CAR RACE HOT SPOT 2 & TRAINING RACES 9 & 10.

[willie reynolds]

CAR RACE HOT SPOT 2 & TRAINING RACES 9 & 10.

LIVESTREAM was available once again for this race 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. It is fantastic to be able to look at the pigeons homing live, sitting nearly 6,000 miles away from the lofts. This really is new modern technology at its best.

CAR RACE HOT SPOT 2 took place on Wednesday 27th November 2013 from 156km (97 miles) and yet another world record breaking 4,065 pigeons were basketed from 40 different countries, this staggering total was made up by 287 South African pigeons and 3,778 International pigeons and this included 322 from the United Kingdom and 56 from Ireland.

The convoy were liberated at 05.40 in fine and clear conditions, few clouds and a light head wind, temperature of 18c (64f) and a good steady tough race was anticipated.

It should probably be mentioned that in the same race last year a total of 3,550 pigeons were sent, so this means that an extra 715 more pigeons made it to this CAR HOT SPOT 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 in very poor weather conditions.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to RMC LOFT from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named ZARUMAN, which was officially clocked at 08.00.23.81 to record a velocity of 1220ypm (42mph), performances to date were 5389th, 1426th, 122nd, 131st, 1869th, 2152nd, 172nd and now 1st OPEN, 2nd Team Hooyman from Netherlands, 3rd Syndicate Lofts from United Kingdom, 4th Scott McAllister from United States Of America, 5th Jan Hooymans – Hu Zhen Yu from Netherlands, 6th Roger Ponnet from Belgium, 7th Xiang Green from China, 8th Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 9th Cozy Yokoyama from Japan, 10th Thamer Rashed from Kuwait, 11th Team Hooymans from Netherlands, 12th Alois Radecker from Germany, 13th Luke Lofts from United States Of America, 14th Dominique Velghe from Belgium, 15th Koopman Racing Team from Netherlands, 16th Storm Loft from United Arab Emirates,
17th Team Hooymans from Netherlands, it should be noted that this fancier had four pigeons in the top 20 in this race, 18th Carlo Garcia from Austria, 19th Hans and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp from Netherlands and 20th Christian Ernst from France. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 2 minute and 27.02 seconds and had 11 different countries represented. This race resulted in 3,659 pigeons being officially recorded by 18.47, leaving 406 pigeons to make it back to the lofts by nightfall. Thursday morning the pigeons started to roll in and by 15.51 a total of 3,787 had returned which meant that 278 pigeons were still missing. A massive thunderstorm hit Johannesburg at 15.00 which stopped any later arrivals on the day. The loft list on Friday morning showed 3,890 pigeons in the lofts.

***THE BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR*** went to the pigeon that won 1st OPEN for RMC LOFT from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his pigeon named ZARUMAN, which had previously won 5389th, 1426th, 122nd, 131st, 1869th, 2152nd, 172nd and now 1st OPEN in its first eight races.

***THE NINETEEN US$1,000 (£645) HOT SPOT CASH PRIZES*** were won by pigeons that took 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 26th & 28th OPEN. It was amazing to see that the pigeons that actually won 6th, 7th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 24th & 27th were NOT ACTIIVATED, which resulted in the owners of all these early pigeons not winning a US$1,000 cash prize. It was amazing to see yet another result with so many UN-ACTIVATED pigeons in the result. That meant that there were 8 fanciers from the Belgium, China, Arab Emirates, Netherlands, France, Zimbabwe, Slovakia and United States Of America that did not win a US$1,000 cash prize. SURELY, IF A PIGEON IS WORTH ENTERING INTO THE RACE AT THE START, THEN IT MUST BE WORTH ACTIVATING ONCE THEY GET TO THE CAR RACE HOT SPOTS? Still the fanciers that won a bonus US$1,000 cash prize are now all highly delighted, meaning that these pigeons have now already paid for themselves already. It should be noted that the CAR WINNER does not receive a US$1,000 Cash Prize. For the full results see Results & Listings on SAMDPR Web Site www.samdpr.com

***THE TWO BIRD AVERAGE & US$2,000 (£1,290) CASH PRIZE*** 1st PRIZE was won by TEAM HOOYMANS, TEAM E from NETHERLANDS with his two pigeons named EARLEY and EDA which took 2nd and 234th OPEN. The best UNITED KINGDOM team took 21st OPEN for CARLOS DREAM SYNDICATE, TEAM B administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with two pigeons named CARLOS TREASURE and CARLOS DESIRE which took 175th and 536th OPEN, both pigeons being bred by JOS REILLY from DUBLIN. The best IRISH team took 193rd OPEN for JOS REILLY – TEAM IRELAND, TEAM C with two pigeons named JOS 7 and JOS 8 which took 1330th and 1363rd OPEN.

***THE THREE BIRD AVERAGE & US$3,000 (£1,935) CASH PRIZE*** 1st PRIZE was also won by JAN HOOYMANS – HU ZHEN YU, TEAM D from NETHERLANDS with his three pigeons named DE KILO, SPIDERPIGEON and NEW HORIZON which took 155th, 216th and 432nd OPEN. The best UNITED KINGDOM team took 9th OPEN for PREMIER STUD UK SYNDICATE, TEAM D, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with three pigeons named PREMIER SUPREME, PREMIER GOLD and PREMIER TRIPLE SEVEN which took 75th, 680th and 1355th OPEN and all being bred by PREMIER STUD from PATRINGHAM HAVEN. The best IRISH team took 129th OPEN for PHILIP + MARK SMITH, TEAM D and with three pigeons named THE GAP, THE DANCER and THE FLYER which took 355th, 2232nd and 3615th.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 3rd OPEN went to SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named KING CRIMSON which was bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR and which was officially clocked at 08.00.33.71 just 09.89 seconds behind the actual race winner, this pigeon had already won 3359th, 2613rd, 872nd, 2847th, 3813th, 1251st, 3694th and now 3rd OPEN, 2nd UK, 75th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 3rd UK, 121st Open Jurgen & Caroline Josch from Hailsham, 4th UK, 129th Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 5th UK, 133rd Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 6th UK, 138th Open Mr & Mrs Paul Titcomb (NFC Nom Cholet) from Portishead, 7th UK, 154th Open Manchester Maestros with pigeon bred by Crehan & O’Connor from Salford, 8th UK, 175th Open, Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 9th UK, 195th Open Eamon Kelly from Abingdon, 10th UK, 198th Open The Three Tom-Boggies with pigeon bred by the late Eddie Thompson from Romford, 11th UK, 203rd Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 12th UK, 205th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 13th UK, 207th Open Ken Darlington from Barry, 14th UK, 214th Open George Chadwick, 15th UK, 218th Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 16th UK, 188th Open Emerald Classic with pigeon bred by John Boyd from Ballyclare, 17th UK, 230th Open another for Carlos Dream Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 18th UK, 233rd Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate and also bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 19th UK, 223rd Open yet another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with pigeon bred for this team by Bob Fenech from Attleborough and 20th UK, 259th Open Nev & Angie Evans & Steve Cuthbert from Wolviston. This race resulted in 295 pigeons being officially clocked by 18.47, leaving 27 UK pigeons still to make it back to base camp. Another 9 UK pigeons were recorded on Thursday up to 14.51 making a total of 304. The Friday morning loft list showed 310 UK pigeons in the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 34th OPEN went to JOS REILLY – TEAM IRELAND with pigeon named JOS 5, which was officially clocked at 08.05.16.69, just 4 minute and 52.88 seconds behind the actual race winner, this winning pigeon has won 985th, 4096th, 214th, 1575th, 465th, 2296th, 179th and now 34th OPEN, 2nd Ireland, 355th Open Philip + Mark Smith, 3rd Ireland, 435th Open Brammer and Nasher, 4th Ireland, 482nd Open another for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 5th Ireland, 607th Open Heping Yu and 6th Ireland, 686th Open Lyons and Blackmore. This race resulted in 46 Irish pigeons being officially clocked by 18.47, leaving 10 still to return to the lofts by darkness. Then up to 14.51 on Thursday a further 5 Irish pigeons had homed making the total of 51 in the lofts. The Friday morning loft list showed 52 Irish pigeons in the lofts.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS totalled US$14,468.70c (£9,645.80p) and had a total of 391 pigeons entered, with 1,330 Nominations, which included 26 pigeons from the UNITED KINGDOM and 2 pigeons from IRELAND. There were no UK or Irish winners in this race. REGIONAL NOMINATIONS in the UNITED KINGDOM had 13 pigeons entered and 47 nominations which totalled US$372.30c (£248.20p) and two fanciers shared this money, EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON with pigeon named STEVENTON STAR, which took 195th OPEN winning US$244.80c (£163.20p and LES & DERICK WELLBURN from ACKLAM with pigeon named MEGAN which took 364th OPEN and won US$127.50c (£85). WELL DONE TO ALL.

CASCADE CHALLENGE for CAR RACE HOT SPOT 2 there was a total of US$3,108 (approx. £2,072) and a grand total of 248 pigeons were entered which included 18 from the United Kingdom and 5 from Ireland. The nearest pigeon to winning the POT OF GOLD took 8th OPEN for AL-ABRAQ LOFT from KUWAIT with pigeon named KHALAF, just 45.20 seconds away from 1st OPEN. The nearest UNITED KINGDOM pigeon took 195th OPEN for EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON with his pigeon named STEVENTON STAR. The best IRISH pigeon took 686th OPEN for LYONS and BLACKMORE with their pigeon named JACK THE LAD. This total of US$3,108 (£2,072) will now rollover to TRAINING RACE 9.

THE OVERALL GRAND AVERAGES after 8 races are as follows:- 1st AL-ABRAQ LOFT from KUWAIT with their pigeon named KHALAF with a combined flying time of 09.34.06.12, leading by just 34 seconds after taking 672nd, 602nd, 750th, 742nd, 734th, 35th, 621st and now 8th OPEN in the first eight races, a very consistent pigeon. 2nd Open is Cosy Yokoyama from Japan with his pigeon named Little Fuss. The truly amazing fact is that there are a total of 12 different countries represented in the top 20 in this category. UNITED KINGDOM OVERALL AVERAGES after 8 races are as follows:- 1st UK, 6th OPEN LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY STAR both bred by BOB FENECH from Attleborough with a combined flying times of 09.50.28.55 leading this category by nearly 16 minutes with performances of 1260th, 289th, 1280th, 963rd, 1061st, 114th, 57th and bow 304th OPEN in the first eight races, Bob’s team of pigeons that he entered into this race are certainly holding their own in the first eight races, 2nd UK, 16th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon named Stansted Beauty bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 3rd UK, 34th Open Common View Lofts with pigeon named Welsh Dragon and bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd. There were 8 UK pigeons in the top 99 in the Open in this category. WELL DONE TO ALL CONCERNED. IRISH OVERALL AVERAGES after 8 races are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 10th OPEN HEPING YU with his pigeon named MR DARCY and bred by WG NEILL LOFTS with a combined flying time of 09.57.55.08 after taking 741st, 2262nd,1251st, 490th, 164th, 97th, 1895th and now 607th OPEN in the first eight races. The next Irish pigeon holds 410th Open. WELL DONE GUYS.

***THE CAR RACE HOT SPOT AVERAGES*** after two races stand as follows:- 1st COSY YOKOYAMA from JAPAN with his pigeon named LITTLE FUSS with a combined flying time of 04.24.03.53 with 27th and 9th in the two CAR RACE HOT SPOT races held so far. The best UNITED KINGDOM pigeon holds 14th OPEN for MR & MRS BRIAN & MAVIS CLAYBURN from ACKWORTH with pigeon named I’LL BE BACK with a combined flying time of 04.33.00.07 with performances of 106th and 129th in these two races held so far. The best IRISH pigeon holds 114th OPEN for MORAN + BOWDEN with their pigeon named CAPTAIN CHRIS and with a combined flying time of 04.51.20.46 after winning 235th and 862nd in these two races held so far.

***THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION*** which carries a FIRST PRIZE of US$25,000 (£16,667) and is only open for pigeons that were fully paid for (ACTIVATED) prior to the Car Race Hot Spot 1. This fantastic competition attracted a record breaking total of 3,611 pigeons, which was made up by 214 South African pigeons, 3,397 International pigeons and this included 320 from the UNITED KINGDOM and 53 from IRELAND. The entry for this great competition in the 17th SAMDPR was 3,026 pigeons. The rules are as follows:- This competition will take place over the last four Car Race Hot Spot races and the Final Race. Only pigeons entered (ACTIVATED) prior to and basketed for the 1st Car Race Hot Spot will be eligible. Should any Car Race Hot Spot be cancelled one of the Training Races prior to the SAMDPR will be used to calculate the next round’s pigeons. Knocked Out pigeons still compete in all other competitions. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 was held on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 and the first 65% (2,348) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward to the next round. This race resulted in 141 South African pigeons, 2,207 International pigeons, which included 215 UNITED KINGDOM and 35 IRISH pigeons going through to KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 will be held on CAR RACE HOT SPOT 3 and the first 55% (1,291) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward to the next race. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 will be held on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 and the first 35% (452) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward to the next race. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will be held on CAR RACE HOT SPOT 5 and the first 20% (90) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next race. KNOCKOUT FINAL ROUND 5 will be held on THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR FINAL RACE on SATURDAY 25th JANUARY 2014 and the first remaining KNOCKOUT PIGEON clocked on the result will win the coveted US$25,000 (£16,667) FIRST PRIZE. GOOD LUCK TO ALL COMPETITORS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.




TRAINING RACE 9 took place on Saturday 30th November 2013 from 51km (32miles) and another world record breaking total for this race of 4,028 pigeons from 40 different countries were basketed and this included 283 South African pigeons and 3,745 International pigeons and this figure included 319 from the United Kingdom and 55 from Ireland. A total of 3,330 pigeons were sent to this same race last year, so this year showed a massive increase of 698 more entries.

The convoy were liberated at 08.30 into little to no wind, overcast and cool conditions and a temperature of 16c (61f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated. As the day progressed the wind would pick up and be a moderate head wind but the pigeons were expected to be home before the wind starting to increase, with rain forecast later in the day. I did not log on to LIVESTREAM as I was away attending the Telford Pigeon Show.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to SG GOCKEL - STIENEMEIER from GERMANY with pigeon named INCREDIBLE LINDA, which was officially clocked at 09.00.47.23 to record a velocity of 1817ypm (62mph), performances to date are 1772nd, 590th, 1801st, N/C, 838th, 3518th, 851st, 752nd and now 1st OPEN, 2nd Lucky Devils Syndicate from United Kingdom, 3rd Hardy Krueger from Germany, 4th Fahad Alzafiri from Kuwait, 5th Gaby Vandenabeele from Belgium, 6th Nova Club from Belgium, 7th Bogdan Loft from United States Of America, 8th Syndicate Lofts UK from United Kingdom, 9th Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 10th Wegrestaurant Napoleon from Netherlands, 11th Jos Reilly – Team Ireland from Ireland, 12th SG Naumann from Germany, 13th Georg Oswald from Germany, 14th Nemelka – Swingley – Greek from United States Of America, 15th Jan Hooymans – Hu Zhen Yu from Netherlands, 16th Gebr Bluemmers from Germany, 17th WA Waldow + Silvia Theil from Germany, 18th Team Jupid from Germany, 19th Familie Christian from Germany and 20th Ruddy Svoboda from United States Of America. The top twenty were separated by just 24.10 seconds and there were 7 different countries represented in this result. A total of 3,928 pigeons were officially clocked up to 17.26. This figure meant that a total of exactly 100 pigeons had failed to make it back to the lofts before darkness. The Monday morning loft list showed 4,016 pigeons in the lofts meaning that just 12 were still missing.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 2nd OPEN went to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY DOUBLE SIX which was bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH, which was officially clocked at 09.00.47.78 just 00.54 seconds away from the actual race winner, performances so far were 4439th, 1739th, N/C, 4384th, N/C, N/C, 2591st, 1256th and now 2nd OPEN, the pigeon’s that Bob bred for this syndicate are flying exceptionally well in the first few races in this series, 2nd UK, 8th Open Syndicate Lofts with a pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, this pigeon had won 1st UK, 3rd Open in the previous race, 3rd UK, 22nd Open Mark Gilbert from Winsor, 4th UK, 28th Open Bamfords Top Flight with pigeon bred by Alan Bamford from Leyland, 5th UK, 37th Open Woodhouse Lofts and with pigeon bred by Nev Procter from Brown Edge, 6th UK, 51st Open George Chadwick, 7th UK, 87th Open Trainspotters, 8th UK, 98th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Dave Atkin from Lincoln,
9th UK, 101st Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate and with another pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 10th UK, 126th Open Nev and Angie Evans & Steve Cuthbert from Wolviston, 11th UK, 149th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 12th UK, 183rd Open Royal Lofts (Her Majesty The Queen) and bred by Peter Farrow who is the Royal Loft Manager from Wolverton,
13th UK, 187th Open Finghall Lofts with a pigeon bred by Keith Thompson from Doncaster, 14th UK, 215th Open Amblers of Oxenhope with pigeon bred by Ken Ambler, 15th UK, 221st Open another for Dream Team Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Dave Atkin from Lincoln, 16th UK, 223rd Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 17th UK, 264th Open Planet Brothers from Noak Hill, 18th UK, 286th Open McMorrine Brothers from Carlisle, 19th UK, 296th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson from Preston and 20th UK, 324th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administer by Paul Smith and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven. A total of 308 pigeons from the United Kingdom were officially recorded on the day by 17.26, leaving 11 still to make it back to base camp. The Monday morning loft list showed that 317 UK pigeons were in the lofts, leaving just 2 still to return.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 11th OPEN went to JOS REILLY – TEAM IRELAND with their pigeon named JOS 1 and which was officially clocked at 09.00.52.28, just 05.05 seconds behind the actual race winner, this pigeon had previously won 897th, 4062nd, 1793rd, 4370th, 4232nd, 1913th, 2127th, 482nd and now 11th OPEN, then 2nd Ireland, 43rd Open Moran + Bowden, 3rd Ireland, 77th Open another for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 4th Ireland, 235th Open Billy Wallace, 5th Ireland, 272nd Open Paul Poole and Son and 6th Ireland, 402nd Open Bernard Smyth – Gordon Brothers. A total of 54 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 17.26, leaving just 1 to make it back to the lofts on the day and this remaining Irish pigeon returned during Sunday.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS totalled US$4,135.65c (£2,756) and there was a total of 243 pigeons entered and this number contained 7 from the United Kingdom and just 1 from Ireland. There was a total of 730 nominations in this race but there were no UK or Irish winners in this race. REGIONAL NOMINATIONS only totalled US$72.25c (£52.17p) and 4 UK pigeons were entered with just 10 nominations and taking 616th Open was SYNDICATES BEACON UK from ABINGDON with pigeon named MEABURN GLITZ bred by IAN PARSONS from CUMBRIA, which won US$38.25c (£25.50p). Then 741st Open for ELLIOTT and KOLESKY SYNDICATE entered by this partnership from PLYMOUTH and with a pigeon named WAM BAM and bred by PAUL BAMFORD from PEMBROKE DOCK, which won US$34 (£26.67p).

CASCADE CHALLENGE had a total of 214 entries, which included 12 from the United Kingdom and just 1 from Ireland and a total of US$4,927 (£3,285) was up for grabs in today’s race but one again this great cash prize was not won and the nearest pigeon to winning the POT OF GOLD took 10th OPEN WEGRESTAURANT NAPOLEAN from NETHERLANDS with their pigeon named DE FEESTNEUS and missing out by just 04.95 seconds. The nearest UNITED KINGDOM pigeon took 87th OPEN for TRAINSPOTTERS with pigeon named FIREFLY. The nearest IRISH pigeon took 402nd OPEN for BERNARD SMYTH – GORDON BROTHERS with their pigeon named DIEGO S. GOOD LUCK THAT DECIDE TO HAVE A LITTLE GAMBLE ON TRAINING RACE 10.

THE OVERALL GRAND AVERAGES after 9 races are as follows:- 1st AL-ABRAQ LOFT from KUWAIT with their pigeon named KHALAF with a combined flying time of 10.19.01.54, this pigeon has taken 672nd, 602nd, 750th, 742nd, 734th, 35th, 621st, 8th & now 1321st OPEN in its first nine races, it currently leading this category by just over 4 minutes 56 seconds. UNITED KINGDOM AVERAGES after 9 races are as follows:- 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 11th OPEN PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named STANSTED BEAUTY and bred by JIMMY RICHARDS from LAINDON with A combined flying time of 10.48.42.25, this pigeon has taken 412th, 3622nd, 3158th, 820th, 581st, 83rd, 405th, 428th & now 839th OPEN in its first nine races. There are 3 UK pigeons that are currently in the top 50 in the Open. IRISH AVERAGES after 9 races are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 10th OPEN HEPING YU with pigeon named MR DARCY with a combined flying time of 10.46.21.45, this pigeon has taken 741st, 2262nd, 1251st, 400th, 164th, 97th, 1895th, 607th and 1881st OPEN in its first nine races.

TRAINING RACE 10 took place on Wednesday 4th December 2013 from 78km (49 miles) and another world record entry of 4,058 pigeons from 40 different countries were basketed and this included 288 South African pigeons and 3,770 International pigeons and this figure included 321 from the United Kingdom and 55 from Ireland. A total of 3,303 pigeons were sent to the same race last year, so this meant that 755 more pigeons were basketed for this race compared with last year’s race.

The convoy were liberated at 08.10 into little to no wind, clear conditions and a temperature of 16c (61f) and a steady race was anticipated. The liberation was delayed because of widespread early morning mist. I logged on to LIVESTREAM at 06.55 GMT (08.55 SA time) and the sky looked very overcast but within a few minutes there were hundreds of pigeons landing on the lofts, followed by batch after batch. Many pigeons as usual landed on the lofts and either just sat there or chased other pigeons around the top of the lofts. However, as usual some seemed keen to enter the lofts and these were today’s winners.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN went to XAVER HEINLOTH from GERMANY with his pigeon named MARQUETTE, which was officially clocked at 09.02.14.18 to record 1658ypm (56mph), its performances to date are 770th, 1496th, 835th, 462nd, 361st, 313th, 382nd, 3177th, 352nd and now 1st OPEN, 2nd Bamfords Top Flight from United Kingdom, 3rd TNT Lofts from South Africa, 4th Nemelka – Swingley – Greek from United States Of America, 5th Viorel Stetco from Romania, 6th Gebrueder Reinhard from Germany, 7th Klaus Stretz from Germany, 8th Premier Stud UK Syndicate from United Kingdom, 9th Xiang Green from China, 10th Leon Van Rooyen from South Africa, 11th Gaddin Brothers and Charl Stander from South Africa, 12th another for Reinhold Schueler from Germany, 13th Team Germany – Girls United from Germany, 14th Harald Below from Germany, 15th Team Luecke-Stieneker-Zimmermann from Germany, 16th Bader Al-Sanafi from Kuwait, 17th Saville Penkin from South Africa, 18th Buchberg Racer from Germany, 19th Familie Sosnik from Germany and 20th Team Klotzbuecher-Steffl from Germany. The top twenty pigeons were separated by just 33.15 seconds and there were 7 different countries represented in this to 20. A total of 3,930 pigeons were electronically clocked up to 18.27, leaving 128 still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 2nd OPEN went to BAMFORDS TOP FLIGHT with pigeon named TOP FLIGHT LANCASHIRE bred by ALAN BAMFORD from LEYLAND, which was officially clocked at 09.02.14.28 just 00.10 seconds away from the actual race winner, this pigeon has previously won 1725th, 2450th, 2286th, 4527th, 4051st, 2971st, 2123rd, 2690th, 452nd and now 2nd OPEN, then 2nd UK, 8th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administer by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 3rd UK, 31st Open Trainspotters, 4th UK, 40th Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 5th UK, 54th Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 6th UK, 58th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 7th UK, 62nd Open Harman Syndicate, 8th UK, 65th Open Pompey Boys NFC Nom Foureres with pigeon bred by Steve & Fred Harris from Havant, 9th UK, 68th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 10th UK, 94th Open Emilia Loft UK with pigeon bred by Sebastian Suski from Southampton, 11th UK, 111th Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton,
12th UK, 122nd Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attlebotough,
13th UK, 144th Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 14th UK, 168th Open Common View Lofts with pigeon bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd, 15th UK, 183rd Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 16th UK, 188th Open Tadt Syndicate with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Rotherby, 17th UK, 243rd Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 18th UK, 261st Open Mr & Mrs Paul Titcomb from Portishead, 19th UK, 270th Open for Roger Sutton from Congleton and 20th UK, 276th Open a third for Lucky Devils Syndicate with yet another pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough. A total of 305 UK pigeons were officially clocked up to 18.27, leaving 16 still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 110th OPEN went to BOB DALY with his pigeon named BELCAMP 60, which was officially clocked at 09.03.58.73, just 1 minute and 44.55 seconds behind the race winner, this pigeon had previously won 2824th, 2426th, 3234th, 123rd, 1780th, 2442nd, 1093rd, 2395th, 545th and now 110th OPEN, this pigeon has now won 1st IRELAND twice in this race series, 2nd Ireland, 289th Open Moran + Bowden, 3rd Ireland,
321st Open Bernard Smyth – Gordon Brothers, 4th Ireland, 326th Open Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 5th Ireland, 437th Open another for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland and 6th Ireland, 465th Open Boylan Lofts Ireland. A total of 53 Irish pigeons were officially recorded up to 18.27, leaving just 2 pigeons to make it back to the lofts.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS totalled US$7,446 (£4,964) and had 236 pigeons entered, with 5 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland, plus there were a total of 765 nominations placed in this race. There were no UK winners. REGIONAL NOMINATIONS only totalled US$38.25c (£25.50p) and this was won by SYNDICATES BEACON UK with pigeon named MEABURN FANTASTIC bred by IAN PARSONS from KINGS MEABURN which took 2566th OPEN.

CASCADE CHALLENGE had a total of 215 entries, which included 13 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland and there was a POT OF GOLD of US$6,765.50c (£4,503) being flown for but unfortunately this money was not won and will now be carried over to CAR RACE HOT SPOT 3 on Saturday. The nearest pigeon took 11th OPEN for GADDIN BROTHERS and CHARL STANDER with their pigeon named DAVID’S QUEEN which was just 12.90 seconds away from the actual race winner. The best UNITED KINGDOM pigeon took 111th OPEN for GUYS LOFTS with pigeon named TONY’S PEARL which was bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 10 races stands as follows:- 1st XIANG GREEN from CHINA with pigeon named APPLE2 with a combined flying time of 11.16.22.83, the performances so far are 1038th, 755th, 2610th, 59th, 716th, 9th, 1201st, 7th, 731st and now 9th OPEN. It is interesting to note that there are pigeons from 7 different countries holding the top seven positions in this category. UNITED KINGDOM AVERAGES after 10 races shows 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 27th OPEN COMMON VIEW LOFTS with pigeon named WELSH DRAGON and bred by JOHN COOPER from PONTYPRIDD with a combined flying time of 12.02.38.05 and with performances of 362nd, 1528th, 2528th, 282nd, 591st, 220th, 2292nd, 1116th, 1349th and now 353rd OPEN. The UK team currently have 4 pigeons in the top 80 in this category. IRISH AVERAGES after 10 races shows 1st IRELAND, 23rd OPEN HEPING YU with pigeon named MR DARCY bred by WG NEILL LOFTS with a combined flying time of 12.01.21.98 and with performances of 741st, 2262nd, 1251st, 400th, 164th, 97th, 1895th, 607th, 1881st and now 2621st 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 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.

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.

***FINAL REMINDER*** 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” weeklies 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). However, if you decide not to “ACTIVATE” your Reserve Pigeon/s before this date, you can go ahead and “ACTIVATE” them prior to any other CAR RACE HOT SPOT and then they will be eligible to fly for the prize money allocated to that race and all future races. 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