TRAINING RACE 5 & 6 RESULTS -

[willie reynolds]

TRAINING RACE 5 & 6 RESULTS.

LIVESTREAM was available for this race for the first time in this 2013/14 race series and will be used for every race from now on. This means that you can log on to the official web site:- www.samdpr.com and watch the pigeons arriving at the lofts as they fall out of the sky. I logged on early to my computer and sat waiting to watch the pigeons arrive on my computer and dead on 07.37 (GMT), (09.37 SA time), the first gang arrived, followed very quickly by two more bigger gangs. They literally fell out of the sky and within a few minutes there were hundreds of pigeons sitting on the lofts. It was fantastic to be able to look at the pigeons homing live, sitting nearly 6,000 miles away from the lofts. This is new modern technology at its best.

TRAINING RACE 5 took place on Saturday 9th November 2013 from 78km (48 miles) and yet another world record breaking 5,533 pigeons were basketed from 40 different countries, this staggering total was made up by 378 South African pigeons and 5,155 International pigeons and this included 429 from the United Kingdom and 80 from Ireland.

The convoy were liberated at 08.45 in fine and clear conditions, light head wind, temperature of 24c (75f) and a good race was anticipated.

It should probably be mentioned that in the same race last year 3,849 pigeons were sent, so this means that an extra 1,684 more pigeons made it to this Training Race this year than the same race during last year. Surely this just goes to prove that by being careful with the pigeons in the early training tosses pays dividends in the end. The Loft Managers and Staff have done a magnificent job during these early tosses.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to TEAM FRANKENLAND from GERMANY with pigeon named ROBERTO, which was officially clocked at 09.37.21.24 to record a velocity of 1625ypm (55mph), performances to date were 76th, 1296th, 238th and now 1st Open, 2nd Hamilton Racing from Australia, 3rd Werner Buchloh from Germany, 4th Bader Al-Sanafi from Kuwait, 5th Gaddin Brothers and Charl Stander from South Africa, 6th To Be Won from United States Of America, 7th Team Heckl-Schueler-Schuering from Germany, 8th Frank Reidegeld from Germany, 9th Team Kirchmann – Kilian - Berndt from Germany, 10th Cradock Homing Society from South Africa, 11th Hetzel - Weitstreckenclub from Germany, 12th ProPigeon Racing Loft from United States Of America, 13th Team Moeller from Germany, 14th Defaulter Pigeon, 15th Hok M Reijnen from Netherlands, 16th Royal Syndicate from United States Of America, 17th Dominique Velghe from Belgium, 18th Wilhelm Stoll from Germany, 19th Team Internet-taubenschlag from Germany and 20th Filip and Nicolas Norman from Belgium. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 15.45 seconds and had 7 different countries represented. This race resulted in 4,672 pigeons being officially recorded by 18.52, leaving just 861 pigeons to make it back to the lofts by nightfall. A further 409 pigeons returned during Sunday by 18.07, making 5,081 in total leaving 452 still missing. Then the Monday loft list showed 5,098 were in the lofts, which meant 435 pigeon had actually been lost on this Training Race 5. Tuesday basketing list showed 5,189 pigeons were in the lofts, making 344 still missing from this race.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 24th OPEN went to L+D WELLBURN from ACKLAM with pigeon named KRYSTYNA, bred by LES & DERICK WELLBURN and which was officially clocked at 09.38.11.10 just 49.86 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd UK, 35th Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 3rd UK, 69th Open Ken Darlington from Barry, 4th UK, 98th Open Eamon Kelly from Abingdon, 5th UK, 115th Open Fairways Lofts with pigeon bred by Steve Burton from Pinxton, 6th UK, 130th Open Roger Sutton from Congleton, 7th UK, 160th Open Joseph van Dorning from Preston, 8th UK, 184th Open Franks Dream Team with a pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 9th UK, 196th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 10th UK, 201st Open Packer and Clarke from Braintree and Grays with pigeon bred by this partnership, 11th UK, 209th Open Planet Brothers from Noak Hill, 12th UK, 212th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 13th UK, 226th Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 14th UK, 230th Open Lanoak Lone Rangers with pigeon bred by Kevin Foster from Longfield Hill, 15th UK, 252nd Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 16th UK, 282nd Open Common View Lofts with pigeon bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd, 17th UK, 313th Open another for Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 18th UK, 318th Open another for Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 19th UK, 329th Open another for Premier Stud UK Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven and 20th UK, 331st Open Guy Barrett from Horsforth. This race resulted in 351 pigeons being officially clocked by 18.38, leaving 78 UK pigeons still to make it back to base camp. Another 34 were recorded on Sunday up to darkness, making 385 in the lofts, leaving 44 still missing. The Monday morning loft listing showed 387 UK pigeons had homed, leaving 42 still to make it back to the lofts. Tuesday basketing list showed 399 pigeons in the lofts, which meant that 30 had not returned to the lofts from this race.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 123rd OPEN went to BOB DALY with pigeon named BELCAMP 60, which was officially clocked at 09.39.14.78, just 1 minute and 53.54 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 165th Open Bernard Smyth – Gordon Brothers, 3rd Ireland, 178th Open Karl Donnelly, 4th Ireland, 271st Open Safet Duran, 5th Ireland, 400th Open Heping Yu and 6th Ireland, 433rd Open Boylan Lofts Ireland. This race resulted in 64 Irish pigeons being officially clocked by 18.38 leaving 16 still to return to the lofts by darkness. A further 8 homed during Sunday up to darkness, making 72 in the lofts, leaving 8 still missing. The Monday morning loft listing still showed 72 Irish pigeon were in the lofts, which meant that just 8 were still missing. Tuesday basketing list showed 73 in the lofts, leaving 7 still missing.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS had 380 pigeons entered, which included 19 pigeons from the UNITED KINGDOM with 1,134 nominations which totalled US$8,489.80c (£5,660). There was one big winner in the United Kingdom in this race and it was EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON whose pigeon named JAMIE RAY took 98th OPEN and walked off with a cool US$2,388.50c (£1,592). WELL DONE EAMON, KEEP UP THE GOOD RESULTS MATE.

REGIONAL NOMINATIONS in the UNITED KINGDOM had 15 pigeons entered and 43 nominations which totalled just US$224.40c (£150) and this was won by LES & DERICK WELLBURN from ACKLAM with their pigeon named KRYSTYNA which took 24th OPEN winning US$51 (£34), then ELLIOTT & KOLESKY SYNDICATE from PLYMOUTH with their pigeon named WAM BAM which took 879th OPEN winning US$173.40c (£116). WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.

CASCADE CHALLENGE was not won on TRAINING RACE 5 which totalled US$10,797.50c (approx. £7,198) and a total of 274 pigeons were entered which included 22 from the United Kingdom and 2 from Ireland. The nearest pigeon to winning took 13th OPEN for TEAM MOELLER from GERMANY with their pigeon named KERSSENBROCK AMY, just 43.46 seconds away from the race winner. The nearest UNITED KINGDOM pigeon took 24th OPEN for L+D WELLBURN from ACKLAM with pigeon named KRYSTYNA which was just 49.86 seconds off the race winner. The best IRISH pigeon took 1462nd OPEN for JOS REILLY – TEAM IRELAND with their pigeon named JOS 14. This JACKPOT was not won and will be carried over to TRAINING RACE 6.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 4 races are as follows:- 1st MILAN MAZUCH from CZECH REPUBLIC with HIS pigeon named GADOR with a combined flying time of 02.57.40.98, leading by just 71 seconds after taking 88th, 51st, 397th and 22nd in the first four races. UNITED KINGDOM OVERALL AVERAGES after 4 races are as follows:- 1st UK, 12th OPEN EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON with his pigeon named JAMIE RAY with combined flying time of 03.02.50.94, after taking 91st, 1407th, 234th and 98th in the first four races, 2nd UK, 43rd Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly From Dublin with a combined flying time of 03.08.44.66, 3rd UK, 50th Open Roger Sutton from Congleton with a combined flying time of 03.09.22.86. There were 6 UK pigeons in the top 99 in the Open in this category. WELL DONE TO ALL CONCERNED. IRISH OVERALL AVERAGES after 4 races are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 182nd HEPING YU with his pigeon named MR DARCY with a combined flying time of 03.19.52.43 after taking 290th, 2912th, 1040th and 746th in the first four races. The next Irish pigeon holds 194th Open.

TRAINING RACE 6 was held on Wednesday 13th November 2013 from 78km (48 miles) and another world record breaking total for the SAMDPR and for this race 5,189 pigeons from 40 different countries were basketed and this included 360 South African pigeons and 4,829 International pigeons and this figure included 399 from the United Kingdom and 73 from Ireland. A total of 3,570 pigeons were sent to this same race last year, so this year showed a massive increase of 1,619 more entries.

The convoy were liberated at 08.15 into a moderate head wind, fine and clear conditions and a temperature of 23c (73f) and a good race was anticipated. I logged on to LIVESTREAM at around 07.05 GMT, (09.05 SA time,) and dead on 09.11 (SA) the first group arrived a swung round the lofts, with only one managing to land at the first attempt. This was probably because it looked like it was very windy with the trees in the background blowing in the wind. However, as usual some trapped and others just sat out, more arrived within seconds and soon there was literally hundreds on the two lofts and they continued to flood in.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to GERRIT VEERMAN from NETHERLANDS with pigeon named AAL, which was officially clocked at 09.08.37.55 to record a velocity of 1594ypm (54mph), performances to date are 4677th, 4559th, 1998th, 539th and now 1st, 2nd Cancio Brothers Loft from United States Of America, 3rd Leideman – Spithoven from Netherlands, 4th Hans and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp from Netherlands, 5th Erwin u Ralf Schuermann from Germany, 6th Jabar Sharar from Kuwait, 7th Fluit Fluit Syndicate from South Africa, 8th Filip and Nicholas Norman from Belgium, 9th Lucky Devils Syndicate from United Kingdom, 10th Defaulter Pigeon, 11th Loft Einkamerer from South Africa, 12th another for Filip and Nicholas Norman from Belgium, 13th De Schrijver – Brantegem from Belgium, 14th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 15th Team Elize from Germany, 16th Norbert Funke from Germany, 17th JW Le Roux from South Africa, 18th another for De Schrijver – Brantegem from Belgium, 19th Gaby Vandenabeele from Belgium and 20th Andre Carelsen from South Africa. The top twenty were separated by just 27.75 seconds and there were 7 different countries represented in this result. A total of 4,621pigeons were officially clocked up to 18.23. This figure meant that a total of 568 pigeons had failed to make it back to the lofts before darkness. A loft list put on the web site on Thursday lunchtime showed 4,874 pigeons in the lofts, meaning that 315 were still missing from this Training Race 6. Sure a few more will work back in the next few days.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th OPEN went to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with their pigeon named LUCKY REWARD and bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH, which was officially clocked at 09.08.45.60 just 08.04 seconds away from the actual race winner. The pigeons bred for this syndicate by Bob Fenech have been performing very well in the early races with 4 out of the first 5 in this race, 2nd UK, 37th Open Ken Darlington from Barry, whose pigeons are flying well so far in this race series, 3rd UK, 41st Open Kirner Syndicate, entered by John May from Tettenhall and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 4th & 6th UK, 50th & 75th Open another two for Lucky Devils Syndicate, with 2 more bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 5th UK, 63rd Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson from Preston, 7th UK, 97th Open Nev + Angi Evans and Steve Cuthbert from Wolviston, 8th UK, 99th Open Guys Lofts Elite with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 9th UK, 109th Open Keeping Up With The Jones with pigeon bred by Robbie Jones from Southampton, 10th UK, 111th Open Reydon Lofts from Reydon entered by Keith Latham and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 11th UK, 135th Open Gribbles Choice with pigeon bred by Phil Band from Torquay, 12th UK, 154th Open Ticket Collectors, 13th UK, 159th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 14th UK, 162nd Open Les and Derick Wellburn from Acklam, 15th UK, 163rd Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 16th UK, 173rd Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 17th UK, 235th Open Syndicates Beacon UK with pigeon bred by Ian Parsons from Cumbria, 18th UK, 250th Open Alistair Hogg from Winchburgh, 19th UK, 252nd Open George Chadwick and 20th UK, 277th Open Ultimate Collection with pigeon bred by Mark & Dickie Evans from Whitley Bay. A total of 352 pigeons from the United Kingdom were officially recorded on the day by 18.23, leaving 47 still to make it back to base camp. The Thursday lunchtime loft list showed 372 UK pigeons in the lofts which meant 27 were still missing. I am fairly sure a few more will work back in the next few days.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 164th OPEN went to HEPING YU with pigeon named MR DARCY which was bred by WG NEILL LOFTS and has already scored a couple of times and which was officially clocked at 09.11.19.00, just 41.45 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 263rd Open Bernard Smyth – Gordon Brothers, 3rd Ireland, 272nd Open Boylan Lofts Ireland, 4th Ireland, 450th Open Tom Cahill, 5th Ireland, 465th Open Jos Reilly – Team Ireland and 6th Ireland, 509th Open Philip + Mark Smith. A total of 64 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 18.23, leaving just 9 to make it back to the lofts on the day. The Thursday lunchtime loft list showed 67 Irish pigeons in the lofts which meant 6 were still missing. A few of these will probably work their way back to the lofts in the next few days.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS totalled US$7,940.70c (£5,294) and there was a total of 352 pigeons entered and this number contained 15 from the United Kingdom and 1 from Ireland. There was a total of 1,025 nominations in this race but there were no UK or Irish winners in this race. REGIONAL NOMINATIONS only totalled US$289.85c (£193) and 16 UK pigeons were entered with just 50 nominations and taking 97th Open was N+A EVANS and CUTHBERT from WOLVISTON with pigeon named BURNTOFT BEA which won US$18.70c (£12), 162nd Open Les and Derick Wellburn from Acklam with pigeon named Krystana which won US$212.50c (£142), 235th Open Syndicates Beacon UK with pigeon named Meaburn Glitz and which was bred by Ian Parsons from Cumbria and won US$51 (£34) and finally 348th Open Eamon Kelly from Abingdon with pigeon named Jamie Ray which won just US$7.65c (£5). WELL DONE TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

CASCADE CHALLENGE had a total of 321 entries, which included 29 from the United Kingdom and 4 from Ireland and a total of US$13,526 (£9,017) was up for grabs in today’s race but one again this fabulous cash prize was not won and will now be carried over to the 1st Car Race Hot Spot on Saturday. Nearest was 7th OPEN for FLUIT FLUIT SYNDICATE from SOUTH AFRICA with pigeon named SIX MILE BOTTOM that was clocked just 05.13 seconds behind the actual race winner. The nearest UNITED KINGDOM pigeon took 135th OPEN for GRIBBLES CHOICE with pigeon named GRIBBLES TATTOO which was bred by PHIL BOND from TORQUAY. The nearest IRISH pigeon took 811th OPEN for MAURICE O’DONNELL with pigeon named BOOTS. This massive “JACKPOT” will now rollover to the 1st CAR RACE HOT SPOT on Saturday. GOOD LUCK THAT DECIDE TO HAVE A LITTLE GAMBLE.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 5 races are as follows:- 1st OPEN ERWIN u RALF SCHUERMANN from GERMANY with his pigeon named LENI with a combined flying time of 05.52.32.14, this pigeon has taken 144th, 121st, 291st, 55th & now 5th in its first five races, it currently leading this category by a clear 2 minutes 47 seconds. UNITED KINGDOM AVERAGES after 5 races are as follows:- 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th OPEN EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON with pigeon named JAMIE RAY, with a combined flying time of 04.00.55.48, this pigeon has taken 91st, 1047th, 234th, 98th & now 348th in its first five races. 2nd UK, 48th Open Les & Derick Wellburn from Acklam with pigeon named Krystyna with a combined flying time of 04.11.38.67, 3rd UK, 79th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administer by Paul Smith from Stansted and with pigeon named Carlos Choice bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin with a combined flying time of 04.16.07.84. Other 11 UK pigeons are currently in the top 184 in the Open. A TRULY GREAT TEAM PERFORMANCE. IRISH AVERAGES after 5 races are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 81st OPEN HEPING YU with pigeon named MR DARCY with a combined flying time of 04.16.11.43, this pigeon has taken 741st, 2262nd, 1251st, 400th & 164th in its first five races. The next Irish pigeon is holding on to 272nd Open.

***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.

The training and race programme will consist of daily training tosses (except Sundays) and twenty-four (24) official races on Saturday’s and Wednesday’s. Next event will be HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 on Saturday 16th November 2013 from 150km (93 miles), then Training Race 7 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 8 on Wednesday 27th November 2013 from 80km (50 miles), then Training Race 9 on Saturday 30th November 2013 from 120km (75 miles), then Training Race 10 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 11 on Wednesday 11th December 2013 from 80km (50 miles), then Training Race 12 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 13 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 14 on Wednesday 8th January 2014 from 50km (31 miles), then Training Race 15 on Saturday 11th January 2014 from 80km (50 miles), then Training Race 16 on Wednesday 15th January 2014 from 80km (31 miles), then the penultimate Training Race 17 on Saturday 18th January 2014 from 125km (78 miles) and then 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 GLOBAL or REGIONAL 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. This year you can now also place funds directly onto your AS Account with the use on PayPal. Just log onto your AS Account and you will be guided through the process and shown how to proceed.

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 was already a reasonable starting fund of US$4,074 (£2,716), 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 started 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. Of course to be able to nominate a pigeon or pigeons you will need to either have funds or add funds into your AS Account. The rules for this competition have changed slightly for the 2013/14 race series because before you we only allowed to enter ONE pigeon in your SYNDICATE but now you can enter ONE pigeon in EACH TEAM IN YOUR SYNDICATE, so for instance if you have FOUR TEAMS IN YOUR SYNDICATE, you can now enter ONE pigeon from each, making FOUR IN TOTAL. You can enter either paid or unpaid pigeons into this nomination up to the Final Race, however in the FINAL RACE only entered pigeons (fully paid) can be entered in this final event.
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 REGENCY LOFTS WEB SITE www.regencylofts.com FOR ALL TO VIEW.

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 was published in both the “BHW” and the “RP on Friday 25th October 2013.

***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 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), 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 press reports.

IF ANY PIGEON FANCIER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD 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