TRAINING RACES 15, 16 & 17 RESULTS -

[willie reynolds]

TRAINING RACES 15, 16 & 17 RESULTS.

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.

I logged on early and watched the winning pigeons arrive home at 07.00GMT (09.00 SA TIME). All of a sudden a gang of about 50 pigeons arrived first, quickly followed by two more similar size groups and then the pigeons literally just fell out of the sky and within a few minutes the lofts were covered by pigeons waiting to trap. Over 2,000 pigeons were electronically clocked within 5 minutes of the race winner. The weather at the loft site looked very nice with a quite a strong wind blowing but these top class pigeons seemed to manage the task that had been put in front of them. This really is new modern technology at its best.

TRAINING RACE 15 took place on Saturday 18th January 2014 from 78km (48 miles) and yet another world record breaking 3,588 pigeons were basketed from 40 different countries, this staggering total was made up by 239 South African pigeons and 3,349 International pigeons and this included 276 from the United Kingdom and 44 from Ireland.

The convoy were liberated at 08.55 in fine and clear conditions and a light head wind, temperature of 21c (70f) and a good steady tough race was anticipated.

It should probably be mentioned that about the same time last year a total of 2,797 pigeons were still in the lofts, so this means that an extra 791 more pigeons made it to this race. 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 and testing weather conditions.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN went to EVALD NIELSEN from DENMARK with pigeon named DAMSE which was officially clocked at 09.54.53.94 to record 1408ypm (48mph), its previous performances were 286th, 5390th, 258th, 3661st, 919th, 3675th, 3736th, 2529th, 475th, 3703rd, 2829th, 640th, 1241st, 3585th, 3078th, 3054th, 1117th, 295th and now 1st OPEN, then 2nd Yousef Al Sahoo from Kuwait, 3rd The Goonies from United Kingdom, 4th Krueger - Ozturk from Germany, 5th Jimmy Smith from Australia, 6th Bouchal + Krutil from Czech Republic, 7th Hannelore Jaekel from Germany, 8th Guenter Goetz from Germany, 9th Bernard Wichmann from Germany, 10th Team Internet-taubenschlag from Germany, 11th Van Seggelen - Wolvers from Netherlands, 12th Preussen Syndicate – Markus-Waldow from Germany, 13th Elton Dinga from United States Of America, 14th Team Stoertebeker from Germany, 15th Helmut u Alfons Klaas from Germany, 16th Team Dixi from Germany, 17th Ken Darlington from United Kingdom, 18th LTD Syndicate from United States Of America, 19th Team Eagle Eye from Germany and 20th L+D Wellburn from United Kingdom. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 09.61 seconds and there were 8 different countries represented in this race result with the first 6 positions all going to entrants from different countries. A total of 3,373 pigeons were officially recorded up to 17.30, leaving 215 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. The clocking system was left on during Sunday and a further 141 pigeons homed by 14.47, making 3,514 in total, leaving just 74 still to return. The Monday loft list showed 3,531 pigeons in the lofts, which left 57 still to return.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 3rd OPEN went to THE GOONIES with their pigeon named GEORGIE and bred by MARK DARBY from WALSALL and which was officially clocked at 09.54.54.34 just 00.40 seconds away from the actual race winner, its performances so far are 1493rd, 2294th, 1435th, 3510th, 3119th, 256th, 2616th, 1184th, 2930th, 2815th, 1170th, 1050th, 925th, 1347th, 1396th, 3063rd, 2954th, 2401st and now 3rd OPEN, then 2nd UK, 17th Open Ken Darlington from Barry, 3rd UK, 20th Open Les & Derick Wellburn from Acklam, 4th UK, 47th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 5th UK, 58th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 6th UK, 59th Open Ultimate Lofts with pigeon bred by Mark & Dickie Evans (Myrtle Lofts) from Whitley Bridge, 7th UK, 95th Open Dave, Paul & Judy McCarthy from Wallasey, 8th UK, 108th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 9th UK, 114th Open Guy Lofts Elite with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 10th UK, 118th Open Bannister and Leech with pigeon bred by Steve Bannister from Featherstone, 11th UK, 125th Open another for Premier Stud UK Syndicate with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 12th UK, 136th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson from Preston, 13th UK, 143rd Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 14th UK, 160th Open Manchester Maestros and with pigeon bred by Crehan & O’Connor from Salford, 15th UK, 173rd Open L Brewer,
16th UK, 194th Open Paul Bamford from Pembroke Dock, 17th UK, 202nd Open Nev/Angi Evans & Steve Cuthbert from Wolviston, 18th UK, 227th Open a third for Lucky Devils Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 19th UK, 243rd Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate and also bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon and 20th UK, 244th Open McMorrine Brothers from Carlisle. A total of 266 UK pigeons were officially clocked up to 17.30, leaving 10 pigeons still to return to the lofts. A further 7 UK pigeons homed before 14.47, making 273 in total, leaving just 3 to make it back to the lofts. The Monday loft list showed no more had returned.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 205th OPEN went to RS HOMAN with his pigeon named RYAN which was officially recorded at 09.56.13.75, just 1 minute 19.81 seconds after the actual race winner, its performances are 1597th, 3884th,4731st, 4922nd, 3688th, 2970th, 1824th, 3413rd, 1946th, 3142nd, 1372nd, 2841st, 2493rd, 1363rd, 2479th, 3162nd, 2309th, 1847th and now 205th OPEN, 2nd Ireland, 580th Open Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 3rd Ireland, 612th Open Moran + Bowden, 4th Ireland, 615th Open Billy Wallace, 5th Ireland, 634th Open Bernard Smyth – Gordon Brothers and 6th Ireland, 700th Open another for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland. A total of 40 Irish pigeons were officially recorded up to 17.30, leaving just 4 pigeons to make it back to the lofts. A further 3 Irish pigeons were clocked up to 14.47, making 43 in total and leaving just 1 to return to the lofts. The Monday loft list showed no more had returned.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS totalled US$5,525.85c (£3,684) and had 232 pigeons competing which included 23 from the UK and 2 from IRELAND. There were a total of 689 nominations and there was only one UNITED KINGDOM winner which took 20th OPEN for LES & DERICK WELLBURN from ACKLAM with their pigeon named MEGAN which won just US$306 (£204). REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for the UK only had US$126.65c (£84.43p), with just 6 pigeons entered and with 22 nominations and the only winner took 20th OPEN for LES & DERICK WELLBURN with pigeon named MEGAN bred by this partnership from ACKLAM. WELL DONE LADS.

CASCADE CHALLENGE totalled US$44,214 (£29,476) which could be won and had a record breaking total of 670 entries, which included 74 from the United Kingdom and 8 from Ireland and finally this “POT OF GOLD” was won in this TRAINING RACE 15 by the pigeon that took 1st OPEN for EVALD NIELSEN from DENMARK with their pigeon named DAMSE. The best UK pigeon took 20th OPEN for LES & DERICK WELLBURN from ACKLAM with their pigeon named MEGAN. The next UK pigeon took 58th OPEN for PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE with STANSTED GIRL bred by JIMMY RICHARDS from Laindon. The best Irish pigeon took 580th OPEN for JOS REILLY – TEAM IRELAND with their pigeon named JOS 1. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF THIS GREAT COMPETITION AND WHAT A LOVELY CASH BONUS TO START THE NEW YEAR WITH.

THE OVERALL GRAND AVERAGES after 19 races are as follows:- 1st OPEN HERMAN WIENEKAMP from GERMANY with his consistent pigeon named NICKELODEAN that has a combined flying time of 29.33.05.19 and has previously won 488th, 1460th, 417th, 1891st, 700th, 293rd, 1284, 1086th, 1755th, 1566th, 121st, 611th, 57th, 711th, 542nd, 248th, 62nd, 895th and now 1020th OPEN in the first nineteen races. UNITED KINGDOM AVERAGES after 19 races are as follows:- 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 12th OPEN LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY VISION that has a combined flying time of 34.40.04.08 and leading by a clear 29 minutes and which was bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH and has won 312th, 3669th, 1602nd, 525th, 421st, 65th, 926th, 2088th, 510th, 896th, 1700th, 2123rd, 1928th, 1053rd, 243rd, 2226th, 82nd, 476th and now 468th OPEN in the first nineteen races. IRISH AVERAGES after 19 races are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 97th OPEN BILLY WALLACE with his pigeon named MAUREEN bred by BILLY WALLACE which has a combined flying time of 33.12.39.35 and which has won 1407th, 2087th, 325th, 1686th, 3367th, 1129th, 1006th, 1598th, 235th, 1183rd, 2401st, 636th, 316th, 856th, 626th, 140th, 716th, 784th and now 615th OPEN in the first nineteen races.

TRAINING RACE 16 took place on Wednesday 15th January 2014 from 78km (48 miles) and yet another world record breaking entry of 3,555 pigeons from 40 different countries, this staggering total was made up by 231 South African pigeons and 3324, International pigeons and this figure included 274 from the United Kingdom and 44 from Ireland. The same race last year attracted 2,795 pigeon, so this year’s event showed an increase in 760 pigeons, which just to prove how the loft staff have looked after this team in such testing conditions.

The convoy were liberated at 09.00 in fine and clear conditions with a moderate head wind and a temperature of 21c (70f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated.

I logged onto LIVESTREAM bright and early at about 07.45 GMT (09.45 SA TIME) and the weather at the lofts looked lovely. I personally thought that the pigeons would arrive between 09.50 and 10.00. After a few minutes a small gang of about 70 pigeons arrived. Virtually as quick as this first bunch had arrived another gang and then another gang arrived. As usual some trapped and others just chased other pigeons around the top of the lofts and as in any race, the first one through the traps and over the clocking pads was the winner.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to TEAN ARIE and BRITTA from NETHERLANDS with pigeon named LOVE BUZZ, which was officially clocked at 09.53.24.05 to record a winning velocity of 1594ypm (54mph), performances to date were 5259th, 5272nd, 1421st, 1353rd, 912th, 3554th, 2444th, 860th, 2105th, 2271st, 2312th, 1913th, 2984th, 2607th, 1987th, 1839th, 2694th, 1860th, 1711th and now 1st OPEN, then 2nd Hans and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp from Netherlands, 3rd Team Mausen-Koeln from Germany, 4th Team KaVeCo from Norway, 5th Andrej Drag from Canada, 6th Pieter Veenstra from Netherlands, 7th SG Adelmann from Germany, 8th Stansted Dutch Syndicate from Netherlands but just purchased by Paul Smith from United Kingdom, 9th Abdulla Bin Mathi from Kuwait, 10th RA Bakker and Zoon from Netherlands, 11th Shieh Family Lofts from United States Of America, 12th Hetzel – Weitstreckenclub from Germany, 13th Eamon Kelly from United Kingdom, 14th Szalma Sandor from Hungary, 15th Lucky Devils Syndicate from United Kingdom, 16th Hooters Syndicate from South Africa, 17th McLaughlin Lofts from United States Of America, 18th Austin Lofts from Zimbabwe,19th Penkin Syndicate Belgium from South Africa and 20th Peter Schacht from Germany. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 29.52 seconds and had 10 different countries represented, with different countries in the top 10. What a great international result. This race resulted in 3,455 pigeons being officially recorded by 14.07, leaving 100 pigeons to make it back to the lofts by nightfall. More would have probably made it by nightfall but for a tremendous thunderstorm over the lofts from 16.30 onwards.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 13th OPEN went to EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON with pigeon named JAMIE RAY and which was officially clocked at 09.53.47.75 just 23.70 seconds behind the actual race winner, this pigeon had already won 91st, 1407th, 234th, 98th, 348th, 667th, 1930th, 3491st, 1367th, 1868th, 129th, 1957th, 2516th, 627th, 2665th, 266th, 3015th, 609th, 485th and now 13th OPEN. Then 2nd UK, 15th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 3rd UK, 27th Open Fin Jim with pigeon bred by James Finlay from Pudsey, 4th UK, 48th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 5th UK, 53rd Open Mr & Mrs Andy Mabin from Buckfastleigh, 6th UK, 66th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 7th UK, 67th Open L Brewer and bred by this fancier, 8th UK, 71st Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 9th UK, 78th Open Rixshaw Syndicate with pigeon bred by Len Rix from Mildenhall, 10th UK, 80th Open Ashfields, 11th UK, 91st Open Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell, 12th UK, 107th Open Tadt Syndicate with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Rotherby, 13th UK, 121st Open another for Carlos Dream Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 14th UK, 146th Open Nev + Angi Evans & Steve Cuthbert from Wolviston, 15th UK, 147th Open Alistair Hogg from Winchburgh, 16th UK, 148th Open Tony Kent + Bill Lindon from Ware, 17th UK, 154th Open Ken Darlington from Barry, 18th UK, 169th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 19th UK, 188th Open Pompey Boys NFC Nom Foureres with pigeon bred by Steve Harris from Havant and 20th UK, 198th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson from Preston. This race resulted in 265 pigeons being officially clocked by 14.07, leaving 2 UK pigeons still to make it back to base camp.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 46th OPEN went to PHILIP + MARK SMITH with their pigeon named THE GAP which was officially clocked at 09.54.01.60, just 37.55 seconds behind the actual race winner, this winning pigeon has won 4055th, 2301st, 4229th, 1335th, 4139th, 1466th, 234th, 355th, 1107th, 2799th, 1390th, 524th, 2812th, 150th, 917th, 2103rd, 613th, 2097th, 981st and now 46th OPEN, then 2nd Ireland, 152nd Open Billy Wallace, 3rd Ireland, 160th Open another for Philip + Mark Smith, 4th Ireland, 353rd Open Bernard Smyth - Gordon Brothers, 5th Ireland, 704th Open Maurice O’Donnell and 6th Ireland, 751st Open another for Maurice O’Donnell. This race resulted in all 44 Irish pigeons being officially clocked by 14.07.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS totalled US$4,118.25 (£2,745.50p) and had a total of 174 pigeons entered, with 587 Nominations, which included 8 pigeons from the UNITED KINGDOM and none from IRELAND. There were two UK winners and they were as follows:- 13th OPEN EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON with his pigeon named JAMIE RAY which walked away with a cool US$476 (£318) for its efforts, then 80th OPEN ASHFIELD with their pigeon named ASH BLUE that won US$136 (£91). WELL DONE TO ALL CONCERENED. REGIONAL NOMINATIONS in the UNITED KINGDOM only totalled US$76.50c (£51) and had 5 pigeons entered and a total of 13 nominations and this was all won by 588th OPEN LES & DERICK WELLBURN from ACKLAM with pigeon named MEGAN. WELL DONE TO THIS PARTNERSHIP.

CASCADE CHALLENGE for TRAINING RACE 16 there was US$3,261 (approx. £2,174) to be won and a grand total of 266 pigeons were entered which included 20 from the United Kingdom and 6 from Ireland. The nearest pigeon to winning the POT OF GOLD took 13th OPEN for EAMON KELLY from ABINGDON with pigeon named JAMIE RAY, just 23.70 seconds away from winning 1st OPEN. The nearest UNITED KINGDOM pigeon took 13th OPEN as mentioned above. The best IRISH pigeon took 704th OPEN for MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named INBRED JOSS. This total of US$3,261 (£2,174) will now rollover to TRAINING RACE 17.

THE OVERALL GRAND AVERAGES after 20 races are as follows:- 1st FRANK LACONTE from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his excellent pigeon named F1 052 with a combined flying time of 30.28.08.75, leading this category by just 1 minute 20 seconds after taking 961st, 1059th, 73rd, 719th, 72nd, 643rd, 238th, 1220th, 255th, 45th, 131st, 284th, 198th, 139th, 330th, 244th, 959th, 656th, 22nd and now 100th OPEN in the first twenty races, a very consistent pigeon. Then 2nd OPEN Hermam Wienekamp from Germany with his good pigeon named Nickelodean. The truly amazing fact is that there are a total of 11 different countries represented in the top 12 in this category. UNITED KINGDOM OVERALL AVERAGES after 20 races are as follows:- 1st UK, 12th OPEN LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY VISION bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH with a combined flying times of 31.36.06.23 leading this category by over 1 hour and 36 minutes with performances of 312th, 3669th, 1602nd, 525th, 421st, 65th, 926th, 2088th, 510, 896th, 1700th, 2123rd, 1928th, 1053rd, 243rd, 2226th, 82nd, 476th, 468th and now 542nd OPEN in the first twenty races. There were 9 UK pigeons in the top 191 in the Open in this category. WELL DONE TO ALL CONCERNED. IRISH OVERALL AVERAGES after 20 races are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 91st OPEN BILLY WALLACE with his pigeon named MAUREEN and bred by BILLY WALLACE with a combined flying time of 34.07.11.00 after taking 1407th, 2087th, 325th, 1686th, 3367th, 1129th, 1006th, 1598th, 235th, 1183rd, 2401st, 636th, 316th, 856th, 626th, 140th, 716th, 784th, 615th and now 152nd OPEN in the first twenty races and currently leads this category by just over one hour. The next Irish pigeon holds 149th Open. WELL DONE GUYS.

TRAINING RACE 17 the penultimate race of the 2013/14 race series took place on Saturday 18th January 2014 from 78km (48 miles) and another world record breaking total for this race of 3,509 pigeons from 40 different countries were basketed and this included 225 South African pigeons and 3,284 International pigeons and this figure included 270 from the United Kingdom and 45 from Ireland.

A total of 2,788 pigeons were sent to this same race last year, so this year showed a massive increase of 721 more entries.

The convoy were liberated at 08-50 with little to no wind, fine, clear conditions and with few clouds and a temperature of 23c (73f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated.

I did not log on to LIVESTREAM at around as I was away attending the Blackpool National Show but I expected the pigeons to arrive around 09.45 but as it happened they arrive at 09.42. As usual the pigeons that trap quickly won the major prizes. I am sure that the pigeons will trap much better in the Final Race next Saturday as they will have been flying much longer and will want to trap for food and water.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to BRENNEKE – HANSSEN _WEISHAR from GERMANY with their pigeon named SOPHIE and bred by ERNST WEISHAR, which was officially clocked at 09.42.30.90 to record a velocity of 1625ypm (55mph), performances to date are 4371st, 3993rd, 4602nd, 3175th, 2066th, 844th, 3831st, 2423th, 3670th, 3706th, 2900th, 391st, 2417th, 955th, 2495th, 2688th, 100th, 1481st, 74th, 2608th and now 1st OPEN, then 2nd Wilhelm Stoll from Germany, 3rd Filip and Nicolas Norman from Belgium, 4th Hok M Reijnen from Netherlands, 5th Krueger – Ozturk from Germany, 6th Ali Ahmed Al Kooheji from Bahrain, 7th Lucky Seven Syndicate from Canada, 8th Greg Glazier from United States Of America, 9th Josh + Dean from South Africa, 10th Bouchal + Krutil from Czech Republic, 11th Manuel Del Valle from United States Of America, 12th Ross Wood from Australia,
13th Team Koch – Wichert from Germany, 14th Franz Kleinhans from Germany, 15th Bryan Maier from United States Of America, 16th Reidar Haugland from Norway, 17th Kenny King from United States Of America, 18th Frederik Langenraedt from Belgium, 19th John Fukumoto from United States Of America and 20th Fayez Q8 from Kuwait. The top twenty were separated by just 08.50 seconds and there were 11 different countries represented in this result. A total of 3,430 pigeons were officially clocked up to 17.58, leaving 79 still to return to the lofts. By nightfall of Sunday 3,460 pigeons were accounted for, leaving just 49 still missing. The Monday morning loft list showed 3,486 pigeons in the lofts meaning that just 23 were still missing.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 31st OPEN went to REACH THEN JOIN with pigeon bred by PETER KEOGH from BROXBURN with his pigeon named ZOLA FIN, which was officially clocked at 09.42.50.65 just 19.75 seconds away from the actual race winner, performances so far were 1393rd, 2353rd, 135th, 390th, 990th, 3761st, 3881st, 1766th, 1013th, 2277th, 507th, 1041st, 2441st, 2323rd, 1459th, 2287th, 767th, 2508th, 2386th, 2112th and now 31st OPEN, then 2nd UK, 50th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 3rd UK, 53rd Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 4th UK, 56th Open Tony Kent + Bill Lindon from Wareside, 5th UK, 67th Open Fairways Lofts with pigeon bred by Steve Burton from Pinxton, 6th UK, 123rd Open Lanoak Lone Rangers with pigeon bred by Kevin Foster from Longfield Hill,
7th UK, 124th Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 8th UK, 134th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with another bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 9th UK, 141st Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 10th UK, 144th Open another for Carlos Dream Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 11th UK, 145th Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 12th UK, 147th Open Pieter Oberholster from Attleborough, 13th UK, 150th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 14th UK, 163rd Open Tadt Syndicate with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Rotherby, 15th UK, 174th Open Alistair Hogg from Winchburgh, 16th UK, 175th Open Roger Sutton from Congleton, 17th UK, 178th Open Nev + Angi Evans & Steve Cuthbert from Wolviston, 18th UK, 192nd Open Trainspotters, 19th UK, 217th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Sud from Patringham Haven and 20th UK, 239th Open Eamon Kelly from Abingdon. A total of 263 pigeons from the United Kingdom were officially recorded on the day by 17.58, leaving 7 still to make it back to base camp. A further 3 more UK pigeons returned during Sunday, leaving just 4 to return to the lofts. The Monday morning loft list showed that 268 UK pigeons were in the lofts, leaving just 2 to return.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 335th OPEN went to RS HOMAN with his pigeon named RYAN and which was officially clocked at 09.44.43.25, just 2 minute 12.35 seconds behind the actual race winner, this pigeon had previously won 1597th, 3884th, 4731st, 4822nd, 3688th, 2970th, 1824th, 3413rd, 1946th, 3142nd, 1372nd, 2841st, 2493rd, 1363rd, 2479th, 3162nd, 2309th, 1847th, 205th, 2799th and now 335th OPEN, then 2nd Ireland, 561st Open Philip + Mark Smith, 3rd Ireland, 589th Open Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 4th Ireland, 637th Open a second for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 5th Ireland, 707th Open a third for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland and 6th Ireland, 847th Open second for Philip + Mark Smith. A total of 42 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 17.58, leaving just 3 to make it back to the lofts on the day. No more Irish pigeon returned on the Sunday, still leaving 3 to make it home. The Monday morning loft list still showed 42 Irish pigeons in the lofts, leaving 3 still to return.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS were well contested as usual but only contained one winner from the United Kingdom. Taking 141st OPEN for GUYS LOFTS with pigeon named WENDY’S PRIDE which was bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON and he picked up US$85 (£56.67p) for his efforts. REGIONAL NOMINATIONS had three winners 357th OPEN SYNDICATES BEACON UK with pigeon named MEABURN GLITZ bred by IAN PARSONS from PENRITH, 542nd OPEN EMILIA LOFT UK with pigeon named PRINCESS IZABELLA bred by SEBASTIAN SUSKI from SOUTHAMPTON who won just US$7.65c (£5.10p) and then 1808th OPEN COMMON VIEW LOFTS with pigeon named WELSH QUEEN bred by JOHN COOPER from PONTYPRIDD who won US$42.50c (£28.34p) for its effort. WELL DONE TO ALL THREE FANCIERS.

CASCADE CHALLENGE had a total of 400 entries, which included 22 from the United Kingdom and 8 from Ireland and a total of around US$6,500 (£4,334 ) was up for grabs in today’s race but once again this great cash prize was not won and the nearest pigeon to winning the POT OF GOLD took 4th OPEN for HOK M REIJNEN from NETHERLANDS with his pigeon named STARBURST and missing out by just 03.69 seconds. This POT OF GOLD will now rollover to the FINAL RACE on Saturday 25th January 2014. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT DECIDE TO HAVE A LITTLE GAMBLE ON THEIR PIGEON OR PIGEONS. The nearest UNITED KINGDOM pigeon took 141st OPEN for GRAHAM GUY from WOKLVERHAMPTON with his pigeon named WENDY’S PRIDE. The nearest IRISH pigeon took 637th OPEN JOS REILLY – TEAM IRELAND with their pigeon named JOS 10.

THE OVERALL GRAND AVERAGES after 21 races are as follows:- 1st OPEN FRANK LOCANTE from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his very consistent pigeon named FI 052 with a combined flying time of 31.24.14.20, this pigeon has taken 961st, 1059th, 73rd, 719th, 72nd, 643rd, 238th, 1220th, 255th, 45th, 131st, 284th, 198th, 139th, 330th, 224th OPEN and now 764th in its first twenty-one races, it currently leading this category by 2 minutes 15 seconds. There are 7 different countries and a Defaulter Pigeon represented in the top 10. UNITED KINGDOM AVERAGES after 21 races are as follows:- 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 11th OPEN LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY VISION and bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH with A combined flying time of 32.33.22.98, this pigeon has taken 312th, 3699th, 1602nd, 525th, 421st, 65th, 926th, 2088th, 510th, 896th, 1700th, 2123rd, 1928th, 1053rd, 243rd, 2226th, 82nd, 476th, 468th, 542nd and now 1145th OPEN in its first twenty-one races and it is currently leading this category by a clear 2 hours 25 minutes 13 seconds. There are 8 UK pigeons that are currently in the top 181 in the Open in this category. IRISH AVERAGES after 21 races are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 204th OPEN BILLY WALLACE with pigeon named MAUREEN and bred by BILLY WALLACE with a combined flying time of 35.09.42.15, this pigeon has taken 1407th, 2087th, 325th, 1686th, 3367th, 1129th, 1006th, 1598th, 235th, 1183rd, 2401st, 636th, 316th, 856th, 626th, 140th, 716th, 784th, 615th, 152nd and now 2550th OPEN in its first twenty-one races.

***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-one (21) official races on Saturday’s and Wednesday’s and the next event will THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON FINAL RACE on Saturday 25th January 2014 from DOUGLAS 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 nearly all 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.

***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2013/14 SAMDP 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.

***ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE SAMDPR*** 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 AFRICAN 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 motor 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.

By the time this INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE is published in the world press, the Final Race in the 2013/14 SAMDPR series will have taken place and the winner will have been crowned “CHAMPION OF THE WORLD”, if you wish to see who this was, please log on to www.samdpr.com where all the official results will be available to study.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL FANCIERS/ENTRANTS/COMPETITORS & SYNDICATES.

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