The Cattrysse Brothers by Liam O Comain

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Author: Liam O Comain. Title: The Cattrysse Brothers and Their Tension
Oscar and Gerard CattrysseThe late Oscar and Gerard Catrysse founded a variety of racing pigeons that, in the minds of experts, can be compared to any other of the great racing pigeon dynasties. Numerous authorities at the time referred to the brothers as the "undisputed world champions". This included the world-renowned pigeon authority, the legendary Piet de Weerd.. And there's no doubt that the results achieved by this wonderful strain would confirm the last opinion.

The Cattrysse brothers were from Moere in Belgium and had entered the sport before World War I. However, the wise things of the pigeons did not flourish until they bought in 1922 a pair of squeakers from the attic of Jules Vander Espt that were sired by the latter's 'Blauwe' who won approximately eight races when he was young. After this purchase, the brothers, based on a journalistic report, visited Pierre Deknop's attic and for a large sum bought a pair of squeaks from the latter. They also bought a chicken from Ernest Casteleyn's loft from near Moere and, through a cross process, eventually, based on the cross of Casteleyn and Vander Espt, produced their 'Grote Blauwe', which was the basis of a life of great life. pigeon running towards moere.

According to his example, if anything was the search for a good stock for which they paid generously in the context of a sense of patience. For a "sport" you can win a race, but unless there is pedigree and consistency, the odds against it are high. As for the virtue of patience, the brothers apparently had it in abundance, a virtue that many others lack, but is necessary in sport; on the contrary, the years are slender with the appearance of the strange 'sport'.

Out of the great 'Grote Blauwe' emerged a series of outstanding runners and breeders, especially when paired with another of their purchases from Deknop lofts. One of these winners was 'Louis' with many successes, including Tours and Angouleme's firsts. The latter was a brother to 'The Langen', 'Kleine' and 'Napoleon'

Always looking for good crosses to improve their stock, the Cattrysses made a very important purchase in 1930. Of course Albert Deforce bought two hens that matched with 'The Kleine' and 'Louis'. The resulting offspring of these pairings was outstanding in saying that the lease included 'The Kleine Blauwe', 'Cendre' and 'Langen Jr.' While the 'Kleine' mating produced the great 'Gebroken Poot'.

Nevertheless, successes with breeding and racing never stopped the brothers' search for good crosses, as they again bought Leopold Lamote a very small hen with a white spot on the head. Another stroke of genius because it was combined with 'Gebroken Poot'

There is no doubt when one examines his offspring's record that the Cattrysse brothers were masters of their craft. During the 1930-1940 period, the successes of the brothers’ careers became known worldwide and were celebrated at home because they brought fame to their local area.

Unfortunately, the event of the German occupation of Belgium in 1940 saw the brothers being denied access to their lofts, but after the arrival of the Canadians in 1944, they entered empty lofts because meanwhile their stocks had been withdrawn to the aviaries in Brussels.

Following the reception of this news, approximately 40 birds were returned to their lofts at Moere, which included four children of one of its many champions and some grandchildren of 'Louis'.

Then, as if the horrors of the recent past had never happened, the breeding began again, in which in due time it came through a mating of an ugly blue that would prove a gold mine in terms of pigeon racing. He was named 'Pette' and was the father of the immortal 'De 45', as well as many other fantastic racers and breeders. From Arrass to Mountauban 'De 45' won all distances and in 1949 won 255,000 francs. The following year he won 47,000 francs, since he established himself as a real dove as he won, for example, from Bordeaux for a clear hour. Her mother was the great 'Mette'.

Also in that year (1950) the first sale of Cattrysse was held in the capital of Belgium and the prices were exceptional. Many were the successes of the strain during the fifties and sixties, especially when the weather was so bad that other bird species were notable for their absence.

But the brothers' thoroughbreds flew and earned many rewards despite the imminent figure of the Old Reaper to cause Oscar's health to worsen and on March 21, 1964 he died. When he was buried, many representatives from all over the world followed his remains, as he, like his brother, was greatly appreciated not only as great pigeons but as good human beings.

For some years, Gerard ran alongside Maurice Beuselinck-Cattrysse, but decided to do it alone in 1967, but the time was short for February 1969, the second person of the great association also answered the call. Again, as his brother's funeral, they came from all over to pay their respects. Many of whom flew and won with the Thoroughbreds who originated at Moere under the genius of two seemingly humble men.

Belgium and the global pigeon community should remember them proudly!