19th SAMDPR - Training Race 10 & 11

[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 TRAINING RACES 10 & 11.

TRAINING RACE 10 took place on Saturday 13th December 2014 from 110km (68 miles) and a total of 2,832 pigeons were basketed from 35 different countries, this total included 186 South African pigeons and 2,646 international pigeons and this figure included 169 from the United Kingdom and 42 from Ireland.

The convoy were liberated at 07.00 in fine and warm 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 up to about 12am when light rain was anticipated and the temperature would rise to about 26c (80f) mid-afternoon with the possibility of more light rain forecast from 18.00 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 08.25. The weather was a bit overcast with lots of low clouds and a bit misty. I only had to wait a few minutes because as 08.23 (SA) the first gang of about 40 pigeons appeared bang on line and hit the top, most landed on loft 1 the one closest to the lookout and they started to trap just as another gang of about 25 came bang on line and hit the top of loft 1, followed by another slightly bigger gang of about 80 pigeons hit the top of the lofts, then another bigger gang of probably over 100 pigeons came through the skies bang on line and hit the top of the lofts. So within two 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 30 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. Over 1,100 pigeons were officially clocked by 08.30. 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 FAHAD BIN JAMEAI from KUWAIT with pigeon named HAREEB bred by ABDULLAH BIN JAMEAI which was officially clocked at 08.23.22.75 to record a winning velocity of 1425ypm (48mph), 2nd Stanescu and Dobre from Romania, 3rd Nasrat Yardam from Canada, 4th Hardy Krueger from Germany, 5th Dietzel - Koch from Germany, 6th Cools - Desbuquois from Belgium, 7th Ruediger Schoenau from Germany, 8th ZG Helios – B Bucher – O Gehrken from Germany, 9th Stefaniszyn - Maas from Germany, 10th Rick Wilton from United States Of America, 11th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 12th Team Ado - Gasnus from United States Of America, 13th Vroege Morgen Syndicate from Belgium, 14th Island Syndicate from Canada, 15th Furious Glory Syndicate from South Africa, 16th McLaughlin Lofts from United States Of America, 17th Eabad Wasmi from Kuwait, 18th De Ceuninck - Rimmelzwaan from Belgium, 19th Gaddin Brothers and Charl Stander from South Africa and 20th Dietzel - Koch from Germany. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 26.00 seconds and had 7 different countries represented in this result. The top 50 pigeons were separated by 1 minute 10.41 seconds. A total of 2,763 pigeons were officially recorded by 09.46, leaving just 69 pigeons still to return to the lofts. The final update showed 2,794 pigeons had returned to the lofts by 18.34, leaving 38 still to make it back to base camp. The Monday Loft Listing showed 2,817 pigeons in the lofts, leaving 15 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 25th OPEN went to TEAM LINCS with pigeon named SILVER X, bred by MR & MRS. PAUL STACEY from SLEAFORD which was officially clocked at 08.23.57.96, just 35.21 seconds behind the actual race winner, this pigeon has been flying very steady in this race series, 2nd UK, 43rd Open Qwestair Loft with pigeon bred by Ian Freeman from Trowbridge, 3rd UK, 56th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon that was bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 4th UK, 65th Open S Bannister and LJ Leech & Son with pigeon bred by Stephen Bannister from Featherstone, 5th UK, 67th Open Signalmen from the North East with pigeon bred by P. Turner, this pigeon has now won 34th, 113th, 88th, 56th, 79th and now 67th OPEN, 6th UK, 78th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 7th UK, 84th Open Cooney Gang Syndicate with pigeon bred by Mike Cooney from Manchester, 8th UK, 121st Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate and with a second pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 9th UK, 138th Open Ben and Sally Gray with pigeon bred by Ken Gray from Bridlington, 10th UK, 150th Open Turton Lofts Syndicate, entered by Karl Duckworth from Turton and with pigeon bred by J+J Lowe, 11th UK, 155th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 12th UK, 174th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a third pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 13th UK, 178th Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 14th UK, 185th Open Tickets Collectors with another pigeon bred by P. Turner, 15th UK, 191st Open Buckles Bandits entered by Steve Buckle from Northwood and with pigeon bred by Terry Haley from Watford, 16th UK, 206th Open Tadt Syndicate with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 17th UK, 208th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a fourth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, this pigeon has been flying exceptionally well and has so far won 365th, 12th, 375th, 143rd, 50th, 29th, 84th, 45th, 133rd and now 208th OPEN, plus nearly US$5,200 (£3,467) in Nominations, 18th UK, 212th Open LJ Leech & Son and S. Bannister with pigeon bred by Joe Leech & Son from Featherstone, 19th UK, 289th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon and 20th UK, 303rd Open Seedee Pets with pigeon bred by Richard Cheshire from Sudbury. A total of 165 UK pigeons were officially recorded by 09.02, leaving just 4 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. A further update 167 UK pigeons were clocked by 18.34, leaving 2 still to return to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings still showed 169 UK pigeons in the lofts, which meant that all the UK pigeons homed from this race.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 262nd OPEN went to GERRY DALY with pigeon named WIZZO which was official clocked at 08.26.09.00, 2 minutes 46.25 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 337th Open Dylan and Daniel Boylan, 3rd Ireland, 423rd Open Boylan and Nasher, 4th Ireland, 427th Open Johnson and Leonard, 5th Ireland, 473rd Open Mob Tops and 6th Ireland, 587th Open RS Homan. A total of 42 Irish pigeons were officially recorded by 09.12, leaving no pigeons still to make it back to the lofts. The Monday Loft Listings showed 42 Irish pigeons in the lofts, leaving none to return to the lofts.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on this TRAINING RACE 10 and there were a total of 202 pigeons entered which included 18 from the UNITED KINGDOM and 2 from IRELAND with a total of 661 nominations were placed with a total of US$4,841.60c (£3,228) up for grabs. Congratulations to SIGNALMEN from the NORTH EAST with their pigeon named WENDY bred by P. TURNER that took 67th OPEN and won a cool US$1,402.50c (£935) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

The OVERALL AVERAGES after 13 official races in the 2014/15 race series stand as follows:- 1st ITALY, 1st OPEN goes to CHRISTIANO PALTRINIERI from ITALY with super pigeon named DAISUKE JIGEN, with a combined flying time of 15.27.41.45 which has so far won 73rd, 215th, 79th, 25th, 40th, 159th, 223rd, 1024th, 845th, 57th, 308th, 547th and now 107th OPEN in the 13 race that count in this race series, moving up 1 place from 2nd position in the last race. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 7th OPEN GUYS LOFTS and with pigeon named WENDYS LITTLE GEM bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON, with a combined flying time of 13.39.15.46, this pigeon has won 169th, 969th, 222nd, 128th, 1164th, 427th, 184th, 993rd, 162nd, 298th, 235th, 415th and now 1630th OPEN in the 13 races that count in this race series, moving down 4 places from 73rd position in the last race. Taking 1st IRELAND, 400th 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, 549th, 341st and now 2652nd OPEN in the 13 races that count in this race series, moving down 162 places from 238th position in the last race.

TRAINING RACE 11 took place on Wednesday 17th December 2014 from 74km (46 miles) and 2,831 pigeons from 35 countries took part and this total included 2,646 international pigeons which included 171 from the United Kingdom and 43 from Ireland, plus 185 pigeons from South Africa.

The convoy were finally liberated at 08.40 in cool and overcast conditions and with little to no wind with a temperature of 16c (60f) rising to around 22c (72f) mid-afternoon and with a risk of an occasion light rain shower from 14.00 onwards. A reasonably fast race was anticipated by the loft staff.

LIVESTREAM was available to watch and I logged on at 07.20 GMT (09.20 SA) to watch the pigeons arrive and I did not have to wait long before the first batch of well over 35 pigeons arrived bang on line at 09.36 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. As quick as these pigeons landed there were pigeons arriving from literally all over the place. 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 looking overcast. However, it was fantastic to watch over 1,000 pigeons arrive bang on line within the space of 4 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 TEAM MOLOKIA MAUI HAWAII from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named LUCKY PICK bed by MIKE FRANCISCO which was officially clocked at 09.37.20.51 to record 1396ypm (47mph), 2nd Bieu Tran from United States Of America, 3rd Club Sonskyn Duiweklub from South Africa, 4th P+S Shaw from United Kingdom, 5th Las Vladimir + Jural from Solvakia, 6th Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 7th Mohammad Almeleabi from Kuwait, 8th Fayez 8 from Kuwait, 9th Juergen Stefaniszyn from Germany, 10th ProPigeon Racing Loft from United States Of America, 11th Saad Alqanem from Kuwait, 12th Byron C Weaver from United States Of America, 13th Zandys Dream Syndicate from United Kingdom, 14th Don and Judy Hart from United States Of America, 15th South Light Syndicate from Iraq, 16th Madison Loft from United States Of America, 17th Hannelore Jaekel from Germany, 18th Klaus Stieneker from South Africa, 19th C en M Berkhout from Netherlands and 20th Team Germany – WA Waldow + S Theil from Germany. The top 20 pigeons were separated by just 07.47 seconds and had 8 different countries represented on this result. A total of 2,741 pigeons were officially clocked by 18.33, leaving 90 pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN went to P+S SHAW with their pigeon named HAPPY DAYS bred by this partnership and which was officially clocked at 09.37.25.11 just 04.60 seconds after the actual race winner, 2nd UK, 13th Open Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 3rd UK, 30th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon named Lucky Countess which was bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, this great pigeon has already won 365th, 12th, 375th, 143rd, 50th, 29th, 84th, 45th, 133rd, 208th and now 30th OPEN, plus US$5,886 (£3,924) in NOMINATIONS, 4th UK, 31st Open Alan Richardson from Whitby with a pigeon that has been flying well, 5th UK, 43rd Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 6th UK, 64th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with a pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 7th UK, 107th Open R+P Montila from Sandy, 8th UK, 113th Open Ian Stafford from Saltburn, 9th UK, 153rd Open Mark Gilbert GB from Windsor, 10th UK, 198th Open Jurgen & Caroline Josch from Hailsham, 11th UK, 203rd Open Signalmen from the North East with pigeon bred by P Turner that has been flying very consistently, 12th UK, 208th Open Danny Gruzelier from Kempston, 13th UK, 222nd Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 14th UK, 234th Open Qwestair Loft with pigeon bred by Ian Freeman from Trowbridge, 15th UK, 257th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a third pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 16th UK, 260th Open Pet Shop Boys and Girls with pigeon bred by John Alderslade from Bridlington, 17th UK, 321st Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a fourth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough, 18th UK, 365th Open Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Mr & Mrs Paul Stacey from Sleaford, 19th UK, 391st Open Gorse Syndicate and 20th UK, 416th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a fifth pigeon bred by Fenech Brothers from Attleborough. A total of 165 UK pigeons were officially clocked by 18.33, leaving 6 UK pigeons still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 123rd OPEN went to PETER LUCAS with his pigeon named SHANES PICK which was officially clocked at 09.38.27.01, just 1 minute 06.50 seconds away from the actual race winner, 2nd Ireland, 341st Open Maurice O’Donnell, 3rd Ireland, 388th Open Boylan and Nasher, 4th Ireland, 538th Open another for Maurice O’Donnell, 5th Ireland, 546th Open Sheldon Leonard and Eamon Kelly and 6th Ireland, 582nd Open RS Homan. A total of 38 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 18.33, leaving 5 Irish pigeons to make it back to the lofts.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on this TRAINING RACE 11 amounted to US$3,653.30c (£2,436) and a total of 168 pigeons including 20 from the United Kingdom and 3 from Ireland and with 524 nominations were placed. There was just one UNITED KINGDOM winner and they were as follows:- LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS that took 30th OPEN and was bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH, winning US$688.50c (£459) for its efforts, which now takes the winnings for this very consistent pigeon to US$5,886 (£3,924). See positions won above in UK results. WELL DONE TO THIS WINNER.

REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for the UNITED KINGDOM on this TRAINING RACE 11 only had 3 pigeons entered and 9 Nominations with a total of US$20.40c (£13.60) to be won and this was won by the LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE with pigeon named LUCKY COUNTESS bred by FENECH BROTHERS from ATTLEBOROUGH that took 30th OPEN.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 14 official races in the 2014/15 race series stands as follows:- 1st ITALY, 1st OPEN CHRISTIANO PALTRINIERI with pigeon named DAISUKE JIGEN with a total flying time of 16.27.47.53 which has taken 73rd, 215th, 79th, 25th, 40th, 159th, 223rd, 1024th, 845th, 57th, 308th, 547th, 107th and now 543rd OPEN in the 14 races that count, no movement in overall position and remains the same and unchanged from the last last race. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th 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, 415th, 1630th and now 987th OPEN in the 14 races that count, moving down 2 positions from 7th in the last race. 1st IRELAND, 425th OPEN BOYLAN and NASHER with pigeon named ANNETTE N bred by JOHN NASH with a total flying time of 17.48.30.17 which has taken 100th, 2009th, 2272nd, 1952nd, 406th, 781st, 130th, 1009th, 720th, 1874th, 1789th, 483rd, 423rd and now 388th OPEN in the 14 races that count, moving up 52 places from 477th in the last race.

The remaining race programme is now as follows:- 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.

***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 HAVE NOW BEEN INTRODUCED*** AIR SPORT INTERNATIONALE (The Presenters of the SAMDPR) are proud to announce 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. AIR SPORT INTERNATIONALE are pleased to introduce a new COUNTRY CHALLENGE COMPETITION which will be run on the 5th HOT SPOT CAR RACE as well as the COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON which will be run on the main race (FINAL RACE) on January 24th 2015. All paid pigeons into The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race can be entered into this competition at a non-refundable, non-transferable entry fee of US$120 (£80) per pigeon up to liberation of the 5th HOT SPOT CAR RACE. Pigeons will compete under the country flag for which they are flying in The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race and all countries with a minimum of five entrants can take part in the competition. US$10 (£6.67) of the entry fee will be retained by ASI for expenses and administration and the balance will be paid out as follows:- 5th HOT SPOT CAR RACE US$70 (£47) from every entry will be added to the prize money for the COUNTRY CHALLENGE. All the prize money will be paid out to the first three COUNTRY CHALLENGE entered pigeons in a ratio of 50%, 30% and 20%. The SAMDPR Web Site will have a constantly updated listing of these prizes as well as a list of which pigeons are competing for the prize money per country. COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON US$40 (£27) from the entry fee goes to this “WINNER TAKES ALL” prize which will be awarded to the first COUNTRY CHALLENGE pigeon in the Grand Averages per each competing country after The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race, making the pigeon the COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON for that country.

EXAMPLE:- If 50 pigeons were officially entered from any country then in the 5th HOT SPOT CAR RACE, the prize money would be 1st 50% £1,750 (£1,167), 2nd US$1,050 (£700) and 3rd US$700 (£467). Then in the COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON on the FINAL RACE the winning pigeon would walk away with $2,000 (£1,334) as the winner takes all. Of course the more pigeons that are entered from each country the bigger the cash prizes will be. If less than 50 pigeons are entered from each country, then of course the prize money would be less.
PLEASE TRY TO SUPPORT THESE NEW COMPETITIONS BY CONTACTING YOUR COUNTRY SHIPPER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO GET YOUR PIGEONS ENTERED INTO THESE TWO BRAND NEW COMPETITIONS.


***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