She entered the basket under the name “Miss Toury”, but just a few minutes after her arrival from Argenton, she received a new “passport” bearing the name “Belgian Dream.” Indeed, we are talking about that somewhat sturdily built chequered hen (B24-6178333) from Team Eijerkamp (Pulderbos), which won the national victory from Argenton last weekend against 15,386 old pigeons. With an average speed of 1,556 m/min, she was also the fastest of all 37,697 Argenton competitors. In April, we visited the Eijerkamp family in Brummen for an extensive report, and naturally, “Project Pulderbos” was discussed. At that time, Evert-Jan said: “Starting from the 2026 racing season, we will make our dream come true and begin competing in the highly competitive Belgian pigeon sport.” 
“On July 8, 2025, thanks to our quick and decisive business approach, we were able to purchase the house, the lofts, the pigeons, and even the watchdog of Antwerp icon André Roodhooft.”“It was a unique deal that means a great deal to us because it gave us the opportunity to acquire a loft that had produced six national victories, Olympiad pigeons, national championships, and even a national KBDB Ace Pigeon.”“We simply could not let such an opportunity pass us by.”“The management of ‘Project Pulderbos’ has been entrusted to Oliver Sabol.”“He is a man who has already proven in Brummen that pigeon racing is in his DNA.”“He knows exactly how to guide a pigeon colony to the top of the results and has mastered the art of maintaining exceptional performances throughout an entire season.”“But please do not judge too quickly, because Oliver will need time to adapt to the Belgian system and the Belgian competition.” “Let 2026 be a year of gaining experience.”

One year of experience turned out to be just one national race, because on only the second national race in which Oliver entered his racing team, the Belgian flag could already be raised. From this, we can only conclude that Oliver is a top-class fancier. Indeed, he is a fancier who can “read” a pigeon and, through his experience, guide it to exceptional performances. Oliver gets more out of a pigeon than the average fancier.

First Nominated Pigeon Takes the Lead

We would have been surprised if Oliver had not marked “Belgian Dream” as his first nominated pigeon on the betting sheet, because this hen has already demonstrated her class many times. Just look at her race record shown in the accompanying photo. In fact, the only race she missed in 2026 was Bourges. In the week between Bourges and Argenton, the racing team was sent to Noyon, and on the Wednesday afterward—one day before basketing—they flew from Quiévrain with the local club (having been basketed on Tuesday evening). “It was a calculated gamble,” Oliver explains, “because the weather conditions were not ideal, and I was happy that they were released.” “The advantage was that they had already flown under weather conditions similar to those expected on Saturday.” Behind every top performance lies some form of motivation, and in this case, the patience of “Belgian Dream” was deliberately tested. Upon returning from Quiévrain, some hens were allowed to join their cocks while others were not. Oliver monitored everything closely and noticed that some hens tried other nest boxes in an attempt to reach a cock. In this way, a form of jealousy was created. “And,” Oliver immediately adds, “next time I will use a different motivational trick because, in my opinion, doing exactly the same thing every week is not the ideal method.” Oliver continues: “What makes the national races in Belgium so special is that I can now say that I have beaten all the top lofts, something that is impossible in the Netherlands.” “That is what makes Belgian pigeon racing so attractive and so competitive.” “It is truly enjoyable."

Future

The future of “Belgian Dream” will continue in the breeding lofts of the Eijerkamp family. “And for me… if possible… I would love to win a national race with the young pigeons.” “That is now at the very top of my bucket list.”

Hans, Evert-Jan, and Oliver, congratulations on this first national victory in Belgium. And I am curious to see how long it will take before the next one is added to the record book.

"Miss Toury"
BE24-6178333

1st National Argenton 15,386 old birds
Fastest of 37,697 birds

Distance: 563km
Velocity: 1,556.49 m/m

Stefan Mertens