Arad Branch, a New Season Started the Right Way

For several consecutive seasons, the fanciers of the Arad Branch have been a constant presence on the national podiums. Whether we speak about Sprint, Long Distance, or Marathon races, the breeders from this county manage to impose themselves at national level as well, not only at zonal or provincial level. Considering that Arad is rather one of the smaller branches in the country, the national results achieved here are even more impressive.

The 2026 season debuted in the Arad Branch on April 25th. The first race, Kecskemet, was carried out without any problems or inconveniences whatsoever. More than 87% of the entered pigeons had already returned to the lofts by the time of the clock opening (6:00 PM). One week later, the second race of the new season took place, with liberation from the locality of Dabas, where the arrival percentage exceeded 90% by the time of the clock opening. Although with a somewhat greater distance, the third race, Bicske, was equally successful.

Stability + Continuity = Performance

The average number of fanciers competing during the last three to four seasons as members of the Arad Branch is between 125 and 130. A first aspect that draws our attention is precisely this constant number of fanciers, as well as the slight increase in their numbers noticed in recent years. However, the most important aspect for competition is the number of pigeons raced year after year by the fanciers of the Arad Branch. Although, as mentioned, this is not necessarily a large branch in terms of the number of fanciers, the number of pigeons is a significant one. It has increased constantly in recent years, and at the first race of 2026 it exceeded 8,300 pigeons.

It is also important to mention that the first races of each season are always successful, an aspect that generates confidence and security. Relying on the saying that “what works well should not be changed,” the management of the Arad Branch and the members of the Executive Committee organize the same races at the beginning of every season, races which are successful every single time. Perhaps this is also one of the “secrets”!

Professional Management

If a breeder can surprise thanks to an exceptional pigeon or an inspired decision, an entire branch cannot perform without quality management. From this point of view, the Arad Branch is a genuine example, a true model for the rest of the branches in the country. Within the branch leadership, president Daniel Marta brought together capable people, starting with the branch race director and the four presidents of the four clubs in the county, who form the Executive Committee.

And, to give only one example, the Arad Branch is among the very few branches in the country that ensures the transport of the pigeons entirely on its own, owning quality trucks and trailers. Since transportation is an essential aspect for performance, the leadership of the Arad Branch addressed this criterion early on, in order not to depend on outside situations that could eventually affect the races. Therefore, no obligations from this point of view!

Races That Give Hope for 2026 as Well

From an organizational point of view, the first three races of the 2026 season were also very successful. Thus, at the first race of this year, 8,318 pigeons were entered and liberated at 08:00 AM. Out of the 127 participating fanciers, Florin Rusu, from Chișineu-Criș, Ineu Club, won the pigeons classification. He won the race with the young cock RO-2025-0644872, clocked at 09:24:36 over the distance of 143.9 km, with an average speed of 1,701.08 m/min. In the same race, the breeders classification was won by the Marta & Chang partnership, with 9.49 penalty points. Racing over a distance of 170 km, they classified 154 out of the 183 entered pigeons.

The second race, with liberation from the locality of Dabas, brought to the starting line 8,205 pigeons and 130 breeders. Liberated at 08:20 AM, the first pigeons started arriving after two hours of flight. This time, the Slăniceanu & Bartoș partnership came into the spotlight, formed by the fanciers Viorel Slăniceanu and Istvan Bartoș, two breeders who have won many national trophies and who bring honor to Arad County. Racing only widowhood cocks, they occupied the first two places in the release ranking (as well as places 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 etc.) in the pigeons classification, as well as first place in the breeders classification.

At the third race of the season, Bicske, 7,809 pigeons were entered and 126 fanciers participated. Liberated on the morning of May 8th at 08:00 AM, the pigeons arrived with very good speeds for a 250–300 km race and, although the classification is not yet finalized, the race can already be considered a success from every point of view!