S. & P. van Helden – three generations, one passion
and outstanding national performances
In Hardinxveld-Giessendam, pigeon racing is truly a family affair. Racing under the name S. & P. van Helden, Sim van Helden, his son Peter and Peter’s two sons, Joas and Ezra, form a close-knit team. Three generations sharing their love of pigeons, the daily care of the loft and, of course, the excitement of race days.
Their results over recent seasons show just how successful this joint approach has been. In particular, 2025 and 2026 saw the Van Helden family once again make their mark with outstanding performances.
2025 – Strong Sven makes history
The highlight of the 2025 season was Strong Sven, winner of 1st National Issoudun, Section 2, against 5,737 pigeons. Over approximately 579 kilometres, this cock finished no less than 6.5 minutes ahead of the opposition. In the same race, the partnership also achieved 10th National Section 2.
The overall national result from Issoudun further underlined the quality in the loft: against 22,675 pigeons, they achieved, among other results, 19th National, with an impressive 18 prizes from 25 pigeons entered.
The partnership also finished 2025 as 1st Unnominated One-Day Long-Distance Champion and 3rd Nominated One-Day Long-Distance Champion in Samenspel Zuid-Holland Oost.
2026 – Another impressive run of results
Anyone who thought 2025 would be difficult to match got their answer in June 2026.
From Melun (386 km), the Van Helden family recorded 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th against 2,560 pigeons. At provincial level, against no fewer than 13,675 pigeons, these performances translated into 4th, 13th, 14th and 15th.
The winner was Sis Strong Sven, a nest sister to national winner Strong Sven. Another clear demonstration of the strength of this pigeon family.
Importantly, this quality is not confined to their own loft. Descendants and related pigeons from the Van Helden bloodlines are also achieving notable results for other fanciers, including 1st National Lorris against 5,798 pigeons for Maarten Hakvoort.
Proven bloodlines for the future
Names such as Sven, Sven Junior, Strong Sven, GP 502, Cher Ami, Joosje, Patriot and Dina appear regularly in these pedigrees for good reason. These are pigeons and families that have proved themselves both on the racecourse and in the breeding loft at the highest level.
These bloodlines are also making an impact internationally. For example, the pedigree of a descendant from the Sven Junior line refers to an excellent 3rd place in the final of the Algarve Golden Race 2026. A fine addition to this family’s national and provincial achievements.
Top Pigeons now offers you the opportunity to introduce pigeons from this successful family into your own loft. An attractive opportunity for fanciers seeking pedigrees that combine top national positions, strong provincial performances and proven breeding ability.
Six pigeons from proven winners and strong breeding lines – now on Top Pigeons…
1 - NL25-1077387 ♂ – SVEN JUNIOR × CHRISTA
A son of Sven Junior, 1st Overall Champion ZHO 2022, and Christa, who finished in the top 1% on 10 occasions and in the top 25% on 44 occasions. Sven Junior is the sire of Strong Sven, winner of 1st National Issoudun (Section II) against 5,737 pigeons, with a lead of more than five minutes. The immediate family also includes 3rd in the Algarve Golden Race Final 2026, winning €50,000. An attractive combination of individual performances and proven breeding ability.
2 - NL25-1300439 ♂ – CHER AMI × DE 279
A son of Cher Ami, winner of 1st Issoudun against 630 pigeons and grandsire of 1st National Issoudun against 5,737 pigeons. His dam, De 279, is directly from Sven Junior × Joosje and is a half-sister to Dina and Strong Sven. This cock therefore combines several successful Van Helden performance lines, including that of GP 502, winner of 3rd National Châteauroux against 8,122 pigeons.
3 - NL25-1301179 ♀ – PATRIOT × DINA
Direct daughter of the proven breeding pair Patriot × Dina. Patriot achieved, among other results, 9th NPO against 10,534 pigeons and finished in the top 1% on 16 occasions. Dina won 1st NPO Pont-Saint-Maxence against 19,399 pigeons and was 13th National Olympiad Pigeon. This hen is also a full sister to Super 157, ranked 22nd in the FCI World Best Pigeon ranking 2024. A direct daughter of two exceptionally well-documented performance pigeons.
4 - NL26-8108681 ♀ – STRONG SVEN × HALF-SISTER OLYMPIC MADISON
A direct daughter of Strong Sven, winner of 1st National Issoudun (Section II) against 5,737 pigeons, with a lead of more than five minutes. Her dam is a half-sister to Olympic Madison, 2nd National Olympiad Pigeon, Category G, Budapest 2015. The family also includes 8th Ace Pigeon Young Birds. A direct combination of a national winner and Olympiad bloodlines.
5 - NL26-8108682 ♂ – BROTHER JUTTA × NEW JOOSJE
A son of Brother Jutta, full brother to Jutta, winner of 1st NPO Châteauroux against 6,019 pigeons and 1st National Arras against 10,144 pigeons. His dam, New Joosje, won 1st NPO Pont-Saint-Maxence against 12,166 pigeons and comes from the renowned Sven line. A young cock with top performers on both sides of the pedigree.
6 - NL26-8108696 ♀ – SVEN JUNIOR × GP 502
A daughter of Sven Junior, sire of Strong Sven (1st National Issoudun against 5,737 pigeons) and related to the 3rd-place finisher in the Algarve Golden Race Final 2026. Her dam, GP 502, won 3rd National Châteauroux against 8,122 pigeons and is the dam of 1st National Issoudun against 5,737 pigeons. A particularly direct combination of a proven sire line with a top national performer and proven breeding hen.
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