The most expensive pigeon in the world: New Kim moves to China for 1.7 million

Another shock for the sport of pigeons in Europe: New Kim moves to China for 1.7 million

Belgian pigeon New Kim will move to China immediately from Kurt Van de Wouver’s loft in Berlaar. With a price tag of 1.72 million Swiss francs, New Kim succeeds Armando as the most expensive pigeon transfer in history. Armando had also moved to China in March 2019 from Joël Verschoot’s Belgian loft.

Chinese fans have never been able to admire the flying skills of the headwind specialist with an astonishing wingspan. The serial winner of several classics, including the Ace Pigeon Championship, the 2018 Angoulême and the 2019 Long Distance Olympics, was only used for breeding.

It is quite possible that the man Armando and the woman New Kim are in the same loft. It is suspected that the pseudonym of the successful bidder “Super Duper” is the same breeder who has already secured Armando’s services.

During the last 30 minutes of the two week transfer window, “Super Duper” had a real bidding battle with “Hitman.” The auction of the Belgian noblewoman started at a price of 200 euros. A South African tender consortium had temporarily raised the price to 1.4 million. But in the end, Chinese purchasing power became stronger again.

The record price is even more surprising because New Kim is a woman. Breeding pigeons generally command higher prices.

Unlike Armando, New Kim’s Palmarès is modest. The two-year-old hen flew alone in the 2018 season and won the title of best young bird in Belgium.

The loss of New Kim is another major setback for pigeon racing in Europe. Hopeful talents (Bolt, Nadine) keep disappearing in Chinese breeding lofts and thus out of the eyes of European fans.

In China, prize money for pigeon racing has exploded in recent years. Besides big money, there are also cars to win. It is said that a Belgian pigeon already flew in a Bentley, a Mercedes G500 and a Mercedes GL400 for its owner. This is what the proud breeder Jos Vercammen (“A family of winners”) wrote on his home page.

However, the growing prize money also tempts doping and fraud. In 2018, fanciers Gong and Zhang were sentenced to three years of probation. They had won the 16th Shanghai Racing Pigeon Race and with it a cash prize of 160,000 francs by taking their pigeon to the finish line on a high-speed train.

The sad but probably inevitable transfer is also cause for hope. The scene already awaits the offspring of Armando and New Kim and, therefore, the ultimate super pigeon.

We stay tuned.