XANDRA A NEW EIJERKAMP–DOUNA QUEEN 1. National Ace Short-Distance PIPA and 1. FCI World Best Pigeon Speed 2026
From a small loft in Donkerbroek to the top of the world
On 11 March 2024, Xandra NL24-8207733NL24-8207733 left Greenfield Stud in Brummen for Donkerbroek, together with nine other young Eijerkamp pigeons. At the time, she was simply one of ten promising youngsters making the journey north to Henk Douna.
Nobody could have known that one of those ten youngsters would go on to become one of the most successful pigeons in the world.
What followed over the next two seasons was nothing short of sensational.
Xandra developed into a phenomenal racer and repeatedly showed her ability to beat enormous fields.
There are pigeon stories that are impressive because of one great result.
And then there are stories that become special because of the people, the friendship and the bloodlines behind them.
The story of Henk Douna and Hans and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp belongs firmly in the second category.
For around six years, Henk Douna from Donkerbroek has been working closely with H. & E.J. Eijerkamp in Brummen. Every year, a small group of around 10 to 12 youngsters travels north from Greenfield Stud to Henk’s loft.
Henk is a small fancier by choice. Just 24 old birds, 12 pairs, and a very selective racing team.
Yet this small loft has produced some enormous performances.
And in 2026, the name of Xandra NL24-8207733NL24-8207733 became impossible to ignore.
Evert-Jan and Henk with Xandra and King Geeloger
A friendship going back decades
The connection between Henk Douna and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp is not something that appeared six years ago.
Their friendship goes back to the 1970s.
Over all those years, the relationship has developed into a very close partnership. They speak frequently, discuss pigeons, races and breeding, exchange ideas and constantly challenge each other.
Evert-Jan is a coach and sparring partner for Henk, but the feeling is mutual. Both men have an enormous passion for racing pigeons and, above all, genuinely enjoy working together.
That shared enthusiasm has produced some remarkable pigeons.
Xandra
Xandra, a direct Eijerkamp star 1. National Ace Pigeon Short Distance PIPA ranking 2026
Xandra was bred at Eijerkamp from: Greyhound"Greyhound" x Grizzle Rossi Hen NL21-1670059NL21-1670059
Greyhound is a son of Viton"Viton" x Daughter Goed Grijs"Daughter Goed Grijs", while Grizzle Rossi Hen is a daughter of the famous Turbo Rossi"Turbo Rossi" x Ramisha"Ramisha".
A pedigree packed with proven Eijerkamp breeding power.
Mother Xandra
Father Xandra
In 2024, Xandra travelled north as a young bird to Henk Douna in Donkerbroek.
What followed over the next two seasons was nothing short of sensational.
Her list of performances includes:
1. Luyksgestel against 4.022 pigeons
2. Boxmeer against 3.436 pigeons
3. Weert against 10.721 pigeons
3. Heusden-Zolder against 9.399 pigeons
3. Duiven against 4.526 pigeons
4. Eefde against 4.857 pigeons
5. Boxmeer against 14.010 pigeonsAnd this is only part of the story.
During her career so far, Xandra has achieved an incredible seven times 1:1000.
At the end of the 2026 season, the rankings confirmed what her performances had already suggested.
Xandra became:
1. Nat. Ace. Short-Distance PIPA ranking 2026
1. FCI World Best Pigeon Speed 2026
1. Ace natour division North-West
The remarkable detail is that Xandra achieved the PIPA title with an even lower coefficient than Ireen"Ireen" had when she became the best speed pigeon in 2022.
In other words, Henk had found a successor to his great champion.
"Ireen has her successor"
It is a remarkable coincidence.
In 2022, Ireen gave Henk one of the greatest moments of his career by becoming 1. Nat. Ace pigeon PIPA Short-distance in 2022 and 2. Nat. Ace pigeon NPO Short-Distance in 2022.
Four years later, another direct Eijerkamp pigeon from his loft has achieved the same type of honour.
Henk himself described Xandra as the successor to Ireen.
And that makes the story particularly beautiful.
Ireen is now back at Greenfield Stud, where she is being used in the breeding lofts. Xandra, meanwhile, has followed in her footsteps on the race course.
The circle is complete.
Ireen
Xandra
A dream season for Henk Douna
Xandra was not Henk’s only National Ace Pigeon in 2026.
At the same time, King Geeloger became 1. National Ace Young Pigeon PIPA Ranking 2026.
Two National Ace Pigeons.
And behind both champions stands the same partnership between Henk Douna and Eijerkamp.
At the end of the season, Henk made the decision that both Xandra and King Geeloger should return to Brummen, the place where they were born.
Together with Evert-Jan, new breeding plans were made.
A team effort
We are incredibly proud of our boys Arnold, Rick and Nick, who are responsible for the Eijerkamp breeding pigeons at Greenfield Stud.
Their daily dedication, care and passion are an essential part of the success of these breeding lines. Behind every champion stands a team, and we are very proud of the work they do every single day.
For Henk, the return of these two champions to Greenfield Stud is more than simply bringing two successful pigeons back to the breeding loft.
It is another step in a story that started decades ago with a friendship and developed into one of the most enjoyable collaborations imaginable.
A small loft in Donkerbroek.
A handful of carefully selected Eijerkamp youngsters every year.
A tremendous amount of communication, trust and passion.
And now two National Ace Pigeons in one season.
Xandra has become the successor to Ireen. King Geeloger has become the next generation of the Geeloger family.
And perhaps the most exciting part of this story is that it is far from over.
Because when Henk Douna and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp start talking about the next breeding season, one thing is certain:
there will be plenty of ideas, plenty of discussion and above all, plenty of joy with the pigeons.
Arnold, Rick, Nick, Henk and Evert-Jan
