21st SAMDR - Final Race (1)

[willie reynolds]

“TWELFTH INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”.
ON
FINAL RACE
IN
THE 21st SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE
(THE BIGGEST & GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD!)
(THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD)
(THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE PIGEON WORLD)
DUE TO BE HELD AT
HERON BANKS GOLF & RIVER ESTATE,
SOUTH AFRICA
ON
SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY 2017.

ANOTHER RACE SEASON FINISHES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE.

The UNITED KINGDOM TEAM has a really fantastic result and won the following OPEN positions:- 11th, 13th, 28th, 55th, 58th, 71st, 74th, 80th, 94th, 117th, 121st, 124th, 136th, 141st, 163rd, 181st, 184th, 190th, 195th, 201st, 223rd, 232nd, 233rd, 237th, 286th, 291st & 296th OPEN and US$48,000 (£40,000) in Prize Money, plus they also won 2nd cash prize in the Zandys Meyer Mercedes Car Nomination and US$11,900 (£9,917), 1st Overall Ace Pigeon and US$10,000 (£8,334), 1st 2-Bird Average and US$2,000 (£1,667), plus US$23,273 (£19,395) in the Global Nominations. TOTAL WINNINGS were US$95,173 (£79,313).

The IRISH TEAM won the following positions:- 106th, 128th & 214th OPEN and US$3,750 (£3,125) in Prize Money.

Firstly, let my apologise for the lateness of this International Press Release but as most of you know I also treat this race as my annual holiday and whilst I am in South Africa for the race, I also like to visit other parts of this outstanding continent. Over the past twenty one years I have visited plenty of different areas and have loved them all. Anybody that is thinking of entering the race in the future or travelling out to South Africa for a holiday, I will be only too pleased to offer them some advice of where to visit.

I arrived with Tad Truszkowski at Emerald Resort about 4pm on Monday 30th January 2017 and we settled into our accommodation, showered and agreed to meet later for a few drinks and something to eat at the lodge when I was staying. We also met Sara Blackshaw and her son Maitland who is now working for the SAMDPR. We decided to have a braai (barbeque) and a few glasses of wine and arranged to meet early on Tuesday morning, so we could go over to the lofts and watch the pigeons arrive from their training toss.

Tuesday dawned and we all made our way over to the lofts and watched the pigeons come back from their short training toss. It really was some sight to watch over 2,400 pigeons return to the lofts and watch them trap. After this experience Sara, Tad and myself decided to play a few holes of golf around Heron Banks Golf & River Estate before coming in and having a light lunch at the golf clubhouse. Then back to Emerald Resort to meet a few other fanciers that were checking in during the day. As we walked in we were greeted by Gerry McCourt, Karl Donnelly and Jos Reilly and we joined them for a few drinks before going back to get showered and changed for the evening. We all met later and Tad and myself went out to the Breeze Restaurant for a meal before returning for a few more drinks with fanciers at the bar.

Wednesday dawned and for those fanciers and friends that had arrived earlier or during the day the race organisers had laid on something special because it was their 21st Anniversary of this great race and this a two hour sunset cruise up and down the Vaal River which included drinks and canapes. This was attended by lots of fanciers and friends and turned out to be a lovely way to start an event, the weather was fantastic and as we made our way back everybody experienced a fantastic African sunset. A fabulous evening was enjoyed by all that were present. It was also great to see all the loft lads present and enjoying themselves and meeting some of the pigeon fanciers from all over the world.

So after months of hard training and numerous races which covered thousands of miles under their belts it was time to basket the pigeons for The 21st SAMDPR, we travelled to Heron Banks Golf & River Estate, Sasolburg, Vaal River, South Africa on Thursday 2nd February 2017 to race mark the pigeons for this great International Pigeon Race. Once again fanciers were greeted at the lofts and they enjoyed a braai (barbeque) prior to the basketing and for those that had never visited these brand new lofts before it was a chance for them to view the inside and the outside area of the massive state of the art 300 foot pigeon loft. Whilst this was going on the loft staff were busy basketing the pigeons and loading the baskets onto the transporter to take them to the Emerald Resort, Hotel & Casino across the Vaal River in Vanderbijlpark where the pigeons were to be basketed for the Final Race. The transporter arrived and the pigeons were unloaded and everything was set up at the E&E Centre at the Emerald Resort to start the race marking at 12 o’clock and four marking tables were all set up and ready to go, the Auditors EW Coetzee & Associates were again all present and lots of willing fanciers joined in and helped during the basketing of the pigeons.

Everybody was complimenting the loft staff and race organisers the way the pigeons handled and many fanciers that have done this race marking for numerous years stated it was the best condition the pigeons had ever been in. This after a very trying and testing year in training and racing because of the heavy rain, thunderstorms and extreme temperatures during the race series. However, as is usual with this great international race, if the pigeons are basketed for this Final Race then they sure are ready for their final hurdle. After about four and a half hours the task was finally completed and thanks must go to all the pigeon fanciers and friends that assisted us during the race marking because without their help this massive task would have taken much longer to achieve. A few pigeons were taken out because of injuries and these were placed in separate baskets for the Veterinary Officers Dr. Marthinus Hartman and Dr. Francis Le Grange to check them out and in total 19 pigeons were withdrawn from the race as not being fit to compete. A few pigeons were given new electronic ring and these details were then added to the database and finally at about 16.45 the Auditors finally announced that we had basketed a total of 2,432 pigeons from 35 different countries for the 21st SAMDPR. After this massive task we all made our way back to the Emerald Resort Hotel which would be our base for the next few days to have a few drinks at the bar. After a few beers to unwind with fanciers from many different countries, it was off to the lodge to get showered and changed before going out for something to eat.

Once again another new event had been organised for Thursday evening, it was going to be a River Boma Braai Relax and enjoy a traditional South African Barbeque under the stars at the River Boma on the side of the Vaal River. However, this has to be changed because the ground was just too wet under foot. So it was moved inside to the Breeze Restaurant and once again this turned out to be very well supported and great fun event with fabulous food and everybody really enjoying themselves listening to some outstanding South African drummers. Once again another new event that went down very well with all that attended. As it quietened down people made their way back to the bars and finished the evening off talking about how they were going to win the 21st SAMDPR.

Friday dawned and Sara Blackshaw (Director of Air Sport Internationale, The Presenters of the Race) had arranged a Country Co-ordinator’s meeting to take place in the Kilimanjaro Room. Also in attendance were Michael Holt (Race Director), Pieter Saayman (Systems Administrator), Willi van Beers (Loft Manager), Marion Branford (Administration), Paul Smith (International Race Co-ordinator) and all the Country Race Co-ordinator’s that were attending the race. This meeting took about one and a half hours and numerous things were discussed and minuted. It is always an interesting meeting because you get different views from numerous countries. New competitions are talked about, plus slight changes to others. The other thing that was discussed this year was the devastating Reo-virus that is affecting Australia at the current time and also the increase of a team of pigeons from 3 to 4 pigeons. Lots of other items were raised and discussed. ***SPECIAL NOTIFICATION*** One of the important changes was that it was decided that as from now instead of a team of 3 pigeons making up a team, it has been increased to a team of 4, which will be one x primary pigeon and three reserves pigeons. The feeling was that this will decrease the number of Free Entries from one season to another and will also give the smaller entrants a better chance to have a pigeon make it to the main race. The meeting soon came to a close because two new events had also been arranged for later in the day and they were a golf and a fishing tournament for those that wanted to participate.
I had entered the inaugural 18 hole golf tournament, with Tad, Sara and about 13 other pigeon fanciers from literally all over the world. Sara had hired clubs for those that had not brought theirs with them. The weather was ideal for golf and it was decided to play a pairs competition as it would be a quicker game. We stopped half way round at the clubhouse and we all enjoyed a beer, glass of wine and a light lunch, kindly supplied by Air Sport Internationale. A very civilised way to play a golf tournament I thought. Then off we went again to complete our last 9 night holes and when we all came in we had a couple more drinks before returning to Emerald Resort. Thanks to Gary Lance the owner of Heron Banks Golf & River Estate and all his staff for making us all so welcome. Another first for the SAMDPR. The winners will be announced at the Welcome Function on Friday evening.
I did enter the first fishing competition on the Vaal River as I was playing golf but according to all those that participated, it also turned out to be great fun, Air Sport Internationale had hired all the fishing rods and purchased the bait and I believe from what I was told it was exceptionally well supported and whilst there were not too many fish caught but as usual there were lots of stories about the one that got away. Well done Willi van Beers for assisting with organising this extra bit of fun. Yet another first for the SAMDPR. The winners would be announced at the Welcome Function on the Friday evening.
Quite a few people went on an excursion to Parys a lovely town about 30 minutes away, which has many antique shops, nick-nack shops and numerous restaurants. Once again those that went all had favourable comments on the day trip. Well done to Deirdre Kallmeyer from African Olive Travel Concepts for sorting out this trip.
For those that did not to participate in either of these activities this was a day of rest for most but for those involved in making sure the race goes ahead it was work as usual as everything had to be set up in the E&E Centre in the fantastic Emerald Resort, so that all visitors can enjoy the race during Saturday.
Friday evening at 19.30 was the Welcome Cocktail Party in the Kilimanjaro Room in the Emerald Resort Hotel, which was right next to the Restaurant and Bar area. The setting was outstanding and place was packed and food and drinks were available. After about one hour Sara Blackshaw took to the stage and gave a report on tomorrow’s race and she wished everybody success. The pigeons had arrived safely at the race point and had been fed and watered ready for the early morning liberation from 552km (343 miles). Then with the assistance of Joan-e Holt (Public Relations) the race sponsors and all the Country Co-ordinator’s that were present were called up to the stage and given a small gift for all their hard work and efforts over the past year. The Official Race Sponsors were then called to the stage and they were as follows:- Peter Furstenberg from Shine Interactive, Keith McLintock & Brett Lindsay from Big Brave Digital, Deirdre Kallmeyer from African Olive Travels Concepts, Dr. Henk De Weerd from Belgica De Weerd Clinic, Sudhoff Veterinary, Rohnfried Products, Brother Copiers, Medpet, Turf Pet Hyper, Unikon (Deister Electronics Clocking System) and Pigeons On Line. Two very special mentions were for Heron Banks Golf & River Estate and of course Emerald Resort, Casino & Hotel. All of these were met with applaud and the Country Co-ordinator’s that were present then had a team photograph taken. Then Sara Blackshaw announced the winners of the two special competitions held earlier in the day, and the winners of the pairs golf tournament were Paul Smith from United Kingdom and Sara Blackshaw from Switzerland and Paul walked to the stage to pick up their trophy. The winner of the fishing tournament was Andy Skwiat from United States Of America with a 2.57kg carp, with Mike Ganus also from USA taking second place. Andy proudly walked to the stage to pick up his trophy. Paul, Sara and Andy were all applauded by those present, all will hopefully be back to defend their titles next year. Yet another well supported event and place was buzzing with excitement for what tomorrow might bring for one lucky fancier or syndicate. Then Henk Jurriens from the Netherlands was called to the stage to reply on behalf of the guests he thanked all the SAMDPR staff for their sterling efforts throughout the last year and said he was looking forward to the Final Race taking place in the next few days and wishing all competitors the best of luck and he hoped to see everybody for the 22nd SAMDPR. He was duly applauded as he left the stage.
Saturday morning dawned and we soon learned that it was raining hard at the appointed race point and a decision was made to bring the pigeons back to a slightly shorter race point where hopefully they could get a liberation but unfortunately the rain did not stop. It was then decided to bring the pigeons back and try to run out of the rain and then get a liberation from say 100 miles, so that at least everybody that had turned up tom watch the race could see pigeons arriving on the massive screens in the E&E Centre. Sara Blackshaw (Director of Air Sport Internationale), along with Michael Holt (Race Director), staff and other Race Co-ordinator’s decided that if it was possible to get a race from somewhere ASI would offer 10 prizes, these would consist of 3 cash prizes of 1st US$5,000, 2nd US$3,000 and 3rd US$2,000 plus 7 Free Entries into the 22nd SAMDPR. Other prizes were also offered by some of trade stands that were present in to E&E Centre, a great gesture appreciated by all present. Michael Holt was in constant contact with Corrie Naude (Convoyer/Trainer) from about 3.30am but every time they spoke it was still raining. Finally, it was decided to bring the pigeons back to the loft and put the pigeons back into the loft and then wait for a better day for a liberation.
This is the first time in 21 years that this great international pigeon race has had no liberation and has had to bring pigeons back from the Final Race and nobody wanted this to happen because everything was set up for today but at the end of the day a decision had to be made and it was good to see that the race organisers thought about the pigeons and not was supposed to happen during the day. The weather forecast for the next few days was not good, with more rain. I can assure you this was not a decision that anybody wanted to make but at the end of the day it was the correct decision. Of course what made it worse that many of the international visitors were due to check put on Sunday or Monday, so would not now be around for the Final Race.
After breakfast, I then walked over to the E&E Centre and met a few friends and talked to some of the Trade Stand people. Everybody I spoke to said it was the right decision not to liberate. For those that arrived late on Thursday or early on Friday morning there were buses that would take them to the loft at Heron Banks Golf & River Estate so they could see the set up before the race pigeons were liberated on Saturday.
The E&E Centre was starting to fill up with many fanciers from all over the world, plus lots of South African fanciers and friends that were turning up to enjoy the day activities. It was good to see the trade stands that had supported this event doing good business and my friend for many years Alan Jordaan was interviewing fanciers and other people on the stage. Food and drinks was available and the big screens were showing the Hot Spot Car Races that had taken place earlier during the 2016/17 race series. Despite the disappointment of not having a race, everybody was in good spirits and as all the food had been laid on the lunch in the E&E Centre started at 12 noon and the tables were soon full of pigeon fanciers and friends from all over the world having a good time and talking about what might have been. The big screens were showing film of the transporter returning back to the lofts passing through heavy rain most of the way. At this time there was still hope that there might still be a possibility to get in a short Bonus Training Race which will create some interest for all the visitors but as time went on it was clear that no race was going to happen and at 14.00 the decision was made that the pigeons would be returned to the loft for the Final Race to take place on another day.
It was decided to continue with the Awards Dinner on Saturday evening and rename it a Celebration Dinner as this was the 21st year of this great international race. So as soon as the lunch finished the Emerald Resort staff started to prepare for the Celebration Dinner which was due to start in the E&E Centre at 19.30. Time for all to go back to the hotel or their lodges and get ready for the evening event.
As we walked into the E&E Centre at 19.30 for the Celebration Dinner it looked stunning to say the least, fanciers and friend poured in and soon all the tables were full. Our Master Of Ceremonies for the evening was Keith Lindsey who got everybody in the right mood before introducing Sara Blackshaw (Director of Air Sport Internationale) spoke about the race conditions on Saturday and stated that whilst it was a tough decision to postpone the Final Race, it was the right decision because at the end of the day Air Sport Internationale had to think that the pigeons come first, even though many people had travelled thousands of miles to be present for this great race. Sara then closed by wishing everybody the best of luck for the Final Race whenever it took place. It was then the turn for Michael Holt (Race Director) who also had a few words to say about the training and racing that had already taken place and congratulated everybody on their achievements prior to the Final Race. Once again he stressed it had been a tough year with heavy rain, thunderstorms and record temperatures. Unfortunately there is not a book written that tells you how to run a pigeon race, so we have learnt from scratch and found out what works and what is practical and what benefits all. Then Joan-e Holt (Public Relations) joined Sara Blackshaw (Director of ASI) the others and special awards were given out to Michael Holt (Race Director), Pieter Saayman (Systems Administration), Willi van Beers (Loft Manager), Andre van Wyk (Loft Manager), Corrie Naude (Convoyer/Trainer), Josef Bekker (Trainer), Marion Branford (Administration), Joan-e Holt (Public Relations), Dianne Holt (Accountant), plus of course All The Lofts Lads. Once again it was mentioned that Gary Lance the owner of Heron Banks Golf & River Estate and of course the staff of Emerald Resort, Casino & Hotel had gone out of their way to assist from the start of this new venture, without their help and assistance we could never have hosted such a race. Dr Stephan Steyn, plus George Le Roux and Pedrie van der Merve of SANPO was also a great help over this stressful time, thanks again for all your help. Dr. Marthinus Hartman and Dr. Francois Le Grange (Veterinary Officers) for all their work during the year. All were given much applause. Hope I did not miss anybody out, if I did I do apologise. As it happened this function turned out to be outstanding mainly because I suppose at the end of the day there were no winners or losers. Well done to all concerned by making this such a memorable evening for all that attended. The disco was outstanding and everybody stayed till late in the night.
It should also be noted the fantastic amount of work and effort Sara Blackshaw (Director of Air Sport Internationale) puts into this race, she works tirelessly to make sure that this pigeon race keeps where it has been for the last 21 years and that is THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
Many more meetings took place to get weather forecasts for the next few days, plus all the camera crews and media had to arranged once again which in itself was a logistic nightmare but the “RACE TEAM” worked tirelessly to make sure everything would be ready for whichever day was selected to have the Final Race. Food also had to be arranged for those fanciers that had stayed on to watch the race, plus all the South African fanciers that wanted to come down and watch the race unfold.
Finally on Monday morning it was decided the best day for the Final Race to take place would be Wednesday, so everything was put in place to re-basket the pigeons later in the day. The Auditors were called to be present and the basketing would start at 4pm. I along with Tad, Sara, Maitland and a few others made our way to the loft to join the Loft Staff and assisting in any way we could. Once again the Loft Lads had this task of to a tee and the pigeons were guided into the baskets and other Loft Lads loaded them onto the transport, this went very smoothly and after about one and a half hours the 2,432 pigeons were basketed. A further 2 pigeons that had returned were race marked by the Auditors and added to the baskets, making 2,434 pigeons basketed for the Final Race. The transported was due to leave in the early hours of the morning as it would be cooler and there would be less traffic on the road.
As per the race rules of this great International Race any UN-ACTIVATED pigeons after one week after the 5th HOT SPOT CAR RACE has taken place are listed on the SAMDPR Web Site FOR SALE at US$1,100 (£917) each and anybody in the world can purchase any of these pigeons and whatever Prize Money they win in the Final Race goes to the new owners. However, if one of the UN-ACTIVATED pigeons that had been purchased wins a position in the top ten, the TROPHY and GOLD MEDAL goes to the person that originally entered it, plus the original owner gets any funds raised from the auction after the Final Race.
This year 157 pigeons were NOT-ACTIVATED by their owners after Hot Spot Car Race 5 and when the list went on the SAMDPR Web Site a total of 120 of these were sold prior to the race, meaning that just 37 pigeons were actually not flying for Prize Money in the Final Race. As usual quite a few of these pigeons will win Prize Money for their new owners. GOOD LUCK TO ALL CONCERNED.
Once again I must also give a “SPECIAL MENTION” to “BEN (THE BLOG) WILLIAMS” who for years now has taken photographs of fanciers, friends and of course the winners on his iPad at every function and event during the race weekend. He then places everything he does on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for fanciers and friends to see what is happening from thousands of miles away. YOU DO AS STERLING JOB MY FRIEND, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
THE FINAL RACE entry consisted of 2,434 pigeons from 32 different countries and was made up as follows:- Australia 48, Austria 24, Bahrain 3, Belgium 134, Bulgaria 3, Canada 35, China 10, Czech Republic 33, Croatia 5, Denmark 8, Germany 572, Iraq 5, Ireland 27, Italy 13, Kuwait 152, Mexico 3, Netherlands 129, Norway 8, Poland 45, Portugal 2, Puerto Rico 2, Qatar 7, Romania 54, Saudi Arabia 33, Slovakia 12, Slovenia 7, South Africa 180, Sweden 2, Switzerland 18, United Arab Emirates 5, United Kingdom 205 and United States Of America 635. This total was made up of 2,254 International pigeons and 180 pigeons from South Africa.
There was 37 pigeons in the Hold Back List that were not basketed because they had been deemed by the Veterinary Surgeons not to be fit enough to be basket, these were made up by 1 from Australia, 1 from Austria, 3 from Belgium, 3 from Czech Republic, 1 from Denmark, 7 from Germany, 1 from Kuwait, 1 from Netherlands, 1 from Poland, 1 from Romania, 1 from Saudi Arabia, 3 from South Africa, 1 from Switzerland, 2 from United Kingdom and 10 from United States Of America. If any of these were paid up entries the owners will get a refund as per the rules of the race.
Once again the weather conditions at Colesberg were not in favour for a liberation, despite what all the weather forecasts had said, in fact it had rained all through the night so at 04.40 the transported pulled out and moved slightly east to Gariep Dam where the weather was clear. The pigeons were plenty of time to settle and be watered and to get used to the surroundings. The weather forecast was checked again and it was then decided to liberate at 06.40.
Finally, the convoy were liberated at Orange Free Lodge at the edge of Gariep Dam on Wednesday 8th February 2017 at 06.40 fine and cool with a partly cloudy sky and with a light head wind and a temperature of 19c (66f). The new race distance was 493km (306 miles). As the day moved forward the temperature would rise to around 28c (84f) mid-day, light head wind but turning to a light tail wind at the home end. The wind at the lofts was looking it was going to help the pigeons. A reasonably steady race was anticipated by the loft staff and the view of most was that the winning pigeons would arrive between seven to eight hours (13.40/14.40).
Pigeon fanciers and friends started to arrive at the loft to watch the pigeons home and the braai (barbeque) was going at full belt and the people were all waiting for the first pigeon/s to arrive. There must have been about 100 people that turned up to watch the race unfold.
LIVESTREAM (YOUTUBE’S NEW LIVE BROADCASTING PLATFORM) was available to watch online on the SAMDPR Web Site and pigeon fanciers from literally all over the world were logging on to watch the race unfold. Keith McLintock & Brett Lindsay and Big Brave Digital and staff are the company involved with this side of the race. The figures run into thousands watching at the same time. Keith Lindsay was at the race loft doing interviews were going out live, plus Facebook and Twitter. These were seen by thousands of fanciers, friends and people all over the world. The work and effort these guys put into doing this job professionally is remarkable, everything has to be done correctly for it to be seen by all who log on to watch what they cover. They film at all the 5 Hot Spot Car Races, at the liberation and of course the Final Race and of course this gives all the pigeon fanciers or interested parties the chance to view these events LIVE and as they happen. THESE GUYS DO A SUPERB JOB AND ARE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD.
Special words of praise must also go to Keith McLintock & Brett Lindsay and staff from Big Brave Digital and also to Peter Furstenberg and his staff from Shine Interactive, they do a wonderful job with all the media and technical worldwide coverage, that is watched literally all over the world. They do a magnificent job. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS.
The excitement at the race loft was building up when all of a sudden a blue checker was spotted all on its own at 13.52 heading straight for the loft, everybody was thinking is it mine and it finally landed on the top of the loft but did not want to go in, it messed around and only went down onto the concrete platform when 3 other pigeons arrived about 3 minutes later, now we had 4 pigeons home as they decided which was going to trap first, they were joined by another. The excitement grew as the pigeons moved nearer to the trapping pads, then finally a blue bar went in first and was clocked at 13.56.09.29, once again for the second year running THE STARS AND STRIPES OF AMERICA had won 1st Prize. These 5 pigeons were well clear of the sixth pigeon and full details are now below.
WINNER OF 1st OPEN 21st SAMDPR, LITTLE MISS NIKKI FROM UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING 1st OPEN went to TOM SHILLING from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named LITTLE MISS NIKKI bred by TOM SHILLING, which was officially clocked at 13.56.09.29 to record a winning velocity of 1235ypm or 18.8389 m/s (42mph), winning a GOLD MEDAL and US$200,000 (£166,667) Prize Money, plus the WINNERS JACKET and 1st OPEN TROPHY. This outstanding pigeon also won The Zandy Meyer Memorial Mercedes Car worth US$85,000 (£70,883) and The Knockout Competition worth US$25,000 (£20,833), plus Global Nominations worth US$15,096 (£12,580). Total race winnings of a staggering US$325,096 (£271,013). What a great pigeon which had previously won 4th HSCR1, 92nd HSCR2, 1484th HSCR3, 885th HSCR4 and 342nd HSCR5. Also finished 2nd USA, 6th in The Overall Averages over 22 races that counted. Plus this outstanding pigeon then sold for ZAR350,100 (US$26,600) (£21,881) when it was auctioned. 2nd Open Gabriel Valo from Germany with his pigeon named Sunce, bred by Gabriel Valo, which was officially clocked at 13.56.16.50, winning a GOLD MEDAL, Trophy and US$125,000 (£104,167), 3rd Open Team Hooymans from Netherlands with pigeon named Hali, bred by Jan Hooymans, which was officially clocked at 13.56.23.20, winning a GOLD MEDAL, trophy and US$75,000 (£62,500), 4th Open Team GSA from Germany with pigeon named Puggle, bred by Siegbert Wandrach, winning GOLD MEDAL, trophy and US$50,000 (£41,667), this pigeon was officially clocked at 13,56.36.79, this was actually the first pigeon to make it back to the loft but it would not trap, tough luck Siegbert, 5th Open Cradock Homing Society from South Africa with pigeon named Rene, bred by P. Joubert, winning a GOLD MEDAL, trophy and US$35,000 (£29,167), this pigeon was officially clocked at 13.57.04.34, 6th Open Ahmed S Al-Juwaisri from Kuwait with pigeon named Saad, bred by Ahmed S Al-Juwaisri, winning a GOLD MEDAL, trophy and US$20,000 (£16,667), this pigeon was officially clocked at 14.04.00.54, the next pigeon was a Defaulter Pigeon which means it was not paid for, just goes to prove if the make it to the race, they are worth entering, 7th Open penguin Syndicate from Belgium with pigeon named Elzir, bred by Jos & Ken Beyens, winning a GOLD MEDAL, trophy and US$17,500 (£14,583), this pigeon was officially clocked at 14.04.58.75, 8th Open Rory Smith Loft from United States Of America with pigeon named Foxy One, bred by Rory Smith, winning a GOLD MEDAL and US$15,000 (£12,500), this pigeon was officially clocked at 14.13.58.00, 9th Open Ruediger Schoenau from Germany with pigeon named Tobias Turbo, bred by Ruediger Schoenau, winning a GOLD MEDAL, trophy and US$12,500 (£10,417), this pigeon was officially clocked at 14.14.16.84, 10th Open Schuka - Kumpmeyer from Germany with pigeon named K4, bred by Schuka - Kumpmeyer, winning a GOLD MEDAL, trophy and US$10,000 (£8,333), this pigeon was officially clocked at 14.12.21.70. Then 11th Open Millys Loft from United Kingdom with pigeon named Dundees Back, winning US$7,000 (£5,833), 12th Open Team Ellenbroek - Seelen from Netherlands with pigeon named Hailsham Hilo, winning US$7,000 (£5,833), 13th Open Lloyd & Kelly from United Kingdom with pigeon named Jamie, winning US$7,000 (£5,833), 14th Open Team Hooymans from Netherlands with pigeon named Egyptian Wolf 1, winning US$7,000 (£5,833), 15th Open Helle & Jens Pedersen from Denmark with pigeon named Miss PePe, winning US$7,000 (£5,833), 16th Open De Schrijver - Brantegem from Belgium with pigeon named Chacu, winning US$5,000 (£4,167), 17th Open Jochen u Nadine Huenten from Germany with pigeon named Veni Vidi Vici, winning US$5,000 (£4,167), 18th Open Robert Darr - Donald Bicknell II from United States Of America with pigeon named Saygi, winning US$5,000 (£4,167), 19th Open David Demko from United States Of America with pigeon named 972Laureat-054Cahors 109, winning US$5,000 (£4,167), 20th Open Kader, Nadia, Ahmed, Moerat, Boewer & Demko from United States Of America with pigeon named 972Laureaat-054Cahors 6, winning US$5,000 (£4,167), this pigeon was officially clocked at 18.11.28.23, 21st Open Wilfon - Rhodes from United States Of America with pigeon named Gold Star Legend, winning US$3,500 (£2,917), 22nd Open Pieter Veenstra & Yu Dong from Netherlands with pigeon named Pipo, winning US$3,500 (£2,917), 23rd Open Naje Ead from Kuwait with pigeon named Super Crown, winning US$3,500 (£2,917), 24th Open CP Syndicate from Kuwait with pigeon named Ashkan 6, winning US$3,500 (£2,917) and 25th Open Dr Mildner - Riemekasten from Germany, winning US$3,500 (£2,917).
For full result please log on to the official SAMDPR Web Site www.samdpr.com where you can see what time all the pigeons were clocked and what they all won. There were 300 cash prizes so that means another 275 cash prizes were up for grabs. I would love to list all 300 winners but unfortunately, limited space does not allow this to happen.
Only 288 pigeons were officially clocked on the day up to 21.52.50.40 and 8 of these were NON-ACTIVATED PIGEONS so that left 20 cash prizes to won on Thursday morning. The first pigeon being clocked at 05.24.28.79 on the Thursday morning and the 300th at 06.08.10.75. The top 20 pigeons had 8 different countries represented in this result and then 5 other countries were represented by pigeons in the top 50 Open in this race, with 15 different countries represented in the top 100. A total of 1,472 pigeons were officially clocked. More pigeons have homed and the total home now listed on the SAMDPR Web Site shows 1,530 pigeons have made it back to the loft in Heron Banks Golf & River Estate. Full result can be seen on www.samdpr.com