19th SAMDPR - Car Race 3 & Training Race 9

[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 FOR HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3
& TRAINING RACE 9.

HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 took place on Saturday 6th December 2014 from 184km (114 miles) and a total of 2,985 pigeons were basketed from 35 different countries, this total included 187 South African pigeons and 2,798 international pigeons and this figure included 179 from the United Kingdom and 46 from Ireland.

The full list of entries were as follows:- Australia 102, Austria 33, Bahrain 16, Belgium 173, Bulgaria 12, Canada 39, Czech Republic 63, Denmark 27, France 3, Germany 653, Hungary 4, Iraq 13, Ireland 46, Italy 5, Kuwait 271, Malta 2, Moldova 1, Netherlands 205, Norway 15, Poland 73, Portugal 1, Puerto Rico 2, Qatar 15, Romania 64, Saudi Arabia 31, Slovakia 57, Slovenia 17, South Africa 187, Sweden 8, Switzerland 11, Turkey 2, United Arab Emirates 3, United Kingdom 179 and United States Of America 610. A total of 2,950 pigeons from 35 different countries and 35 Defaulter Pigeons which are still to be paid for, these are not listed on the results so that the owners that sent them out to the race can’t follow them to see how they are doing. On the results they just show as a Defaulter Pigeon (no information will be displayed or country flag will be shown on the race result).

The convoy were liberated at 06.00 in fine and warm conditions, with a strong head wind and a temperature of 18c (64f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated by the loft staff. As the day progressed the weather would remain sunny up to about 11 am when light rain was anticipated and the temperature would rise to about 29c (86f) mid-afternoon with the possibility of the odd intermittent thunderstorms, with more light rain forecast from 17.00 onwards.

LIVESTEAM was up and running and as I woke early and logged on at about 06.00 (GMT) or 08.00 South African time as I thought the first pigeons would arrive about 08.15. The weather was a bit overcast with lots of clouds and quite a strong wind blowing. I only had to wait a few minutes because as 08.14 the first gang of about 50 pigeons appeared bang on line and hit the top, all landed on loft 2 the one closest to the big warehouse on the next property and they started to trap just as another gang of about 25 came bang on line and hit the top of loft 2, followed by another slightly bigger gang of about 60 pigeons hit the top of the lofts, then another bigger gang of probably over 110 pigeons came through the skies bang on line and hit the top of the lofts. So within a few minutes there was probably around 250 plus pigeons home and as usual the quicker trappers take the spoils. I would just like to say that the trapping this year has greatly improved and it was great to see them not sitting about as much as they did last year. I watched the pigeons approach the lofts for about 25 minutes and it should be mentioned that they must have a wonderful racing line by now because you could virtually draw a line through the sky as most of the gangs approached the two lofts. Well done to the loft staff for making sure the pigeons do not sit out like they have done in the past. Of course there will always be the exception and a few will always be troublesome. It really is fantastic to sit nearly 6,000 miles away and watch everything happen live in South Africa. Once again modern technology at its best.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN went to GREY FOX HARMS from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with their pigeon named HARMSWAY bred by DOUG HARMS which was officially clocked at 08.14.48.13 to record a winning velocity of 1486ypm (51mph), this pigeon also won 201st Open in HSCR2 and 705th Open in HSCR1,
2nd Mitch Dejlitko from United States Of America, 3rd Leo Heremans from Belgium, this pigeon also won 11th Open in HSCR2 and 298th Open in HSCR1, 4th Kruegar - Ozturk from Germany, 5th Nanez Family Syndicate from United States Of America, this pigeon also won 98th Open in HSCR2 and 178th Open in HSCR1, 6th Hardy Krueger from Germany, this pigeon was also 6th Open in HSCR2, 7th Bakker en Zoon from Netherlands, this pigeon also won 18th Open in CRHS2, 8th Nasser Awad from Kuwait, 9th APC Loft from United States Of America,
10th Herbert Bresser from Germany, 11th David Demko from United States Of America, 12th Strat Whiting from United States Of America, 13th Ian Crammond and Nigel Langstaff from United Kingdom, this pigeon also won 529th in HSCR2 and 10th Open in HSCR1, 14th Ahsan Khan from United States Of America, 15th Steve Sterchi from United States Of America, 16th Naje Ead from Kuwait, 17th Jurgen & Caroline Josch from United Kingdom, this pigeon also won 80th Open in HSCR1, 18th Marek and Marcin Rzepka from Poland, 19th Hans and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp from Netherlands and 20th Koopman Racing Team from Netherlands. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 41.75 seconds and had 7 different countries represented in this result. The top 50 pigeons were separated by 2 minutes 17.48 seconds. It should be mentioned that the American Team actually had 8 pigeons in the top 15 in this result. A total of 2,582 pigeons were officially recorded by 10.42, leaving 403 pigeons still to return to the lofts. The final update showed 2,769 pigeons had returned to the lofts by 18.44, leaving 216 still to make it back to base camp. The final loft count of the day showed 2,800 pigeons (93.80%) had made it home, leaving 185 pigeons (6.20%) still to return to base camp. The Monday Loft Listing showed 2,864 pigeons (95.95%) in the lofts, leaving 121 pigeons (4.05%) still to make it back to the lofts.

THE BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR WINNER in HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 was GREY FOX HARMS from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his pigeon named HARMSWAY which was bred by DOUG HARMS. This pigeon had previously won 30th, 100th, 80th, 705th, 295th, 4th, 201st, 571st and now 1st OPEN in this race series.

HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 US$1,100 (£734) 19 CASH WINNERS went to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th OPEN which are all mentioned above in the OPEN results. The pigeon that took 16th OPEN was from KUWAIT was not ACTIVATED so could not win the cash prize. So the pigeon that took 21st OPEN for TEAM PETER u BIANCA KOCKS from GERMANY won the 19th cash prize in this race. IN the three HOT SPOT CAR RACES so far a total of 9 pigeons have not been ACTIVATED and all have lost winning a US$1,100 (£734) cash prize, which would have paid for the entry of each of these pigeons. When will fanciers learn that surely if a pigeon is good enough to send out for the race and it is still in the lofts, then surely it must be worth ACTIVATING it? Still bad news for some is always good news for others. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE CASH WINNERS.

TWO BIRD AVERAGE WINNER and US$2,000 (£1,334) in HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 was LEO HEREMANS (TEAM 1) from BELGIUM with two pigeons named NATASCHA and MOHEGAN which took 3rd and 30th OPEN both being bred by LEO HEREMANS. Then 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 32nd OPEN went to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE (TEAM 4), administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with two pigeons named LUCKY COUNTESS and LUCKY LAD which took 133rd and 599th OPEN and both were bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH. Then 1st IRELAND, 148th OPEN went to MORAN and BOWDEN (TEAM 1) with their two pigeons named BEAUTIFUL ALANNAH and DANCING QUEEN which took 216th and 1454th OPEN.

THREE BIRD AVERAGE WINNER and US$3,000 (£2,000) in HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 was GANUS FAMILY LOFT (TEAM 2) from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with their three pigeons named DEBBIE YOU’RE THE LUCKY ONE, DEBBIE THIS ONE CAN WIN IT and DEBBIE YOU HAVE A WINNER HERE which took 109th, 167th and 180th OPEN and all being bred by MIKE GANUS. Then 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 5th OPEN went to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE (TEAM 4), administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with their three pigeons named LUCKY COUNTESS, LUCKY LAD and LUCKY CHANCE which took 133rd, 599th and 991st OPEN and all being bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH. There were no IRISH teams in this result.

HOT SPOT AVERAGES after three HOT SPOT RACES stands as follows:- 1st UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1st OPEN goes to DAVID DEMKO with pigeon named LAUREAAT CAHORS 3 that won 217th OPEN in HSCR 1, 4th OPEN in HSCR2 and now 11th OPEN in HSCR 3 and with a combined flying time of 05.20.53.97 moving up 1 place from 2nd position from CRHS2. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 15th OPEN is LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS that won 143rd OPEN in HSCR1, 84th OPEN in HSCR2 and now 133rd OPEN in HSCR3 bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH with a combined flying time of 05.26.41.32 moving up 5 places from 20th position in HSCR2. Taking 1st IRELAND, 40th OPEN is CORNDIRECT and with pigeon named BOYO bred by BRENDAN McCANN that won 19st OPEN in HSCR1, 553rd OPEN in HSCR2 and now 93rd OPEN in HSCR3 and with a combined flying time of 05.29.42.62 moving up 94 places from 134th position in HSCR2.

THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION is now under way and offers a US$25,000 (£16,000) 1st PRIZE in the FINAL RACE and this cash prize will be won by the first of the pigeons left in this competition that is clocked in the last race of the 2014/15 race series. This competition will be run over 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 basketed for the 1st Hot Spot Car Race will be eligible to compete. 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 pigeons. Knocked out pigeons will still compete in all other competitions. A grand total of 2,465 pigeons from 37 different countries were officially entered and this total was made up by 2,349 international pigeons, which included 175 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 36 pigeons from Ireland, plus 116 pigeons from South Africa. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 and the first 65% (1,603) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward into the next round. There were a total of 107 United Kingdom pigeons and 24 Irish pigeons that moved forward into the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 and the first 55% (882) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward into the next round. There were a total of 58 United Kingdom pigeons and 11 Irish pigeons that moved forward into the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 and the first 35% (309) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward into the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 and the first 20% (62) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will then move forward into THE FINAL RACE on Saturday 24th January 2015 and the first one of these remaining 62 pigeons clocked in the race will walk away with US$25,000 (£16,000) “THE POT OF GOLD”. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY THAT HAS PIGEONS ENTERED IN THIS SUPER COMPETITION.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 13th OPEN went to IAN CRAMMOND and NIGEL LANGSTAFF from FONTWELL with pigeon named FONTWELL FOXTROT ROMEO which was officially clocked at 08.15.26.77, just 36.64 seconds behind the actual race winner, this pigeon has so far taken 13th, 167th, 105th, 17th, 9th, 101st and now 13th Open and nearly US$3,600 (£2,400) in Nominations, 2nd UK, 17th Open Jurgen & Caroline Josch from Hailsham, 3rd UK, 26th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon that was bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 4th UK, 53rd Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a second pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, this pigeon has now won 127th, 56th, 17th and now 53rd Open, 5th UK, 56th Open Signalmen from the North East with pigeon bred by P. Turner, this pigeon has now won 34th, 113th, 88th and now 56th Open, 6th UK, 89th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 7th UK, 98th Open Alan Richardson from Whitby, 8th UK, 133rd Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate and with a third pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, this very consistent pigeon has won 12th, 375th, 143rd, 50th, 29th, 84th, 45th and now 133rd Open and nearly US$5,200 (£3,367) in Nominations, 9th UK, 140th Open Golden Mile with pigeon bred by Dave Waterhouse from Portsmouth, 10th UK, 165th Open Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Mr & Mrs Paul Stacey from Sleaford, 11th UK, 169th Open Pet Shop Boys and Girls with pigeon bred by John Alderslade from Bridlington, 12th UK, 186th Open another for Pet Shop Boys and Girls with a second pigeon bred by John Alderslade from Bridlington, 13th UK, 213th Open Amblers of Oxenhope with pigeon bred by Ken Ambler from Oxenhope, 14th UK, 217th Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 15th UK, 232nd Open R+P Montila from Everton, Sandy, 16th UK, 235th Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 17th UK, 237th Open Pigeon Corporation with pigeon bred by Leon Viljoen, 18th UK, 260th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith form Stansted Mountfitchet with a fourth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 19th UK, 289th Open Mark Gilbert GB from Windsor and 20th UK, 303rd Open David Whitefield from Dorchester. A total of 159 UK pigeons were officially recorded by 11.55, leaving 20 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. A further update showed 166 UK pigeons were clocked by 16.06, leaving 13 still to return to the lofts. A final update showed that 168 (93.85%) UK pigeons had made it home, leaving 11 (6.15%) still to return to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings still showed 173 UK pigeons (96.65%) in the lofts, which meant that 6 UK pigeons (3.35%) were still missing from this race.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 93rd OPEN went to CORN DIRECT with their pigeon named BOYO which was official clocked at 08.17.40.06, 2 minutes 51.93 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 117th Open Gerry Daly, 3rd Ireland, 212th Open Mob Tops, 4th Ireland, 216th Open Moran and Bowden, 5th Ireland, 424th Open RS Homan and 6th Ireland, 523rd Open Sheldon Leonard and Eamon Kelly with pigeon bred by Sheldon Leonard. A total of 40 Irish pigeons were officially recorded by 11.55, leaving 6 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. A further update showed 40 Irish pigeons were clocked by 16.06, leaving still 6 to return to the lofts. A final update showed 40 (86.96%) Irish pigeons had made it home, leaving 6 (13.04%) still to return to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings showed 41 Irish pigeons 89.13(%) in the lofts, leaving 5 (10.87%) still to return to the lofts.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on this HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 and there were a total of 379 pigeons entered which included 38 from the UNITED KINGDOM and 4 from IRELAND with a total of 1,304 nominations were placed with a total of US$13,189.45c (£8,793) up for grabs. Well done to IAN CRAMMOND and NIGEL LANGSTAFF from FONTWELL with their pigeon named FONTWELL FOXTROT ROMEO that took 13th OPEN and won a cool US$2,176 (£1,451) for its efforts, then JURGEN & CAROLINE JOSCH from HAILSHAM with their pigeon named HAILSHAM CHRIS that took 17th OPEN and won US$136 (£91), then CARLOS DREAM SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named CARLOS TREASURE bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH which took 53rd OPEN and won US$136 (£91). Then we had SIGNALMEN from the NORTH EAST with pigeon named WENDY bred by P. TURNER which took 56th OPEN and won US$136 (£91) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for the UNITED KINGDOM on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 had17 pigeons entered and there were 81 nominations and there was two winners and they were CARLOS DREAM SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named CARLOS TREASURE bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH that took 53rd OPEN and won US$1,237.60c (£825) for its efforts. Then LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS that took 133rd OPEN and was bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH that won US$0.85 (57p) for its efforts but this boosts the winnings of this consistent pigeon to US$5,200 (£3,367) in this current race series.

The OVERALL AVERAGES after 11 official races in the 2014/15 race series stand as follows:- 1st UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1st OPEN goes to AHSAN KHAN from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named FROZEN, with a combined flying time of 13.09.37.80 which has so far won 96th, 485th, 290th, 509th, 2000th, 420th, 52nd, 332nd, 499th, 6th and now 14th OPEN in the 11 race that count in this race series, moving up 4 places from 5th position in the last race. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN GUYS LOFTS and with pigeon named WENDYS LITTLE GEM bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON, with a combined flying time of 13.15.37.93, this pigeon has won 169th, 969th, 222nd, 128th, 1164th, 427th, 184th, 993rd, 162nd, 298th and now 235th OPEN in the 11 races that count in this race series, moving up 3 places from 7th position in the last race. Taking 1st IRELAND, 266th OPEN DYLAN and DANIEL BOYLAN with their pigeon named LISA MARIE, with a combined flying time of 14.04.42.33, this pigeon has won 475th, 2489th, 161st, 724th, 402nd, 569th, 1169th, 505th, 1055th, 79th and now 549th OPEN in the 11 races that count in this race series, moving up 118 places from 384th position in the last race.

TRAINING RACE 9 took place on Wednesday 10th December 2014 from 74km (46 miles) and 2,871 pigeons from 35 countries took part and this total included 2,686 international pigeons which included 173 from the United Kingdom and 42 from Ireland, plus 185 pigeons from South Africa.

The convoy were finally liberated at 08.20 in overcast and cool conditions, with the sun shining and with light head wind with a temperature of 17c (62f) rising to around 26c (80f) mid-afternoon and sunny and warm right through to darkness with a risk of an occasion light rain shower. A reasonably fast race was anticipated by the loft staff. This decision to decide to have a race today was an excellent decision as it started to rain at the lofts around 09.30 and by that time most of the pigeons had homed or were still sitting out in the rain enjoying themselves.

LIVESTREAM was available to watch and I logged on at 07.00 GMT (09.00 SA) to watch the pigeons arrive and I did not have to wait long before the first batch of well over 100 pigeons arrived bang on line at 09.10 and whilst circling the lofts another massive gang arrived bang on line and all landed on loft 2 the one nearest the big warehouse in the next property and trapped reasonably well. Looking at the big tree next to the house you could see that the wind was blowing strongly but the skies were very heavy and looked full of rain. However, it was fantastic to watch over 1,000 pigeons arrive bang on line within the space of 2 and a half minutes of the race winner, with 2,450 being clocked within 15 minutes of the race winner. It really is very exciting to sit at home nearly 6,000 miles away and watch the pigeons arrive. If you have not yet watched LIVESTREAM yet just log on for the next race and watch the pigeons arrive, it really is great fun.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN went to FRANK LACONTE from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named FL 011 which was officially clocked at 09.10.26.38 to record 1588ypm (54mph), 2nd Wang Yanfeng from Belgium, 3rd Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 4th Werner A Waldow - Silvia Theil from Germany, 5th Dirk Van Dyck from Belgium, 6th Team Schioesser T + T Ehien from Germany, 7th Zandys Dream Team from United Kingdom, 8th C en M Berkhout from Netherlands, 9th Club Florida Homing Society from South Africa, 10th Wegrestaurant Napoleon from Netherlands, 11th Fayez 8 from Kuwait, 12th Weinberger – Noeres from Austria, 13th Thamar Rashed from Kuwait, 14th Defaulter Pigeon, 15th Nasser Awad from Kuwait, 16th Club Sonskyn Duiweklub from South Africa, 17th Horst Zikeli from Germany, 18th Gaddin Brothers and Charl Stander from South Africa, 19th Americas Dream Loft from United States Of America and 20th Pet Shop Boys and Girls from United Kingdom. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 08.44 seconds and had 8 different countries represented on this result. The top 50 pigeons were separated by 15.29 seconds and the top 100 pigeons by just 26.48 seconds. Within minutes of the winner being clocked there must have been over 1,500 pigeons home. A total of 2,792 pigeons were officially clocked by 11.40, leaving 79 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. A further update showed2,814 pigeons were in the lofts by 18.50, leaving 55 pigeons still to return to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 7th OPEN went to ZANDYS DREAM SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with their pigeon named ZANDYS MISSION bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH which was officially clocked at 09.10.29.88 just 03.50 seconds after the actual race winner, this pigeon had won 88th, 20th, 104th, 41st OPEN earlier in the race series, 2nd UK, 20th Open Pet Shop Boys and Girls with pigeon bred by John Alderslade from Bridlington, 3rd UK, 63rd Open Seedee Pets with pigeon bred by Richard Cheshire from Sudbury, 4th UK, 78th Open Guys Lofts Elite with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 5th UK, 79th Open Signalmen from North East with pigeon bred by P. Turner, 6th UK, 83rd Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with a second pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 7th UK, 116th Open Guy Barrett OBE from Horsforth, 8th UK, 118th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 9th UK, 130th Open Willy & Ian Gray from Birgham, 10th UK, 139th Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 11th UK, 149th Open Amblers of Oxenhope with pigeon bred by Ken Ambler from Oxenhope, 12th UK, 158th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 13th UK, 165th Open another for Guys Lofts Elite with a second pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 14th UK, 168th Open Carlos Dream Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Terry Robinson from Goffs Oak, 15th UK, 239th Open Qwestair Lofts with pigeon bred by Ian Freeman from Trowbridge, 16th UK, 249th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 17th UK, 265th Open Pigeon Corporation with pigeon bred by Leon Viljoen, 18th UK, 270th Open another for Guys Lofts Elite with a third pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 19th UK, 312th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate and with a second pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon and 20th UK, 322nd Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven. A total of 169 UK pigeons were officially clocked by 11.40 leaving 4 UK pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. No more UK pigeons returned to the lofts before darkness fell.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 52nd OPEN went to PETER LUCAS with his pigeon named PETERS CHOICE which was officially clocked at 09.10.41.81, just 15.43 seconds away from the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 67th Open Mob Tops, 3rd Ireland, 76th Open Gerry Daly, 4th Ireland, 101st Open another for Peter Lucas,
5th Ireland, 160th Open Johnson and Leonard and 6th Ireland, 313th Open Padraig and Caoimhe. A total of 41 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 11.40 leaving just 1 Irish pigeons to make it back to the lofts. No more Irish pigeons returned to the lofts before darkness fell.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on this TRAINING RACE 9 amounted to US$3,888.75c (£2,593) and a total of 173 pigeons including 17 from the United Kingdom and 2 from Ireland and with 521 nominations were placed. There were two UNITED KINGDOM winners and they were as follows:- GUYS LOFTS ELITE with pigeon named PHILIPS STAR bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON that took 78th OPEN and won US$51.00c (£34). Then SIGNALMEN from the NORTH EAST with their pigeon named WENDY bred by P. TURNER that took 79th OPEN and won US$361.25c (£241). WELL DONE TO ALL THESE WINNERS.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 12 official races in the 2014/15 race series stands as follows:- 1st UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1st OPEN AHSAN KHAN with pigeon named FROZEN total flying time of 14.01.52.73 which has taken 96th, 485th, 290th, 509th, 2000th, 420th, 52nd, 332nd, 499th, 6th, 14th and now 687th OPEN in the 12 races that count, no movement in overall position and remains the same and unchanged from the last last race. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 3rd OPEN GUYS LOFTS with pigeon named WENDYS LITTLE GEM bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON with a total flying time of 14.07.14.50 which has taken 169th, 969th, 222nd, 128th, 1164th, 427th, 184th, 993rd, 162nd, 298th, 235th and now 415th OPEN in the 12 races that count, moving up 1 positions from 4th in the last race. 1st IRELAND, 238th OPEN DYLAN and DANIEL BOYLAN with their pigeon named LISA MARIE total flying time 14.56.09.20 which has taken 475th, 2489th, 161st, 724th, 402nd, 569th, 1169th, 505th, 1055th, 79th, 549th and now 314th OPEN in the 12 races that count, moving up 28 places from 266th in the last race.

The remaining race programme is now as follows:- 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.

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.

***ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION & FLIGHTS*** 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 International Country Challenge 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 in each race, unfortunately sometimes, 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 current 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 AND I WILL PUT THEM ON MY EMAIL DATABASE AND I WILL THEN FORWARD THEM ALL THE INFORMATION BY EMAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS.

***NEW COMPETITIONS TO BE INTRODUCED*** AIR SPORT INTERNATIONALE (The Presenters of the SAMDPR) are going to announce in the next few days a couple of new COUNTRY CHALLENGE COMPETITIONS which will be run on the 5th HOT SPOT CAR RACE and another one on THE FINAL RACE. Both of these new competitions will give fanciers the chance to compete for COUNTRY PRIZE MONEY against their fellow countrymen. As and when the full details are published by ASI, they will be on the SAMDPR Web Site for all to see. I will also add information to my future International Press Releases.

***SPECIAL NOTIFICATION*** Every year has its own challenges and this year has been no different thanks to some extreme weather conditions we have experienced. The result of this has been that valuable training of the pigeons in the early stages has been lost and the distances for the first 3 Hot Spot Car Races have all had to be modified to suit the capability of the pigeons and the amount of training they have been able to get. The Loft Staff are carefully monitoring the pigeons and will adjust the distances for the remaining 2 Hot Spot Car Races as needed with the goal of a Final Race as close to 500km (311 miles) as possible. At this stage the pigeons are looking great and are in excellent health, they just need hours on the wing.

***POLITE REMINDER*** If you have any RESERVE PIGEONS that are not currently ACTIVATED then I strongly suggest your ACTIVATE these before the next HOT SPOT CAR RACE. (Contact your COUNTRY SHIPPER FOR DETAILS). Already in the three previous HOT SPOT CAR RACES in this current race series a total of 9 pigeons have not been ACTIVATED and have had to lose winning US$1,100 (£700) each in prize money. Also in past years quite a few fanciers have even lost out on winning a BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR because their pigeon was not ACTIVATED. Please do not let this happen to you.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL PIGEON 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