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By Liam O Comain The late Oscar and Gerald Cattrysse founded a strain of racing pigeons, which can surely be compared with any other of the great racing pigeon dynasties. Numerous authorities, including the world-acknowledged pigeon authority, the legendary Piet De Weerd, have in their time referred to the brothers as the “undisputed world champions” and there is no doubt that the results obtained by this wonderful strain would confirm that opinion. The Cattrysse Brothers were from Moere in Belgium and they had entered the sport prior to the First World War. Pigeon wise, however, things didn’t blossom until in 1922 they purchased a pair of squeakers from the loft of Jules Van der Espt. They were sired by Blauwe, which won approximately eight races as a youngster. Following this purchase, the brothers visited the loft of Pierre Deknop after reading a newspaper report on him, and for a large sum, bought another pair of squeakers. They also purchased a hen from the loft of Ernest Casteleyn from near Moere. Through a process of crossing based upon the mix of Casteleyn and Van der Espt, they eventually produced their Grote Blauwe, which was the foundation of a lifetime of great pigeon racing into Moere. Their example, if anything, as for the pursuit of good stock, for which they paid handsomely within the context of a sense of patience, for a “sport” can win a race but, unless there is pedigree and consistency, the odds against it doing so are high. As for the virtue of patience, the brothers apparently had it in abundance. It’s a virtue, which many others lack, but which is necessary in the sport, otherwise the years are lean, with only the odd “sport” making an appearance. From the great Grote Blauwe came a string of outstanding racers and breeders, especially when mated to another of their purchases from the Deknop lofts. One of these winners was Louis, with many successes including 1sts from Tours and Angouleme. Louis was a brother of The Langen, The Kleine and Napoleon who were, in fact, equal to or better than their brother. Always being on the lookout for good crosses to improve their stock, the Cattrysses made a very important purchase in 1930. From a certain Albert Deforce they bought two hens, which they mated to The Kleine and Louis. The resultant offspring from these matings were outstanding, to say the least, for they included The Kleine Blauwe, Cendre and Langen Jr., while mating of The Kleine produced the great Gebroken Poot. The successes with breeding and racing never dampened the brothers’ pursuit of good crosses, for again they purchased from Leopold Lamote a very small hen with a speck of white on its head, another stroke of genius for it was crossed with Gebroken Poo, breeding outstanding representatives of the strain, including the great Sproeten. It cannot be doubled, when one peruses the record of their breeding, that the Cattrysse Brothers were masters of their art. During the period of about 1930-40, the brothers’ racing successes became known worldwide and they were feted at home, for they were bringing fame to their local area. Unfortunately, the German occupation of Belgium in 1940 saw them being denied access to their lofts and after the arrival of the Canadians in 1944, the Cattrysse Brothers entered empty lofts, for their stock had been removed to aviaries in Brussels. However, approximately 40 birds were returned to their lofts at Moere, including four sons of one of their many champions and a few grandchildren of Louis, and, as if the horrors of the recent past had never happened, the breeding began again. In due course, there arrived, via one pairing, an ugly-looking blue, which was to prove a goldmine in pigeon racing terms. It was named Pette and was the sire of the immortal De 45, as well as numerous other fantastic racers and breeders. From Arras to Montauban De 45 won at all distances and in 1949 won 255,000 francs. The following year, he won 47,000 francs as he established himself as truly an ace pigeon, having won from Bordeaux, for example, by one clear hour. His dam was the great Mette. Also in that year (1950) the first sale for the Cattrysses was held in the Belgian capital and the prices were outstanding. Many were the successes of the strain during the 1950s and 1960s, especially when the weather was so bad that other families of birds were noticeable by their absence. But the thoroughbreds of the brothers flew and gained great rewards, in spite of the looming figure of the Grim Reaper, for Oscar’s health failed and on March 21, 1964, he died. As he was buried, many representatives from throughout the world followed his remains for he, like his brother, was held in high esteem, not just as a pigeon great, but also as a fine human being. For a few years, Gerard raced along with Maurice Beuselinck-Cattrysse but decided to go it alone in 1967. However, time was short, for in February 1969, the second person of the great partnership also answered the final call. Again, fanciers came from everywhere to pay their respect, many of them flying and winning with the thoroughbreds, which originated in Moere under the genius of two apparently humble men. The Belgian and the world pigeon communities should remember them with pride! Reprinted with permission from the Racing Pigeon Gazette