New Kim, a 2-year-old female racing pigeon, has just broken a record for being the most fancy fowl in the pigeon racing game.
The pigeon, which sparked a bidding war between two Chinese buyers at a Belgian auction, sold for 1.6 million euros, or $1.9 million. The bidding began at 200 euros at the PIPA pigeon auction house, the New York Times reports.
The previous high was set by another Belgian pigeon which was sold for 1.25 million euros. Going by Super Duper, the bird was a 5-year-old male with a long winning record in the pigeon races.
The sport dates back to the late 1800s and involves homing pigeons in a shared loft. They are then taken hundreds of miles away from their home, and the first pigeon to return wins.
The sport has gained traction and competitiveness in China.
In the world of pigeon racing, New Kim can be likened to a priceless painting. "You could compare it to a Picasso painting," Nikolaas Gyselbrecht, founder of PIPA, said. "It will sell more than a local American artist."
The buyer of the bird wished to remain anonymous.
While pigeon racing has taken off in China, it's long been a tradition in Belgium and the pastime of pigeon breeder Gaston Van de Wouwer. Now retired, New Kim is the last of the birds to be raised by him.
Gyselbrecht guesses that about 50% of PIPA's annual income comes from Chinese pigeon racers looking for the next greatest game. "Ten years ago, we sold a colony for 1 million euros, and we thought it was crazy," he said.
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