19th SAMDPR - Training Races 1 & 2

[willie reynolds]

“INTERNATIONAL PRESS REPORT”
THE 19th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR
(THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD)
(THE GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD)
DUE TO BE HELD IN LINBRO PARK, SANDTON,
SOUTH AFRICA ON SATURDAY 24th JANUARY 2015.

RESULTS ON TRAINING RACES 1 & 2.

TRAINING RACE 1 took place on Saturday 1st November 2014 from 51km (32 miles) and a total of 4,007 pigeons were basketed from 38 different countries, this total included 228 South African pigeons and 3,779 international pigeons and this figure included 255 from the United Kingdom and 62 from Ireland.

The convoy were liberated at 07.00 in fine and clear conditions, with little to no wind and a temperature of 19c (66f) and a good steady race was anticipated by the loft staff. As the day progressed the temperature would rise to about 26c (80f) with early afternoon rain forecast from about 12.00 onwards.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN went to TIM MACKEN from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his pigeon named TIMBUKTU which was officially clocked at 07.50.15.20 to record a winning velocity of 1127ypm (38mph), 2nd Atlantis Loft from United States Of America, 3rd Marek Stefanski from Poland, 4th Gerhard Henkel from Germany, 5th McKenna and Carney from United States Of America, 6th Team Stieneker - Abrams from Germany, 7th Rolf Berger from Germany, 8th Piszczala - Grzankowski from Poland, 9th Team Neptun from Switzerland, 10th Ahmed Mohahammed Al-Jawasri from Kuwait, 11th Horst Hain from Germany, 12th Team Ferchen - Muehlenstrodt from Germany, 13th Lothar Krueger from Germany, 14th Fayez 8 from Kuwait, 15th Butches Bottlers from Australia, 16th Gyula Sandor Kiss from Hungary, 17th Willi Holstiege from Germany, 18th Eldorado Lofts Canada from Canada, 19th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America and 20th Warren Bloomfield from Australia. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 26.05 seconds and had 8 different countries represented in this result. A total of 3,778 pigeons were officially recorded by 17.09, leaving 229 pigeons still to return to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listing showed 3,803 pigeons in the lofts, leaving 204 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 33rd OPEN went to PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with their pigeon named STANSTED LASS bred by JIMMY RICHARDS from LAINDON which was officially clocked at 07.50.56.29, just 41.09 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd UK, 34th Open Signalmen with a pigeon bred by K Wagstaff from the North East, 3rd UK, 41st Open Ben and Sally Gray with pigeon bred by Gray+Atkins from Bridlington, 4th UK, 88th Open a second for Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 5th UK, 117th Open Ian Stafford from Saltburn, 6th UK, 149th Open Kirner Syndicate with pigeon bred by Wolverhampton, 7th UK, 169th Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 8th UK, 170th Open Danny Gruzelier from Kempston, 9th UK, 185th Open JEM with pigeon bred by S Knowles and entered by WJ Bradbury from Glazbury, 10th UK, 244th Open Qwestair Loft with pigeon bred by Ian Freeman from Trowbridge, 11th UK, 164th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a second pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 12th UK, 296th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a third pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 13th UK, 303rd Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a fourth pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 14th UK, 307th Open Durkan Brothers from Ripon, 15th UK, 317th Open K+G Jones from Aylesbury, 16th UK, 345th Open another for Ben and Sally Gray with pigeon bred by Gray+Atkin from Bridlington, 17th UK, 348th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with as fifth pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 18th UK, 365th Open a third for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a sixth pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 19th UK, 372nd Open Lloyd and Kelly from Abingdon and 20th UK, 407th Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe. A total of 239 UK pigeons were officially recorded by 17.09, leaving 19 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings still showed 240 UK pigeons in the lofts, which meant that 15 UK pigeons were lost in this training race.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 100th OPEN went to BOYLAN and NASHER with their good pigeon named ANNETTE N and bred by JOHN NASH which was officially recorded at 07.51.42.70, just 1 minute 27.50 seconds after the race winner. This pigeon has started off in a blaze of glory winning 1st Ireland, 179th Open Pre-Training Race 2 and 4th Ireland, 424th Open in Pre-Training Race 3, 1st Ireland, 37th Open in Pre-Training Race 3, 3rd Ireland, 124th Open in Pre-Training Race 5 and now 1st Ireland, 100th Open in Training Race 1. What a great start to this race series guys, hope it keeps up lads, 2nd Ireland, 126th Open Gerry Daly, 3rd Ireland, 158th Open RS Homan, 4th Ireland, 245th Open Cill Dara, 5th Ireland, 475th Open Dylan and Daniel Boylan and 6th Ireland, 647th Open another for Boylan and Nasher. A total of 58 Irish pigeons were officially recorded by 17.09, leaving 4 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings still showed only 58 Irish pigeons in the lofts, which meant that 4 Irish were lost in this training race.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS started on this TRAINING RACE 1 and there were a total of 149 pigeons entered which included 6 from the UK and 360 nominations with a total of US$2,049.35c (£1,281) up for grabs. Well done to PIETER OBERHOLSTER from KEYSOE with his pigeon named OBI-17 which won 407th OPEN and won US$722.50c (£452), what a great start to his 2014/15 race series.

TRAINING RACE 2 took place on Wednesday 5th November 2014 from 74km (46 miles) and a total of 3,809 pigeons were basketed from 38 different countries, this total included 225 pigeons from South Africa and 3,584 international pigeons and this figure included 240 from the United Kingdom and 58 from Ireland.

The convoy were liberated at 08.05, fine and clear conditions, moderate tail wind with a temperature of 17c (62f) rising to around 26c (80f) as the day progressed. A fairly fast race was anticipated by the loft staff.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN went to HAMAD AL-SWAQ from KUWAIT with pigeon named AL-SWAQ 1 which was officially clocked at 08.55.59.29 to record 1587ypm (54mph), 2nd Daniel van Ceulebroeck from Belgium, 3rd Mohammad Almeleabi from Kuwait, 4th A and T Sorrentino from United States Of America, 5th R+M Klement from Germany, 6th Rolf Berger from Germany, 7th Team Lehmkuhl –Boes - Stieneker from Germany, 8th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 9th A Defaulter Pigeon, 10th Kubacek and Kodl Team from Czech Republic, 11th Team Hooymans from Netherlands, 12th G De Necker + J Gomes from South Africa, 13th Mike Francisco from United States Of America, 14th Saad Alqanem from Kuwait, 15th Crazy-Al + Carlton Kroese from United States Of America, 16th Castleguard Lofts from Canada, 17th Gebr Bluemmers from Germany, 18th Lucky Devils Syndicate from United Kingdom, 19th K+G Jones from United Kingdom and 20th Zandys Dream Team from United Kingdom. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 12.05 seconds and had 8 different countries represented on this result. A total of 3,495 pigeons were officially clocked by 18.08, leaving 314 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. A further 76 pigeons returned to the lofts on Thursday morning, which still left 238 missing. Fairly sure a few more will work back during the rest of the day.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 18th OPEN went to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE , administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with their pigeon named LUCKY FIVE STAR bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough which was officially clocked at 08.56.10.25 just 10.96 seconds after the actual race winner, 2nd UK, 19th Open Keith & Graham Jones from Aylesbury, 3rd UK, 20th Open Zandy Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with another pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 4th UK, 23rd Open Tickets Collectors from the North East, 5th UK, 45th Open Susan Bennett from Darlington with pigeon bred by Bainbridge & Sons, 6th UK, 50th Open Fairways Lofts with pigeon bred by Steve Burton from Pinxton, 7th UK, 90th Open Amblers of Oxenhope with pigeon bred this partnership, 8th UK, 121st Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 9th UK, 138th Open JS Leech and S Bannister with pigeon bred by JS Leech from Featherstone, 10th UK, 143rd Open Lloyd and Kelly from Abingdon, 11th UK, 155th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a third pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 12th UK, 160th Open another for Susan Bennett from Darlington with a second pigeon bred by Bainbridge & Sons, 13th UK, 193rd Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a fourth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 14th UK, 220th Open JEM entered by WJ Bradbury from Glazebury and with pigeon bred by S Knowles, 15th UK, 245th Open Jurgen & Caroline Josch from Hailsham, 16th UK, 254th Open Seedee Pets with pigeon bred by Richard Cheshire from Sudbury, 17th UK, 257th Open another for Jurgen & Caroline Josch from Hailsham, 18th UK, 271st Open Tadt Syndicate with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 19th UK, 286th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfiotchet and with a fifth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough and 20th UK, 290th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a sixth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough. A total of 216 UK pigeons were officially clocked by 18.08, leaving 24 UK pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 304th OPEN went to PHILIP + MARK SMITH with their pigeon named PHILS CHOICE which was officially clocked at 08.57.17.41, just 1 minute 18.12 seconds away from the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 363rd Open Maurice O’Donnell, 3rd Ireland, 467th Open Boylan and Nasher, 4th Ireland, 664th Open another for Philip + Mark Smith, 5th Ireland, 768th Open Dylan and Daniel Boylan and 6th Ireland, 808th Open RS Homan. A total of 49 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 18.08, leaving 9 Irish pigeons still to make it back tom the lofts.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS amounted to US$3,678.80c (£2,300) and a total of 227 pigeons including 16 from the UK with 600 nominations. There were two UK winners and they were as follows:- KEITH & GRAHAM JONES from AYLESBURY with pigeon named RICKYS CHOICE that took 19th OPEN an won US$357 (£223), then TICKETS COLLECTORS from the NORTH EAST with pigeon named MARYLEBONE took 23rd OPEN and won US$289 (£181).
WELL DONE TO THESE WINNERS.

THE CASCADE CHALLENGE which was a very popular international competition and has been running for the last 3 years will no longer be a competition during the 2013/14 race series. However, the money that remains that was not won in the Final Race 2014 which totals US$12,364.50c (£9,148.54p) in this competition will now hopefully be flown for in the Final Race on the 24th January 2015. Once the new competition rules are known they will be published on the SAMDPR Web Site for all to see and placed in my International Press Release.

The remaining race programme is as follows:- Training Race 3 from 50km (31 miles) on Saturday 8th November, Training Race 4 from 75km (47 miles) on Wednesday 12th November, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 from 130km (81 miles) on Saturday 15th November, Training Race 5 from 75km (47 miles) on Wednesday 19th November, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 from 160km (100 miles) on Saturday 22nd November, Training Race 6 from 75km (47 miles) on Wednesday 26th November, Training Race 7 from 75km (47 miles) on Saturday 29th November, Training Race 8 from 75km (47 miles) on Wednesday 3rd December, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 from 220km (137 miles) on Saturday 6th December, Training Race 9 from 75km (47 miles) on Wednesday 10th December, Training Race 10 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 13th December, Training Race 11 from 75km (47 miles) on Wednesday 17th December, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 from 270km (168 miles) on Saturday 20th December, Training Race 12 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 27th December, Training Race 13 from 75km (47 miles) on 31st December 2014.Then we move into 2015 and start with HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 from 320km (199 miles) on Saturday 3rd January, Training Race 14 from 50km (31 miles) on Wednesday 7th January, Training Race 15 from 75km (47 miles) on Saturday 10th January, Training Race 16 from 75km (47 miles) on Wednesday 14th January, Training Race 17 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 17th January, then THE FINAL RACE from 525km (326 miles) on Saturday 24th January 2015. The dates are not be set in stone and if the proposed date for any of these races is not suitable for liberation, then these will take place on the next best day in that week. Daily training will also take place during the week providing the weather is suitable. No training will take place on Sundays unless of course a holdover takes place on the Saturday race. The Overall Averages and the allocated Prize Money will only count in races of 50km (31 miles) and over. The Pre-Training Races will not count in The Overall Averages.

It should be noted the Organising Committee and Loft Managers have decided this year not to try to rush the youngsters up to the 80km (50 miles) mark. So with the pigeon’s best interest in mind there will now be a total of five Pre-Training Races 1 to 5 up to distances of 45km (28 miles), as well as a few of the other earlier races will be shortened to give the pigeons more experience. Please watch the Race Programme listed on the dedicated web site:- www.samdpr.com for more information on the distances for some of these earlier races. Of course only races of 50km (31 miles) actually counts in the SAMDPR Ace Pigeon Overall Averages and only fully paid up pigeons can win any of these cash prizes.

***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 my later International Press Reports. I personally like to give all the fanciers, entrants and breeders all the credit they and their pigeons deserve when they manage to get in the results so your help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

For the first few races numerous pigeons will not trap, so do not worry if yours is clocked late. The main thing to consider over the first few races is that it or they have made it back to the lofts in Linbro Park to fight another day. With each race the pigeons will learn a bit more, giving them more experience to tackle all the tasks that they are going to have in front of them during the testing 2014/15 training and race series.

As mentioned earlier only races of 50km (approx. 31 miles) will count towards The South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three superb 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 after the Final Race has been completed.

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

THE CASCADE CHALLENGE was a new competition introduced four 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, it is just like the National Lottery, it just rolls over to the following week until somebody finally wins the jackpot. You do not have to enter the same pigeon every race, the choice is yours. The South African Million Dollar Web Site will give you all the information you need to enter this competition.

There is already a reasonable starting fund which was carried over from the 2014/15 race series as this money was not won on the 2014 Final Race. You can enter this competition which usually starts on TRAINING RACE 2 but please check the SAMDPR Web Site for confirmation about the official starting date, plus HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 and of course the FINAL RACE. The rules for this competition changed slightly for the 2013/14 race series because before you were 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 had FOUR TEAMS IN YOUR SYNDICATE, you can now enter ONE PIGEON from each, making FOUR IN TOTAL. This rule has remained the same for the 2014/15 race series. You can enter either paid or unpaid pigeons in this nomination up to the Final Race, however in the actual FINAL RACE only entered pigeons (fully paid) can be entered into 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 OFFICIAL WEB SITE www.scmdpr.com FOR ALL TO VIEW.

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

It will also be my nineteenth 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 the 5 STAR HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, ROSEBANK, JOHANNESBURG (www.johannesburg.regency.hyatt.com) will be going out of their way to make sure everybody has a fantastic time in the fabulous hotel and as in past years I will as usual be organising an 7 day (6 nights) stay in South Africa. We will depart on Economy Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday 20th January 2015 and then depart on Economy Virgin Atlantic from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg on Tuesday 27th January 2014 finally arriving back at London Heathrow Airport on Wednesday 28th January 2015 at 06.50. We will spend 6 nights in the fantastic 5 star Hyatt Regency Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa 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. This top class hotel is situated in the modern suburb of Rosebank and offers 244 luxury rooms plus 15 luxury suites and is 25km (16 miles) from O.R. Tambo Airport and adjacent to Firs Shopping Centre and Cinemas. 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. An estimated cost at the current time of £1,650 per person in a twin room sharing, Virgin Atlantic Economy return flights from London Heathrow Airport and O. R. Tambo Airport Johannesburg, plus transfers to and from the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This price may fluctuate depending on the current exchange rates at the time of booking. 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. A single room supplement is also available for those that require it. This trip represents great value for money and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. It is also encouraging to see that two other hotels in the close vicinity have accommodation packages available during the race weekend and they are the 4 STAR CROWNE PLAZA, ROSEBANK and the 3 STAR HOLIDAY INN, ROSEBANK. Estimated prices for these two other hotels are also available and are slightly lower than the main hotel, just give me a call on 01279-812005 or 07860-568216 to get full details. A full itinerary will be published in my International Press Release and in both the “BHW” and the “RP” once full costings are known. If any fanciers/friends would like to add any extra pre or post trips in South Africa, then please let me know what you would like to do and where you would like to go to and I will then get a quote for you from African Olive Travel Concepts which are the official travel representative for the race and also the company that I deal with.

***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 20th SAMDPR and all you have to pay is the official shipping/export costs to your Country Shipper.

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 15th NOVEMBER 2014 from 130km (approx. 81 miles). The cost to “ACTIVATE” these “RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS” is US$1,100 (approx. £667)(THIS MAY CHANGE SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE AT THE TIME OF ACTIVATION) 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. The race entry fee for The 19th SAMDPR was actually increased by US$100, up to US$1,100. However, all cash refunds will be at US$1,000 per paid pigeon, which will give the race organiser US$100 per pigeon for feeding, training and quarantine costs.
HOW MANY OTHER RACES IN THE WORLD OFFER THIS SORT OF OPTION TO COMPETITORS AND ENTRANTS?

***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2014/15 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and awards now add up to a staggering US$1.8 Million American Dollars £1.2 Million Pounds) and these include 5 x Brand New Motor Cars, 1 for each of the 5 x Car Races, 95 x US$1,100 Hot Spot Cash Prizes (it should be noted that the Motor Car Winner does not receive a US$1,100 Cash Prize), split into 19 x US$1,100 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 worth well over US$1,000 each and now over US$1 Million 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 MOTOR CAR, worth a staggering US$80,000 (approx. £50,000). (ONLY “ACTIVATED” PIGEONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE FOR ANY OF THESE SPECIAL CASH PRIZES OR AWARDS). This new competition was very well supported in its first year and had over 160 entries and was so successful that it also paid out a staggering 2nd prize of US$54,000 cash. Do not miss this fantastic opportunity to win a fabulous new car.

PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 19th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR “FINAL RACE” IS NOW AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$150,000 (approx. £93,750), 2nd US$100,000 (approx. £62,500), 3rd US$75,000 (approx. £46,875), 4th US$50,000 (approx. £31,250), 5th US$40,000 (approx. £25,000), 6th US$25,000 (£15,625), 7th US$17,500 (£10,938), 8th US$15,000 (£9,375, 9th US$12,500 (£7,813), 10th US$15,000 (approx. £10,000), 11th/15th US$7,500 each (approx. £4,688), 16th/20th US$5,000 each (approx. £3,125), 21st/30th US$4,000 each (approx. £2,500), 31st/40th US$3,500 each (approx. £2,188), 41st/50th US$3,000 each (approx. £1,875), 51st/70th US$2,000 each (£1,250), 71st/100th US$1,750 each (£1,094), 101st/150th US$1,500 each (£938), 151st/200th US$1,250 each (£782) and then 201st/300th US$1,100 each (£688). (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 the actual 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 2014/15 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 www.theloftreport.com plus of course they will also be published in the “”BRITISH HOMING WORLD” and “THE RACING PIGEON” weeklies and other world pigeon publications for all to see, read and enjoy.

The race date for THE 20th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been agreed and confirmed and this will once again take place in fabulous 5 Star Hyatt Regency Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 30th January 2016. 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 20th SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2015 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2015. 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 about this great race.

These “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES” do take a lot of my time to prepare and I try to get as much into them as possible as I know fanciers and entrants like to know what is happening, 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 international reports.

IF ANY PIGEON FANCIER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR IN FACT 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.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL FANCIERS, SYNDICATES AND ENTRANTS DURING THE 2014/15 RACE SERIES.

Paul Smith.
United Kingdom Race Team Shipper & International Race Co-ordinator for The 19th 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 the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 24th January 2015. 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