Carl Friedrich Gauss, Srinivasa Ramanujan, William James Sidis, Michael Kearney, Gregory R. Smith, and John von Neumann in mathematics, Pablo Picasso in art, and Saul Kripke in philosophy. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_prodigy It goes without saying that articles are always written about winners never about losers. Over the years I have certainly written my share of interesting stories. Increasingly the sport of racing pigeons is more and more about stats, results, charts, bird-ages, and percentages almost to the exclusion of all other factors. For the most part I have attempted, I think successfully, to focus to a greater extent upon either the man, the history or the lineages as much as possible and thus develop a much more informative and entertaining article. An article that hopefully gives one an insight into the man and his birds. In other words the story is much more fascinating to me than the actual results, given that by definition I typically only write about fanciers who would be considered World Class. I find that the story can give insights and meaning to the journey

that takes fanciers from obscurity to international fame and in some cases a fame that approaches adulation. In many countries the Maurice Casaert name is quite well know and hugely respected. Frank McLaughlin the well know American fancier has never been shy about expressing his feelings regarding the Maurice Casaert pigeons in fact he has often stated categorically that they are the worlds toughest middle distance pigeons and I do not believe that either the Germans nor the Chinese would disagree with these sentiments given that Maurice actually bred and raced the top young bird in Belgium three times. For 60 years Maurice (now 80) has been enthralled with racing pigeons and for the past 20 years he has consistently placed at the highest levels of the National sport in Belgium. The highlights of the Maurice Casaert achievements are very impressive including four national wins 1st National Montauban 1992 against 5335 pigeons with Invincible Montauban 1st National Souillac 2000 against 7154 pigeons with NASDAQ 1st National Brive 2004 against 7446 pigeons with MISTRAL 1st National Bourges against 13,354 pigeons with 2008 FOOTSIE National Champion Middle Distance ... Many provincial victories, semi-National, National Top 100 ...

THE SPIRIT OF A WINNER

I've always been attracted by the competition. The pigeon sport is for me something exciting and so motivating. We must constantly question

Ok understood, but what has this to do with Sbastien? Well, it turns out that Sbastien was born in Tournai in 1972 and is the second son of Maurice Casaert and Julienne Vandenbulcke and some have joking claimed that Sbastien was actually born inside the loft. That may in fact be a little bit of poetic license but there is clearly no doubt that racing pigeons have always been a part of his everyday home-life during his formative years. By the age of eight he was fascinated by his fathers family of racing pigeons, the visitors, the long discussions and the competition. Sbastien was a born competitor and loved the idea of winning and he was without a doubt inspired by his fathers exceptional abilities as both competitor and stockman!

ourselves if we want to progress. I have a spirit, the spirit of a "winner".

Why was this young man so driven?

I do not know, I've always been attracted by the competition. The pigeon sport is for me something exciting and so motivating. We

must constantly question ourselves if we want to progress. I have a spirit, the spirit of a "winner". Like most youngsters Sbastien loved cycling and it goes without saying that he loved soccer. In fact it was his love of soccer that was to ultimately lead him to his amazing success with racing pigeons. How you might ask? Well the sport of soccer brought Sbastien together with one Mr. Senechal (who is now 73 years old) who was a highly successful businessman ( a director of the famous company La Redoute) who was also, at that time, the president of a soccer club as well as being long-time friend of Sebastians father Maurice Casaert. Francois Snchal, in addition to all of his other pursuits, was also a racing pigeon fancier who at this exact moment in time was desperately in need of a good loft manager given the ever growing demands on his personal time. He expressed this need to Maurice who immediately suggested that Sbastien could fill this position. And so it came to pass that at the tender age of fourteen Sbastien took on this enormous responsibility so seriously and with such vigor and intuitive insight that the Snchal loft became one of the very top lofts in all of Belgium for eight years that is from the time that Sbastien was age fourteen until age twenty two.
Figure 2 Francois Snchal

A prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding field

On November 1st 1986, I began to manage the pigeons of Franois Snchal at Leers .Every day, after school, I traveled by bike some 10 km from my home to the Snchal loft. This was only the beginning shortly thereafter Sbastien became Sbastien was the loft manager for Mr. Htru (Hetru-Casaer 1995) for a period of one year. The results generated by this new partnership were excellent but unfortunately the personal chemistry between the two was missing and after the initial year the partnership was terminated. The exceptional abilities of this young master Sbastien

were recognized and appreciated by many fanciers at the highest level. That one so young should achieve so much in so short a time was indeed very rare and testimony enough to the abilities of Sbastien the young prodigy.
Result 1995 (Htru-Casaert)

St-Witz 1042 jeunes 83 eng 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,13,14,15,16,18,20,22,24,25, Montargies 217 jeunes 16 eng 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, Chantilly 412 jeune 16 eng 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8,9 Bourges 578 jeunes 36 eng 1, 2, 3, 4, 8,10, Toury 303 jeunes 31 eng 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,14,15,16,17,18 Chantilly 570 jeunes 26 eng 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9,10, Tour 419 jeunes 25 eng 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7,9, Chantilly 984 jeunes 54 eng 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,11,12,13,. Chantilly 848 jeunes 26 eng 1, 2, 4, 5,9, Dourdan 526 jeunes 50 eng 1, 3, 4, 5,7, Chantilly 781 jeuns 26 eng 1, 3, 9, 11, St-Witz 1045 jeunes 1, 2, 5, 7, Chantilly 722 jeunes 1, 3, 6, 7,9,.

No sooner had the position with Htru been terminated that discussions were almost immediately initiated by Silvere Toye and a deal suitable to both parties was consummated almost immediately. The year was 1996 and the results were impressive and the relationship between Toye and Sbastien lasted till 1999 at which time the young Sbastien was adamant that it was now time to race under his own name and banner. The decision was made in conjunction with Silvere Toye and with his blessings and the two have remained friends to this day. 1996 (Silvere Toye) One result = La Souterraine national 10,530 jeunes 23 eng 16, 31, 37, 44, 47,49, 16 X 1st Prizes

Premier Provincial La Souterraine

6th National Ace Pigeon FOND KBDB with Mephisto 1997 (Silvere Toye) 22 times in Top 100 National 2 NATIONAL PERIGUEUX 5.594 B 2 NATIONAL ARGENTON 15.453 YB 3e National Ace Pigeon FOND KBDB with Mephisto 1998 (Silvere Toye) BOURGES NATIONAL 3,397 HENS (43) 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, 26, 27, 36, 37, BOURGES NATIONAL 14,883 YL (38) 10, 17, 27, 33, 34, 48, 59,...

Rebirth as Casaert-Snchal

The year 2000 saw the rebirth of the cooperation that originally began in 1996 but this time as the partnership of Casaert-Snchal. Clearly the base of the birds flown by Casaert-Snchal was that of Sbastiens father Maurice but reinforcements were soon brought in from equally powerful lines including those of Vandenabeele, Georges Bolle and Erik Limbourg and by 2003 there emerged a powerfully blended bloodline that incorporated all four. By 2008 additional reinforcements were again marshaled including once again from Limbourg as well as from Gaston Van de Wouwer, Geert and Clara Philips and De-Smeyter Restianen. What emerged was a composite blend that clearly was much more powerful than the constituent parts.

In 1997, I bought an old farm that allowed the practice of pigeon racing. The first lofts were built in 1999 and the first competitions began in 2000. The first pigeons came from Maurice and Gregory Casaert of Nchin, Georges de Bolle of Kortemark, Gaby Vandenabeel of Dentergem. In 2001, Pigeons from Erik Limbourg of Brussegem were added. Why these pigeons? These people had at that time outstanding results and indisputable references in the field that I had set as my goal, that is those competitions of from 400 to 600 km . My theory is very simple and always the same: Look for pigeons that meet my needs: BREEDING, RACING, and SELECTION. When the results are up to my expectations, I begin to talk about their origins. As I am someone who likes to get results quickly, I set a goal for the young bird. Thus, I can more easily operate on a strict selection based upon results.

Many Hands Make For Success

My wife Anne is my first supporter because living with a dedicated pigeon enthusiast requires sacrifices.

RACE RESULTS IN 2003 5/7 Blois Prov 5622 young. 1,11,59,93,104,183,199,..11/24 Bourges 588 young. 1,7,9,10,11,12,15,25,28,34,21/26 5084 young 10, 30, 38, 52, 65, 68,

My son HUGO is my second and he gives me considerable help in the care of the colony.

12/7

12/7 Blois Prov 81, 101, 22/34 19/7 26/7

My close friend
5, 50, 100, 4/6

Chteauroux 1601 young

Bernard HENRY gives me considerable help in the management of the colony

Bourges 1193 young 1,4,8,9,10,11,12,14,18,19,21,23, 24,25,26,86/114 Argenton 609 young 2,4,5,7,9,11,12,16,17,20,25,26,27,28,29, 68/100 La Souterraine 941 young 1,3,5,8,11,12,13,14,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,74/84

9/8

23/8

Change in 2005 In 2004, as regards the national competitions for youngsters our expectations were not met. In 2005, the decision was made to race the yearlings (12 males and 8 females). 10e National Champion Yearlings with super results

My Passion
The pigeon has always been my

2006: SUPER YEAR Top Performance 2006 10/6 1er Chteauroux Centre-Est 7495 yearlings with SLIM (son of STAN) Highest Speed 19021 pigeons 1/7 1er La Souterraine Interprovincial 5621 yearlings with VINCE (15 minutes advance) Highest Speed 9103 pigeons 10/6 2e Chteauroux Centre-Est 11526 old pigeons with STAN (father of SLIM) 17/6 3e Chteauroux Interprovincial 3391 yearlings with VERA (sister of VINCE) 15/7 4e Limoges National 15364 yearlings with VINCE (the winner of La Souterraine 1/7) 10/6 5e Chteauroux Centre-Est 7495 yearlings with XAVI 17/6 7e Chteauroux Interprovincial 2953 old pigeons with ANNEKE 10/6 8e Chteauroux Centre-Est 7495 yearlings with CHER 17/6 8e Chteauroux Interprovincial 3391 yearlings with SHARON (half sister STAN) 10/6 9e Chteauroux Centre-Est 7495 yearlings with BETSY (sister of BORIS)

passion ... to win,to succeed in what I do is my nature.

I am the only master in my loft and the standard that I seek to breed is the pigeon that can race with success every week from May through to August excelling at distances of 400 to 600 km.

29/7 5/8

10e Bourges Zone A 6725 youngbirds with HUGO 12e Tours Interprovincial 2727 youngbirds with SERENA (sister of STAN)

10/6 13e Chteauroux Centre-Est 7495 yearlings with VERA (sister of VINCE) 10/6 17e Chteauroux Centre-Est 7495 yearlings with BORIS (sister of BETSY) 12/8 25e and 28e Argenton Zone A 4576 youngbirds

Five Tme First Pigeon Provincial

10/6 Chteauroux yearlings 17/6 Chteauroux yearlings 1/7 La Souterraine yearlings 15/7 Limoges yearlings 29/7 Bourges jeunes

First Prizes 2006 (with doublage)

1st, 2, 3,4,5,6

Arlon 93 yearlings 6/5 with CHER

1st Bouillon 86 yearlings 13/5 with JAKA 1st Toury 126 yearlings 20/5 with JAKA 1st Toury 128 yearlings 28/5 with JAKA 1st Chteauroux Leuze-Lessines 573 yearlings 10/6 with SLIM 1st Chteauroux Derby-Hainaut Hainaut 485 yearlings 10/6 with SLIM 1st Chteauroux Derby-Hainaut 1141 yearlings 10/6 with SLIM 1st Chteauroux CFW 3408 yearlings 10/6 with SLIM 1st Chteauroux CFWH 1328 yearlings 10/6 with SLIM

1st Chteauroux Centre-Est 7495 yearlings 10/6 with SLIM 1st Chteauroux Derby-Hainaut Hainaut 811 old pigeons 10/6 with STAN 1st , 2e Leuze-Lessines 576 yearlings 17/6 with VERA 1st , 2e,3e Derby-Hainaut Hainaut 406 yearlings 17/6 with VERA 1st , 2e Derby-Hainaut Hainaut 861 yearlings 17/6 with VERA 1st La Souterraine Leuze-Lessines 806 yearlings 1/7 with VINCE 1st La Souterraine Derby-Hainaut 1036 yearlings 1/7 with VINCE 1st La Souterraine Derby-Hainaut Hainaut 419 yearlings 1/7 with VINCE 1st La Souterraine CFWH 990 yearlings 1/7 with VINCE 1st La Souterraine CFW 2621 yearlings 1/7 with VINCE 1st La Souterraine Interprovincial 5621 yearlings 1/7 with VINCE 1st Toury 260 youngbirds 1/7 with HUGO 1st Toury 218 youngbirds 15/7 with STEF 1st Limoges Avelgem 294 yearlings 15/7 with VINCE 1st Bourges Tournai 184 yearlings 29/7 with ARWA 1st Bourges Tournai 548 youngbirds 29/7 with HUGO 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st Bourges Derby-Hainaut Hainaut 527 youngbirds 29/7 with HUGO Bourges Derby-Hainaut 1409 youngbirds 29/7 with HUGO Bourges CFWH 1607 youngbirds 29/7 with HUGO Pithiviers 295 youngbirds 5/8 with SISSY Nantes 26 youngbirs 5/8 with KIDDY Tours 228 youngbirds 5/8 with SERENA Toury 150 youngbirds 19/8 with SOKO

Results for 2006 6th national champion great middle distance KBDB 2006

1st provincial general champion KBDB great middle distance 2006 1st provincial champion yearlings KBDB great middle distance 2006

1st provincial champion youngbirds KBDB great middle distance 2006

1st provincial ace-pigeon KBDB great middle distance old birds 2006

Results 2007 NATIONAL CHAMPION KBDB YOUNGBIRDS MIDDLE DISTANCE 2007 25/8 La Souterraine Lessines 375 youngbirds

1,2,4,9,12,13,14,18,20,23,24,26,29,30,31,33/36 La Souterraine D-H 1229 youngbirds 1,7,11,23,30,31,32,41,49,56,57,60,70,74,75,8433/36 La Souterraine CFW 5581 youngbirds 1,32,53,176,210,211,213,33/36 La Souterraine CFWH 1148 youngbirds 1,6,9,17,20,21,22,26,33,38,39,42,49,53,54,33/36 La Souterraine National 18973 youngbirds 4e,83,158,29/36. 4/8 Bourges Lessines 140 youngbirds

1,2,3,4,5,10,12,13, 10/14 Bourges Derby-Hainaut 665 youngbirds 1,2,3,4,6,24,38,39, 10/14.

25/8 Tours Avelgem 125 youngbirds 1,2,6,8,14,15,16,10/14 Tours Interprovincial 1930 youngbirds 3,10,52,147,218,219,232,10/14 4/8 Pithiviers Dottignies 162 youngbirds 1,2,3,5, 6/8 4/8 Tours Avelgem 166 youngbirds 1er and 1/2 Tours Interprovincal 2810 youngbirds 20e and 1/2 11/8 Toury Dottignies 165 youngbirds 1,9,13,6/8 11/8 Tours Avelgem 109 youngbirds 1,15,..3/8 Tours Interprovincal 1970 youngbirds 28e and 3/8 18/8 Dourdan 137 youngbirds 4,5and 5/12 2/9 Noyon 355 youngbirds 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,18,28/36 8/9 Gueret 688 youngbirds 12,13,14,15,27,29,32,33,38,39,42,52,57,60,61,66,68,31/33 30/6 Toury 717 youngbirds
2,11,12,26,30,59,75,12/27

The Rainbow

My Heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky: So was it when my life began; So is it now I am a man; So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die! The Child is father of the Man; I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.
17701850

In 2007, Sbastien flirted with winning the National to La Souterraine.18,973 youngbirds, competed in very difficult race La Souterraine (514 km), a hen in the colony won the 4th National, it turned out that five pigeons were in, in less than a minute. 2008 was for Sbastien the year of change including the moving of his family and lofts to their new home in Russeignies in 2009.Moves of this type usually cause setbacks that often take years of effort to recover from but in this case usually takes years to recover from. However the talents of Sbastien are second to none and 2009 was to prove a year of exceptional performances, success came immediately. From the second contest of middle distance in 2009, the steamroller set off. The first 13 and 20th in the first 24 on Toury 356 yearlings. The weeks followed with high level results: 5 Top 100 including 2 for

~William Wordsworth.

Bourges National Top 10. At Issoudun, against 5848 pigeons, 14 pigeons placed in the first 93

In 2010, an incredible year with multiple titles won.

1er National Champion BESTE HOK La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots 1er National Champion Middle Distance Vanrobaeys-Pitts-Duivenkrant 1er Champion RW Old pigeons and yearlings La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots 1er Champion RFCB Hainaut Middle Distance 1er Champion RFCB Hainaut Middle Long Distance 1er Champion RFCB Hainaut Long Distance 1er General Champion Derby-Hainaut 1er General Champion Le Ramier Lessines 1er General Champion Derby-Hainaut Hainaut Brabant Wallon 1er General Champion Middle Distance Entente de lOuest 1er Champion Middle Long Distance Yearlings Derby-Hainaut Hainaut-Brabant Wallon 1er Champion Middle Long Distance Jeunes Derby-Hainaut Hainaut-Brabant Wallon 1er Champion Middle Long Distance + Long Distance + Extreme Long Distance More Prices Derby-Hainaut Hainaut-Brabant Wallon 1er Champion Middle Distance Vieux Entente de lOuest 1er Champion Middle Distance Yearlings Entente de lOuest 1er Champion Old Pigeons Amicale du Grand Demi-Fond 1er Champion Middle Long Distance Youngbirds Le Ramier Lessines 2e National Champion Old pigeons and Yearlings La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots 2e Champion Fond RW La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots 2e Champion Middle Distance Youngbirds RW La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots

2e Champion Middle Long Distance + Long Distance + Extreme Long Distance More Prices Derby-Hainaut 2e Champion Middle Long Distance Yearlings Derby-Hainaut 2e Champion Middle Long Distance Youngbirds Derby-Hainaut 2e Champion Middle Distance Youngbirds Entente de lOuest 2e Champion Youngbirds Amicale du Grand Demi-Fond 2e General Champion MSN DUIVENSPORT 2E Champion Middle Long Distance Yearlings Le Ramier Lessines 2E Champion Middle Long Distance More Prices Le Ramier Lessines 3e Champion Middle Distance Old Pigeons and Yearlings RW La Colombophilie BelgeHerbots 3e Champion Yearlings Amicale du Grand Demi-Fond 4e Champion Middle Long Distance Het Duivenblad 4E Champion Extreme Long Distance Old Pigeons Le Ramier Lessines 4e Champion Middle Long Distance Old Pigeons Derby-Hainaut Hainaut-Brabant Wallon 4e Champion Long Distance Old Pigeons Derby-Hainaut Hainaut-Brabant Wallon 5e Champion Extreme Long Distance Old Pigeons Derby-Hainaut Hainaut-Brabant Wallon 5e Champion Youngbirds Cureghem-Centre 5e National General Champion RFCB-KBDB 5E Champion Middle Long Distance Old Pigeons Le Ramier Lessines 5e Champion Extreme Long Distance Old Pigeons Derby-Hainaut Hainaut-Brabant Wallon 5e Ace Pigeon Middle Distance Youngbirds RW La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots 6e Champion Middle Long Distance Old Pigeons Derby-Hainaut 7E Champion Long Distance Old Pigeons Le Ramier Lessines

7e Champion Long Distance + Extreme Long Distance Yearlings Derby-Hainaut HainautBrabant Wallon 7e As des A Youngbirds RW La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots 8e General Champion Cureghem-Centre 8e Champion Old Pigeons Cureghem-Centre 8e Ace Pigeon Middle Distance Old Pigeons RW La Colombophilie Belge-Herbots 10e Champion Long Distance + Extreme Long Distance Yearlings Derby-Hainaut 10e Champion Extreme Long Distance Old Pigeons Derby-Hainaut In 2011, the year began with a disaster. The young dog owned by Sbastien went into the cocks loft and killed five widowers some of his best long distance racers. Clearly his campaign was affected negatively. The caliber of hens as is evident in this photo below is to die for.

All was to change in 2011! On April 24th , Sbastien won a first prize Hens Ecouen with 4281810/10, pigeon bred by his friend Joost De Smeyter. As they are both passionate about cycling, and since that day, Philippe Gilbert won Liege-Bastogne-Liege at "La Roche aux Faucons. 4281810/10 was baptized that day "La Roche aux Faucons." "La Roche aux Faucons " still won five first prizes in 2011 which earned her the title of 2nd National Ace-Pigeon Middle Distance KBDB 2011

A real phenomenon as good as Philippe Gilbert 1er Angerville 977p 7-5 1er Toury 639p 14-5 1er Orlans 320p 4-6 1er Angerville 438p 25-6 1er Blois 1449p 8-7

On 20 May this year, Palme d'Or (in recognition at the Cannes Film Festival which took place at the same time) won the victory at Inter-Provincial Vierzon the fastest against 17,021 pigeons.

On Sunday, two friends and Joost De Smeyter Bruno Degand improvised a meal to celebrate Palme d'Or victory. Palme d'Or was later to be purchased by PEC and renamed Amalia.

Recording the fastest speed out of 17,706 pigeons Amalia won 1st Interprovincial Vierzon against 6,659 pigeons with a coefficient of 0.0150 % on May 21st 2011 Shortly thereafter on June 18 2011 she was 10th against 7,487 with a coefficient of 0.1336% an incredible result given her loft location and the actual flying conditions on that day. By July 2nd she was flown at Argenton 1st against 1,289 pigeons Derby Hainaut and 27th National against 19,782 pigeons. At Derby Hainaut her coefficient was 0.0779%. She was raced again from La Souterraine on August 27th against 868 pigeons and won 2nd with a coefficient of 0.2304%.Her final coefficient was recorded at 0.4569% making her the very best racing pigeon in Belgium in the 2011 racing season and earning her 1st National Ace Pigeon KBDB 2011 Great Middle Distance. We need to keep in mind that this specific award is in fact the most prestigious ace award category in Belgium every year. There is only one winner each year. The competition to acquire this incredible racing hen was heated but in the end Pipa Elite Center paid an incredible 125,000.00 to ensure that her genetic potential could be united with that of their Champion New Freddy who in turn was the 1st National Ace Pigeon KBDB 2010 Great Middle Distance. The first of the youngsters from this illustrious mating have brought exceptional prices at a PIPA Public Auction a few weeks ago, a true testament to the quality of this incredible new super-pair. Personally I would love to have a brother or sister to Amalia in my lofts.
300 km!... Breeding a ace-National Pigeon is the dream of every!

MY STANDARD
My standard of pigeons is extremely high in that they must race from May to late August. Amalia is a perfect example of the pigeon I seek: First SemiNational May 20 and second National Zone on the 27th of August with a total of 12 races in 2011 in competitions of at least

Racing cocks in the off season are a picture of health.

The results for 2011

Championships in 2011 1st Ace Pigeon National Great Middle Distance KBDB 2011 2nd Ace Pigeon National Middle Distance KBDB 2011 6th Champion National Yearlings KBDB 2011 1st SUPERSTAR van HET JAAR DE DUIF

1st Ace Pigeon National Great Middle Distance KBDB 1st Champion Provincial Great Middle Distance KBDB 1st Ace Pigeon Yearlings La Colombophilie-Herbots 1st Ace Pigeon Middle Distance La Colombophilie-Herbots 1st Ace Pigeon Provincial Great Middle Distance KBDB Old pigeons 1st Ace Pigeon Provincial Great Middle Distance KBDB Yearlings 1st Ace Pigeon Provincial Great Middle Distance KBDB Young-birds To successfully breed and race a National KBDB Ace pigeon is a dream that only a few exceptional fanciers in the world will ever achieve, but to then go on in the same year with 2nd and then also 6th Champion Yearling is truly an incredible testament to the depth and quality of the Casaert-Senechal racing pigeons. For generations the world has looked to Belgium for the finest stock and clearly this will continue for many more generations to come.