"How does it feel, winning the Million Dollar Race?". This is without a doubt the first question that comes to mind when you visit the winner of this famous race. We are sitting in the reception room of one of the lofts of 'Mas Palomas', the impressive estate that has been housing the Norman pigeons since 1966. Filip Norman is very clear about his feelings: "This is the most beautiful victory of all !!!", he exclaims. "Worth 2 Barcelona's, if you ask me.", he adds. "The response I got from this victory is unbelievable. Things got mad. I received phonecalls from all over the world. The newspapers were here. TV-stations. Simply incredible. Actually it is only now that I realize the impact of this race in international pigeonsport. Although I participated before, I had never given it much thought. I knew of course that the race was well organised, but I didn't know what level of professionalism the Million Dollar Race represents. Only now I looked deeper into it and I was astonished about the achievements of the whole organisation. Nothing in the world compares to it. This is the standard for all other races in the world." Strong words from the man who is not only heir to one of Belgium's top lofts with a history of more than a century (Grandfather Norman started racing in 1902!), but also President of the Entente Belge; organisers of some of Belgium's most important National Races.

"I wish my father was still around to see this victory", Filip continues. Filip's father, Norbert, was without a doubt one of the pillars of Belgian pigeonsport, President of Entente Belge and one of the true gentlemen-fanciers that made Belgian pigeons famous all over the globe. He passed away not so long ago, after having asked Filip to carry on the pigeonsport tradition of the family. "Forget about the business if you must, but continue with the pigeons", he made Filip promise. As the family business happens to be one of the largest printing companies in Belgium, you can guess what prominent place pigeons hold in the lives of the Norman family. This prominent place is not so difficult to understand if you look at the many years of success:

1963: 1st National Perigueux
1970: 1st National and 1st International Barcelona
1971: 1st National Limoges Old Birds, 1st National Limoges Derby and 2nd International Biarritz
1973: 1st National and 1st International Pau Hens
1977: 1st, 2nd and 3rd National Limoges Yearlings (yes, 1, 2 AND 3, you've read that right)
1978: Winner of the First Golden Wing Barcelona with "Jules" (2nd National and 3rd International Barcelona)
1982: First Ace Pigeon Long Distance K.B.D.B. with "Thurau"
1983: Primus Inter Pares Barcelona (Best Barcelona bird over a 5 year period with "Plastron")
1984: 1st National Limoges Old Birds, 1st National Limoges Derby, 1st National Champion K.B.D.B. Old Birds Long Distance
1989: 1st National Champion K.B.D.B. Young Birds, 1st National Argenton Young Birds
1991: 1st National Argenton Young Birds
2004: 1st National Pau, 2nd International Pau
2005: 1st National Zone A Limoges Old Birds, 1st National Zone A Limoges Derby, 5 Provincial victories
2006: 4th Champion Long Distance K.B.D.B.
2007: 2nd Champion Long Distance K.B.D.B.
2008: 1st Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race

Between 1990 and 1996 the Norman loft won 102 first prizes and 15 1st Provincials. A truly impressive record list indeed (of which only the highlights have been mentioned above). Nevertheless Filip Norman's opinion is firm: "Winning the Million Dollar Race is the most beautiful thing the Norman family has performed in the last 50 years!" "My thoughts went out to my Dad. I immediately went out and put flowers on his grave and told him of our success."

Filip Norman and August Daelemans, holding mother and father of the winning bird "Abraham".

Obviously success is no coincidence. For those among you who still think it is all a roll of the dice, let's have a look at the lineage of the winning pigeon "Abraham":

On father's side he is a grandson of the famous "Zorro", 316028/94, the basic pigeon of the Norman loft and producer of many top performing pigeons. "Zorro" himself was also an outstanding racer. His record list shows performances such as 11th National Limoges against 16854 pigeons, 10th International Dax, 1st  Regional Cahors, 14th National Cahors, 303rd National Montauban and 311th National Perigueux. "Zorro" was used according to the bull system on the Norman loft. "Probably the most important decision I ever made in my life", says Filip Norman. Contrary to what some self-proclaimed "specialists" said, Filip decided mating "Zorro" to several hens was the way forward for his loft; a decision he never regretted and the success of which he saw reconfirmed by his MDPR victory. "Abraham"'s father was the result of the mating "Zorro" x "Kristine", 3003480/03. This outstanding hen has a superb record list of her own: 133rd Blois, 13th Blois, 28th Chateauroux, 3rd Blois, 30th Blois and 8th Clermont. The son of "Zorro" and "Kristine", "Abraham"'s father, also called "Abraham", 3129113/05 shows the following track record: 56th Tours, 14th La Souterraine, 8th Clermont, 7th Tours, 877th Brive (against 16007 pigeons), 55th Cahors and 299th Tours. He was mated to "Daughter Nicotof", 3222490/05, daughter of "Nicotof" and "Malvina", 7th Arras, 15th Blois, 31st Tours, 57th Blois, 393rd Brive National (against 19777 pigeons) and 4th Tours.

All this proves that quality only comes from quality stock. And quality is what you need if you want to win the Million Dollar Race. Filip Norman: "This is the true World Championship. Almost 30 countries, from all over the globe, are represented by their top fanciers who send their top performers. To win, you have to beat the best of the best. That is what makes winning the Million Dollar Race so special." True words from a gentleman who proudly continues his father's work. Congratulations again to Filip, his loft manager Gilbert Van Parys and his staff (among them Filip's son, Christophe, the fourth generation fancier in the family).

Text & Pictures: Frank Daelemans