Jan Keen † – Ter Apel
A Life of Passion, Championship Success and Devotion to Pigeon Racing
A Rich History in Pigeon Racing
For many in Dutch pigeon racing, the name Jan Keen of Ter Apel is a familiar one. Jan was a fancier who devoted himself to his racing pigeons for many years with tremendous passion, dedication and expertise. To him, pigeon racing was far more than a hobby. It was an essential part of his life, with a love of the pigeon and the pursuit of quality always at its heart.
Over the years, Jan built an impressive reputation as a dedicated and successful fancier. His interest extended beyond achieving outstanding race results: he was equally passionate about the quality of his pigeons, their pedigrees and their potential for future generations.
His loft brought together valuable bloodlines from renowned fanciers including Gebr. Leideman, F. & K. Mariën and F. & J. Vandenheede. These were pigeons from proven performance families, carefully selected for both racing ability and breeding value.
Jan’s involvement in the sport also went beyond his own loft. He developed his own successful pigeon feed, Beyers Premium Jan Keen Superlight, reflecting his extensive knowledge and his constant search for the best possible care and performance.
Jan Keen – The Man Behind the Pigeons
Those who knew Jan Keen understood that his pigeons held a very special place in his life. His enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment made him a distinctive personality in the pigeon-racing community.
Jan had firm ideas about quality, guided by his experience and convictions. Caring for his pigeons, pairing his breeders and following their race performances were matters to which he devoted himself wholeheartedly.
His name will therefore be remembered not only for his pigeons and achievements, but above all for the passion with which he practised the sport he loved.
A Remarkable Lifetime’s Work Becomes Available
This complete dispersal sale offers pigeon fanciers the opportunity to acquire pigeons from the lifetime’s work of a respected champion.
The collection includes interesting race performers, proven bloodlines and descendants of valuable breeding pigeons. For fanciers looking to strengthen their own lofts, this sale presents exceptional opportunities to introduce quality and proven pedigrees into their breeding teams.
Jan Keen passed away unexpectedly in June 2026. His passing marked the sad end of a life in which pigeon racing had played such an important role.
His daughter Esther and son-in-law Frenklin now wish to find new homes for his pigeons in a dignified and respectful manner. Out of love for Jan and deep appreciation for everything he achieved in the sport, they have chosen to organise this complete dispersal sale in cooperation with Top Pigeons.
This is a special sale, not only because of the quality of the pigeons, but above all as a fitting tribute to Jan Keen – a pigeon fancier through and through.
Working Together with Love and Respect on a Special Tribute
Preparing this complete dispersal sale has been a special and demanding undertaking. I personally took on the task of guiding Esther and Frenklin, bringing together all the information, memories and details of the late Jan Keen’s pigeons and turning them into a dignified, professional auction presentation.
Some time ago, Wilbert from Team Van Boxtel Reclame and I travelled to Ter Apel to capture suitable photographs and video footage. Our aim was to create images that would showcase the pigeons and their quality while doing justice to Jan’s lifetime of dedication. Robert Borneman also joined us to take the professional pigeon photographs.
What touched me most throughout this collaboration was the extraordinary commitment shown by Esther and her husband Frenklin. Although neither has any background in or knowledge of pigeon racing, they worked with remarkable dedication, perseverance and respect for Jan to make sure everything was organised as well as possible.
It was a major undertaking that required a great deal of time, care and effort. Above all, however, it was a labour of love – for Jan, for Esther and Frenklin, and out of respect for everything Jan Keen built up in the sport he loved.
Together, we brought all the pieces of the puzzle together and transformed them into this special complete dispersal sale on Top Pigeons. It is a result we look back on with satisfaction, and we sincerely hope it honours Jan Keen’s memory.
For any questions or further information about this sale, please contact me directly. Esther and Frenklin have asked me to handle enquiries, as they understandably do not have the specialist pigeon-racing knowledge required.
André van Boxtel
Top Pigeons
Preferably by email:
andre@toppigeons.com
Or via WhatsApp:
+31 6 39854806