* = Update: 5 sept. 2007
Jaap van Alphen *

I grew up in the neighbourhood of Leiden. As a young kid I had racing pigeons together with my dad. My father won a lot of Federation, Combine and Section races in de Combine West and section NABvP.

When I had a loft partnership together with him we won at least 3 x the 1st overall championship of the Federation and Combine (as far as I can remember). Also a few 2nd championships, etc. In those years we had races with many participated members, much more members as we have now a days.

Later on when I was married I flew on my own in Rijnsburg, in a different federation as my father, but in the same Combine and Section. At certain moment we were 1st and 2nd allround champion in de Combine and Section, unfortunate my dad passed away to young.

After his dead the question raised what to do with such good breeding and race material? After requests of my mother (90 years old now, but still crazy about racing pigeons) we kept the pigeons in my fathers loft in Leiden. She even became 2nd allround champion in the Combine, just after me! We just sold the nest youngsters at a public sale, that went so good that I decided to continue with this, to cover the expenses.

That’s how I started up my breeding station. My father had pigeons from direct Janssen Brothers. Accompanied with the Jan Aarden’s from Mr. Meesters. These pigeons had the eye sign and color, which determined my whole pigeon career from that time on. Many years later, during a local pigeon show in the middle of Holland, I saw them again as a pigeon judge. At that time I was the youngest pigeon judge in Holland. But quite experienced as I may say so.

Afterwards I looked all over Holland to find these specific pigeons. Finally I had 5 direct children of “The Dolle” and two direct children out of the “Famous Lange”. From here I created the breed Jan Aarden The Gold Eyes.

With my original August Hofkens pigeons I won many first prizes in Federation and Combine, year after year. This bloodline is still winning and won since 2003 several national ace bird prizes. In Holland they won a.o.: 1st, 3rd, 3rd,5th and 6th NPO National Ace bird. All descendents of my Hofkens breeding couples.

Via Krijn van de Berg from Oegstgeest came the great Van Zelderen brothers pigeons, and via dr Matser en drs Hans van der Sluis the Jef van Wanroy pigeons. At certain moment I had inside my breeding loft from every pigeon in the "Jo Hendriksboek" a child (from him as well 30 direct Van Wanroy). I had a.o.: 2 from the Famous "90", 5 from the Barcelona 113, 3 children from "t Hartje, 2 children out of the Maaskant. So several children from each famous founding bird.

The van Zelderen pigeons came all from National top pigeons. Besides that a few  Brugemann and Batenburg pigeons. In my point of view a good breeding pigeon must have the proper eye sign, color and vitality. These characteristics of the specific eye sign and eye color must not get lost.

After several house movements and a continuing battle against hawks and other birds of prey, I decided not to race anymore and specialize myself into breeding completely. I sell pigeons only on financial/social basis. So only working men’s prices. So don’t join the craziness, at my lofts you can still buy some decent pigeons for a very fair price...

Besides above mentioned breeds I also have several couples great Theelen pigeons, mostly red. Also from top loft, Jan Hermans Luytenhage (breeder red Trutje from Theelen).

Then of course the Van der Wegens (old bloodlines), some super Willem de Bruyn pigeons, directs from Koen Minderhout, orginal Gaby VandenAbeele (3 couples direct and a.o. 14 grand children of Den Wittenbuik.

The latest purchased pigeons are those from C & G Koopmans duiven (a.o.: 8 grand children from "Kleine Dirk".

Some coloured chocolate Meulemans pigeons with great pearl eyes make it all complete. They gave in 2006 the 1st national Ace bird by the the Youth in Holland.

Then also 10 couples 100% pure white pigeons, some of them from Mr. Gramberen, which are capable for the long distance. Also great for marriages, because losses are not huge with these long distance pigeons. They are very fanatic, and are untameable to return home to be in their loft!

Then a few Horemans pigeons from Robert ten Berghe, still with the original characteristics.

Then of course the grizzle family "The Olympic Line", capable for 50 to 600 miles. Good performances in all kinds of weather. Especially in England some great performances on different milages and different weather. In family many national top pigeons and Olympiade pigeons.

You can choose from the following bloodlines:

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Young birds available all year!