Willem de Bruijn; 2 National Top 10 Ace pigeons bred from direct Eijerkamp pigeons
Willem de Bruijn is a prominent fancier in the world of pigeon racing and one of the most successful Dutch champions in the sport. In 2024, he once again enjoyed an extraordinary season, with his name frequently appearing among the national pigeon champions in various categories. His success is largely due to his remarkable bloodlines, featuring renowned pigeons like ‘Murphy’s Law,’ ‘Uranus,’ ‘Olympic Hurricane,’ ‘Seabiscuit,’ ‘Secretariat,’ and ‘Floris Junior,’ among others. Always striving for improvement, Willem secured another valuable addition to his breeding stock in 2020 from H. and E.J. Eijerkamp.
The 2020 Gouden Duif Celebration
At the 2020 Gouden Duif celebration, pigeon enthusiasts eagerly watched the selective sale of top pigeons from renowned breeders and champions. Evert-Jan Eijerkamp purchased a few pigeons that evening, and as the event concluded, Willem de Bruijn approached him to congratulate him on his acquisitions.
"Congratulations, Evert-Jan," Willem said. "In my opinion, you’ve bought the best one here. I was absolutely taken with that pigeon from Gerard Koopman. If you ever want to do me a favor, I’d love a pair of eggs from that pigeon!" he joked to Evert-Jan.
Evert-Jan replied that he would first quarantine the pigeons, then pair the acquired Koopman pigeon with a cock from Bakker, which he had also purchased that evening. He promised Willem that he could collect the first eggs once the breeding began. True to his word, Willem visited Brummen in April 2020 to pick up the eggs, which would prove to be a golden decision. In 2023, Willem reaped the rewards of that pairing, having bred a champion from the offspring of both cocks which both highlighted 2024 even more.
NL23-9313604 ‘Murphy’s Ruud 604’
One standout from Willem's loft is the yearling sensation NL23-9313604 ‘ Ruud's Murphy 604’, who achieved an impressive set of results:
- 2. National Ace Pigeon Yearlings PIPA 2024
- 4. National Ace Pigeon Old Pigeons PIPA 2024
- 5. National Ace Pigeon Middle Distance PIPA 2024
- 1. Provincial Ace Pigeon One-Day Long Distance Afd. 5
- 5. Ace Pigeon Federation SS Gouwe-IJssel 2023
- 6. NPO Salieu – 9,702 pigeons
- 10. Melun – 2,941 pigeons
- 20. NPO Fontenay – 15,196 pigeons
- 49. Provincial Niergnies – 21,068 pigeons
- 65. National St. Maure – 9,256 pigeons
- 87. NPO Issoudun – 10,081 pigeons
‘Ruud's Murphy 604’ comes from a rich pedigree. His father is NL20-1495380NL20-1495380 ‘Ruud’, a son of Germiny Jr."Germiny Jr." and ‘Annie’. Germiny Jr."Germiny Jr." bred by Ruud and Dolf Bakker, is a descendant of their foundation bird ‘Germiny’, who won 1. NPO Blois, 2. NPO Bourges, and 6t.NPO Bourges, and later became a leading breeder at their loft. ‘Germiny’ is the father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of numerous winners and ace pigeons. His pedigree traces back to Koopman bloodlines. The mother of ‘Ruud,’ ‘Annie’ (NL19-1244951NL19-1244951), was bred by Gerard Koopman and is a daughter of ‘Paco’ and ‘Wandie’. 'Paco', a 2. National Bourges winner, is a full brother to ‘Manu,’ a two-time National winner for C. and G. Koopman. 'Wandie' was the 1. NPO Souppes winner against 3,607 pigeons.
The dam of 'Ruud's Murphy 604',’ ‘Murphy’s 961’ (NL19-1788961), is a daughter of ‘Murphy’s Law,’ the standout pigeon of Willem de Bruijn’s loft.
NL23-9314607 ‘Gerard’s Vlinder’
Another rising star from De Bruijn’s loft is NL23-9314607 ‘Gerard’s Vlinder’, whose 2024 accomplishments include:
- 2. National Ace Pigeon One-Day Long Distance PIPA 2024
- 6. National Ace Pigeon One-Day Long Distance World Best Pigeon 2024
- 14. National Ace Pigeon Middle Distance World Best Pigeon 2024
- 4. NPO St. Maure – 9,256 pigeons
- 9. NPO Issoudun – 10,081 pigeons
- 11. NPO Issoudun – 7,415 pigeons (30th National against 23,412 pigeons)
- 18. Provincial Pointoise – 11,051 pigeons
- 20. Arras – 12,930 pigeons
The father of ‘Gerard’s Vlinder’ is NL20-1495380NL20-1495380 ‘Gerard’, the nest brother of ‘Ruud,’ also sired by Germiny Jr."Germiny Jr." and ‘Annie’, see text above.
The dam, ‘Vlinder,’ is a proven daughter of ‘Uranus,’ another top breeder at De Bruijn’s loft, paired with a daughter of ‘Olympic Hurricane.’
Willem de Bruijn handling the Geeloger"Geeloger", B22-2090273B22-2090273, in the Eijerkamp lofts in the spring of 2024. Geeloger"Geeloger" is bred from 2 direct Willem de Bruijn pigeons and after becoming 1. National Ace pigeon Allround KBDB in 2023 he was transferred in January to the Eijerkamp lofts.
Conclusion
Willem de Bruijn’s 2024 season is a testament to his unrelenting pursuit of excellence in pigeon racing. His commitment to continuously improving his bloodlines, paired with his strategic breeding decisions, has resulted in a new generation of champions.
