Belgian racing pigeon fetches record price of $1.9 million

New Kim is worth her weight in gold and n some — actually much, much more.

A wealthy Chinese pigeon racing fan put down a world record price of 1.6 million euros ($1.9 million) for Belgian-bred bird, saying a lot more than merely what kind of money can be me in once-quaint sport, which seemed destined to decline only a few years back.

During a frantic last half hour Sunday at end of a two-week auction, two Chinese bidders operating under pseudonyms of Super Duper and Hitman drove up price by 280,000 euros ($325,000), leaving previous record that Belgian-bred Armando fetched last year well behind by 350,000 euros ($406,000). Super Duper got 3-year-old hen.

It was proof again that an age-old hobby in Western Europe identified with working-class men now has a new, elitist foreign lease on life. Top breeders relying on generations of family experience can now sell ir birds for prices unheard of merely a dece ago, and often China is ir destination.

On this occasion, successful breeder Gaston Van de Wouwer retired at 76 and his son h too busy a professional life to continue famed pigeon coop. All 445 birds were put on auction and overall sale was closing in on 5 million euros ($5.8 million). A second part of auction is ending on Monday, but did not include any bird that could match New Kim.

Belgians have long stood out as best breeders, both because of ir generations-long experience and density of a network where many breeders can organize races close toger. It's not a short-term endeavor, however, since becoming expert at genetic breeding with constant mixing and mating of birds takes years, if not deces. Birds can live up to 15 years.

“Everybody is interested in our pigeons," Pascal Bodengien, he of Belgian pigeon federation, told Associated Press.

Only a dece ago, record price for a pigeon stood at one-tenth of New Kim's price. And current price of gold stands about 26,000 euros ($30,350) per pound.

As so often, globalization has me difference.

With rise of business wealth in China came also conspicuous consumption and a new venue for gambling. Somehow, pigeons fit bill. China often features one-loft racing, where pigeons all get used to one coop for months and n are released many hundreds of miles away to make ir way back with ir unique sense of orientation and special speed training. Prize pots can reach into tens of millions of euros.

For breeding, though, re is no place like Belgium. This is where, little more than a generation ago, national weekend rio news was followed by announcements on wher pigeons were released in faraway places in France or even Spain and what wear conditions birds were facing.

After World War II, Belgium h over 250,000 members in pigeon fancier federation. Now re are 18,000, Bodengien says.

Pigeon breeding demands constant attention, every single day of year. Those demands h turned away many modern folk, once sending sport into a decline.

“To be best, it has to be your life's work. For some, it may seem boring. Day in, day out. Winter and summer, always those pigeons." he said.

Once bitten though, many remain committed for life. And news that a pigeon can sell for $1.9 million could prompt new challengers to enter sport. Bodengien welcomed that development but urged patience and a reality check.

“Anybody thinking about getting into our sport to get money out of it h better think again and move to anor sport," he said.