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After winning 1. NPO Chateaudun against 9.959 bird, Will and Falco Ebben shook the pigeon world again within 12 days, winning 1. NPO Blois against 7.917 birds. A performance like from another world with magnificent pigeons grabbing the fame. And so again the uncle-nephew duo with just a small colony of pigeons beat the ‘giants’ in our noble sport.

Winner of the National race from Blois in combine 8 became NL08-1202790 'Danara', a one of a kind top prize winner. An unbelievable list op prizes preceded the Blois victory, with a/o:
2. NPO Morlincourt (311 km)  16.971 b. (after loft mate!)
2. Moeskroen (203 km)      229 b. (after loft mate)
3. Strombeek (137 km)       243 b. (after two loft mates)
On the one day long distance season opening of 2009, she was already the first Ebben bird to won 14. prize from 1,138 bird. ‘Danara’ was bred by Nico-Jan Koenders, the topper where Falco and Will purchase five youngsters to race with every year. “And from these five, always one stands out in the crowd,” says Falco. “I acquired many pigeons throughout the years, but most of the time it was disappointing. The pigeons of Nico-Jan however succeed very well.”

The making of a new myth
With the double NPO victory, Will and Falco Ebben add a new chapter to the myth of David and Goliath. With a colony of just 12 racing and 12 breeding pairs, the men can be qualified as ‘small fanciers’. Still they fight in the same arena as the professionals in sport and not seldom they beat the mass-players in the battle for the highest honour. Because above all; quality eventually prevails. The Blois victory is another highlight for Will and Falco Ebben in 2009. Just to mention a few:
Strombeek   2,478 b.: 1, 10, 12, 14, 17, 46, 71, 73, 85, 86, etc. (24 entered, 17 prizes)
Strombeek fastest bird on the day from 16,454 b.
Blois   1,795 b.: 1, 11, 17, 27, 30, 74, 91, etc. (18 entered, 12 prizes).
Blois NPO Zuid 3,688 b.: 1, 31, 42, 74, 79, etc.
Orleans   1,138 b.: 14, 17, 18, 32, 32, 34, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59, etc. (23 entered, 15 prizes)
Orleans NPO Zuid  6,135 b.: 42, 56, 57, 108, 115, 202, 203, 208, 240, 253, etc.
Arras (259 km)  1,800 b.: 9, 18, 19, 31, etc.
Menen (203 km)    700 b.: 2, 14, 16, 36, 37, 40, 46, 63, 64, 67, 78 etc.
Will and Falco can honestly say the care of their pigeons is not very complicated. “Every four weeks veterinary surgeon Fernand Mariën checks our pigeons and so far we did not need to give any medication during the racing season. Why treat a healthy pigeon? About seven weeks before the start of the season Mariën advised us to cure against canker; that was all.”

1. NPO South Chateaudun
Was the first victory the best? Will and Falco find it hard to say. Fact is that the giant winning the 1. NPO race from Chateaudun is a topper of the purest kind. That pigeon is NL07-1513702 ‘Conan’, in 2008 already winner of 4x 1. prize and a 2. prize after a loft mate. His list of honour so far is impressing:
1. NPO Châteaudun (518 km) 2009  9,959 b.
1. Ablis (456 km) 2008      742 b. – 3. NPO 5,681 b.
1. Châteauroux (628 km) 2008     445 b. – 8. NPO 3,089 b.
1. Pommeroeul (203 km) 2008      476 b. – 4. against 2,885 b.
1. Morlincourt (312 km) 2008      139 b. – 3. against 1,134 b.
2. Moeskroen/Menen (203 km) 2008     252 b. – after loft mate
4. Menen     9,291 b. – after 3 Ebben-bred pigeons
4. Morlincourt (312 km) 2008      188 b.
4. Breuil Le Vert 2008      108 b.
18. Orléans 2009    1,138 b. – 57. NPO 6,135 b.
18. Arras 2009-06-23   1,784 b.
‘Conan' was bred from 'Picasso', direct Ad Schaerlaeckens and grandson to ‘Orleansduifje’ x ‘Beauty’. Mother to ‘Conan’ is Ebben founding hen 'Greetje', from the super pair of Arie van Beek (De Klak lines). ‘Conan’ is (half)brother to many toppers, some of them are:
- 'Cleopatra'; 1. Strombeek 1,058 b. and 1. Morlincourt 421 b.
- ‘Bontje'; mother to 6 different 1. prize winners
- 'Daan'; 1. Houdeng 1,640 b. and 2. Duffel 2,698 b.
- 'Canon'; 1. acebird one day long distance 2008, 2. young acebird 2007
- 'Falco'; 1. Pommeroeul 528 b. and 1. Châteauroux 145 b.

In two weeks a new battle is at stake: NPO Bourges. Can Will and Falco Ebben than complete their hattrick? It would be fabulous, never shown before in the history of Dutch pigeon racing. In Beneden-Leeuwen, for now they just enjoy … enjoy these two splendid victories, won by two fantastic pigeons.

Text: ALBERT ROORDING