Ludo Claessen's Complete and Final Auction !

25956 Views 94 Replies 22 Participants Last post by fastpitch dad, Apr 26, 2009

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · Mar 9, 2009 (Edited)

It is with remorse that I share the following auction details with our readers. There are some behind the scene details, which has caused this loft auction to come about. I do not have the full details, but apparently there were some "Violent" thefts, which occurred at Ludo's home. The loss of some of his most prized pigeons I would imagine, has left him despondent. Perhaps some day, some full details may be known, but the result is that one of Holland's great Master's is leaving the sport.

If there is a silver lining to all of this, it is that some really great pigeons will be made available, and if you were shrewd enough to have invested in some of Mr. Claessen's birds in the past, then you own some very special, and soon to be much more rare racing pigeons.

PIPA PRESENTS
The Most Spectacular
Total Sale Ever Held !

http://www.pipa.be/verkoop/claessens/index.htm

1 - 20 of 95 Posts

Skyeking

· #2 · Mar 9, 2009

I'm so sorry to hear about this....it is TERRIBLE that he is forced to do this, but I can understand.

I hope you will be getting some of these birds, so that we can continue to hear about any adventures from you, of your Claessen's or babies thereof.

I appreciate you sharing and please share any further updates.

learning

· #3 · Mar 9, 2009

Warren, as a fellow Ludo lover, this just breaks my heart. It is unbeleivable that one of the finest middle distance racers in the world is being forced out of the sport. I really hate to see this happen.

For those of you that ask about high prices for pigeons, you aint seen nothing yet. My guess is there won't be a pigeon in the auction go for less than 15 - 20,000 dollars. The best may top 6 figures. Depends on what the Taiwaneese and Chineese do. That seems to be where most of his birds have ended up in the past. Present company excepted of course Warren!

What a terrible shame to see this come to pass. If I had a quarter million to spare I would definitely be in the middle of the bidding.

Dan

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 9, 2009

learning said:
Warren, as a fellow Ludo lover, this just breaks my heart. It is unbeleivable that one of the finest middle distance racers in the world is being forced out of the sport. I really hate to see this happen.

For those of you that ask about high prices for pigeons, you aint seen nothing yet. My guess is there won't be a pigeon in the auction go for less than 15 - 20,000 dollars. The best may top 6 figures. Depends on what the Taiwaneese and Chineese do. That seems to be where most of his birds have ended up in the past. Present company excepted of course Warren!

What a terrible shame to see this come to pass. If I had a quarter million to spare I would definitely be in the middle of the bidding.

Dan

I don't know Dan, there is a major recession going on around the globe....I'm thinking there could be some real bargains this time around. I think you have hit the nail on the head, it really depends on what Taiwan and China do. Those folks play for some big money, and they are not afraid to invest in their sport. The vast majority of Ludo's have gone there over the years, and I don't expect things to be much different this time around. Americans seem to choke on the idea of investing $5000 or $10,000 into a pigeon, and yet will spend many times that on a car which will depreciate as soon as you drive it off the lot...go figure !!....

... For what the guy won from winning the Triple Crown with a 1/2 Ludo, he could now buy that new car. I suspect that out of necessity, if any end up in America, they will end up at a commercial breeding farm. Regardless of how or where they end up, I am hoping that at least one well heeled American will step up to the plate and acquire one of these, and not let them all fall into the hands of our friends over seas. And if that does not happen, well then Dan, I guess the weight will fall on our shoulders, to keep some of this rare strain intact for the benefit of future generations.

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SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 9, 2009

I said winner of the Triple Crown, I meant the World Ace Challenge. The winner last year was 1/2 Ludo....he won a cool $160,000, maybe he will invest some of that money and get himself an orginal Ludo or two...but then the secret will really be out. If you invest in some of the best, you can earn all of it back and more, in the One Loft events.

http://worldacechallenge.com/race_entries/prize_money.php

conditionfreak

· #6 · Mar 9, 2009

That kind of money would only be for someone who is going to sell the children. Not someone who is actually going to win races with them.

I would think.

As Sam Haslem and many others have told me. You do not have to pay big money to get great birds.

Of course, sometimes you do. But it depends on the definition of "have to".

It is sad that a lover of the sport. One who excelled in it, is leaving because of criminal activity. Seems to me he should have sold a bid or two and invested in some security. A shotgun perhaps. Or even a live in loft manager or two.

I may leave the sport of my own accord, but I will be damned if someone will MAKE me leave it (except for those darn hawks)

learning

· #7 · Mar 9, 2009

conditionfreak said:
That kind of money would only be for someone who is going to sell the children. Not someone who is actually going to win races with them.

I would think.

As Sam Haslem and many others have told me. You do not have to pay big money to get great birds.

Of course, sometimes you do. But it depends on the definition of "have to".

It is sad that a lover of the sport. One who excelled in it, is leaving because of criminal activity. Seems to me he should have sold a bid or two and invested in some security. A shotgun perhaps. Or even a live in loft manager or two.

I may leave the sport of my own accord, but I will be damned if someone will MAKE me leave it (except for those darn hawks)

I don't know if you have followed the activities in Europe over the last several months or not. There has been a huge rise in criminal occurances involving pigeons. These have become more and more braisen and the lofts that have been broken into have had the highest levels of security, complete with cameras.

Who knows what other circumstances may have influenced his decision. All I know is that there are going to be some very fortunate, albeit lighter in the wallet, fanciers out there.

Dan

[MN]eXist^_^

· #8 · Mar 9, 2009

I believe some will come to America but not the Best Ones, China, Taiwan and other rich Europeons will want to put there hands on these birds as well. After looking at all the best birds in the world going into Asia Via..pipa, i believe its not going to stop. Seems they have more growth in this (Fancy) than any other place in the world. A Lot of SuperPIgeons have gone over there. Buts its fine We in the U.S. have our fair share of superpigeons and fanciers also. We are just not in a compressed area

learning

· #9 · Mar 9, 2009

Another thing to keep in mind is that while our economy is faltering and the dollar is at an all time low over seas, China is booming and its currency is doing very well. That should play right into the Asian fanciers hands for this auction.

Dan

G

· #10 · Mar 10, 2009

well if someone wants to drop some off at my loft I wont turn them away lol

conditionfreak

· #11 · Mar 10, 2009

learning: Naw, I don't keep up with what is happening in Europe much. Too much here in the U.S. to keep up with.

I can't imagine anyone here in the U.S., having to give up their sport because of constant theft. Especially the Big Boys. Maybe some guy who has to go to work every day, or who has some jerk teenagers living next door.

But, someone who can sell a few pigeons and then be able to afford a full time loft manager or two. It defies logic. Unless things are really really bad over there.

What are the rest of the legends over there doing differently? Who is buying these pigeons from the thieves? Don't fellow flyers see the stolen pigeons in their comrades lofts? Is there insurance for this type of thing?

So many questions about this, but I guess it is what it is. The end of a legends career in the sport.

[MN]eXist^_^

· #12 · Mar 10, 2009

Jongesupercrack 46000 euro already it just began

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 10, 2009 (Edited)

Let the Bidding Begin !!

I must admit, that I have secured some "good" pigeons at times, for a modest amount of money. But, I still get a kick out of those fanciers who fly for diplomas, that "Just as Good" pigeons can be secured for $100 or something like that....

Please, read the history on this bird, and the family history...and tell me where such a bird can be purchased in the USA for $100....OK then $1,000....OK then for any price ? @ current price of 46,000 Euro which in dollars is around $57,500.

I have always been an advocate of buying the best one could afford, as it will pay dividends in the years ahead. But, I still run into those who down play the value of quality. Or claim that great quality can be purchased cheaply. There will always be exceptions, but if anyone knows where this type quality, can be purchased cheap in the USA, then please drop me a line.

I am happy Ludo is getting some fair prices this early in the auction. It certainly makes my previous investments in Ludo's look pretty shrewd....especially when compared to some of my other "stock" (market) investments !!

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[MN]eXist^_^

· #14 · Mar 10, 2009

Superfamily superpigeons what more can you say I agree with you. These birds are no joke!

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 10, 2009

Even I am a bit taken back by such strong bidding, when it only started today...I am pretty sure the Record at PIPA has now been broken again....the last record I remember was an orginal Ludo. Now @ this moment the below listed Super Pigeon is already at 56000 Euro or $70,000....so I don't know Dan.....we could hit six figures here. I'm still trying to digest the $70,000 figure......

[MN]eXist^_^

· #16 · Mar 10, 2009

I say 100000+ for this bird wouldn't be a suprise at all. I wonder why kees bosua didn't have his auction on pipa:/?

bloodlines_365

· #17 · Mar 10, 2009

boy oh boy..... a choking 60 thousand bucks on jonge supercracks...... maaaan this guys are not joking... i think this bird could end up to a 100s thousand euro...

bloodlines_365

· #18 · Mar 10, 2009

SmithFamilyLoft said:
I must admit, that I have secured some "good" pigeons at times, for a modest amount of money. But, I still get a kick out of those fanciers who fly for diplomas, that "Just as Good" pigeons can be secured for $100 or something like that....

Please, read the history on this bird, and the family history...and tell me where such a bird can be purchased in the USA for $100....OK then $1,000....OK then for any price ? @ current price of 46,000 Euro which in dollars is around $57,500.

I have always been an advocate of buying the best one could afford, as it will pay dividends in the years ahead. But, I still run into those who down play the value of quality. Or claim that great quality can be purchased cheaply. There will always be exceptions, but if anyone knows where this type quality, can be purchased cheap in the USA, then please drop me a line.

I am happy Ludo is getting some fair prices this early in the auction. It certainly makes my previous investments in Ludo's look pretty shrewd....especially when compared to some of my other "stock" (market) investments !!

hey warren thus any of the birds you purchase from ludo.... have the blood line on jonge supercrack...

SmithFamilyLoft

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 10, 2009 (Edited)

You almost have to look at the family tree to explain where my orginal Ludo's are. I have two previous trees which Ludo published on my site, which also help. There is no "Jonge Supercrack" in my pedigrees from Ludo, but his Sire, Super Crack 69 is...the Dam to my Zus Red Quinty...Zus Red Arrow is shown in this tree...as is Rode Katoog...My Bont 509 has Zus 03 Claessens, Blauwe 84 and sister to Kirsty in his ped and shown on this tree.

learning

· #20 · Mar 11, 2009

SmithFamilyLoft said:
Even I am a bit taken back by such strong bidding, when it only started today...I am pretty sure the Record at PIPA has now been broken again....the last record I remember was an orginal Ludo. Now @ this moment the below listed Super Pigeon is already at 56000 Euro or $70,000....so I don't know Dan.....we could hit six figures here. I'm still trying to digest the $70,000 figure......

O.K. I am going to go out on a limb here and predict a winning bid 126,000Euro! I know, sounds crazy, but this bird deffinitely has the goods, and the Chineese diffinitely have the money!

Dan

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