19th SAMDPR - Training Races 6 & 7

[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 6 & 7.

TRAINING RACE 6 took place on Saturday 22nd November 2014 from 110km (68 miles) and a total of 3,198 pigeons were basketed from 37 different countries, this total included 202 South African pigeons and 2,996 international pigeons and this figure included 187 from the United Kingdom and 50 from Ireland.

The convoy were liberated at 07.15 in fine and clear conditions, with little to no wind and a temperature of 17c (62f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated by the loft staff. As the day progressed the weather would remain sunny and the temperature would rise to about 26c (80f) mid-afternoon with intermittent thunderstorms.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN went to MOHAMMED MARZOUQ AL-ALWAN from KUWAIT with his pigeon named ALAWAN 3 which was officially clocked at 08.40.25.06 to record a winning velocity of 1408ypm (48mph), 2nd Marek and Marcin Rzepka from Poland, 3rd Abdullah Bohaimed from Kuwait, 4th Fondclub Antwerpen from Belgium, 5th Cooney Gang Syndicate from United Kingdom, 6th Mitch Dejlitko from United States Of America, 7th Sam Syndicate from Netherlands, 8th Evald Nielsen from Denmark, 9th Krueger - Ozturk from Germany, 10th Shiek Abdulla Ali Ahmed Al-Thani from Qatar, 11th Defaulter Pigeon, 12th Rainer+Raiko+Lilly Marien from Germany, 13th Rolf Huchthausen from Germany, 14th Wolfram Coesfeld from Germany, 15th Miha Sovic from Slovenia, 16th Carlos Acosta from United States Of America, 17th Crammond and Langstaff from United Kingdom, 18th PIPA Elite Center from Belgium, 19th Rudy Baert from Belgium and 20th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 25.05 seconds and had 10 different countries represented in this result. A total of 3,042 pigeons were officially recorded by 18.15, leaving 156 pigeons still to return to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listing showed 3,117 pigeons in the lofts, leaving 81 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 5th OPEN went to COONEY GANG SYNDICATE with pigeon named KING KEN bred by MIKE COONEY from MANCHESTER which has been flying very consistently and which was officially clocked at 08.40.31.31, just 6.25 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd UK, 17th Open Ian Crammond and Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell, 3rd UK, 50th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon that has already scored a few times in this race series and was bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 4th UK, 73rd Open Stephen Bannister and Joe Leech & Son with pigeon bred by Stephen Bannister from Featherstone, 5th UK, 113th Open Signalmen from the North East with pigeon bred by P. Turner, 6th UK, 127th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with another pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 7th UK, 149th Open Keith & Graham Jones from Aylesbury, 8th UK, 182nd Open Alan Richardson from Whitby, 9th UK, 184th Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 10th UK, 186th Open Tadt Syndicate with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 11th UK, 208th Open another for Tadt Syndicate also bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 12th UK, 213th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a third pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 13th UK, 254th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a fourth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 14th UK, 310th Open P+S Shaw,
15th UK, 312th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a fifth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 16th UK, 314th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon,
17th UK, 352nd Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 18th UK, 358th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate and with a third pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 19th UK, 379th Open Lloyd and Kelly from Abingdon and 20th UK, 393rd Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven. A total of 180 UK pigeons were officially recorded by 18.15, leaving 7 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings still showed 185 UK pigeons in the lofts, which meant that 2 UK pigeons were lost in this training race.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 84th OPEN went to MORAN and BOWDEN with their pigeon named
BEAUTIFUL ALANNAH which was official clocked at 08.41.48.68, 1 minute 23.62 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 122nd Open Sheldon Leonard and Eamon Kelly with pigeon bred by Sheldon which had previously won 1st Ireland, 1st Open in TR5, 3rd Ireland, 130th Open Boylan and Nasher with pigeon that has already won in this race series and was bred by John Nash, 4th Ireland, 406th Open David Brown, who won a Gold Medal in the Final Race a few years ago, 5th Ireland, 630th Open Gerry Daly and 6th Ireland, 659th Open Maurice O’Donnell. A total of 47 Irish pigeons were officially recorded by 18.15, leaving 3 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings showed 48 Irish pigeons in the lofts, which meant that 2 Irish pigeons were lost in this training race.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on this TRAINING RACE 6 and there were a total of 224 pigeons entered which included 13 from the UK and 3 from IRELAND with a total of 665 nominations were placed with a total of US$4,564.50c (£2,908) up for grabs. Well done to COONEY GANG SYNDICATE with pigeon named KING KEN bred by MIKE COONEY from MANCHESTER that won 5th OPEN and won a cool US$2,346 (£1,495) for its efforts. This pigeon has now won US$5,554.75c (£3,538) in nominations so far in this race series. We then had the LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH which won 50th OPEN and won US$773.50c (£493), this pigeon has now won US$1,014.05c (£646) in nominations so far in this race series. Lastly we had SIGNALMEN from the NORTH EAST with pigeon named WENDY bred by P. TURNER which took 113th OPEN and won US$229.50c (£146) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for the UNITED KINGDOM on this TRAINING RACE 6 had 5 pigeons entered and there were 19 nominations and there was just one winner and that was LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS that took 50th OPEN and was bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH that won US$34 (£22) for its efforts.

REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for the IRISH TEAM on TR6 had 3 pigeons entered and just 7 nominations and LIGHTNING LOFTS B entered by TRISTAN McLOUGHLIN won US$17.85c (£12) with pigeon named LIGHTNING COBY which was bred by GERRY McCOURT.

The OVERALL AVERAGES after 7 official races in the 2014/15 race series stand as follows:- 1st ITALY, 1st OPEN CHRISTIANO PALTRINIERI from ITALY with pigeon named DAISUKE JIGEN, total flying time of 06.58.36.24, this consistent pigeon has so far won 73rd, 215th, 79th, 25th, 40th, 159th and now 223rd OPEN in the 7 races that count, holding on to 1st from the last race. Then 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th OPEN GUYS LOFTS and with pigeon named WENDYS LITTLE GEM bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON, total flying time of 07.08.33.89, this pigeon has won 169th, 969th, 222nd, 128th, 1164th, 427th and now 184th OPEN in the 7 races that count, holding onto 9th from the last race. Taking 1st IRELAND, 115th OPEN BOYLAN and NASHER with pigeon named PADDY MAC bred by JOHN NASH, total flying time of 07.22.44.91, this pigeon has won 647th, 467th, 291st, 416th, 1028th, 864th and now 1723rd OPEN in the 7 races that count, moving down 60 places from 55th in the last race.

Because of internet problems during the arrival of the race pigeons the Livestream and the results were slightly delayed and the race organisers can only apologise for any inconvenience caused to any fanciers/entrants. Hopefully, this did not spoil your Saturday morning enjoyment?

LIVESTREAM is now online to view, just click on the button and watch the pigeons arrive live. It really is a fantastic experience to watch the pigeons approaching the lofts, then landing and passing through the traps. This service will continue now right through the rest of the race series.

TRAINING RACE 7 took place on Wednesday 26th November 2014 from 74km (46 miles) and 3,128 pigeons from 37 countries took part and this total included 2,930 international pigeons which included 186 from the United Kingdom and 48 from Ireland, plus 198 pigeons from South Africa.

The convoy were finally liberated at 08.00 in fine and clear conditions, moderate head wind with a temperature of 16c (60f) rising to around 29c (86f). A reasonably race was anticipated by the loft staff.

LIVESTREAM was available to watch and I logged on at 06.50 GMT (08.50 SA) to watch the pigeons arrive and at 08.58 the first batch arrived and trapped very well. The wind was blowing hard and after a few attempts to land the winning group hit the top of loft 2, these were as usual followed by numerous other big gangs in the next few minutes, all of a sudden there were hundreds on the lofts and as usual the first ones through the traps were the winners.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN went to AL-ABRAQ LOFT from KUWAIT with pigeon named ALSHAYB which was officially clocked at 08.58.12.86 to record 1396ypm (47mph), 2nd Fayez Q8 from Kuwait, 3rd Racing Team Dr Matthes JB from Germany, 4th Grey Fox Harms from United States Of America, 5th Defaulter Pigeon, 6th Hannelore Jaekel from Germany, 7th Mohammad Almeleabi from Kuwait, 8th Saad Al Abhoul from Kuwait, 9th Crammond and Langstaff from United Kingdom, 10th Helmut + Alfons Klaas from Germany, 11th Team Germany – Wilhelm Linke from Germany, 12th Team Schloesser T + T Ehlen from Germany, 13th Jan Hooymans – Hu Zhen Yu from Netherlands, 14th Rasim Nihat from Bulgaria, 15th Defaulter Pigeon, 16th Wolfram Coesfeld from Germany, 17th S Bannister and LJ Leech from United Kingdom, 18th Khaled Aldowailah from Kuwait, 19th Club Noordelike Resiesduif Unie from South Africa and 20th Team Gommern Goers from Netherlands. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 23.80 seconds and had 7 different countries represented on this result. The top 50 in this result were separated by just 45.49 seconds. A total of 2,984 pigeons were officially clocked by 10.45, then 3,017 pigeons were clocked by 17.39 leaving 111 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th OPEN went to IAM CRAMMOND and NIGEL LANGSTAFF from FONTWELL with their pigeon named FONTWELL FOXTROT ROMEO which was officially clocked at 08.58.30.06 just 17.20 seconds after the actual race winner, 2nd UK, 17th Open S Bannister and LJ Leech with pigeon bred by Stephen Bannister from Featherstone, 3rd UK, 29th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 4th UK, 30th Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 5th UK, 58th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 6th UK, 69th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 7th UK, 90th Open Pet Shop Boys and Girls with pigeon bred by John Alderslade from Bridlington, 8th UK, 97th Open Ben and Sally Gray with pigeon bred by Ken Gray from Bridlington, 9th UK, 112th Open Susan Bennett from Darlington with pigeon bred by Bainbridge & Sons, 10th UK, 113th Open P+S Shaw, 11th UK, 141st Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 12th UK, 148th Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 13th UK, 151st Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with another pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 14th UK, 165th Open Pigeon Corpoaration, 15th UK, 181st Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate, with a third pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 16th UK, 206th Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 17th UK, 216th Open Durkan Brothers from Ripon, 18th UK, 253rd Open Danny Gruzelier from Kempston, 19th UK, 259th Open Alan Richardson from Whitby and 20th UK, 274th Open L & D. Wellburn from Acklam. A total of 188 UK pigeons were officially clocked by 10.45 with no more arrivals up to 17.39 leaving 10 UK pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 300th OPEN went to PETER LUCAS with his pigeon named JOHNIE B GOOD which was officially clocked at 09.01.13.47, just 3 minutes 00.61 seconds away from the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 434th Open Philip + Mark Smith, 3rd Ireland, 505th Open Dylan and Daniel Boylan, 4th Ireland, 556th Open Padraig and Caoimhe, 5th Ireland, 581st Open another for Dylan and Daniel Boylan and 6th Ireland, 744th Open another for Philip + Mark Smith. A total of 45 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 10.45 with no more being clocked by 17.39 leaving just 3 Irish pigeons to make it back to the lofts.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on this TRAINING RACE 7 amounted to US$4,914.70c (£3,130) and a total of 256 pigeons including 13 from the United Kingdom and 2 from Ireland and with 802 nominations were placed. There were two UNITED KINGDOM winners and they were as follows:- IAN CRAMMOND and NIGEL LANGSTAFF from FONTWELL with their pigeon named FONTWELL FOXTROT ROMEO that took 9th OPEN and won US$1,368.50c (£883), this pigeon has now won a total of US$1,419.50c (£904) in nominations so far in this race series. Then LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH which took 29th OPEN and won US$1,241.00c (£791). This pigeon has now won a total of US$2,351.95c (£1,498) in nominations so far in this race series. WELL DONE TO THESE TWO WINNERS.

REGIONAL NONIMATIONS in the UNITED KINGDOM had a total of US$96.90c (£62) to fly for with and 3 pigeons were entered and a total of 15 nominations were placed. The winner was LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS which took 29th OPEN and was bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH, which won US$96.90c (£62). WELL DONE TO THE WINNER.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 8 official races in the 2014/15 race series stands as follows:- 1st ITALY, 1st OPEN CHRISTIANO PALTRINIERE with pigeon named DAISUKE JIGEN total flying time of 08.04.15.56 which has taken 73rd, 215th, 79th, 25th, 40th, 159th, 223rd, 1024th OPEN in the 8 races that count, no movement in overall position and remains the same and unchanged from the last last race. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 17th OPEN GUYS LOFTS with pigeon named WENDYS LITTLE GEM bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON with a total flying time of 08.14.06.06 which has taken 169th, 969th, 222nd, 128th, 1164th, 427th, 184th and now 993rd OPEN in the 8 races that count, moving down 8 positions from 9th in the last race. 1st IRELAND, 300th OPEN PHILIP + MARK SMITH with their pigeon named PHILS CHOICE total flying time 08.42.08.45 which has taken 1187th, 304th, 737th, 912th, 1055th, 2070th, 1211th and now 1659th OPEN in the 8 races that count, moving up 8 places from 63rd in the last race.

THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION carries a US$25,000 (£17,500) 1st PRIZE which will be won by the first of the pigeons left in this competition on the result in the FINAL RACE on SATURDAY 24th January 2015. This competition will be run over five rounds and will run as follows and will take place over the last four Hot Spot Car Races and The Final Race. Only pigeons entered and fully paid for prior to and basketed for the 1st Hot Spot Car Race will be eligible. Should any Hot Spot Car Race be cancelled then one of the Training Races prior to the Final Race will be selected and used to calculate the next round’s pigeon. Knocked Out pigeons still compete in all other competitions. A full list of entries will be published in my next International Press Release. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 and 65% of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward on to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 and 55% of the above pigeons returning from this race will move on to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 and 35% of the above pigeons returning from this race will compete in the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 and 20% of the above pigeons returning from this race will compete in the KNOCKOUT FINAL which will take place on Saturday 24th January 2015 from the designated race point. The first pigeon clocked that is remaining on the entry list will walk away with the honour of winning KNOCKOUT PIGEON CHAMPION and will win a cool US$25,000 (£17,500). GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT HAVE PIGEONS ENTERED IN THIS GREAT COMPETITION.

***SPECIAL NOTICATION*** 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 now as follows:- HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 from 140km (87 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.

***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 do 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.

It should be 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. Also US$200 GLOBAL NOMINATIONS will be available on all 5 HOT SPOT CAR RACES. 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.

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 2015 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 also 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. £700)(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 Linbro Park, Sandton, 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 do try to get as much information 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 for this 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 Press Releases.

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