There can be no denying that the 2012 cock "EL-ZARKA" has now become one of the most important pigeons in the world of pigeon racing. This 2012 cock was bred by the Van Den Brande brothers, and the impact of successive generations from this cock is hugely impressive across multiple lofts all over Europe. Let's delve a little further into this remarkable breeder of outstanding pigeons.
"EL ZARKA" carries the ring B12-6054326 and was bred by the Van Den Brande Brothers in Berlaar. Both of his parents were 1st prize-winners racing themselves; and indeed "EL-ZARKA" himself showed potential racing by winning 3rd and 7th Quievrain with up to 1,076 birds competing
"EL-ZARKA" is a Direct Son of the No.1 breeding cock B08-6155928 x a Gert Heylen hen B11-6168046. How many times have we seen the Gert Heylen pigeons influence some incredible racer/breeders? The obvious example that springs to mind of course is that it was a Direct Son of the aptly named "BLAUWE GERT" that is the G.Sire of Dirk Van Den Bulck's "OLYMPIC ROSITA". Sold for over 205,000 euro's at almost 9 years of age her fame lives on through her most famous children "KITTEL", "GREIPEL", "NEW KITTEL", "GOLD DUST", "ANGELINA" etc
Very shortly we'll look at some of the best and most famous offspring of "EL-ZARKA". Before then, let me point out to you the famous colouring that follows these pigeons. "EL-ZARKA" and his father are both Grizzle in colour. This colour was inspired by "NITTE" B02-5060238. The G.Sire of "EL-ZARKA" he too was Grizzle in colour
This article is never designed to be a fully up to date catalogue of winners coming through "EL-ZARKA", It's nigh on impossible to achieve that because as every week goes by there are more and more outstanding references that get added to the list. The purpose of the article is to pay tribute to his remarkable talent and to highlight just some of his most famous offspring. The fact that there are so many lofts doing so well with his offspring, in various countries, in different terrains and under different management styles really emphasises that these are outstanding athletes.
The most famous Direct Daughter of "EL-ZARKA" is obviously "GOED GRIJS" who was bred by the Van Den Brande Brothers but then raced by the brilliant Leideman Bros in the Netherlands. The "GOED GRIJS" is probably the most famous and sought after female line in the world right now. I recall an exceptional daughter of hers "GRIZZLE MAMA" being sold for 282,000 euro's recently - thus showing in what high esteem these genes are held.
So, let's look at the famous "GOED GRIJS" hen that was acquired from Van Den Brande Brothers by the Leideman's as a baby in 2015. Carrying the ring B15-6106415 she was a remarkable racer and now a devastating breeder of winners, she was retired to the breeding loft at 2 years of age, but not before she'd won the following:
1. NPO Laon - 6,371 birds
1. Duffel - 5,821 birds 2 minutes lead
1. Heusden Zolder - 2,775 birds
1. Laon - 1,052 birds 2017
1. Wijchen - 786 birds 2016
1. Heusden-Zolder - 656 birds
1. Hapert - 231 birds 2016
Only 4 direct children from her were raced and they won
1. s-prov. acebird sprint 2019
1. prov. Hannut - 5,477 birds
1. prov. Venlo - 4,429 birds
1. Chimay - 1,464 birds
1. Chimay - 1,006 birds & 2. fastest 18,006 birds
1. Tongeren - 770 birds
4. prov. Weert - 5,552 birds
4. prov. Venlo - 4,429 birds
4. prov. Weert - 1,328 birds
5. prov. Deurne - 4,299 birds
On one occasion "EL-ZARKA" was mated back to his own famous daughter "GOED GRIJS" to breed a hen called "GRIZZLE DREAM" NL18-1459480 A star studded pedigree, and it seemed inevitable that she would do well in the breeding loft.
That has proven to be the case with the following:
Grandmother of:
1. National Ace Middle Distance NPO 2023
4. National. Issoudun 26,753 b. 2023
2. NPO Courtisols 5,092 b. 2023
1. Arlon 2,371 b.
1. Charleviles 1,885 b.
1. prize 1,529 b
1. Chimay 1,340 b.
1. Etroeungt 1,299 b.
1. prize 603 b.
Another Son of "GOED GRIJS" is the "SON GOED GRIJS 998" NL17-1647998
Owned by Marcel Sangers, A superstar breeder of winners, this G.Son of "EL-ZARKA" has a super CV of winners coming from him including
(G.) father of at least 23 x 1st. prize winners
1. Prov. Quievrain 25,743 b.
1. Niergnies 10,981 b.
1. Arlon 2,371 b.
1. Arlon 2,094 b. / 3. prov. 12,883 b.
1. Charleville 1,885 b.
1. Langres 1,874 b.
1. Weert 1,705 b.
1. Etroeungt 1,299 b.
1. Arlon 1,039 b.
1. Weert 1,005 b.
1. prize 210 km Derby De La Luz OLR 2024
2. NPO GP Chalons 9,008 b.
4. Nat. Issoudun 26,763 b.
8. NPO Nanteuil 7,551 b.
9. NPO Chalons 6,112 b.
The breeding lofts at PIPA in Belgium have recently been strengthened with the introduction of 2 Direct Sons of "GOED GRIJS". These 2 G.Sons of "EL-ZARKA" are making their presence felt when their offspring are put to test in the race basket, one son "SONG" is already Sire of 1st against 10,000 birds for the Leideman Brothers in the Netherlands. His nest-brother is "WONDER VAN GOED GRIJS" NL23-9581927
This young breeder looks to be a super-talented pigeon. In a very short breeding career, he is Sire to 28 x in the best 1% in 6 different lofts including :
1st Prov. Ace Sprint Youngsters 2024 for J & G Goemaere
1st 1,600 birds
1st 1,002 birds
1st 685 birds
1st 294 birds
1st 149 birds
2nd 1,014 birds
2nd 822 birds
2nd 746 birds
2nd 494 birds
2nd 149 birds
3rd 2,046 birds
3rd 858 birds
There is a quite remarkable Direct Daughter of "GOED GRIJS" performing miracles in the world famous Eijerkamp lofts. This Grizzle Hen "DAUGHTER GOED GRIJS" carries the ring NL17-1647589 There is seemingly no end to her talents - below are just some of the winning offspring that originate from this G.Daughter of "EL-ZARKA"
"SPEEDY GRIZZLE", "GRIZZLE DIAMOND", "GUCCI GRIZZLE", "ANDRES" and "JITTERS"
"SPEEDY GRIZZLE” NL19-1248576
Brilliant G.Daughter of the world famous "GOED GRIJS"
This hen was only raced 4 times in her career to win
1. Nat. acebird late tour WHZB/TBOTB 2019
5. prov. Niergnies - 10,065 birds after 4 loft mates
6. prov. Niergnies - 6,829 birds / 1. – 592 birds
6. Quievrain - 6,091 birds after 5 loft mates
27. Quievrain - 3,325 birds
"SPEEDY GRIZZLE" is the G.Dam of "STORM POLLY” NL23-9630361
1. Prov. Ace pigeon Short Distance Afd. 6 in 2024
1. Prov. Ace pigeon Super Short-distance Afd. 6 in 2024
5. Nat. Ace pigeon Short Distance NPO / WHZB in 2024
3. Virty en Artois 1,022 pigeons
3. Duffel 946 pigeons (also 1. against 353 p.)
3. Roosendaal 800 pigeons
11. Roosendaal 1,443 pigeons
21. Quievrain 1,168 pigeons
22. Quievrain 1,197 pigeons
33. Niergnies 3,729 pigeons
37. Lennik 1,728 pigeons
39. Duffel 3,152 pigeons
46. Duffel 1,300 pigeons
81. Quievrain 3,064 pigeons
91. Lennik 3,152 pigeons
"GUCCI GRIZZLE" was winner of:
1st Prov. Ace Pigeon AFD 8 Speed/Natour Races 2021
6th Prov. Melun 6,791 birds
7th Bierges 4,925 birds
9th Niergnies 2,333 birds
11th Tienen 2,438 birds
16th Quievrain 1,774 birds
35th Morlincourt 1,509 birds
55th Sens 1,599 birds
57th Niergnies 2,708 birds
"GUCCI GRIZZLE" is Full Sister to "JITTERS", "SPEEDY GRIZZLE", "GRIZZLY DIAMOND", "ANDRES"
"ANDRES" NL21-1670022
Sire of
"ROYAL GRIZZLE" NL24-8189659
1st Prov. Dizy Le Gros 7,155 birds
2nd Prov. Bierges 14,592 birds
23rd Heusden-Zolder 6,324 birds
38th Marche 3,657 birds
The nestmate to "ROYAL GRIZZLE" wins 1st Prov. Bierges 14,592 birds beating "ROYAL GRIZZLE" by 1 second!
"JITTERS" - 1st Prov. Ace Short Distance 2022
"GRIZZLY DIAMOND"
Outstanding winner of
1st Quievrain 12,633 birds,
1st Heusden-Zolder 7,320 birds
A Full Brother to "SPEEDY GRIZZLE" is NL20-1249178
He bred "GOLDEN CHANTY" NL21-1700737
1st Prov. Marche 10,983 birds
1st Prov. Arlon 3,722 birds
2nd Prov. Burdinne 7,243 birds
5th Prov. Quievrain 8,996 birds
11th Arlon 1,039 birds
13th Chalons 1,285 birds
63rd Burdinne 1,603 birds
77th Chalons 4,147 birds
"GOLDEN CHANTY" in turn is Sire of
3rd Soudun 3,342 birds
4th Bierges 3,351 birds
6th Nanteuil 1,423 birds
7th Prov. Niergnies 9,870 birds
9th Tongeren 2,620 birds
10th Chimay 1,826 birds
Whilst we are looking at the impact that "EL-ZARKA" has had on the Eijerkamp loft, we must mention NL17-1753533. This Direct Daughter of "EL-ZARKA" is a Full Sister to the world-famous "GOED GRIJS". This Daughter of "EL-ZARKA" that is housed at the Eijerjkamp lofts is clearly a star in her own right too. She produced the wonderful sisters called "CLAIRE" and "KAI-MOOK". How many sisters can you think of that both win 1st prize with over 17,000 birds competing!
"KAI-MOOK" is winner of the following prizes:
1. Morlincourt against 17,024 pigeons
1. Bierges against 2,271 pigeons
1. Dizy Le Gros 1,758 pigeons
7. Niergnies against 10,065 pigeons
9. Niergnies against 6,829 pigeons
17. Niergnies against 5,573 pigeons
27. Tienen against 5,780 pigeons
28. Morlincourt against 20,278 pigeons
29. Melun Andrezel against 3,786 pigeons
32. Chimay against 1,879 pigeons
36. Quievrain against 2,681 pigeons
42. Chimay against 2,417 pigeons
44. Bierges against 4,888 pigeons
46. Dizy le Gros against 14,634 pigeons
46. Quievrain against 4,062 pigeons
47. Niergnies against 5,031 pigeons
48. Quievrain against 1,774 pigeons
55. Chimay against 2,197 pigeons
58. Niergnies against 2,333 pigeons
62. Dizy le Gros against 2,279 pigeons
63. Bierges against 5,258 pigeons
65. Bierges against 6,047 pigeons
72. Morlincourt against 1,509 pigeons
72. Niergnies against 1,186 pigeons
80. Maasmechelen against 2,363 pigeons
80. Sens against 1,599 pigeons
80. Quievrain against 982 pigeons
81. Nanteuil against 3,987 pigeons
84. Châlons-en-Champagne against 572 pigeons
85. Nanteuil against 1,406 pigeons
95. Morlincourt against 1,497 pigeons
96. Melun Andrezel against 3,722 pigeons
"Kai-Mook" is winner of the following titles:
3. Acepigeon Region Short Distance
5. Acepigeon Region Speed Old Birds
7. Provincial Acepigeon Section 8 Short Distance
8. Provincial Acepigeon Section 8 Speed Old Birds
"KAI-MOOK" is the G.Dam of 14th National Ace PIPA Youngsters in 2023
"CLAIRE" NL19-1248793
She's a winner of
1st 17,538 birds
1st 5,887 birds
1st 1,629 birds
2nd 734 birds (beat by loftmate)
At Stock in 2023 she's already produced 1st Brienne 3,238 birds
To find another super child of "EL-ZARKA" we travel to the Croatian loft of Goran Gusak. It's here that we find his exceptional Grizzle Cock called "GRIZZLY ADAMS" B15-6106414 The sharp-eyed ones amongst you will notice that "GRIZZLY ADAMS" is the nest-brother of the famous "GOED GRIJS" hen of the Leideman Brothers. He raced himself with distinction winning 7th, 17th, 29th, 29th and 68th against an average of 6,000 birds. However, it's seemingly inevitable that the "EL-ZARKA" genes means that winners will soon flow - and so it proved. Perhaps the most notable being that "GRIZZLY ADAMS" is G.Sire of:
1st Masseik 2,276 birds / 3rd Prov. 10,792 birds
as well as 1st Final 400km Sanovo Derby
When we switch our attention to the UK, we find numerous winners coming down through "EL-ZARKA" - especially at the loft of Shaun McDonough for instance. It's here in the UK at Excelsior Stud though that we find "ROOSTER" NL21-1509640. Again, we see offspring excelling with Dave Roberts of Doncaster excelling with a (G.) Daughter of "ROOSTER"
"ROOSTER" NL21-1509640 Magnificent 1/2 Brother of "GOED GRIJS" (Both Direct from "EL ZARKA")
As far as I'm aware the "ROOSTER" is the only Direct Son of "EL ZARKA" in the UK
That makes him a 1/2 Brother to the world-renowned "GOED GRIJS" and he's a proven breeder too
"ROOSTER" is breeding the goods including being responsible for the following:
Dave Roberts has a very good hen “22” with 4 x 1st Clubs, 3 x 2nd Federation, 3rd Federation, 5th Federation, 8th Federation 2x9th Federation
"ROOSTER" responsible for: 7x1st club, 3 x 2nd Federation, 3rd Federation, 2x 4th Federation, 5th Federation, etc.
1st Club 206 birds, 3rd Federation 857 birds for D Roberts
1st Club 149 birds, 4th Federation 2,811 birds on 17th August 2024 for Premier Mill Lofts
1st Club 214 birds, 5th Federation 1,045 birds for D Roberts
1st Club 88 birds, 2nd Federation 442 birds for D Roberts
1st Club 109 birds, 2nd Federation 584 birds for D Roberts
1st Club 198 birds, 7th Federation 926 birds for D Roberts
1st Club 131 birds for Footitt and Fagan
2nd Club 325b for D Roberts
2nd Club 384b, 2nd Federation 1379 birds for D Roberts
2nd Federation 752 birds (beat by loftmate) for D Roberts
3rd Club 152 birds for D Roberts
3rd Club 169 birds, 9th Federation 584 birds for D Roberts
3rd Club 215 birds, 7th Federation 589 birds for D Roberts
3rd Club 208 birds, 9th Federation 762 birds for D Roberts
4th Section 606 birds, 10th Open 1,133 birds Northern Classic for D Roberts
4th Federation 411 birds for D Roberts
4th Club 109 birds, 8th Federation 459 birds for D Roberts
6th Club 105 birds for D Roberts
7th Federation 1473 birds for D Roberts
8th Federation 459 birds for D Roberts
12th Federation 504 birds for D Roberts
18th Federation 535 birds for D Roberts
39th Federation 370 birds for D Roberts
In 2025 the Leideman Bros won 1st, 2nd, 3rd Rethel against 9,958 birds (1st, 2nd, 3rd Fastest of 21,251 birds). The winner was bred from an inbred G.Daughter of “GOED GRIJS” – The No.1 daughter of “EL=ZARKA”
Earlier in the article we referred to the 282,000-euro hen called "GRIZZLE MAMA". This G.Daughter of "EL-ZARKA" truly has a special talent with no end of impressive references coming from her offspring. A selection of the most impressive are captured below to demonstrate the prowess of this lineage
She was the mother of "GRIZZLE BEST KITTEL"
Only 20 races ever, winning 17x best 1%
2. Nat. Ace KBDB Sprint 2022 after loftmate
1. Pont - 2,322 birds
1. Pont - 1,363 birds
1. Ecouen - 860 birds
1. Pont - 730 birds
1. Ecouen - 696 birds
2. Ecouen - 2,639 birds
Raced by Dehon-Demonseau
For his 6 results for National Ace KBDB Sprint 2022, he was never beaten by other lofts, only by loftmates that arrived with him.
Mother of "NESTSISTER GRIZZLE BK"
4. Olympiad bird Cat. A (Sprint) UK
1. Fed. Bath - 382 birds
3. Fed. Kingsdown - 1,928 birds
3. Fed. Bath - 776 birds
4. Fed. Frome - 788 birds
6. Fed. Bath - 1,147 birds
7. Fed. Bath - 2,338 birds
7. Fed. Frome - 2,097 birds
Also 12.-13.-15.-18.-20.-24.-25.-25. Fed.
Raced by Shaun McDonough (UK)
Mother of ‘083/22’ Shaun McDonough
1. Federation – 1,905 birds
Grandmother of ‘077/23’ Shaun McDonough
1. Federation YB – 3,027 birds
Grandmother of 2024 YB at Shaun McDonough
1. Fed. Bath YB – 1,202 birds
Grandmother of topper at J. & S.K. Broos
1. Duiven – 3,963 birds
The winners originating from this line of pigeon is never ending and utterly impressive. It seems perfectly clear that the success will continue because generation after generation continue to excel at all levels of competition.
In closing I leave you with "OLYMPIC FEMKE" NL22-8022236 of Foppe Van Der Meer. Bred from an outstanding G.Son of "GOED GRIJS" the "OLYMPIC FEMKE" is winner of the following:
1st Nat. Olympiad pigeon Cat. G Yearlings 2023
1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance World Best Pigeon 2023
1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Allround World Best Pigeon 2023
1st Nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance PIPA Ranking 2023
1st Etroeungt 5,066 p. / 4th TXT 14,071 p.
1st Chalons 2,069 p. / 4th - 6,110 p.
1st Arlon 1,764 p. / 3rd – 8,536 p.
2nd Arlon 2,374 p. / 10th – 11,396 p.
10th Weert 4,047 p. / 27th – 18,442 p.
She is a full sister of the 11th Nat. Ace Pigeon Middle Distance NPO 2023 (with a/o 1st Arlon 2,374 p., 1st Weer 2,116 p.) She is also half-sister of 1st Zutphen 11,284 birds.
So there you have it; seek out the treasure, and you may discover a hidden gem in the world of breeding: "EL ZARKA." The impact this exceptional producer has had on the sport is nothing short of outstanding, earning him recognition as one of the top breeders globally. "EL ZARKA's" meticulous approach to breeding has resulted in a legacy marked by quality, and a profound understanding of pigeon genetics. His commitment to excellence has not only elevated the standards of breeding practices but has also inspired a new generation of breeders to aspire to greatness. By consistently producing pigeons that excel in various performance metrics, "EL ZARKA" has secured his rightful place on the “Wall of Fame."