4th International Press Release - Race 02/02/19

[willie reynolds]

“FOURTH INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”.
ON
THE 23rd 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 2nd FEBRUARY 2019.

ANOTHER RACE SEASON STARTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE.

RESULTS FOR TRAINING RACE 7 & HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3.

FANTASTIC RESULTS IN HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3.

THE SOUTHERN IRELAND TEAM WIN 2nd, 27th, 31st & 33rd OPEN AND PLUS GARRET HENSEY WINS A BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR FOR TAKING 2nd OPEN.

THE UNITED KINGDOM TEAM ALSO TOOK 39th & 48th OPEN.

THE UNITED KINGDOM TEAM ARE CURRENTLY HOLDING 1st, 2nd, 13th & 17th POSITIONS IN THE OVERALL AVERAGES AFTER 10 RACES.

THE SOUTHERN IRELAND TEAM ARE CURRENTLY HOLDING 30th POSITION IN THE OVERALL AVERAGES AFTER 10 RACES.
THE UNITED KINGDOM TEAM ARE CURRENTLY HOLDING 4th, 51st, 61st, 72nd, 82nd & 99th POSITIONS IN THE HOT SPOT CAR RACE AVERAGES AFTER
3 RACES.

THE SOUTHERN IRELAND TEAM ARE CURRENTLY HOLDING 26th POSITION IN THE HOT SPOT CAR RACE AVERAGES AFTER 3 RACES.

THE PROPOSED RACE PROGRAMME IS AS FOLLOWS:- Training Race 1 will be on Thursday 13th December 2018 from 62km (39 miles), then Training Race 2 on Saturday 15th December 2018 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 3 on Tuesday 18th December 2018 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 4 on Thursday 20th December 2018 from 62km (39 miles). Then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 will take place on Saturday 22nd December 2018 from 115km (71 miles), followed by Training Race 5 on Monday 24th December 2018 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 6 on Thursday 27th December 2018 from 62km (39 miles). Then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 will take place on Saturday 29th December 2018 from 165km (103 miles), followed by Training Race 7 on Monday 31st December 2018, followed by Training Race 8 on Thursday 3rd January 2019 from 62km (39 miles). Then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 will take place on Saturday 5th January 2019 from 212km (132 miles), followed by Training Race 9 on Tuesday 8th January 2019 from 62 km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 10 on Thursday 10th January 2019 from 62km (39 miles). Then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 will take place on Saturday 12th January 2019 from 212km (132 miles), followed by Training Race 11 on Tuesday 15th January 2019 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 12 on Thursday 17th January 2019 from 62km (39 miles). Then HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 will take place on Saturday 19th from 265km (165 miles), followed by Training Race 13 on Tuesday 22nd January 2019 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 14 on Thursday 24th January 2019 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 15 on Sunday 27th January 2019 from 62km (39 miles). More short training tosses will take place over the next few days with basketing taking place on Thursday 31st January 2019. Then the Final Race takes place from 521km (324 miles) on Saturday 2nd February 2019.

The Race Organisers (Air Sport Internationale) and all the Official Loft Staff in South Africa wish all fanciers/entrants/syndicates and competitors from literally all over the world the best of luck during the forthcoming 2018/19 race series.

LIVESTREAM was up and running for TRAINING RACE 7, which finally took place on Friday 4th January 2019 a few days later than the race programme, mainly because of heavy rain for the previous few days which made it impossible to train the pigeons. A total of 3,081 pigeons were liberated all together at 08.30 from Koppies 62km (39 miles) in fine and cloudy conditions with a moderate head wind, with a temperature of 19c (66f) and a good steady race was anticipated. As the day progressed the temperature would rise at midday to 32c (92f). This total was made up by 2,405 International pigeons, which included 181 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 74 pigeons from Southern Ireland, plus 676 pigeons from the host country South Africa. The Hold-Back List showed 27 pigeons and this included 3 from the United Kingdom and none from Southern Ireland.
I logged on bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft and it was very cloudy and overcast in South Africa and the liberation was delayed until the clouds cleared and then all of a sudden a gang of about 50 pigeons approached the loft bang on line at 09.23 swung round the loft and were then immediately joined by another similar sized group, they all landed 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 returned home and all looked good for excellent race and good returns.
CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to ALI MUTLAQ AL-MAIEA from KUWAIT with pigeon named NIXON-33 bred by ALI MUTLAQ AL-MAIEA, which was officially clocked at 09.23.50.22 to record a winning velocity of 1271ypm (1151.64m/m), (19.194m/s) or 43 mph, 2nd Club KOSH from South Africa, 3rd Gallo & Mendez Loft from United States Of America, 4th Deroose-Desmayter from Belgium, 5th Rune Rasmussen from Denmark, 6th Filipi Team from Czech Republic, 7th Hakuna Matata from Germany, 8th Casselmann - Seitz from Germany, 9th Foster Sons & Daughter from United Kingdom, 10th Bader Al-Sanafi from Kuwait, 11th Christof Kussyk from Germany, 12th Team Brodo from Germany, 13th Ahmed Mohammed Al-Jawasri from Kuwait, 14th Hubert Pfoh from Germany, 15th Rolf Berger from Germany, 16th TOB Team from Germany, 17th Ahmed Al Malki from Qatar, 18th B v G Racing Team from Germany, 19th Brian Clayburn from United Kingdom and 20th Jos Reilly –Team Ireland from Southern Ireland. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 23.19 seconds and had a total of 10 different countries represented and a total of 14 different countries in the top 50, with 50th being 1 minute 03.20 seconds away from the actual race winner. A great International result with 6 different countries taking the first six positions in this race. A total of 1,000 pigeons were officially clocked by 09.29, then 2,000 by 09.32 and 3,000 by 10.14 and then 3,062 recorded by 17.27 and this total included 180 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 74 pigeons from Southern Ireland. This meant that just 19 pigeons were still missing.
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 7 amounted to US$3,972.90c (approx. £3,179) and had a total of 219 pigeons entered which included 7 from the United Kingdom and none from Southern Ireland and there were a total of 629 Nominations. There were no United Kingdom or Southern Ireland winners. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th OPEN went to the FOSTER SONS & DAUGHTER with pigeon named VET EM which was bred by MILES FOSTER & SONS from LISS, which was officially clocked at 09.24.05.83, just 15.61 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd UK, 19th Open Brian Clayburn with pigeon bred by Brian Clayburn from Ackworth, a past SCMDPR winner,3rd UK, 38th Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Tony Guy from Wolverhampton, 4th UK, 53rd Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 5th UK, 66th Open Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Paul & Tracey Stacey from Sleaford, 6th UK, 89th Open Nigel Templar with pigeon bred by Nigel Templar from Bristol, 7th UK, 141st Open another for Foster Sons & Daughter with second pigeon bred by Foster Sons & Daughter from Liss, 8th UK, 163rd Open Hilamb Syndicate with pigeon bred by Ken Ambler from Oxenhope, 9th UK, 172nd Open Darling & Ede with pigeon bred by this partnership from Southampton, 10th UK, 178th Open Mike Chadwick with pigeon bred by Mike Chadwick from Dronfield, 11th UK, 179th Open Planet Brothers with pigeon bred by Gary & John Squibb from Romford, 12th UK, 187th Open TadT with pigeon bred by Crossley & Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 13th UK, 280th Open Berkshire Boys, 14th UK, 297th Open another for TadT with a second pigeon bred by Crossley & Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 15th UK, 317th Open another for Berkshire Boys, 16th UK, 326th Open another for Darling & Ede with a second pigeon bred by this partnership from Southampton, this pigeon is currently holding 1st UK, 13th Open in the Overall Averages, 17th UK, 352nd Open Mr & Mrs Andy Mabin with pigeon bred by this partnership from Totnes, 18th UK, 373rd Open Paul Smith Syndicate with pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 19th UK, 374th Open Team Ettrick with pigeon bred by Bobby Dalziel from Selkirk and then 20th UK, 395th Open Chris Turner with pigeon bred by Chris Turner & Debbie Neale from Coventry. A total of 50 pigeons being officially clocked by 09.28, then 100 by 09.31 and then 150 by 09.36, then 178 by 10.17 and finally 180 pigeons by 17.26, leaving just 1 pigeon to return to the race loft.
UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 7. There were no entries.
UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES has a total of 68 pigeons entered and after 9 races holding 1st Chris Turner with pigeon named Pebbles bred by Chris Turner & Debbie Neale from Coventry with a combined flying time of 11.14.09.29, 2nd Zandys Dream Team with pigeon named Zandys Dreamer bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with a combined flying time of 11.33.09.29 and 3rd Millys Loft with pigeon named Dundees Here Dad bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe with a combined flying time of 11.50.23.11. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st SOUTHERN IRELAND, 20th OPEN went to JOSH REILLY – TEAM IRELAND with pigeon named ROCO, bred by JOS REILLY which was officially clocked at 09.24.13.41, just 23.19 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 27th Open Gerry McCourt with pigeon bred by Gerry McCourt, 3rd Ireland, 32nd Open Taximush with pigeon bred by Garret Hensey, 4th Ireland, 158th Open H+C Thorpe – McMorrow with pigeon bred by this partnership, 5th Ireland, 209th Open another for H+C Thorpe with second pigeon bred by this partnership and then 6th Ireland, 214th Open Andy Quirke with pigeon bred by Andy Quirke. A total of 50 pigeons being officially clocked by 09.24, then 71 by 09.59 and finally 74 pigeons by 17.26, leaving no pigeons to return to the race loft.

SOUTHERN IRELAND COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS in TRAINING RACE 7. There were no entries.
SOUTHERN IRELAND COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES has a total of just 5 pigeons entered and after 9 races holding 1st Philip & Mark Smith with pigeon named Florence bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 12.22.45.57, 2nd Philip & Mark Smith with pigeon named Rhys and bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 14.38.20.59. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE FANCIERS.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES are now up and running and after 9 races stands as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to HUBERT PFOH from GERMANY with pigeon named SILVENCHEN bred by HUBERT PFOH, with a combined flying time of 10.49.06.05 holding same place from the last race. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 13th OPEN goes to DARLING & EDE with pigeon named SOUTHAMPTON ELLOUISE bred by DARLING & EDE from SOUTHAMPTON, with a combined flying time of 11.08.30.17 holding same place from the last race. 1st SOUTHERN IRELAND, 96th OPEN goes to H+C THORPE - McMORROW with pigeon named JIMS GIRL bred by H+C THORPE - McMORROW with a combined flying time of 11.38.28.57 up 23 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

*****TRAINING RACE 8 had to be cancelled because of the heavy rain and has now been moved forward and will now take place weather permitting on Wednesday 8th January 2019.

LIVESTREAM was up and running for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3, which took place on
Sunday 6th January 2018 and the 3,101 pigeons were liberated all together nice and early at 06.00 from WINBURG 212km (132 miles) in fine and cool conditions with a moderate head wind, with a temperature of 16c (60f) and a good steady race was anticipated. As the day progressed the temperature would rise to 39c (88f). This total was made up of 2,435 International pigeons, which included 186 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 75 pigeons from Southern Ireland, plus 676 pigeons from the host country South Africa. The Hold-Back List only showed 19 pigeons and this included none from the United Kingdom and none from Southern Ireland.

Once again I was up bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft and it was another beautiful morning in South Africa and an ideal racing day and I predicted the winners would clock about 09.10 South African time. Then all of a sudden at 09.09 a small gang of about 12 pigeons approached the race loft bang on line, swung round a couple of times and then they hit the trapping area and within a few minutes quite a few pigeons had been officially recorded.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to MOHAMED MUBARAK ALAZMI from KUWAIT with pigeon named ZAJIL ALAZEMI 2 bred by MOHAMED MUBARAK ALAZMI, which was officially clocked at 09.09.28.75 to record a winning velocity of 1230ypm (1118.88m/m), (18.648m/s) or 42mph. Taking 2nd Taximush from Southern Ireland, 3rd Team Weis-Jungfleisch from Germany, 4th Team Florea Sorin from Romania, 5th Lothar Krueger from Germany, 6th The Jones Boys & PJs Loft from United States Of America, 7th Rune Rasmussen from Denmark, 8th Team Brockamp-Stieneker-Wagner from Germany, 9th Franz Kleinhans from Germany, 10th Team Germany – ZG Helios-Bucher+Gehrken from Switzerland,
11th Ervin Laro from Italy, 12th another for Team Florea Sorin from Romania,
13th Winn Africa Eight Boys from Czech Republic, 14th Rolf Berger from Germany,
15th Team Rien van Oss en zn from Netherlands, 16th Pigeon World USA from United States Of America, 17th Team Preussen - Derby from Germany, 18th Rui Emido – Rogerio Germano from Portugal, 19th Alhumaidah Stud from Kuwait and 20th Team Sylt 2000 from Germany. The top twenty in this result were separated by 5 minutes 12.13 seconds and had a total of 11 different countries represented and a total of 17 different countries represented in the top 50, with 50th being 7 minutes 32.47 seconds away from the actual race winner. A total of 500 pigeons were officially clocked up to 09.32, 1,000 by 09.47, then 1,500 by 10.26, then 1,923 by 13.16 and then a total of 2,209 by 18.10 leaving 892 pigeons still missing at nightfall. This total included 130 United Kingdom pigeons and 55 pigeons from Southern Ireland.
The reason for the bad race was really down to the weather conditions, firstly the temperature rose to about 31c (100f) by mid-afternoon, followed by a tremendous thunderstorm, with heavy rain and a massive hail storm. The pigeons could not fly through this so probably decided to settle down somewhere and hopefully make it back to the race loft early the next morning when the weather was much cooler. As expected the first one arrived at 05.41 and they arrived in small groups as the day progressed. It resulted in a further 373 pigeons making it back to the race loft but still leaving 519 pigeons missing. I am sure that quite a few will rest up for a couple of days and then return to the race lofts.

When the Loft List appeared on the SAMDPR Website on Tuesday morning it showed 2,619 pigeons in the race loft and this included 148 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 60 pigeons from Southern Ireland.

THE NEW MOTOR CAR WINNER FOR HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 was won by the pigeon that won 2nd OPEN and flying as TAXIMUSH from SOUTHERN IRELAND with pigeon named TAXI MUSH KOP bred by GARRET HENSEY. CONGRATULATIONS on winning the third New Motor Car of the 2018/19 race series and what a smashing early New Year Present for Garret, this was his fifth win in the Southern Ireland Team in this race series, he really is having a fantastic race series. WELL DONE ON A FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT.

THE 19 x US$1,100 CASH PRIZES IN HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 were won as follows:- By the pigeons that took 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th & 20th. All these were ACTIVATED and won the US$1,100 Cash Prizes. This meant that 7 pigeons in the top 20 were NOT-ACTVATED, so those in 1st, 3rd, 11th, 12th, 13th, 16th & 18th gave their winnings away to pigeons lower down in the race result. This was just great for pigeons lower down because even the pigeon in 30th position walked away with a US$1,100 Cash Prize for its effort. Once again showing if they are good enough to send and they are still in the race loft that you should ACTIVATE your pigeon/s before HSCR1. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.

2-BIRD AVERAGE WINNER & US$2,000 (£1,600) was 1st TEAM RIEN VAN OSS EN ZN (TEAM 2) from NETHERLANDS with their pigeons named SARUMAN TOO and MASUFEL both bred by this partnership with a combined velocity of 36.457m/s.
1st UNITED KINGDOM, 18th OPEN was PLANET BROTHERS (TEAM 2) with pigeons named DESTINY 2 and SKYLEADER both bred by GARY & JOHN SQUIBB from ROMFORD with a combined velocity of 34.049m/s. 1st SOUTH IRELAND, 34th OPEN was PHILIP & MARK SMITH (TEAM 2) with pigeons named FLORANCE and DARCEY both bred by this partnership with a combined velocity of 33.634m/s. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS.

3-BIRD AVERAGE WINNER & US$3,000 (£2,400) was 1st HOLTS LOFT (TEAM 8) with pigeons named MOON, CRISTA and TURBO 1 all bred by TIM HOLT with a combined velocity of 55.124m/s. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 12th OPEN was PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE (TEAM 3) with pigeons named STANSTED CRUSADER, STANSTED JEWEL and STANSTED ROSE all bred by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with a combined velocity of 48.498m/s. There were no SOUTHERN IRELAND winners in this competition. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS.
THE HOT SPOT CAR RACE OVERALL AVERAGES has a US$5,000 (£4,000) Cash Prize for the best pigeon after the 5 x Hot Spot Car Races. Now after 3 races the positions are as follows:- 1st LOTHAR KRUEGER from GERMANY with pigeon named WILDE bred by LOTHAR KRUEGER with a combined flying time of 07.22.20.45 up 50 places from HSCR2. Then 2nd THE JONES BOYS & PJs LOFT from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named ATOKA bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 07.29.11.02 up 131 places from HSCR2. Holding 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN is CHRIS TURNER with pigeon named PEBBLES bred by CHRIS TURNER & DEBBIE NEALE from COVENTRY with a combined flying time of 07.31.01.74 up 24 places from HSCR2. Holding 2nd UK, 51st Open is Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon named Stansted Gold Streak bred by Kevin Hibbert from Rotherham with a combined flying time of 07.47.32.55 up 331 places from HSCR2. Holding 1st SOUTHERN IRELAND, 26th OPEN is TAXIMUSH with pigeon named TAXI MUSH KOP bred by GARRET HENSEY with a combined flying time of 07.40.46.51 up 380 places from HSCR2. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 amounted to US$15,468.30c (approx. £12,375) and had a total of 437 pigeons entered which included 22 from the United Kingdom and 4 from Southern Ireland and there were 1,420 Nominations. There was just one United Kingdom winner and that was 39th Open GUYS LOFTS ELITE with pigeon named POLAND TWO bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON, this pigeon won a cool US$646 ((£517) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.

THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION offers a US$25,000 (£20,000) 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 2,208 pigeons entered, which was made up of 1,839 International pigeons, which included 156 from the United Kingdom and 43 from Ireland, plus 369 pigeons from South Africa. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 on Friday 28th December 2018 and 1,436 (65%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round and this total contained 96 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 27 pigeons from Southern Ireland. KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 on Sunday 6th January 2019 and 790 (55%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round and this total contained 54 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 16 pigeons from Southern Ireland. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 on Saturday 12th January 2019 and 277 (35%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 on Saturday 19th January 2019 and 56 (20%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. Then KNOCKOUT ROUND 5 will take place on THE FINAL RACE on SATURDAY 2nd FEBRUARY 2019 and just 56 top class pigeons will be competing and the first pigeon clocked of these remaining 56 KNOCKOUT PIGEONS will walk away this coveted First Prize of US$25,000 (£20,000). 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.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 39th OPEN went to GUYS LOFTS ELITE with pigeon named POLAND TWO which was bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON, which was officially clocked at 09.16.02.42 just 6 minutes 33.67 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd UK, 48th Open Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Kevin Hibbert from Rotherham, 3rd UK, 58th Open Taffy T Syndicate with pigeon bred by Taffy Thomas from Newmarket, 4th UK, 59th Open Planet Brothers with pigeon bred by Gary & John Squibb from Romford, 5th UK, 71st Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with a second pigeon bred by Kevin Hibbert from Rotherham, 6th UK, 95th Open Brian Clayburn with pigeon bred by Brian Clayburn from Ackworth, a past 1st OPEN SCMDPR winner, 7th UK, 97th Open Chris Turner with pigeon bred by Chris Turner & Debbie Neale from Coventry, this pigeon has also won 1st UK, 29th Open in HSCR2 and is currently holding 1st UK, 1st Open in The Overall Averages and also 1st UK, 4th Open in The Hot Spot Averages, 8th UK, 137th Open Berkshire Boys, 9th UK, 141st Open Obelisk Syndicate entered by Clive Barrett from Taunton with pigeon bred by Derek Nicholls from Premier Stud, 10th UK, 151st Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 11th UK, 184th Open John Cooper with pigeon bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd, 12th UK, 195th Open Mike Chadwick with a pigeon bred by Mike Chadwick from Dronfield, 13th UK, 195th Open Scotlands Own Syndicate with a pigeon bred by W. Kinnear & Son from Edinburgh, 14th UK, 218th Open Viking Loft Jackson Mob with pigeon bred by this partnership from Widnes, 15th UK, 225th Open W. Gray & Son with pigeon bred by this partnership from Birgham, 16th UK, 232nd Open Team Ettrick with pigeon bred by Bobby Dalziel from Selkirk, this pigeon is also flying very well and is currently holding 3rd UK, 13th Open in The Overall Averages, 17th UK, 236th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Dave Stone from Belper, 18th UK, 275th Open Rixshaw with pigeon bred by Len Rix from Mildenhall, 19th UK, 318th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and 20th UK, 336th Open Darling & Ede with pigeon bred by this partnership from Southampton, this pigeon is currently holding 2nd UK, 2nd Open in The Overall Averages. A GOOD RESULT FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM TEAM. A total of 50 United Kingdom pigeons were officially clocked by 09.43, then 100 by 10.48 and then 118 by 14.39 and 130 by 19.10, leaving 56 United Kingdom pigeons to return to the race loft. The clock was left on Monday and by nightfall the Loft List showed that there were 146 United Kingdom pigeons were in the race loft, leaving 40 still to return to the race loft.
UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3. There were no pigeons entered.

UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES has a total of 73 pigeons entered and has 3 cash prizes and these were won as follows:- 1st US$125 (£100) GUYS LOFTS ELITE with pigeon named POLAND TWO bred GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON with a winning velocity of 18.024m/s, 2nd US$75 (£60) PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named STANSTED GOLD STREAK bred by KEVIN HIBBERT from ROTHERHAM with a winning velocity of 17.942m/s and 3rd US$50 (£40) CHRIS TURNER with pigeon named PEBBLES bred by CHRIS TURNER & DEBBIE NEALE from COVENTRY with a winning velocity of 17.614m/s. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE WINNERS.

UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES has a total of 73 pigeons entered and after 10 races holding 1st Chris Turner with pigeon named Pebbles bred by Chris Turner & Debbie Neale from Coventry with a combined flying time of 14.34.45.44, 2nd Berkshire Boys with pigeon named Jamies Girl with a combined flying time of 15.34.37.85 and 3rd Millys Loft with pigeon named Catch Me If You Can bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe with a combined flying time of 15.45.55.69. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st SOUTHERN IRELAND, 2nd OPEN went to TAXIMUSH with pigeon named TAXI MUSH KOP bred by GARRET HENSEY, which was officially clocked at 09.09.31.40, just 02.65 seconds behind the actual race winner. This is Garret’s fifth 1st Southern Ireland so far in this racer series, fantastic flying. Taking 2nd Ireland, 27th Open Moran & Bowden with pigeon bred by Andy Moran, 3rd Ireland, 31st Open another for Taximush with second pigeon bred by Garret Hensey, 4th Ireland, 33rd Open Jackpot Lofts with pigeon bred by Karl Donnelly, 5th Ireland, 111th Open another for Taximush with a third pigeon bred by Garret Hensey and 6th Ireland, 349th Open H+C Thorpe - McMorrow bred by this partnership. A FANTASTIC RESULT FOR THE SOUTHERN IRELAND TEAM.
A total of 46 Southern Ireland pigeons were officially clocked by 13.06 and then 55 by 19.10 leaving 20 South Ireland pigeons to return to the race loft. The clock was left on during Monday final Loft List at 19.16 showed that 60 Southern Ireland pigeons were in the race loft, leaving 15 still to return to the race loft.

SOUTHERN IRELAND COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3. There were no entries.

SOUTHERN IRELAND COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES has a total of just 8 pigeons entered and the winners were as follows:- 1st and US$125 (£100) PHILIP & MARK with pigeon named RHYS bred by this partnership with a velocity of 17.36m/s, 2nd and US$75 (£60) PHILIP & MARK SMITH with pigeon named FLORANCE and bred by this partnership with a velocity of 17.291m/s and then 3rd and US$50 (£40) PHILIP & MARK SMITH with a pigeon bred by this partnership with a velocity of 16.343m/s. WELL DONE TO THE WINNERS.


SOUTHERN IRELAND COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES has a total of just 8 pigeons entered and after 10 races holding 1st Philip & Mark Smith with pigeon named Florance bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 15.47.06.14, 2nd Philip & Mark Smith with pigeon named Rhys and bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 18.01.52.77. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE FANCIERS.

THE OVERALL AVERAGES which offers a US$10,000 (£8,000) 1st Prize, a US$5,000 (£4,000) 2nd Prize and a US$2,500 (£2,000) 3rd Prize at the end of the completed race series are now up and running and after 10 races and stands as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to CHRIS TURNER from UNITED KINGDOM with pigeon named PEBBLES bred by CHRIS TURNER & DEBBIE NEALE from COVENTRY, UNITED KINGDOM with a combined flying time of 14.34.45.44 up 20 places from the last race. 2nd OPEN goes to DARLING & EDE with pigeon named SOUTHAMPTON ELLOUISE bred by this partnership from SOUTHAMPTON, UNITED KINGDOM with a combined flying time of 14.36.16.22 up 11 places from the last race. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 1st OPEN and 2nd UNITED KINGDOM, 2nd OPEN both go to the above mentioned fanciers as there are holding these top positions against a total of 3,622 pigeons. 1st SOUTHERN IRELAND, 119th OPEN goes to MORAN & BOWDEN with pigeon named BIG ROBERTO bred by ANDY MORAN with a combined flying time of 15.01.03.93 up 105 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.

*****SPECIAL NOTIFICATION:- After this bad Hot Spot Car Race 3 the Race Management Committee decided to alter the Training Races for the next few days, to give the pigeons that had a night out time to rest up before being put in the basket again. It was decided to have a Training Race BT01 from 62km (39 miles) on Tuesday 8th January 2019 and this race would not count in The Overall Averages. Around 2,200 pigeons were basketed and liberated at 07.20 clear conditions and a temperature of 20c (68f) and a good steady race was anticipated. The 1st Open was ALI BARRAK ALBADHANI from KUWAIT with his pigeon named BLUE and was clocked at 08.11.30.01 and took just over 51 minutes, recording a winning velocity of 1340 ypm, 1203.9m/m, 20.065m/s or 45mph. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 2nd OPEN was ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS TREASURE bred by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET. 1st SOUTHERN IRELAND, 3rd OPEN went to GERRY McCOURT with pigeon named ADAMS CHOICE and bred by GERRY McCOURT. Anybody that wants to see a full result it can be seen by logging onto the SAMDPR Website at www.samdpr.com By 11.15 a total of 2,189 pigeons had been officially clocked, leaving just a few to return to the race loft.

Numerous “Loft Reports”, “Updates”, “Photographs” and “Videos” have been placed on the informative SAMDPR website for all to see and these are all available now on the dedicated website www.samdpr.com

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU AND MANY THANKS AGAIN TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, I CAN ASSURE YOU IT REALLY IS GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ME AND OF COURSE THE RACE ORGANISERS, AIR SPORT INTERNATIONALE.

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 2018/19 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$38 Million American Dollars (£26 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 23rd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE will be the same as paid out for THE 22nd SAMDPR.

As mentioned earlier only races of 50km (approx. 31 miles) will count towards The 23rd South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three superb cash prizes of US$10,000 (approx. £8,000), US$5,000 (approx. £4.000) and US$2,500 (approx. £2,000) 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.
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 2018/19 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 valued at US$16,000 (£12,308), 1 for the First Activated Pigeon in each of the 5 x Car Races, also plus 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), these 95 x US$1,100 Cash Prizes are 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 an overall 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 2nd February 2019 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. In The 22nd SAMDPR, Karl Donnelly from Ireland won this fantastic prize, when his pigeon won 5th OPEN.
PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 23rd 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 seven brand new motor cars have been won by fanciers representing the United Kingdom Team in the last seven years, Richard Elliott/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 UK 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. Alistair Hogg also won a brand new motor car during the 2017/18 race series. This in itself was an outstanding team performance. No other country has ever won three cars on the trot. Also an Southern Irish fancier named John Nash also won a brand new motor car in the 2008/9 race series. Garret Hensey from Southern Ireland has just won a brand new motor car in HSCR3. I am very hopeful that somebody from the United Kingdom or Ireland will also win one or maybe more brand new motor cars during the 2018/19 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.starpigeons.com www.pigeonpixels.co.uk www.theloftreport.com www.oneloftracing.com www.ukpigeonracing.co.uk www.AvianExportServices.com www.pigeonnetwork.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 24th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been provisionally agreed and confirmed by the race organisers as SATURDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2020. (However, this date is still awaiting final confirmation).
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 24th SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2019 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2019. 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 2018/19 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 23rd 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 2nd February 2019. 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