6th International Press Release - Race 03/02/18

[willie reynolds]

“SIXTH INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”.
ON
THE 22nd 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 3rd FEBRUARY 2018.

ANOTHER RACE SEASON STARTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE.

RESULTS FOR TRAINING RACE 7,
& HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5
THE UNITED KINGDOM RACE TEAM WINS
27th, 44th, 63rd, 64th, 65th, 94th, 118th, 138th, 148th,
152nd, 163rd & 175th OPEN.
THE IRISH TEAM WINS
87th, 126th & 196th OPEN IN HSCR5.


TRAINING RACE 7 took place on Thursday 18th January 2018 from 114km
(71 miles) and a total of 2,673 pigeons were basketed from 35 different countries
and this total included 2,448 International pigeons including 164 from the United
Kingdom and 33 from Ireland, plus 315 pigeons from South Africa. A total of just 8
pigeons were not basketed, these included 1 from the United Kingdom and none
from Ireland, these were all left in the lofts because they had made mistakes earlier
in the week or had returned from earlier tosses. The total still in the loft was 2,681
pigeons. The convoy were liberated at 06.35 in fine and cool conditions, with a head
wind, 18c (64f) and a good steady race was anticipated.

LIVESTREAM was up and running for TRAINING RACE 7 and as usual I logged on bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft and all of a sudden bang on time a gang of about 30 pigeons approached the loft at 08.07 swung round the loft and then started to trap and as usual it was the first through the traps was the winner. Within a few minutes literally hundreds had homed and all looked good for excellent returns.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to TEAM MUZACOWIN from NORWAY with pigeon named WINSTON bred by WINSTON VAN DER POL, which was officially clocked at 08.07.33.54 to record a winning velocity of 1343ypm (20.5274m/s) (45mph). Taking 2nd Team La Polama from Germany, 3rd Irish Syndicate from United States of America, 4th Fazza Team from United Arab Emirates, 5th Jos Reilly – Team Ireland from Ireland, 6th Alkhaleej Stable from Kuwait, 7th Hassain Alwatri from Kuwait, 8th Mark De Cock from Belgium, 9th another for Mark De Cock from Belgium, 10th Team Sylt 2000 from Germany,
11th Jochen u Nadine Huenten from Germany, 12th O & L De Vries from Canada,
13th Berkshire Boys from United Kingdom, 14th Ervin Laro from Italy, 15th Mohammed Marzouz Al-Alwan from Kuwait, 16th Saad R Alabhoul from Kuwait,
17th Team Zeche Prinz Regent from Germany, 18th Klaus Wuestefeld from Germany, 19th Bin Mathey Family Loft from Kuwait and 20th Team Hanne + Hansi Platte from Germany. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 23.80 seconds and had 10 different countries represented in the top 20 and there were 14 different countries in the top 50, only 1 minute 43.36 seconds away from the actual race winner. A good international result with the first six pigeons all from different countries. This race resulted with 500 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.13, then 1,000 pigeons by 08.16 and then 2,000 pigeons clocked by 08.39, then 2,500 by 11.27 and finally 2,539 by 19.01. This left 134 pigeons to return to the race loft. By Friday nightfall a total of 2,596 pigeons were back in the race loft, leaving just 77 pigeons still to return. The Saturday Loft List showed 2,808 pigeons in the race loft which included those in the Hold Back section and a few others that had returned from previous races.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 7 amounted to US$6,139.55c (approx. £4,723) and had a total of 216 pigeons entered which included 13 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland and there were 723 Nominations. There were two United Kingdom winner as follows:- 13th Open went to the Berkshire Boys with their pigeon named Van Seeney which won US$3,111 (£2,393) for its efforts. Then 43rd Open went to Beneke Lofts with pigeon named Naobi and bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 13th OPEN went to BERKSHIRE BOYS, with their pigeon named VAN SEENEY which was officially clocked at 08.07.49.65, just 16.11 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd UK, 43rd Open Beneke Lofts with pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster of Keysoe, 3rd UK, 75th Open Clarke & Kittow with pigeon bred by P & D Clarke from Sevenash, 4th UK, 79th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 5th UK, 80th Open Chris Turner and with pigeon bred by Chris & Debbie from Coventry, 6th UK, 90th Open Dever & Lloyd with pigeon bred by George Dever from Halewood, 7th UK, 127th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with a second pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 8th UK, 147th Open Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Paul & Tracey Stacey from Sleaford, 9th UK, 160th Open Zandys Dream Team with pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 10th UK, 175th Open Keith Warnes with pigeon bred by Keith Warnes from Norwich, 11th UK, 180th Open UK Elite Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Lee Fribbins from Frating, 12th UK, 211th Open L+D Wellburn with pigeon bred by this partnership from Acklam, 13th UK, 233rd Open Guys Lofts Elite with pigeon bred by Mr & Mrs T. Guy from Wolverhampton, 14th UK, 236th Open Emeralds & Diamonds Dynasty with a pigeon bred by John Boyd from Ballyclare, 15th UK, 245th Open Trainspotters with pigeon bred by K. Wagstaff from the North East, 16th UK, 246th Open another for the Berkshire Boys, 17th UK, 250th Open Paul Smith – Regency Lofts, with pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 18th UK, 254th Open another for the Berkshire Boys, 19th UK, 269th Open Milly’s Loft with a pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe and then 20th UK, 274th Open another for Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Paul & Tracey Stacey from Sleaford. A total of 50 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.15, then 100 by 08.23 and 151 by 11.46, leaving 11 still to return to the race loft. The clock was left on Friday and 2 more were clocked by nightfall making a total of 153 were home, leaving 9 to return to the race loft. The Saturday morning Loft List showed 165 UK pigeons in the race loft.

UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 7 had no pigeons entered.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 5th OPEN went to JOS REILLY – TEAM IRELAND with pigeon named SANDY BABE and bred by JOS REILLY from DUBLIN which was officially clocked at 08.07.38.65, just 05.11 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 48th Open H+C Thorpe - McMorrow, 3rd Ireland, 56th Open Taximush with pigeon bred by Garret Hensey, 4th Ireland, 67th Open G+J Douglas, 5th Ireland, 108th Open Joe Kennedy & Son and then 6th Ireland, 185th Open another for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland. A total of 10 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.13 then 20 by 08.19 and 30 by 10.57, leaving just 3 to return. The Saturday morning Loft List showed 32 pigeons in the race loft.
IRISH COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS in TRAINING RACE 7 had no pigeons entered.
More short training will take place prior to HSCR5 giving these pigeons even more confidence and experience to cope with what was in front of them over the next few weeks.
THE OVERALL AVERAGES are now up and running and after twelve official races stands as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ALHAMLI TEAM from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES with pigeon named JAMEELA bred by ALHAMLI TEAM, with a combined flying time of 21.14.21.00 unchanged position from the last race, this pigeon’s lowest position in 12 races is 476th Open. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 20th OPEN goes to CHRIS TURNER with pigeon named SOME PICTURE bred by CHRIS & DEBBIE TURNER from COVENTRY with a combined flying time of 22.01.48.51 up 4 places from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 15th OPEN goes to TAXIMUSH with their pigeon named TAXIMUSH 3 bred by GARRET HENSEY with a combined flying time of 21.58.43.72 up 3 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.
**********************************************************************************************
HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 was now held on Wednesday 23rd January 2018 from 268km (167 miles) and for this race a total of 2,807 pigeons from 35 different countries were basketed and this included 2,489 International pigeons and this figure also included 165 from the United Kingdom and 32 from Ireland, plus 318 from South Africa. A total of 4 pigeons were not basketed, these included none from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland, these were all left in the loft because they had made mistakes in earlier training. Total still in the race loft was 2,811 pigeons. The convoy were liberated at 05.45 with a head wind and in fine and warm conditions and a temperature of 18c (64f) and a fairly steady race was anticipated. Temperatures were expected to rise as the day progressed and the forecast for today it was going to rise to 39/40c (over 100f) so it was essential to get them up early and home before it got too hot.
LIVESTREAM was up and running for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 and once again I was up bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft. It was a beautiful morning in South Africa and an ideal racing day and at 09.08 a bit later than anticipated a gang of about 20 pigeons approached the race loft, swung round a couple of times and then they hit the trapping area and within ten minutes over 50 pigeons had been officially recorded.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to KENNY ROBERTS from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named BLUE BALL CHARLIE bred by KENNY RHODES, which was officially clocked at 00.18.11.58 to record a winning velocity of 1242ypm, 1257.078 m/m (20.9513 m/s) (47mph). Taking 2nd Alkheleej Stable from Kuwait, 3rd Team Hooymans from Netherlands, 4th Marek & Marcin Rzepka from Poland, 5th Helmut & Alfons Klaas from Germany, 6th Team Zaben D M Al-Azmi from Kuwait, 7th Brebeanu Florian from Romania, 8th Alfred Winkler from Germany, 9th RA Bakker & Zoon from Netherlands, 10th another for Helmut & Alfons Klaas from Germany, 11th Abdullah Alzafiri from Kuwait, 12th Annie & Dusty from South Africa, 13th Hayder Hadaad from Kuwait, 14th another for Team Hooymans from Netherlands, 15th Schuka - Kumpmeyer from Germany, 16th Triple J Lofts from South Africa, 17th Juergen Stefaniszyn from Germany, 18th Sabine + Ralf Kurth from Germany, 19th Klaus Stieneker from Germany and 20th Gino Clicque from Belgium. The top twenty were separated by 6 minutes 04.62 seconds and had 8 different countries represented in this result with 15 different countries represented in the top 50 and these were just 9 minutes 40.67 seconds apart. It was a great International result with 5 different countries taking the first 5 positions. A further update showed 2,290 pigeons were officially clocked up to 19.08 and this contained 132 United Kingdom pigeons and 26 Irish pigeons, leaving 517 pigeons still to return to base camp. The clock was left on and pigeons continued to roll in on Thursday morning and by 07.12 a total of 2,325 pigeons had been clocked. Another update showed 2,629 pigeons by 11.31 and then 2,558 pigeons by 19.16 and this included 148 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 29 pigeons from Ireland. This figure left 249 pigeons still to return to the race loft.
The Friday lunchtime Loft List showed that there were a total of 2,620 pigeons still in the race loft, which included the 4 pigeons that were not sent to this race.

HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 CAR WINNER was KENNY RHODES from the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his pigeon named BLUE BALL CHARLIE which won 1st OPEN and was bred by KENNY RHODES. WHAT A GREAT FINISH TO THE HOT SPOT CAR RACES FOR THIS FANCIER.

HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 there was also 19 x US$1,100 (£846) cash prizes to be won by the next 19 x Activated Pigeons after the Car Winner and in this race and the winners were as follows:- Most of the pigeons that took these cash prizes are mentioned above in the Open result and those which took 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th Open. That meant that there was only one pigeon Not-Activated and this was the pigeon that took 16th from United States of America. Proving once again if they are good enough to get to this stage, then they must be good enough to Activate, once again a costly experience for these fancier. The pigeon that took 21st Open was Gino Clicque from Belgium and that took the extra US$1,100 cash prize. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE WINNERS.

HOT SPOT CAR RACE OVERALL AVERAGES AND WINNER OF THE US$5,000 (£3,846) CASH PRIZE GOES TO:- 1st OPEN VAN KERCKHOVE - VERCAUTEREN from BELGIUM with their pigeon named BLUE JENSKE and bred by IGNACE VERCAUTEREN with a combined flying time of 13.50.00.66 and up 6 places from HSCR4. 1st United Kingdom, 12th Open was SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named SHOOT TO THRILL and bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR with a combined flying time of 14.03.36.99 up 14 places from HSCR4. 1st Ireland, 22nd Open was TAXIMUSH with pigeon named TAXIMUSH 2 bred by GARRET HENSEY with a combined flying time of 14.14.39.34 down 1 place from HSCR4. THIS TESTING RACE SERIES HAS A US$5,000 (£3,846) FIRST PRIZE TO THE WINNER AFTER THE 5 HOT SPOT CAR RACES.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 amounted to a staggering US$25,766.05c (approx. £19,820) and had a total of 416 pigeons entered which included 30 from the United Kingdom and 1 from Ireland and there were 1,794 Nominations. There were two United Kingdom winners as follows:- 49th Open went to Guys Lofts with pigeon named Wendys One Gem bred by Mr & Mrs T. Guy from Wolverhampton and the pigeon won US$391 (£301) for its efforts, then 72nd Open went to the Nigel Templar from Bristol with pigeon named National Star and bred by Nigel Templar which won US$51 (£39) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 27th OPEN went to SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named SHOOT TO THRILL which was bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR, which was officially clocked at 09.24.46.70 just 6 minutes 35.12 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd UK, 44th Open Guys Lofts with a pigeon bred by Mr & Mrs T. Guy from Wolverhampton, 3rd UK, 63rd Open Trainspotters with pigeon bred by K. Wagstaff from the North East, 4th UK, 64th Open Zandys Dream Team with a pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 5th UK, 65th Open Nigel Templar with a pigeon bred by Nigel Templar from Bristol, 6th UK, 94th Open another for Trainspotters with a second pigeon bred K. Wagstaff from the North East, 7th UK, 118th Open Tadt with a pigeon bred by Tad Truszkowski & Vince Crossley from Melton Mowbray,
8th UK, 138th Open UK Elite Syndicate with pigeon bred by Lee Fribbins from Frating, 9th UK, 148th Open Tim Atkin with pigeon bred by Tim Atkin from Rugby,
10th UK, 152nd Open another for Tim Atkin with a second pigeon bred by Tim Atkin from Rugby, 11th UK, 163rd Open Mr & Mrs B. Clayburn with pigeon bred by this partnership from Ackworth, 12th UK, 175th Open Finghall Lofts Stud with pigeon bred by Keith Thompson from Doncaster, 13th UK, 211th Open Mick Morrissey with a pigeon bred by Mick Morrissey from Halewood, 14th UK, 247th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson with a pigeon bred by this partnership from Preston,
15th UK, 258th Open Mark Walker with a pigeon bred by Mark Walker from Wombourne, 16th UK, 294th Open Nenlorrie with pigeon bred by Lourens Londt from Cannock, 17th UK, 300th Open Berkshire Boys, 18th UK, 317th Open another for Nigel Templar with a second pigeon bred by Nigel Templar from Bristol,
19th UK, 326th Open a third for Trainspotters with a third pigeon bred by Turner & Watson from the North East and 20th UK, 402nd Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a second pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet.
A total of 50 pigeons were officially clocked by 09.52, 100 by 10.35, then 132 by 19.04, leaving 33 still to return to the race loft. The clock was left on and 16 more pigeons were clocked by 09.43, making 148 home, leaving 17 still to return to base camp. The Friday lunchtime Loft List showed that there were 151 UK pigeons in the race loft, which included those that did not go to this race, which meant that 14 failed to make it back to the race loft

UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 had just 11 pigeons entered and 43 Nominations and US$459 (approx. £353) to be won and the winners were as follows:- 335th Open Nenlorrie with pigeon named Beverly bred by this Lourens Londt from Cannock, which won US$7.65c (£6.15p) for its efforts. Then 342nd Open for the Berkshire Boys with their pigeon named Spit, which won US$491.35c (£378) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO THESE WINNER.

THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 (137 pigeons in this category) and currently have US$16,520 (£12,708) in Prize Money which will be paid out in the 5 x Hot Spot Car Races and The Final Race. The winners in this race were 1st UK, 44th Open and US$4,920 (£3,785) went to Mr & Mrs T. Guy with pigeon named Wendys One Gem and bred by this partnership from Wolverhampton. Then 2nd UK, 64th Open and US$2,952 (£2,271) went to the Zandys Dream Team with pigeon named Zandys Marvel and bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet. Then taking 3rd UK, 118th Open and US$1,968 (£1,514) went to TadT and with pigeon named Wonder Girl and bred by TadT and Crossley from Melton Mowbray. SOME GREAT EXTRA CASH PRIZES TO BE WON IN THIS COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 67th OPEN went to TAXIMUSH with pigeon named TAXIMUSH 3 and bred by GARRET HENSEY, which was officially clocked at 09.29.19.45, just 11 minutes 08.87 seconds behind the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 126th Open went to Maurice O’Donnell with his pigeon bred by him, 3rd Ireland, 196th Open went to Joe Kennedy & Son with pigeon bred by this partnership, 4th Ireland, 208th Open Jos Reilly – Team Ireland with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly, 5th Ireland, 266th Open Peter Lucas with pigeon bred by him and 6th Ireland, 268th Open another for Taximush with a second pigeon bred by Garret Hensey. A total of 10 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 09.50 and then 20 by 10.18. A further update showed 26 by 17.48, leaving just 6 still to return to the race loft. A further 3 pigeons homed the next morning, leaving still 3 to return to the race loft. The Friday lunchtime Loft List showed 31 Irish pigeons in the race loft.
IRISH COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 had no pigeons entered.
THE IRISH COUNTRY CHALLENGE for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 (11 pigeons in this category) and currently have US$2,660 (£2,046) in Prize Money which will be paid out in the 5 x Hot Spot Car Races and The Final Race. The winners in this race were 1st IRE, 226th Open and US$510 (£393) went to Peter Lucas with pigeon named Gerrymander and bred by Peter Lucas.Then 2nd IRE, 600th Open and US$306 (£236) went to G+J Douglas with their pigeon named Lurgan Jen bred by this partnership. Then taking 3rd IRE, 800th Open and US$204 (£157) went to Philip & Mark Smith with their pigeon named Sodar. SOME GREAT EXTRA CASH PRIZES TO BE WON IN THE COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS.
THE OVERALL AVERAGES are also up and running and after thirteen official races stands as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ALHAMLI TEAM from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES with their pigeon named JAMEELA bred by ALHAMLI TEAM, with a combined flying time of 25.27.10.85 holding same position as the last race. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 17th OPEN goes to the NIGEL TEMPLAR with his pigeon named NATIONAL STAR bred by NIGEL TEMPLAR from BRISTOL with a combined flying time of 26.03.11.06 up 22 places from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 5th OPEN goes to TAXIMUSH with pigeon named TAXIMUSH 3 bred by GARRET HENSEY with a combined flying time of 25.43.03.17 up 10 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.
THE 2-BIRD AVERAGE & US$2,000 (£1,538) PRIZE MONEY IN HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 was won by ANNIE & DUSTY (Team 1) from SOUTH AFRICA with their pigeons named IGUGU (12th) and CARRY ON ALICE (106th) bred by TRIPLE J LOFTS and with a combined total velocity of 40.401 m/s. Then 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN went to TRAINSPOTTERS (Team 1) with pigeons named EARL WAGGY (70th) and DUKE WAGGY (94th) both bred by K. Wagstaff from the North East and with a combined total velocity of 39.835 m/s. Then 1st IRELAND, 13th OPEN went to TAXIMUSH (Team 1) with pigeons named TAXIMUSH 3 (87th) and TAXIMUSH 2 (268th) both bred by GARRET HENSEY and with a combined total velocity of 39.066 m/s. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE WINNERS.
THE 3-BIRD AVERAGE & US$3,000 (£2,308) PRIZE MONEY IN HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 was won by GANUS FAMILY LOFTS (Team 2) from the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeons named I WILL BE EARLY TODAY (60th), MARGO SINGS A WINNING SONG (66th) and HOWARD YOU HAVE A WINNER (457th) all bred by MIKE GANUS with a combined total velocity of 58.608 m/s. Then 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th OPEN went to NIGEL TEMPLAR (Team 1) with pigeons named NATIONAL STAR (65th), NATIONAL EXPRESS (317th) and NATIONAL DREAM (981st) with all the pigeons bred by NIGEL TEMPLAR from BRISTOL with a combined total velocity of 56.468 m/s. Then 1st IRELAND, 6th OPEN went to TAXIMUSH (Team 1) with pigeons named TAXIMUSH 3 (87th), TAXIMUSH 2 (268th) and TAXIMUSH 1 (743rd) all bred by GARRET HENSEY with a combined total velocity of 57.111 m/s. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE WINNERS.
THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION offers a US$25,000 (£19,231) First Prize and only fully paid up pigeon before basketing of Hot Spot Car Race 1 are eligible to compete for this great cash prize. This fantastic competition offers the following conditions and one lucky winner will walk away with “THE POT OF GOLD” after the Final Race. These rules are as follows:- This competition will take place over the last four Hot Spot Car Races and the Final Race, if however any Hot Spot Car Race are cancelled the race committee can use a Training Race to replace any Hot Spot Car Race. As usual this competition is very well supported and this year was no exception as there was a total of 2,734 pigeons entered, which was made up of 2,506 International pigeons, which included 197 from the United Kingdom and 33 from Ireland, plus 228 pigeons from South Africa. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 on Saturday 30th December 2017 and 1,778 (65%) of the entered pigeons moved forward to the next round. After this round 1 there was still 126 United Kingdom and 23 Irish pigeons left for the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 on Saturday 6th January 2018 and 978 (55%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. After this round 2 there was still 61 United Kingdom pigeons and 12 Irish pigeons left to move forward for the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 will take place on the re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 on Saturday 15th January 2018 and 343 (35%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. After this round 3 there was still 24 United Kingdom pigeons and 5 Irish pigeons to move forward in to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will take place on the re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 on Wednesday 24th January 2018 and 69 (20%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. After this round 4 there was still 3 United Kingdom pigeons and just 1 Irish pigeon to move forward into the Final Race. Then KNOCKOUT ROUND 5 will take place on THE FINAL RACE on SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2018 and just 69 top class pigeons will be competing and the first pigeon clocked of these remaining 69 KNOCKOUT PIGEONS will walk away this coveted First Prize of US$25,000 (£19,231). THIS REALLY IS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION THAT CREATES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT THE RACE SERIES. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE PIGEONS IN THE NEXT ROUND.
As mentioned in my first International Press Release as the pigeons were delayed with quarantine regulations and did not start to fly around the race lofts until about early October, it was decided not to rush the pigeons through the initial flying round the loft and the early short training and because of this would result in the pigeons starting their initial training a bit later than usual but the loft staff were confident that these athletes of the skies would soon learn the routine. Numerous short training tosses were given to give the pigeons confidence and the following race programme was agreed:- Pre-Training Race 1 was held on Wednesday 6th December 2017 from 25km (16 miles) followed by Pre-Training Race 2 on Saturday 9th December 2017 from 25km (16 miles). Training Race 1 took place on Wednesday 13th December 2017 from 62km (39 miles), then Training Race 2 took place on Saturday 16th December 2017 from 62km (39 miles) followed by Training Race 3 held on Wednesday 20th December 2017 from 114km (71 miles) with HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 which took place on Saturday 23rd December 2017 from 114km (71 miles), Training Race 4 took place on Wednesday 27th December 2017 from 114km (71 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 took place on Saturday 30th December 2017 from 160km (100 miles), Training Race 5 took place on Wednesday 3rd January 2018 from (114km) (71 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 took place on Saturday 6th January 2018 from 210km (130 miles), Training Race 6 took place on Wednesday 10th January 2018 from 114km (71 miles), Additional Training Race 01 took place on Saturday 13th January 2018 from 69km (39 miles), re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 will be on Monday 15th January 2018 from 215km (134 miles), re-arranged Training Race 7 will be on Thursday 18th January 2018 from 114km (71 miles), re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 will be on Wednesday 24th January 2018 from 268km (167 miles), re-arranged Training Race 8 will be on Sunday 28th January 2018 from 63km (39 miles) and then Training Race 9 will be on Tuesday 30th January 2018 from 63km (39 miles). There will still be plenty of time for the pigeons to learn the ropes before THE FINAL RACE takes place from 521km (324 miles) on Saturday 3rd February 2018.
Numerous “Loft Reports”, “Updates”, “Photographs” and “Videos” have been placed on the informative state of the art SAMDPR website for all to see and these are all available now on the dedicated website www.samdpr.com
Although the race is now named THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, the total to be paid out in cash and prizes in the 2017/18 race series exceeds US$2.2 Million American Dollars or approximately £1.76 Million Pounds Sterling. No other one-loft race in the world today can boast of such massive pay outs and this race is now in its twenty second year and has for the last twenty-one years paid out all of its projected prize money, that is why its reputation of this great race has increased, plus it has already paid out in the last twenty one races, prize money in excess of US$36 Million American Dollars (£25 Million Pounds Sterling), which is a remarkable achievement in itself in one loft racing and one that the race organisers are very proud of. It should also be mentioned that the Prize Money and Awards in THE 22nd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE will be the same as paid out for THE 21st SAMDPR.
The FINAL RACE PRIZE MONEY in the 22nd SAMDPR now exceeds US$1.02 Million American Dollars or around £785,000 Million Pounds Sterling.
All the United Kingdom Team fanciers/entrants and syndicate shareholders will be kept up to date with regular “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE” and “NEWSLETTERS” plus any of them can log on to the state of the art The South African Million Dollar Race web site:- www.samdpr.com and get all the information they might require over the next few months. You can’t change your pigeon’s name/s once training has started. You can even put all your pedigrees on live if you wish to, which certainly helps with the final selling price at the auction after the race. Remember the 2008 SCMDPR OVERALL ACE PIGEON named BIRDY sold for a staggering world record £53,730 and the breeder receives 50% of this figure after expenses. This really is a state of the art race that continues to improve its overall image on an annual basis and gives all fanciers and entrants all the information they need to know about all the pigeons in the lofts.
***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** I am sorry that I can’t add all the information about who bred all the pigeons or where they live because I do not have access to all this information so I can only publish details which I am in possession of at the time. 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 my best to give all the fanciers, entrants and breeders all the credit they and their pigeons deserve when they manage to get in the results so your help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
For the first few races numerous pigeons will not trap, so do not worry if yours is clocked late. The main thing to consider over the first few shorter races is that all the pigeons will not trap quickly but if they have made it back to the race loft on Heron Banks Golf & River Estate they are there to fight another day. With each race the pigeons will learn a bit more, giving them more experience to tackle all the tasks that they are going to have in front of them during the testing 2017/18 training and race series.
As mentioned earlier only races of 50km (approx. 31 miles) will count towards The 21st South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three superb cash prizes of US$10,000 (approx. £7,692), US$5,000 (approx. £3,846) and US$2,500 (approx. £1,923) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this category after The Final Race has been completed.
NOMINATION RACES will be held and officially start on TRAINING RACE 1, 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 COUNTRY/REGIONAL and US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 GLOBAL NOMINATIONS which can be placed on THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR Web Site. If you wish to enter any of these NOMINATIONS, you will have to have credit in your ASI Master Account. If you do not have any credit in your own personal Air Sport Account then please forward funds to your Country Race Co-ordinator/Shipper so that this can then 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.
It should be mentioned that GLOBAL & COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS during the 2015/16 race series actually paid out a staggering total of US$546,280 (£437,000).
GOOD LUCK TO ALL CONCERNED AND REGULAR “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” WILL BE SENT OUT TO ALL COMPETITORS/ENTRANTS AND SYNDICATE SHAREHOLDERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS BY EMAIL 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 MY REGENCY LOFTS WEB SITE www.regencylofts.com FOR ALL TO VIEW.
***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2017/18 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and awards now add up to a staggering US$2.2 Million American Dollars £1.70 Million Pounds Sterling) and these include 5 x Brand New Motor Cars, 1 for each of the 5 x Car Races, 95 x US$1,100 (£846) 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 (£846) Cash Prizes for each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, a US$5,000 (£3,846) Car Race Hot Spot Ace Pigeon Award for the best pigeon in these 5 races, A Two Bird Average Competition and a US$2,000 (£1,538) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots & The Final Race, A Three Bird Average Competition and a US$3,000 (£2,308) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots & The Final Race, 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 (£7,692), 2nd US$5,000 (£3,846) and 3rd US$2,500 (£1,923) 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 (£19,231) 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). There will also be 3 x Country Cash Prizes of US$125 (£96), US$75 (£58) and US$50 (£39) in each of the first 4 x Car Race Hot Spots (1 to 4). In the 5th Car Race Hot Spot US$70 (£54) from every entry will be added to the starting Prize Money of US$250 (£192) 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% & 20%. The SAMDPR website will have an up to the date listing of which pigeons are entered and how much Prize Money will be flown for, plus and an ACE Pigeon Country Challenge which will be won on the FINAL RACE. There is an Entry Fee of US$120 (£93) per pigeon to enter these Country Challenge Competitions and this has to be paid for before the basketing for the 3rd Hot Spot Car Race. The COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON, all countries participating will be given a US$200 (£154) starting Prize Money and US$40 (£31) from each Country Challenge entry fee goes to the “WINNER TAKES ALL” cash prize, which will be awarded to the first Country Challenge pigeon which is clocked in THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON FINAL RACE. The pigeon that wins this award will be named the COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON. It should also be mentioned that during the 2016/17 race series the UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE paid out £14,777 in PRIZE MONEY. Then in the “FINAL RACE” on the 3rd February 2018 there are also 10 magnificent gold pendants to be won worth well over US$1,000 (£770) each and now over US$1.02 Million American Dollars in Prize Money (£1.70 Million Pounds) and 300 cash prizes being on offer.
THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE & US$1,000 (approx. £770) NOMINATION will also take place on the “FINAL RACE” and the winning will be A BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ SLK 555 MOTOR CAR, worth a staggering US$85,000 (approx. £65,400). (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. The 19th SAMDPR attracted about 140 entries and two staggering prizes were once again won by two worthy winners. The 20th SAMDPR attracted over 100 entries and the US$85,000 (£68,000) was won by Lloyd & Kelly from the UK, who actually won 37th OPEN in the FINAL RACE. It was the first Activated pigeons and walked away with the top award. In The 21st SAMDPR Michael Mellor from Crewe was the runner-up for this prestigious award, with over 100 entries, which once again just goes to show that the UK pigeons will hold their own against the best pigeons in the world.
PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 22nd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR FINAL RACE, WILL NOW BE AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$200,000 (approx. £154,000), 2nd US$125,000 (approx. £96,000), 3rd US$75,000 (approx. £58,000), 4th US$50,000 (approx. £39,000), 5th US$35,000 (approx. £27,000), 6th US$20,000 (£15,000), 7th US$17,500 (£13,500), 8th US$15,000 (£11,500), 9th US$12,500 (£9,600), 10th US$10,000 (approx. £7,700), 11th/15th US$7,000 each (approx. £5,385), 16th/20th US$5,000 each (approx. £3,846), 21st/30th US$3,500 each (approx. £2,692), 31st/40th US$3,000 each (approx. £2,307), 41st/50th US$2,500 each (approx. £1,923), 51st/70th US$2,000 each (£1,538), 71st/100th US$1,750 each (£1,346), 101st/150th US$1,500 each (£1,154), 151st/200th US$1,100 each (£846) and then 201st/250th US$1,000 each (£770), 251st/300th US$500 each (£385). (Subject to terms and conditions of entry). The actual cash prizes stated above represent exchange rates (1.30) 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. A total of US$1,002,500 Million American Dollars (£772,000 Pounds Sterling) Prize Money will be paid out in this FINAL RACE.
Something else worth mentioning that six brand new motor cars have been won by fanciers representing the United Kingdom Team in the last seven years, Robbie Prettejohn and Chris Gordon both won new motor cars during the 2005/6 race series and Paul & Dave McCarthy won one a new motor car during the 2006/7 series. During the 2011/12 race series fanciers from the United Kingdom won a staggering 3 x brand new motor cars and these were won by 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 motor 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 motor cars during the 2017/18 race series. GOOD LUCK TO ALL COMPETITORS. Fantastic news, ALISTAIR HOGG has also won a BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR in HSCR2 in the 2017/18 race series. WELL DONE ALISTAIR.
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.starpigeons.com www.pigeonpixels.co.uk www.theloftreport.com www.oneloftracing.com www.pigeondigest.com plus of course they will also be published in the “BRITISH HOMING WORLD” and “THE RACING PIGEON” weeklies and many other international world pigeon publications for all to see, read and enjoy.
The race date for THE 23rd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has now been finalised and confirmed by the race organisers and it will take place on SATURDAY 2nd FEBRUARY 2019.
If you are interested in participating, helping us or acting a Country Race Team Co-ordinator/Shipper, then please telephone 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 23rd SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2018 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2018. Of course these two dates will be confirmed nearer the time. I strongly recommend that you try to ship your race entries on the 1st shipping date as this then gives these pigeons much more time to settle into the race loft.
If you have any questions about any aspect of THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, then please contact me as soon as possible on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or by SMS or email at reglofts@aol.com and I will do my best to answer any of your questions or queries about this great race.
These “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES” do take a lot of my time to prepare and I try to get as much into them as possible as I know fanciers and entrants like to know what is happening, unfortunately some time, some information will not be to hand when the print deadline is reached so can’t be included in that report. I can only apologise if I leave something or somebody out but I can assure everybody that I do my best to get as much information as possible to put into each of these international reports and give credit to those that deserve it.
IF ANY PIGEON FANCIER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR IN FACT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE MY WEEKLY “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” BY EMAIL, THEN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL ME THEIR ACTUAL EMAIL ADDRESS I WILL PUT THEM ON MY EMAIL DATABASE AND I WILL THEN FORWARD THEM ALL THE INFORMATION BY EMAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS.
BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE PIGEON FANCIERS/ENTRANTS AND SYNDICATES WORLDWIDE DURING THE 2017/18 RACE SERIES.


THIS PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE SHOWS THE COMPLETED BRAND NEW 370 FOOT (113 METRES) STATE OF THE ART RACING LOFT WHICH IS SITUATED IN STUNNING SURROUNDINGS ON THE OUTSTANDING HERON BANKS GOLF & RIVER ESTATE, VAAL RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA. IT HAS THE TRAPPING/CLOCKING SECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOFT, WHICH IS BELOW THE ADMINISTRATION CENTRE AND HAS 44 EQUAL SIZED SECTIONS (22 EACH SIDE) THAT ARE ALL ACCESSED FROM A FULL LENGTH CORRIDOR THAT RUNS ALONG THE BACK OF THIS FABULOUS PIGEON LOFT. ALL THE 44 SECTIONS HAVE GRILLED FLOORING AND THE LOFT HAS A TOTAL PERCH CAPACITY FOR WELL OVER 9,500 PIGEONS IN COMFORT.

If you wish to know any more information on this prestigious international pigeon race please contact me ASAP:-

Paul Smith, United Kingdom Race Team Co-ordinator/Shipper and International Race Co-ordinator for The 22nd South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race, which is due to be held at Heron Banks Golf & River Estate and Emerald Resort, Casino & Hotel, South Africa on Saturday 3rd February 2018. Regency Lofts Limited,
2, Highmead, off Coltsfield, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. CM24 8LJ. England. Tel/Fax:- 01279-812005. (Int. Code:- +44-1279-812005). Mobile:- 07860-568216. Email Address:- reglofts@aol.com Regency Lofts Website:- www.regencylofts.com Skype Address:- talbot7944 Twitter Address:- PaulSmith@SmithReglofts
The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race Website:- www.samdpr.com