PRE-TRAINING RACES 1 & 2 RESULTS -

[willie reynolds]

PRE-TRAINING RACES 1 & 2 RESULTS.
OFF WE GO ON ANOTHER RECORD BREAKING RACE SEASON.

ANOTHER FANTASTIC RACE ENTRY FROM A TOTAL OF
FORTY (40) DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

I feel that I must start off this first International Press Report with some extremely sad news and by notifying fanciers far and wide that do not already know that this great organisation has lost one of its most respected workers since the 17th SAMDPR finished. On Sunday 30th June 2013, I received the devastating news my great personal friend Zandy Meyer who had been the Race Director of this great race from day one has passed away. Anybody that knew this person knows how much work and effort that this great ambassador put into this world class event and pigeon racing in general and he will of course be sadly missed by all his family and by all that knew him. However, the one thing that I do know is that Zandy would want the race to carry on and continue as he was a true leader and an inspiration to all of us that were part of his “Team” over the past seventeen years. It was Zandy who actually appointed me as the International Race Co-ordinator from day one and I will be doing all in my power along with the rest of our great “Team” to keep this great race going for many years to come.

However, just before Zandy died he had managed to secure and introduce a brand new NOMINATION RACE with a new twist within the “FINAL RACE” in 2014. This new NOMINATION RACE has a pay out of a Brand New Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG as a fantastic guaranteed first prize, which is valued currently in excess of US$85,000 or £55,000 sterling on the road and this will now be aptly named “THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE”. The cost of the nomination will be US$1,000 (approx. £645) and will pay out a prize for every 100 pigeons entered and like all main race nominations only pigeons entered and fully paid for in the SAMDPR may compete for this new nomination. Pigeons that are entered by the public can also be nominated in this new competition. This is a brand new nomination and all conditions are published on the SAMDPR WEB SITE for all to see. This “SPECIAL NOMINATION” is in itself a fitting tribute to a very, very special person who is unfortunately no longer with us.

This spectacular international pigeon race is now in its eighteenth year and started off with under 1,000 pigeons in its first year way back in 1997, since then entries have increased and in the 7th Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race in 2003 it attracted an entry of 2,473 pigeons, then the 8th SCMDPR in 2004 attracted 3,703 pigeons, however, the 9th SCMDPR in 2005 attracted a staggering 5,096 pigeons. In a space of two years the entries actually doubled. After the record breaking entry of 5,096 pigeons that were entered into the 9th SCMDPR in 2005, which was made up of 3,711 International pigeons and 1,385 South African entries and were entered from 30 different countries. Then in the 10th SCMDPR held in 2006 we had a total of 4,649 pigeons entered, which was made up of 3,504 International and 1,145 South African entries that were entered by 28 different countries. This was then followed by 4,936 pigeons being entered into the 11th SCMDPR in 2007, which consisted of 3,462 International and 1,474 South African entries. When you consider all the problems and restrictions that have been implemented because of outbreaks of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease around the world over the last few years, plus many other one loft races trying to compete with the SCMDPR, it really is truly amazing that entries have managed to stay so high, especially when you consider that Mainland China entered 413 pigeons into the 2006 SCMDPR and have not been allowed to compete since. By losing these entries and those from other countries with restrictions has certainly stopped the organisers from smashing records on an annual basis. However, even after all the problems around the world that had affected the entries into the 12th SCMDPR to be held in 2008, the organising committee were still proud to announce that they had managed to get a grand total of 4,902 pigeons, which consists of 3,641 International and 1,261 South African pigeons entered into the race which was held in the fabulous Sun City, South Africa on Saturday 2nd February 2008. The 2009 race attracted 29 different countries and a record breaking entry of 5,576 pigeons and was held on January 31st and this total was made up of 4,496 International and 1,080 South African pigeons, with a total of 3,082 entries actually being sent to the Final Race after nearly 7,000 km (4,350 miles) of training. The entry for the 2010 SCMDPR once again exceeded the 5,000 mark for the third time and a grand total of 5,610 pigeons were officially entered by 30 participating countries and that number is made up of 4,693 International pigeons and 917 pigeons from South Africa who are of course the host country. Once again the International entry had been smashed by a staggering 187 pigeons. When one considers that most of the world was in a massive recession it once again just goes to prove to pigeon fanciers all over the world that this is the race they would all like to win. Once again the entry for the 15th anniversary race was a staggering 6,611 pigeons entered from 36 different countries, which is a massive overall increase of 1,001 pigeons and quite a few new countries getting involved for the first time. The total number of entries is made up of 5,639 International entries and 972 from South Africa, which of course is the host country. Once again the International entries are up by a staggering 946 pigeons, which is fantastic when you think that the world is still coming out of a recession. The 16th SCMDPR once again attracted entries from 36 different countries and a staggering world record entry of 7,949 pigeons, which was made up by 6,831 International and 1,118 South African pigeons. The 17th SAMDPR was held in the new venue, which was the fabulous Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa on 2nd February 2013 and close on 8,000 pigeons were originally entered from 36 different countries. As you see by these figures listed above the race just grows and grows each year and that is because of the professional way this international pigeon race is run and because fanciers want to be part of and try to win “THE BIGGEST AND GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD TODAY”.

THE 18th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, which is due to take place in the fabulous Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 25th January 2014 has once again attracted yet another fantastic entry from record breaking forty (40) different countries and the first Initial Loft Listing on the SAMDPR Web Site issued on Friday 11th October 2013 showed that a staggering total of 6,156 pigeons were actually still in the lofts and the following countries are still currently represented:- AUSTRALIA (377), AUSTRIA (47), BAHRAIN (15), BELGIUM (298), BULGARIA (3), CANADA (93), CROATIA (3), CHINA (48), CROATIA (1), CZECH REPUBLIC (125), DENMARK (98), EGYPT (2), FRANCE (10), GERMANY (1,634), HUNGARY (15), IRELAND (93), ITALY (21), JAPAN (2), KUWAIT (367), MALTA (28), MOLDOVA (3), NETHERLANDS (476), NORWAY (23), POLAND (128), PORTUGAL (8), PUERTO RICO (3), QATAR (11), REPUBLIC OF KOREA (27), ROMANIA (62), SAUDI ARABIA (24), SLOVAKIA (75), SLOVENIA (23), SOUTH AFRICA (412), SWEDEN (26), SWITZERLAND (52), TANZANIA (2), TURKEY (8), UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (33), UNITED KINGDOM (471), UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (999) and ZIMBABWE (11). These figures equate to 5,742 International and 412 South African pigeons. This figure that remains in the lofts is actually 725 more pigeons than they had left at the same time in the 17th SAMDPR. As soon as all the official entry figures are available, they will be published for all to see. This international pigeon race has proved once again that it really is the OLYMPICS GAMES in the pigeon world and has continually improved on a yearly basis.

During the colder months and whilst the two brand new lofts were empty, they were all completely painted and sprayed and part of the top of the lofts and between the new lofts netting was placed so that the pigeons arriving from literally all over the world could see all around them before getting airborne. This in my opinion was one of the reasons why we never lost as many pigeons off the top this year and have now got a record number in the lofts prior to Pre-Training Race 1.

Of course, one of the main reasons for the success of this race is the extremely professional way it has been run from the start and that they have always paid out their projected prize money every year since the race first started way back in 1997 and that is why it is now known the world over “AS THE BIGGEST AND GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD” and has been now been tagged as “THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD”.

I think it should be mentioned that without Zandy Meyer at the helm anymore, the “ADMINISTRATION & LOFT TEAM” below have worked extremely hard to firstly get all the pigeons trained and then logged on to the database system, so that all the entrants around the world can following the progress of their pigeons right through the race series. This in itself is a massive task and as usual they have come up trumps. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. If you wish to look at some superb photographs of the pigeons flying around the lofts and the lofts themselves, then please log on to www.samdpr.com

The Organising Committee, which consists of Joan-e Holt, Public Relations, Marion Branford, Administration, Michael Holt, Systems Administrator, Pieter Saayman Assistant Systems Administrator, Andre van Wyk, Dave van der Merwe and Corrie Naude, Loft Managers, Wynard Stemmet, Convoyer Transport Manager, plus of course Patrick Ngowangusha and all the seven other loft staff, Paul Smith, United Kingdom Shipper & International Race Co-ordinator, Cornay Smit, Attorney for Air Sport Internationale, Henri Stiglingh, International Ambassador, Dr. Marthinus Hartman, Chief Veterinary Officer from the University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort Veterinary Services, plus of course all the Country Shippers were once again looking to try to increase the entry for the sixteenth race. They knew that this would be a massive task but they felt that even with all the other one-loft races that were now up and running all over the world, beating the world record entry of last year ago could be achieved, providing we did not lose to many countries that had entered in past races. It should also be mentioned that Zandy Meyer (Race Director) before his untimely death had once again worked his butt off and had scores of meetings with the South African Authorities and other Authorities around the world and he finally managed to get Import Permits arranged and issued for most of the countries that intended to compete and take part in THE 18th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE 2013/14. *****SPECIAL THANKS must also go to Sara Blackshaw who is a Director of Air Sport Internationale, who are The Presenters Of This Great Race for their continued support, plus of course the fabulous Emperors Palace, Johannesburg for allowing us to use their fabulous facilities at this truly outstanding venue to hold this truly prestigious international event.

Of course, as mentioned earlier, we all knew that this would be a hard task and the first thing that was to be done was for the current web site to be upgraded once again so that even more information was available to the competitors/entrants. After months and months off hard work by Peter Furstenberg of Shine Interactive and his staff, plus Michael Holt and Pieter Saayman, Systems Administrators for Air Sport Internationale this has now been achieved as anybody logging onto the brand new state of the art revamped web site www.scmdpr.co.za will be able to see even more information is available. The “HITS” on this web site had increased from 3 million for the 2003 race to 5 million for the 2004 race and over 8 million for the 2005 race and over 14 million for the 2006 race series. Records seem to be broken each year and the 2006/7 race series attracted over 16 million “HITS” during the race series and during the 2007/8 race series the web site attracted over 20 million “HITS”. Once again another record was broken for the “HITS” during the 2008/9 race series with well over 25 million. Just to show fanciers/competitors and entrants how successful this new web site has been, during the 2009/10 race series the web site had a remarkable 48 million “HITS” over the 12 month period. These figures increased dramatically because of a brand new Information Portal and Twitter facilities that were added as extras during the 14th SCMDPR. During the full 2010/11 race series the “HITS” figures increased once again to a staggering 50 million. Once again during the 2011/12 racing series the “HITS” increased, with figures in the region of 60 million. During the 2012/13 race series the amount of “HITS” rose to around 70 million. This just goes to show the amount of interest that is shown in this great international pigeon race from pigeon fanciers literally all over the world. Information is on line for all to see, so why not join in the fun throughout the next few months and add this web site to your favourites list.

CONGRATULATIONS once again go to all the Country Race Shippers for again getting so many pigeons for this fantastic International Pigeon Race, you are truly worth your weight in gold to the race organisers as without all your hard work and effort the race would never get off the ground. It is always interesting to study the entry figures after the last race, those countries that do well usually increase in entries and others that have not faired so well reduce in numbers but as usual there are others countries that continue to increase whatever happens. However, the UNITED KINGDOM TEAM after their outstanding success in winning 1st and 2nd OPEN in the 13th SCMDPR 2009 when we actually sent a record 602 pigeons. In fact the following year 14th SCMDPR we only entered 399 pigeons and one can only think that this massive reduction in entries was due mainly to the world credit crunch and recession that seemed to have hit this country ever since the last race. However, I was very positive that the UK entries would return once we finally started to come out of this current economic climate. It was great to see that the UK entries increased by 210 pigeons to a total of 609 pigeons for the 15th SCMDPR, which once again just shows how many fanciers would like to win this prestigious international pigeon race. Once again the United Kingdom Team increased its entries into the 16th SCMDPR with a record entry of 657 pigeons which is the highest amount we have ever sent out for this great race. The entry for the United Kingdom Team for the 17th SAMDPR was yet another record entry and this year we managed to get over 700 pigeons for the first time ever, breaking our past record entry by over 60 pigeons. For the 18th SAMDPR the United Kingdom Race Team consisted of about 590 pigeons. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL AND THANKS AGAIN TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, IT REALLY IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Once again the marketing for this race never stops and as one race finishes the next one starts but that is really what makes this event such an exciting international race. However, last year really was an exception as the race lofts moved to a brand new venue and this in itself has created a tremendous amount of extra work for the “TEAM” building two brand new state of the art pigeon lofts and also having to find a new resort to host the race. This as you all know now was achieved and the new race lofts are in Linbro Park, Sandton and the new host for the 17th and 18th SAMDPR will be the outstanding Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. Of course, if a certain country does not do well in the past race or races, it actually becomes much tougher for the Country Race Shippers to get fanciers to enter because fanciers feel they have no chance to win any of the major prizes. So it has always been the policy of this race to create more and more competitions that offer cash rewards or specials prizes and once again this year is no exception, with five brand new cars being up for grabs which is one in each of the HOT SPOT CAR RACES, plus numerous other new competitions where fanciers could win something in the five newly named CAR RACE HOT SPOTS in the run-up to the FINAL RACE. Although the race is now named THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR, the total to be paid out in cash and prizes in the 2012/13 race series exceeded US$1.6 million American Dollars or approximately £1.1 million pounds sterling. Prize Money for the 18th SAMDPR has been restructured, reducing the first five cash prizes but increasing many of the lower cash prizes, plus adding a new 3-bird average for all 5 x US$3,000 Hot Spot Car Races. No other one-loft race in the world today can boast of such massive payouts and this race is now in its eighteenth year and has for the last seventeen years paid out all of its projected prize money, that is why its reputation of this great race has increased, plus it has already paid out in the last seventeen races, prize money in excess of US$29 million American Dollars (£19.5 million pounds), which is a remarkable achievement in itself in one loft racing and one that the race organisers are very proud of. It should also be mentioned that the Prize Money and Awards in THE 18th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has actually slightly increased over payouts in the 17th SAMDPR.

All the United Kingdom Team fanciers/entrants and syndicate shareholders will be kept up to date with weekly “NEWSLETTERS” plus any of them can log on to the state of the art The South African Million Dollar Race web site:- www.samdpr.com and get all the information they might require over the next few months. All official past competitors/entrants will still be able to use their old username and password and new competitors/entrants that have entered this race for the first time should now have received their own confidential username and password and then they will be able to log into their own account and see everything on their own computer screen. If you have not received yours yet, please contact your Official Shipper. You can change your pigeon’s name if you do not like the one allocated to it providing of course the name you chose has not been used already by somebody else and you can even put all your pedigrees on live if you wish to, which certainly helps with the final selling price at the auction after the race. Remember the 2008 SCMDPR ACE PIGEON named BIRDY sold for a staggering world record £53,730 and the breeder receives 50% of this figure after expenses. This really is a state of the art race that continues to improve its overall image on an annual basis and give fanciers and entrants all the information they need to know about all the pigeons in the lofts.

*****SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE WINNING PIGEONS AUCTIONED AFTER THE 16th SCMDPR:- After the great success of the 16th SCMDPR a total of 2,429 pigeons were auctioned after the race with 52 online auctions taking place after the Final Race was completed with fanciers from literally all over the world placing bids on the state of the art web site and a staggering total of ZAR6.722515 (6.722 Million Rands) was finally raised, which equated to a massive £611,000 Pounds Sterling with an average price of ZAR2,768 or £252 each. Once again this just goes to show the value put on the pigeons that complete the Final Race. Many of the pigeons will be exported all over the world once the export permits are issued by the South African Government. Many of these top pigeons fetched big sums of money and it should be remembered that the breeder get 50% of the selling auction price, after expenses have been deducted. Of course, if the pigeon or pigeons up for auction have a good pedigree it helps greatly and has proved in the past that these will make more money when put up for auction. So please get your pedigrees ready to put online prior to the auction actually taking place as it could lead to you receiving another large cash payment for your pigeon or pigeons after they have completed the Final Race. Once again the auction for all the pigeons that returned from the 17th SAMDPR fetched a massive sum of money after nearly 50 auctions, some of which were spread around South Africa and also anybody could place a bid on line on their dedicated Auction Site.

It should also be mentioned that the all the new entrants passwords have all now been sent out to these new competitors along with a “INTAKE” status report on all the pigeons they originally entered, which was followed by a full loft listing on the official SAMDPR Web Site which was published on Friday 11th October 2013, which will show everybody what pigeons are still left in the lofts at that current time. A total of 6,156 pigeons were still in the lofts. Numerous short training tosses have already taken place, prior to the actual Pre Training Race 1 and that will take place on Wednesday 16th October 2013 from 30km (19 miles) and Pre Training Race 2 that will take place on Saturday 19th October 2013 from 35km (22 miles). SO PLEASE KEEP YOU EYES ON THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE www.samdpr.com FOR ALL FUTURE BASKETING AND RACE RESULTS.

It should be noted the Organising Committee and Loft Managers have decided this year not to try to rush the youngsters up to the 80km (50 miles) mark. So with the pigeon’s best interest in mind the first two Pre-Training Races 1 & 2 distances as well as a few of the other earlier races will be shortened to give the pigeons more experience. Please watch the Race Programme listed on the dedicated web site:- www.samdpr.com for more information on the distances for some of these earlier races. Of course only races of 50km (31 miles) actually counts in the SAMDPR Ace Pigeon Overall Averages and only fully paid up pigeons can win any of the cash prizes.

PRE-TRAINING RACE 1 took place on Wednesday 16th October 2013 from 15km (10 miles) and a world record breaking 6,096 pigeons were basketed from 40 different countries, this total was made up by 405 South African pigeons and 5,691 International pigeons and this included 469 from the United Kingdom and 91 from Ireland. The convoy were liberated at 08-45 in fine and clear conditions, with little to no wind, 22c (72f) and a good race was anticipated. It should probably be mentioned that in the same race last year 5,148 pigeons were sent, so this means that 948 more pigeons made it to the Pre-Training Race 1 this year than the same race during last year.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes ALDAHOUM LOFT from KUWAIT with pigeon named ALDAHOUM LOFT SUPER HERO, which was officially clocked at 08.58.29.80 to record a velocity of 1354ypm (46mph), 2nd Saad Alqanem from Kuwait, 3rd Ian and Karen Brenner from Australia, 4th Mels Loft from United States Of America, 5th Team Pilatus from Switzerland, 6th Scerri and Sciclinu Lofts from Malta, 7th Ahsan Khan from United States Of America, 8th Gert Marsman from Netherlands, 9th Syndicate Lofts UK from United Kingdom, 10th Marek and Marcin Rzepka from Poland, 11th Team Kupka – Smilowski from Poland, 12th Roger Sutton from United Kingdom, 13th G De Necker + Joe Gomes from South Africa, 14th Karl Heinz + Timo Wagner from Germany, 15th Lucky Devils from United Kingdom, 16th SG Koch – Ruessing from Germany, 17th Lou Coletta from United States Of America, 18th Julta and Chipperfield from United Kingdom, 19th Team Allen Voraus from Germany and 20th Bruno u Bruno Schiefen from Germany. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 17.05 seconds and had ten different countries represented which was a good start to the 2013/14 race series. This race resulted in a fantastic start to the 2013/14 series with 6,053 pigeons being officially recorded by 17.20, leaving just 43 to make it back to the lofts. More pigeons worked back over the next couple of day, making it a remarkable race, plus a few that had been missing earlier tosses had also returned to the lofts and if fit will probably be basketed for the next race.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th Open went to SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named STARDUST PIXIE and bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, which was officially clocked at 08.58.41.20 just 11.40 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd UK, 12th Open Roger Sutton from Congleton, 3rd, 12th, 21st & 22nd UK, 15th, 116th, 329th & 344th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with four pigeons bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 4th UK, 18th Open Julta Brothers from Upton Park, 5th & 6th UK, 42nd & 47th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with two pigeons bred by Dave Atkin from Lincoln, 7th UK, 51st Open John Cooper from Pontypridd, 8th UK, 53rd Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 9th UK, 77th Open Fairways Lofts with pigeon bred by Steve Burton from Pinxton, 10th UK, 94th Open Magnificent Seven Syndicate, who I believe reside in the North East, 11th UK, 98th Open Brian Leadbeater from West Midlands, 13th UK, 136th Open Toms Terriers with pigeon bred by Tom Berry from Silsden, 14th UK, 191st Open Franks Dream Team, this syndicate was in honour of the late Frank Brammer from Hempsted and the pigeon was donated and bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 15th & 17th UK, 242nd & 291st Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 16th UK, 288th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administer by Paul Smith From Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 18th UK, 302nd Open Dave, Paul & Judy McCarthy from Wallasey, 19th UK, 319th Open Chris Gordon NFC Nom Foureres YB with pigeon bred by Chris Gordon from Old Snydale and 20th UK, 339th Open Davison and Radcliffe with pigeon bred by Steve Radcliffe from Skelmersdale. Great start to the campaign with 468 pigeons being officially clocked by 17.20, leaving just 3 to make it back to base camp.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 108th OPEN went to JOHNSON – LEONARD with pigeon named BALLYFERNOT ROCKET, which was officially clocked at 08.59.06.35 just 36.55 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd, 4th & 5th Ireland, 163rd, 413th & 671st Open Moran + Bowden, 3rd Ireland, 337th Open Philip + Mark Smith and then 6th Ireland, 680th Open Bob Daly. A great start with all 91 pigeons being officially clocked by 17.20.

PRE-TRAINING RACE 2 was held on Saturday 19th October 2013 from 26km (16 miles) and another record breaking total for the SAMDPR and for this race of 6,099 pigeons from 40 different countries were basketed and this included 405 South Africa pigeons and 5,694 International pigeons and this figure included 468 from the United Kingdom and 91 from Ireland. This grand total was actually 1,244 more pigeons than were sent to this same race last year. The convoy were liberated at 07.40 into a light head wind, with gusts and very few clouds and a temperature of 17c (63f). A good steady race was anticipated.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to HAMILTON RACING from AUSTRALIA with pigeon named ROCKY MARRIAGE, which was officially clocked at 08.00.36.35 to record a velocity of 1341ypm (45mph), 2nd Josef Lang from Germany, 3rd Belgica De Weerd from Netherlands, 4th Mr & Mrs. B. Clayburn from United Kingdom, 5th Ultimate Collection from United Kingdom, 6th Arjan van de Beek from Netherlands, 7th Mr & Mrs. B. Clayburn from United Kingdom, 8th Brieftaubenfreunde OWL from Germany, 9th Koopman Racing Team from Netherlands, 10th Herbert u Thomas Reichstein from Germany, 11th Defaulter Pigeon, 12th Team Chatpower from Germany, 13th Fahad R Alazme from Kuwait, 14th Orlan Gulker from United States Of America, 15th Fondclub Antwerpen from Belgium, 16th Team Sylt 2000 from Germany, 17th Soo-Byoung Lee from South Korea,
18th Tony Gacs from United States Of America, 19th Seedee Pets from United Kingdom and 20th Kader and Nadia Ahmed from South Africa. The top twenty were separated by one minute 59.40 seconds and had nine different countries represented in this result. A total of 5,918 pigeons were officially clocked up to 15.15 when a very heavy thunderstorm hit over the lofts and the electronic clocking system was shut down. This figure meant that just 181 pigeons had failed to make it back to the lofts before the storm and I am fairly sure that there will be quite a few latecomers returning during Sunday. Loft list on Monday morning showed 5,959 pigeons had returned, leaving just 140 still to make it back to base camp.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UKITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN went to MR & MRS BRIAN & MAVIS CLAYBURN from ACKWORTH with their pigeon named BEER BABY, which was officially clocked at 08.01.10.15 just 33,80 seconds away from the actual race winner. This charming couple won 1ST OPEN in the 2009 SCMDPR with their pigeon named EAST OF EDEN, 2nd UK, 5th Open Ultimate Collection with a pigeon bred by Mark & Dickie Evams from Whitley Bridge, this partnership also won 3rd OPEN SCMDPR in 2011, 3rd UK, 7th Open another for Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn with a pigeon that took 6,048th Open in the last race being the last UK pigeon clocked on the day but in this race it decided to get home early, 4th UK, 19th Open Seedee Pets with pigeon bred by Richard Cheshire from Sudbury, 5th UK, 24th Open Paul Bamford from Pembroke Dock, 6th UK, 32nd Open George Chadwick, 7th UK, 60th Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor, Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly in Dublin, 9th UK, 99th Open CaberFiedh Lofts with pigeon bred by Smack McKenzie from Ferryhill, 10th UK, 108th Open Harbro Rowdies, this syndicate was entered by Ken Chapman from Leicester but the pigeon was bred by M. O’Rourke, 11th UK, 130th Open Fin Jim, with pigeon bred by James Finlay from Pudsey, 12th UK, 152nd Open Toms Terriers with pigeon bred by Tom Berry from Silsden, 13th UK, 154th Open Eamon Kelly from Abingdon, with pigeon named Jamie Ray which was named after his son, 14th UK, 157th Open Keeping Up With The Jones NFC Nom Messac with pigeon bred by Robbie Jones from Southampton, 15th UK, 174th Open Bootle Bucks, with pigeon bred by Harry Davies from Bootle, 16th UK, 214th Open Roger Sutton from Congleton, 17th UK, 224th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud, Patringham Haven, 18th UK, 237th Open Emerald Classic, with pigeon bred by John Boyd from Ballyclare, 19th UK, 249th Open Franks Dream Team, this syndicate was in honour of the late Frank Brammer from Hempsted and with a pigeon kindly bred and donated by Jimmy Richards from Laindon and 20th UK, 254th Open Jurgen & Caroline Josch from Hailsham. A total of 455 pigeons from the United Kingdom were officially recorded, leaving 13 still to make it back to base camp. Monday loft list showed 455 UK pigeons in the lofts, leaving just 8 to return to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 38th OPEN went to JOHNSON – LEONARD with pigeon named BALLYFERMOT ROCKET, which was officially clocked at 08.08.46.15, just 8 minutes 09.80 seconds behind the actual race winner, this on form pigeon also win 1st IRELAND, 108th OPEN in the Pre-Training Race 1 on Wednesday, 2nd Ireland, 210th Open Brammer and Nasher, 3rd Ireland, 284th Open Philip + Mark Smith, 4th Ireland, 286th Open Safet Duran, 5th Ireland, 295th Open MM Byrne and 6th Ireland, 437th Ireland Billy Wallace. A total of 87 Irish pigeons were officially clocked, leaving just 4 to make it back to the lofts. The Monday loft list still showed 87 pigeons in the lofts.

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** I am sorry that I can’t add all the information about who bred all the pigeons or where they live but I can only publish details which I am in possession of. If there are no details besides your winning pigeon/s then please contact me on reglofts@aol.com with your details and I will include these in later Press Reports. I like to give all the entrants and breeders all the credit they and their pigeons deserve when they manage to get in the results. Your help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

For the first few races numerous pigeons will not trap, so do not worry if yours is clocked late. The main thing to consider over the first few races is that it or they have made it back to the lofts in Linbro Park to fight another day. With each race the pigeons will learn a bit more, giving them more experience to tackle all the tasks that they are going to have in front of them during the 2013/14 training and race series.

Firstly, getting the pigeons used to the new lofts and then getting the pigeons flying around the lofts took place, which of course got them used to their new surroundings and then basket training took place and then as usual numerous short training tosses took place and over the next few weeks the distance will be increasing and the race organisers will be notifying competitors/entrants of the progress of all their entries through their dedicated web site. The training and race programme will then consist of daily training tosses (except Sundays) and twenty-four (24) official races on Saturday’s and Wednesday’s once they arrive at the 1st Official Training Race 1, which takes place on Wednesday 23rd October 2013 from 50km (31 miles), then Training Race 2 on Saturday 26th October 2013 from 50km (31 miles), then Training Race 3 on Wednesday 30th October 2013 from 50km (31 miles), then Training Race 4 on Saturday 2nd November 2013 from 50km (31 miles), then Training Race 5 on Wednesday 6th November 2013 from 50km (31 miles), then Training Race 6 on Saturday 9th November 2013 from 80km (miles), then Training Race 7 on Wednesday 13th November 2013 from 80km (31 miles), then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 on Saturday 16th November 2013 from 150km (93 miles), then Training Race 8 on Wednesday 20th November 2013 from 80km (50 miles), then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 on Saturday 23rd November 2013 from 175km (109 miles), then Training Race 9 on Wednesday 27th November 2013 from 80km (50 miles), then Training Race 10 on Saturday 30th November 2013 from 120km (75 miles), then Training Race 11 on Wednesday 4th December 2013 from 80km (50 miles), then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 on Saturday 7th December 2013 from 230km (143 miles), then Training Race 12 on Wednesday 11th December 2013 from 80km (50 miles), then Training Race 13 on Saturday 14th December 2013 from 120km (75 miles), then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 on Saturday 21st December 2013 from 300km (187 miles), then Training Race 14 on Saturday 28th December 2013 from 120km (75 miles), then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 on Saturday 4th January 2014 from 350km (218 miles), then Training Race 15 on Wednesday 8th January 2014 from 50km (31 miles), then Training Race 16 on Saturday 11th January 2014 from 80km (50 miles), then Training Race 17 on Wednesday 15th January 2014 from 80km (31 miles), then the penultimate Training Race 18 on Saturday 18th January 2014 from 125km (78 miles) and The SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE on Saturday 25th January 2014 from 550km (342 miles). All these races will be officially listed for all to see and view on the SAMDPR Web Site. Of course the weather conditions will have to be right for all of these races to take place, if not they will be basketed and liberated on another day when the weather forecast is better and the Race Director’s decision will be final. The object of this great race from day one has always been to get as many pigeons to the “FINAL RACE” as possible and give all fanciers, competitors and entrants a fair chance in the “FINAL RACE”. Only races of 80km (approx. 50 miles) will count towards The South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three cash prizes of US$10,000 (approx. £6,666), US$5,000 (approx. £3,333) and US$2,500 (approx. £1,666) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this category.

NOMINATION RACES will be held on numerous TRAINING RACES, plus the HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and of course the FINAL RACE. See SAMDPR Web Site for full details. All these races will have US$1, US$2, US£5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 REGIONAL and US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 GLOBAL NOMINATIONS which can be placed on THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR Web Site. If you wish to enter any of these NOMINATIONS, you will have to have credit in your ASI Master Account. If you do not have credit then please forward funds to your Race Shipper so that this can be transferred to your Master Account in time to get your NOMINATIONS placed. Please do not leave it to the last minute to transfer funds as the transfer may not go through in time and this could result in your pigeon or pigeons not winning what they should be rewarded with.

THE CASCADE CHALLENGE was a new competition introduced three years ago and it has created a great deal of interest. It is basically a SINGLE BIRD NOMINATION and any pigeon can then be entered for just US$10 (approx. £6-66p) but the “POT OF GOLD” can only be won if one of the NOMINATED PIGEONS actually wins 1st OPEN, if not its like the National Lottery, it just rolls over to the following week until somebody finally wins the jackpot. You do not have to enter the same pigeon every race, the choice is yours. The South African Million Dollar Web Site will give you all the information you need to enter this competition. There is already a reasonable starting fund which was carried over from the 2012/13 race series as this money was not won on the 2013 Final Race. You can enter this competition which usually starts on TRAINING RACE 2 but please check the SAMDPR Web Site for confirmation about the official starting date, plus HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 and of course the FINAL RACE. SO WHY NOT HAVE AN EXTRA BIT OF FUN AND LITTLE GAMBLE ON ALL THESE SELECTED RACES?

GOOD LUCK TO ALL CONCERNED AND REGULAR “PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” WILL BE SENT OUT TO ALL COMPETITORS/ENTRANTS AND SYNDICATE SHAREHOLDERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. ALSO WEEKLY “PRESS RELEASES” WILL BE SENT OUT TO BOTH OUR TWO PIGEON PUBLICATIONS NAMELY THE “BRITISH HOMING WORLD” AND “”THE RACING PIGEON” PLUS IT WILL ALSO BE ON THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE www.scmdpr.com FOR ALL TO VIEW.

This is the “EIGHTEENTH YEAR” since this great International One Loft Race started and every year since day one the Organising Committee have created new competitions and I assume that this year will be no exception, more on this subject as details come through.

It will also be my eighteenth year of organising a “TRIP OF A LIFETIME” and I am also fairly positive that once again The South African pigeon fanciers and all the staff at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg will be going out of their way to make sure everybody has a fantastic time in the fabulous resort and as in past years I will as usual be organising an 11 day (9 nights) stay in South Africa. We will depart on Economy Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday 21st January 2014 and then depart on Economy Virgin Atlantic from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg on Friday 31st January 2014 finally arriving back at London Heathrow Airport on Saturday 1st February 2014 at 06.50. We will spend 5 nights in the fantastic 5 star D’Oreale Grande Hotel (Classic Rooms) in Emperors Palace, Johannesburg to watch and be part of this fantastic race and meet lots of top fanciers from literally all over the world, whilst the same time enjoying the outstanding South African scenery, weather, food, beer and of course the superb South African hospitality. Included in this part of the trip will be all transfers to and from the race lofts and also the race marking and auction in Linbro Park, all the three Official Functions and meals, plus B & B basis for the duration of our stay. Also included is a day sightseeing trip to Pretoria on the Friday, which also includes a nice lunch in a restaurant. We will then be leaving Emperors Palace on the Monday morning after the race and travelling by road in a luxury air conditioned coach to the outstanding Sun City Resort and Complex and staying in the 5 star Cascades Hotel (Luxury Rooms) for an extra 4 nights on a B & B basis and which includes all transfers. This is the venue where the first sixteen races took place. This will certainly be a trip for all to remember so if you are genuinely interested then please get in touch with me ASAP on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or by email on reglofts@aol.com because flights and accommodation will be as usual at a premium. All accommodation packages are based on a twin or double sharing basis and breakfast is included every morning in my special package deal. The total cost per person for this “TRIP OF A LIFETIME” currently stands at ZAR30,500 or £1,968.00p at 15.50 exchange rate. However, if this exchange rate went up to 16.00 the overall price would then be reduced to £1,906.00p. These prices will only stand if we manage to get 10 or more people travelling out and back on the same flights. If not then the prices could rise slightly. A non-refundable deposit of £200 per person is required on the booking of your place/s. This trip represents great value for money and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. A full itinerary will be published in both the “BHW” and the “RP.

***SPECIAL NOTICE*** One point that should be pointed out to all competitors and entrants is that only your NUMBER 1 pigeons is “ACTIVATED” (FULLY PAID UP ENTRY) with the other TWO (2) pigeons in each of your “TEAM OF 3” being your RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS. Another point worth mentioning is if you happened to lose your NUMBER 1 PIGEON, your NUMBER 2 PIGEON would replace it FREE OF CHARGE and likewise if you then lost your NUMBER 2 PIGEON, your NUMBER 3 PIGEON would then replace that one FREE OF CHARGE. If you were unlucky enough to lose all your entries of 3 pigeons in any of your “TEAMS” and they had won no “Special Prize Money” in the new HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 then you are entitled to a FREE ENTRY into the 19th SAMDPR and all you have to pay is the Registration Fee of US$25 and the official shipping/export costs.

This of course represents great value for your money. All pigeons go to every training toss and Saturday and Wednesday races providing they are fit enough but can only compete for any of the allocated PRIZE MONEY or SPECIAL AWARDS in the 5 x HOT SPOT CAR RACES if they are “ACTIVATED” and that means that these must be paid for prior to the HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1, which is due to take place on SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2013 from 150km (approx. 93 miles). The cost to “ACTIVATE” these “RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS” is US$1,000 (approx. £645)(MAY CHANGE SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE AT THE TIME) but that will then entitle all these fully paid up pigeons to compete and be eligible to fly for all the extra cash prizes and special awards that amounts to close to US$300,000 (approx. £200,000). The one thing to remember is that once your reserve pigeon or pigeons are fully paid for, if then they get lost and have won no prize money or special awards in the Special Money Races, then you get this money refunded (less about US$15 (£10) for bank charges) or you can have it added to your ASI account, which can then be used to purchase another pigeon at a later date and be entered into the Final Race under your name or syndicate or even under another name of your choice. So as you can see it is “BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY” and pay for them early, after all you have nothing to lose.
HOW MANY OTHER RACES IN THE WORLD OFFER THIS SORT OF OPTION TO COMPETITORS AND ENTRANTS?

***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2013/14 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and awards now add up to a staggering US$1.7 Million American Dollars £1.13 Million Pounds) and these include 5 x Brand New Motor Cars, 1 for each of the 5 x Car Races, 95 x US$1,000 Hot Spot Cash Prizes (it should be noted that the Motor Car Winner does not receive a US$1,000 Cash Prize), split into 19 x US$1,000 Cash Prizes for each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, a US$5,000 Car Race Hot Spot Ace Pigeon Award for the best pigeon in these 5 races, 5 x US$5,000 Country Cash Prizes on the Car Race Hot Spot 5, plus numerous other US$1,000 Cash Prizes, these prizes are for the first pigeon from each country in the result, the first five different countries take the US$5,000 prizes, then after that US$1,000 prizes. A Two Bird Average Competition and a US$2,000 Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, A Three Bird Average Competition and a US$3,000 Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, The South African Million Dollar Ace Pigeon Award carries US$17,500 in Prize Money, split into three cash prizes with 1st US$10,000, 2nd US$5,000 and 3rd US$2,500 Cash Prizes for the 3 pigeons with the best overall average in all the Official Training Races over 50km (31 miles) and 5 x Car Race Hot Spots and the Final Race. There will also be a Knockout Winner Competition and US$25,000 Prize Money, which starts on the Car Race Hot Spot 2 and the winner is the first one to be clocked in the “FINAL RACE” (over the past few years there has been around 40/60 pigeons still left in this competition). Then in the “FINAL RACE” on the 25th January 2014 there are also 10 magnificent gold pendants to be won and around US$950,000 American Dollars in Prize Money and 300 cash prizes being on offer. THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE & US$1,000 (approx. £645) NOMINATION will also take place on the “FINAL RACE” and the winning will be guaranteed A BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ SLK 555 AMG MOTOR CAR, worth a staggering US$85,000 (approx. £55,000). (ONLY “ACTIVATED” PIGEONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE FOR ANY OF THESE SPECIAL CASH PRIZES OR AWARDS). PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 18th SOUTH ARFICAN MILLION DOLLAR “FINAL RACE” IS AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$125,000 (approx. £83,333), 2nd US$80,000 (approx. £53,000), 3rd US$60,000 (approx. £40,000), 4th US$40,000 (approx. £26,666), 5th US$30,000 (approx. £20,000), 6th to 10th US$15,000 (approx. £10,000), 7th US$17,500 (approx. £11,666), 8th US$15,000 (approx. £10,000), 9th US$12,500 (approx. £8,333), 11th/20th US$8,000 each (approx. £5,333), 21st/30th US$4,000 each (approx. £2,666), 31st/100th US$2,500 each (approx. £1,666), 101st/150th US$2,000 each (approx. £1,333), 151st/300th US$1,000 each (approx. £666). (Subject to terms and conditions of entry). The actual cash prizes stated above represent exchange rates at the current time and may of course change at the time of each race depending what the currency exchange rate is on that race day.

It is worth mentioning that six brand new cars have been won by fanciers representing the United Kingdom Team in the last seven years, Richard Elliott and Chris Gordon both won new cars during the 2005/6 race series and Paul & Dave McCarthy won one a new car during the 2006/7 series. During the 2011/12 race series fanciers from the UK won a staggering 3 x brand new cars and these were Nev & Angi Evans & Steve Cuthbert, Robert & Peter Montila and then Phil Bond. This in itself was an outstanding team performance. No other country has ever won three cars on the trot. The Irish fancier named John Nash also won a brand new car in the 2008/9 race series. I am hopeful that somebody from the United Kingdom or Ireland will also win one or maybe more brand new cars during the 2013/14 race series. GOOD LUCK TO ALL COMPETITORS.

I would also just like to notify fanciers that my weekly “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”, “NEWSLETTERS” and “UPDATES” can now also be seen on the following pigeon web sites:- www.regencylofts.com www.iprr.co.uk www.elimarpigeons.com www.pigeonportal.com www.pigeonglobe.co.uk www.cyberpigeon.co.uk www.pigeonbasics.com www.pigeoncare.nl www.starpigeons.com www.pigeonpixels.co.uk plus of course they will also be published in the “”BRITISH HOMING WORLD” and “THE RACING PIGEON” weeklies for all to see.

The race date for THE 19th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been agreed and confirmed and this will once again take place in fabulous Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 24th January 2015. If you are interested in participating or acting a Country Race Team Shipper, then please contact me as soon as possible on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or SMS or email on reglofts@aol.com and I will give you all the information you require. My two proposed shipping dates for THE 19th SAMDPR will take about the middle of JUNE 2014 and then the second one should be around the first week of JULY 2014. Of course these two dates will be confirmed nearer the time.

If you have any questions about any aspect of THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, then please contact me as soon as possible on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or by SMS or email at reglofts@aol.com and I will do my best to answer any of your questions or queries.

These “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES” do take a lot of my time to prepare and I try to get as much into them as possible, unfortunately some time, some information will not be to hand when the print deadline is reached so can’t be included in that report. I can only apologise if I leave something out but I can assure everybody that I do my best to get as much information as possible to put into each of these reports.

IF ANY PIGEON FANCIER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE MY WEEKLY “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” BY EMAIL, THEN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL ME THEIR ACTUAL EMAIL ADDRESS I WILL PUT THEM ON MY EMAIL DATABASE AND I WILL THEN FORWARD THEM ALL THE INFORMATION BY EMAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS.

Paul Smith.
United Kingdom Race Team Shipper & International Race Co-ordinator for The 18th South African Million Dollar (The Greatest & Biggest One Loft Pigeon Race In The World Today! and also “The Race With The Proven Track Record”),which is due to be held in Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 25th January 2014.
Regency Lofts Limited, 2, Highmead, off Coltsfield, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. CM24 8LJ. England. Telephone/Facsimile:- 01279-812005 (Int. Code:- +44-1279-812005). Mobile:- 07860-568216.
Email:- reglofts@aol.com Skype Address:- talbot7944 Regency Lofts web Site Address:- www.regencylofts.com
The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race Web Site Address:- www.samdpr.com