Boudewijn Jonckheere (Torhout) wins 1st Prov. Tulle West Flanders against 1,604 old birds

Torhout - Boudewijn Jonckheere produced an impressive performance with his blue cock "Merlot" (BE22-3079832), named after a grape variety, due to Boudewijn's love of wine. "Merlot" won 1st place at provincial level in West Flanders on the national flight from Tulle, where he competed against 1.604 old birds. At national level, "Merlot" came 7th against 7.883 old birds (13th against 13.634 old birds and yearlings combined).

"Merlot" 
"Merlot" has had a remarkable racing season. In 2023, as a yearling, he already made himself noticed several times with, among others, the following performances:
17th Nat.Z Limoges against 595 yearlings
17th Châteauroux against 332b
18th Tours against 572b

In 2024, he continued his success with these recent performances:
1st Prov Tulle 1,604b (7th Nat. against 7,883 old)
4th Nat.Z Limoges I against 909b (194th Nat. against 10,653b)
10th Fontenay against 541b
158th Châteauroux against 781b

Excellent Pedigree 
"Merlot" is clearly cut from the right cloth, given the fine performances of his brothers:

Full brother 3029057/20 "Pinot":
1st Fontenay against 569b
3rd Nat.Z Châteauroux against 2.728b
5th Nat.Z Aurillac against 266b
7th Nat.Z Limoges againt 923b
7th Châteauroux against 650b
8th Bourges against 418b
9th Nat.Z Tulle against 273b
21st Nat.Z Limoges against 909b
25th Nat.Z Limoges against 532b
34th Nat.Z Brive against 439b
49th Nat.Z Tulle against 801b

Full brother 3029025/20 "Riesling":
2nd Nat.Z Tulle against 273b
14th Nat.Z Limoges against 532b
14th Bourges against 418b
17th Nat.Z Brive against 439b
26th Nat.Z Limoges against 909b

3022120/21 (Half-brother, same father):
3rd Nat.Z Libourne against 392b
4th Nat. Libourne against 2.992 yearlings
8th Nat.Z Libourne against 481b
49th Nat. Cahors against 4.155b

A Strong Season 2024
The 2024 season can be considered successful across the board with the following results:
19/05 Chatouroux: 
781b: 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, 42, 50, 51, 63, 70, 71, 76 (30/40)
04/06 Limoges:
279b: 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 27 (18/30)
Zone A1, 909 d: 4, 10, 16, 21, 26, 31, 32, 38, 51, 54
03/06 Chatouroux yearlings: 
294b: 5, 6, 7, 11, 19, 26, 30 (16/27)
23/06 Tulle:
243 d: 1, 12, 15, 23, 27, 35 (9/19)

Playing method
Boudewijn focuses mainly on one-day national long distance races, and only flies cocks. He started the season with 60 widowers, including 25 yearlings. He has only two pairs of breeders, whose eggs are constantly being shifted.

Thanks to the excellent performance of his pigeons, Boudewijn Jonckheere proves himself to be a pigeon fancier to keep an eye on. His love of wine is reflected in the names of his best pigeons, and their performances are a fitting tribute to that.

Mother "Merlot" BE18-3129965

Boudewijn, congratulations on your victory from the entire Herbots team!

Maarten Herbots