“THIRD INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”.
ON
TRAINING RACES 5 & 6.
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 STARTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE.
LIVESTREAM was up and running at the race loft so I woke up early an logged on at 05.20 (GMT) on Saturday morning at home to watch the pigeons arrive from TR5. Once again it is fantastic to be able to sit nearly 6,000 miles away and watch the pigeon arrive back home. The weather looked outstanding, lovely clear blue sky and very little wind. It was not long before the first small gang arrived at 07.35 (SA time) or 05.35 (GMT), a group of about 30 pigeons appeared swung round the loft and were joined by a few more small gangs, then all of a sudden hundreds hit the landing platform and started to trap. I also had my iPad ready for the result and all of a sudden I showed 1st OPEN had gone to GERMANY. The pigeons just fell out of the sky with literally hundreds being clocked within a few minutes of the winner, in fact over 2,000 pigeons were officially clocked within 10 minutes of the actual race winner. https://youtu.be/jyINNgbrnO8 TRAINING RACE 5 took place on Saturday 3rd December 2016 from 114km (71 miles) and a total of 3,705 pigeons were basketed from 35 different countries and this total included 3,434 International and 271 South African pigeons and this total also included 294 from the United Kingdom and 49 from Ireland. A total of 218 pigeons were held back and not basketed, these included 10 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland, these were all left in the lofts because they had made mistakes earlier in the week. Total still in the loft was 3,923 pigeons. The convoy were liberated at 06-00 in fine and clear conditions, with a light head wind, 15c (58f) and a good race was anticipated. The temperature was expected to rise to during the day. CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to HEGEMANN RACING TEAM from GERMANY with pigeon named LAURASCHONWIEDER bred by Kuehn, which was officially clocked at 07.34.48.20 to record a winning velocity of 1316ypm (20.0415 m/s) (45mph), 2nd Kader, Nadia, Ahmed, Bouwer & Moerat from South Africa, 3rd John Labat from United States Of America, 4th Saleh Abdullah Buhimal from Saudi Arabia, 5th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 6th another for Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 7th Lothar Krueger from Germany, 8th Guido Barth from Germany, 9th Kolvenbag & Son from United States Of America, 10th Clarke & Kittow from United Kingdom, 11th Donnelly & Kirkwood from Ireland, 12th Obaid Wasmi from Kuwait, 13th Karl Heinz & Timo Wagner from Germany, 14th Mohammed Rasam from Kuwait, 15th Gordon Meng from United States Of America, 16th Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 17th Defaulter Pigeon, 18th JALISCO from United States Of America, 19th Team Schilling – Klusak from United States Of America and 20th Al-Watri Lofts from Kuwait. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 47.89 seconds and had 7 different countries represented in the top 20 and 11 different countries in the top 50, only 1 minute 20.39 seconds away from the actual race winner. This race resulted as another with fantastic returns with 3,503 pigeons being officially recorded by 18.08, leaving just 202 to make it back to the lofts. I am sure a few more will work back during Sunday. A Loft Listing appeared on the SAMDPR website on Monday morning and this showed that 3,857 pigeons were now in the race loft and this total included 302 from the UK and 48 from Ireland. So all in all a great start with very few losses over the first 5 official races. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 10th OPEN went to CLARKE & KITTOW and with their pigeon named DAN THE MAN which was bred by P & D. CLARKE from TAUNTON, which was officially clocked at 07.35.06.15, just 17.95 seconds away from the race winner. 2nd UK, 37th Open K Consultancy with pigeon bred by S. Smit & C. Barnes, 3rd UK, 38th Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 4th UK, 40th Open Zandys Dream Team with pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 5th UK, 44th Open Crammond, Langstaff & Gilbert from Fontwell, 6th UK, 63rd Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 7th UK, 73rd Open Les Green GB with pigeon bred Les Green from Irlam, 8th UK, 78th Open Estuary Syndicate with pigeon bred by them, 9th UK, 116th Open Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot, 10th UK, 136th Open Alistair Hogg from Winchburgh, 11th UK, 139th Open Rutland Lofts with pigeon bred by AJ Whitehouse, 12th UK, 143rd Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 13th UK, 160th Open Jutla Brothers from Upton Park with pigeon bred by this partnership, 14th UK, 192nd Open a second pigeon for Millys Loft again bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 15th UK, 205th Open UK Elite Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Lee Fribbins from Fratting, 16th UK, 209th Open another for Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 17th UK, 236th Open Gran Canaria One Loft with pigeon bred by Phil Bates & Son, 18th UK, 245th Open another for K Consultancy with a second pigeon bred by S. Smit & C. Barnes, 19th UK, 257th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and then 20th UK, 271st Open a third pigeon for K Consultancy and with pigeon bred by S. Smit & C. Barnes, great performance guys, you sent 3 pigeons and clocked them all. All these 20 UK pigeons were clocked within 2 minutes and 56.20 seconds of the race winner. Another great race with 240 UK pigeons being officially clocked by 08.26, then 268 up to 10.52 and then 279 by 18.08, leaving just 15 to return to base camp. The Monday morning Loft Listing showed 302 UK pigeons in the loft. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 11th OPEN went to DONNELLY & KIRKWOOD with their pigeon named CHARLIE 1, bred by KARL DONNELLY which was officially clocked at 07.35.07.34, just 19.14 seconds after the actual race winner. 2nd Ireland, 256th Open Gerry McCourt, 3rd Ireland, 604th Open Grove Hill Lofts, 4th Ireland, 730th Open H+C Thorpe – McMorrow, 5th Ireland, 804th Open Maurice O’Donnell and then 6th Ireland, 809th Open Philip & Mark Smith. A good race with 21 pigeons being officially clocked by 07.44, then 43 by 08.26 and 46 by 10.52, then 46 Irish pigeons were home 18.08, leaving just 3 to return to the race loft. The Monday mornigg Loft Listing showed 48 Irish pigeons in the loft. THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 5 official races now stand as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to JOSEF HOELSCHER from GERMANY with his pigeon named LAURENZ and bred by JISEF HOELSCHER, actual flying time 05.51.09.19, with 377th TR1, 42nd TR2, 158th TR3, 100th TR4 and now 131st TR5, 2nd Open goes to Henning, Keller & Kornelius from Germany and 3rd Open goes to Lothar Krueger from Germany. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 28th OPEN goes to CARLOS DREAM SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named CARLOS MAGIC bred by JOS REILLY from DUBLIN, actual flying time of 06.01.20.40, with 26th TR1, 697th TR2, 421st TR3, 531st TR4 and now 773rd TR5, 2nd UNITED KINGDOM, 39th Open is Zandy Dream Team with pigeon named Zandys Pride bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and 3rd UNITED KINGDOM, 100th Open is Gran Canaria One Loft with pigeon named Zag and bred by Mark Williams from Prestatyn. 1st IRELAND, 186th OPEN goes to DONNELLY & KIRKWOOD with their pigeon named CHARLIE 1 bred by KARL DONNELLY, actual flying time 06.15.15.94, with 1542nd TR1, 557th TR2, 207th TR3, 671st TR4 and now 11th TR5, 2nd IRELAND, 226th Open is G&J. Douglas with their pigeon named Lurgen Belle and 3rd IRELAND, 295th Open another for Donnelly & Kirkwood with pigeon named Kelly 1. GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on TR5 amounted to US$6,770.25c (£5,642) and there was a total of 343 pigeons actually entered which included 10 from the UK and 1 from IRELAND and there was 972 nominations and all this money in this race was won by pigeons in the top 78 positions. There were two UK winners as follows:- LES GREEN GB from IRLAM with his pigeon named IRLAM PIONEER that won 73rd OPEN winning US45.90c (£38) for its efforts, ESTUARY SYNDICATE took 78th OPEN with their pigeon named SANTA 1 which won US$13.60c (£12) for its efforts. More short training will take place on Monday and Tuesday giving these pigeons even more confidence and experience to cope with TR6 on Wednesday 7th December and what was in front of them over the next two months. LIVESTREAM was once again up and running and I logged on bright and early at 05.00 GMT (07.00 SA) time, the weather was slightly overcast with the sun trying to break through and I did not have to wait long until I saw a gang of about 60 pigeons swing round the loft and hit the landing area at 07.23, before they could trap another gang of about 100, then another gang of about 40 landed. The pigeons started to trap and before I knew it there was well over 100 recorded with 1st OPEN position going to a Kuwai fancier. Within a few minutes over 1,000 pigeons had been officially recorded. https://youtu.be/yO-Ltes4V1M TRAINING RACE 6 was held on Wednesday 7th December 2016 from 114km (71 miles) and for this race a total of 3,627 pigeons from 35 different countries were basketed and this included 3,349 International and 278 South Africa pigeons and this figure also included 292 from the United Kingdom and 48 from Ireland. A total of 240 pigeons were not basketed, these included 9 from the United Kingdom and just 1 from Ireland, these were all left in the loft because they had made mistakes in earlier training. So the total still in loft was 3,867 pigeons. The convoy were liberated at 06.00 with a light head wind and in fine and cool conditions and a temperature of 16c (60f). The convoyer reported that the pigeons split into two big packs when liberated and both headed in an opposite direction. As the day progressed the temperature would steadily rise to around 31c (90f) during the day but it would feel more like 36c (100f). CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to ALDAHOUM LOFT from KUWAIT with super pigeon named BENT ALFAAKHER bred by ALDAHOUM LOFT, which was officially clocked at 07.23.18.75 to record a winning velocity of 1,506ypm (22.8057 m/s) (51mph), this winning pigeon is flying exceptionally well with 311th TR1, 270th TR2, 2nd TR3, 14th TR4, 733rd TR5 and now 1st TR6, surely one to look out for in Hot Spot Car Race 1, it has already won US$3,587 in Nominations for its owner. 2nd Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 3rd Fast n Furious Syndicate from South Africa, 4th Jan Hooymans – Hu Zhen Yu from Netherlands, 5th Alina Patru from United States Of America, 6th Karel Klemens from Czech Republic, 7th Abdullah Bohaimed from Kuwait, 8th Fayez Q8 from Kuwait, 9th Hussain Ali Aldahoum from Kuwait, 10th Deroose-Desmeyter from Belgium, 11th another for Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 12th Comb van Wanrooij from Netherlands, 13th another for Abdullah Bohaimed from Kuwait, 14th Salah Abdullah Buhimal from Saudi Arabia, 15th a third pigeon for Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 16th Team Maas from Germany, 17th Team Florea Sorin from Romania, 18th Ado Family Loft from United States Of America, 19th ZG Helios – B Bucher + O Gehrken from Switzerland and 20th Ali Lashkanani from Kuwait. The top twenty were separated by just 34.90 seconds and had 10 different countries represented in this result and what made this race result even better was the first four pigeons were all from different countries with 13 different countries represented in the top 50 and these were 53.90 seconds apart. A total of 3,423 pigeons were officially clocked up to 08.45, then 3,485 up to 09.19. A further update showed 3,520 pigeons were officially recorded by 10.08, then 3,543 by 13.36. The last loft list showed that 3,550 pigeons had been officially recorded by 17.01, leaving just 77 pigeons to make it back to base camp, however I am fairly sure that a few more will work back early on Thursday morning. With the 211 pigeons that were not sent that were still in the lofts the total left was now 3,761 pigeons. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 39th OPEN went to R BARTLEY & W GARDNER, with their pigeon named MISTY BLUE which was bred by this partnership from LANCASTER, which was officially clocked at 07.24.03.15 just 44.40 seconds away from the actual race winner. 2nd UK, 51st Open Alistair Hogg from Winchburgh, 3rd UK, 70th Open Paul Smith – Regency Lofts from Stansted Mountfitchet, 4th UK, 85th Open Paul Bamford from Pembroke Dock, 5th UK, 101st Open Les Green GB from Irlam, 6th UK, 126th Open Tim Atkin from Rugby, 7th UK, 134th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 8th UK, 156th Open Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Paul & Tracey Stacey from Sleaford, 9th UK, 159th Open Zandys Dream Team with pigeon bred by Paul Smith, 10th UK, 165th Open Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot, 11th UK, 176th Open Clarke & Kittow with pigeon bred by them from Taunton, 12th UK, 203rd Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 13th UK, 208th Open Estuary Syndicate with pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 14th UK, 209th Open UK Elite Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Lee Fribbins from Fratting, 15th UK, 210th Open another for Millys Loft with a second pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 16th UK, 212th Open Robbo with pigeon bred by Norman Robinson from Bridlington, 17th UK, 217th Open a third pigeon for Millys Loft with a third pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 18th UK, 231st Open another for Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot, 19th UK, 246th Open Oberholster Racing Team with another pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe and 20th UK, 257th Open Alan Richardson from Whitby. A total of 274 pigeons from the United Kingdom were officially recorded up to 08.44. A later update loft list issued showed 279 UK pigeon had returned to the lofts by 09.19 and then 285 by 13.36 and by nightfall a total of 286 had been officially recorded, leaving 6 still to return to the lofts, however I am sure a few more will work back in the next few days. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 344th OPEN went to JOHN BRYNE & SONS with their pigeon named SADHBH and bred by this fancier, which was officially clocked at 07.28.30.25, just 5 minutes 11.50 seconds behind the actual race winner. 2nd Ireland, 385th Open Joe Kennedy & Son, 3rd Ireland, 405th Open Donnelly & Kirkwood, 4th Ireland, 482nd Open Pat Maher, 5th Ireland, 606th Open Gerry McCourt who is the Irish Race Co-ordinator and 6th Ireland, 639th Open another for Donnelly & Kirkwood. A total of 43 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 08.45, with a later report showing 44 were clocked by 09.19 and then 46 by 13.36 with no more back by nightfall, leaving just 2 to return to the loft. THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 6 official races now stand as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to HENNING, KELLER & KORNELIUS from GERMANY with their pigeon named VRONI bred by M. KELLER, actual flying time 07.17.18.94 with 308th TR1, 25th TR2, 353rd TR3, 54th TR4, 793rd TR5 and now 23rd TR6. 2nd Open goes to Lothar Krueger from Germany and 3rd Open goes to Aldahoum Loft from Kuwait. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 24th OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, with pigeon named ZANDYS PRIDE bred by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET, actual flying time 07.31.14.99 with 403rd TR1, 632nd TR2, 1318th TR3, 146th TR4, 491st TR5 and now 379th TR6, 2nd UNITED KINGDOM, 44th Open goes to Carlos Dream Syndicate with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin and 3rd UNITED KINGDOM, 37th Open goes to Manchester Maestros with pigeon bred by John Crehan from Manchester. 1st IRELAND, 109th OPEN goes to DONNELLY & KIRKWOOD, actual flying time 07.44.06.94, with pigeon named CHARLIE 1 bred by KARL DONNELLY with 1542nd TR1, 557th TR2, 207th TR3, 671st TR4, 11th TR5 and now 405th TR6, 2nd IRELAND, 226th Open goes to G&J Douglas and 3rd IRELAND, 306th Open also goes to Safat Duran. GLOBAL NOMINATIONS on TR6 amounted to US$4,992.05c (£4,160) and there was a total of 290 pigeons actually entered which included 9 from the UK and 1 from Ireland and there was 823 nominations and all this money in this race was won by pigeons in the top 120 positions. There were no UK winners in this race. UNITED KINGDOM NOMINATIONS showed 7 pigeons with 7 nominations and the £5.95p went to PIETER OBERHOLSTER from KEYSOE with his pigeon named TRY AGAIN which took 246th Open. More short training tosses will take place on Thursday and Friday providing the weather is OK in preparation for Hot Spot Car Race 1 on Saturday 10th December from 150km (93 miles). PROPOSED RACE PROGRAMME:- The remaining Training Races, Mid-Week Races and Saturday Races during 2016/17 race series are now listed as follows:- HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 from 150km (93 miles) on Saturday 10th December 2016, Training Race 7 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 14th December 2016, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 from 200km (124 miles) on Saturday 17th December 2016, Training Race 8 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 21st December 2016, Training Race 9 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 24th December 2016, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 from 250km (155 miles) on Wednesday 28th December 2016, Training Race 10 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 31st December 2016, Training Race 11 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 4th January 2017, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 from 300km (187 miles) on Saturday 7th January 2017, Training Race 12 from 62km (39 miles) on Wednesday 11th January 2017, Training Race 13 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 14th January 2017, Training Race 14 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 18th January 2017, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 from 350km (218 miles) on Saturday 21st January 2017, Training Race 15 from 62km (39 miles) on Wednesday 25th January 2017, Training Race 16 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 28th January 2017, then THE FINAL RACE from 550km (342 miles) on Saturday 4th February 2017. These dates are not be set in stone and if the proposed date for any of these races is not suitable for liberation, then these will take place on the next best day in that week. Daily training will also take place during the week providing the weather is suitable. No training will take place on Sundays unless of course a holdover takes place on the Saturday race. The Overall Averages and the allocated US$17,500 (£14,000) Prize Money will only count in races of 50km (31 miles) and over. ***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** I am sorry that I can’t add all the information about who bred all the pigeons or where they live as I can only publish details which I am in possession of. If there are no details besides your winning pigeon/s then please contact me on reglofts@aol.com with your details and I will include these in my later International Press Reports. I personally do 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 2016/17 training and race series. NOMINATION RACES will be held and officially started on TRAINING RACE 2, plus the HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and of course the FINAL RACE. See SAMDPR Web Site for full details. All these races will have US$1, US$2, US£5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 REGIONAL and US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 GLOBAL NOMINATIONS which can be placed on THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR Web Site. If you wish to enter any of these NOMINATIONS, you will have to have credit in your ASI Master Account. If you do not have credit then please forward funds to your Race Shipper so that this can be transferred to your Master Account in time to get your NOMINATIONS placed. Please do not leave it to the last minute to transfer funds as the transfer may not go through in time and this could result in your pigeon or pigeons not winning what they should be rewarded with. It should be mentioned that REGIONAL & GLOBAL NOMINATIONS during the 2015/16 race series actually paid out a 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. ***SPECIAL NOTICE*** One point that should be pointed out to all competitors and entrants is that only your NUMBER 1 pigeons is “ACTIVATED” (FULLY PAID UP ENTRY) with the other TWO (2) pigeons in each of your “TEAM OF 3” being your RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS. Another point worth mentioning is if you happened to lose your NUMBER 1 PIGEON, your NUMBER 2 PIGEON would replace it FREE OF CHARGE and likewise if you then lost your NUMBER 2 PIGEON, your NUMBER 3 PIGEON would then replace that one FREE OF CHARGE. If you were unlucky enough to lose all your entries of 3 pigeons in any of your “TEAMS” and they had won no “Special Prize Money” in the new HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 then you are entitled to a FREE ENTRY into the 22nd SAMDPR and all you have to pay is the official shipping/export costs to your Country Shipper. This offer can only be actioned once, for example if you lost your team in your first year, you would get a Free Entry the following year but then if you lost all your pigeons in that year, the offer does not count. This of course represents great value for your money. All pigeons go to every training toss and Saturday and Wednesday races providing they are fit enough but can only compete for any of the allocated PRIZE MONEY or SPECIAL AWARDS in the 5 x HOT SPOT CAR RACES if they are “ACTIVATED” and that means that these must be paid for prior to the HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1, which is due to take place on SATURDAY 10th DECEMBER 2016 from 150km (approx. 93 miles). The cost to “ACTIVATE” these “RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS” is US$1,100 (approx. £880)(THIS OF COURSE MAY CHANGE SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE AT THE TIME OF ACTIVATION) but that will then entitle all these fully paid up pigeons to compete and be eligible to fly for all the extra cash prizes and special awards that amounts to close to US$300,000 (approx. £240,000). The one thing to remember is that once your reserve pigeon or pigeons are fully paid for, if then they get lost and have won no prize money or special awards in the Special Money Races, then you will get US$1,000 paid back into your ASI Account, which can then be used to purchase another pigeon at a later date and be entered into the Final Race under your name or syndicate or even under another name of your choice. So as you can see it is “BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY” and pay for them early, after all you have nothing to lose. HOW MANY OTHER PIGEON RACES IN THE WORLD OFFER THIS SORT OF OPTION TO COMPETITORS AND ENTRANTS? ***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2016/17 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and awards now add up to a staggering US$2.2 Million American Dollars £1.76 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 (£880) 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 (£880) Cash Prizes for each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, a US$5,000 (£4,000) 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 (£1,600) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, A Three Bird Average Competition and a US$3,000 (£2,400) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, The South African Million Dollar Ace Pigeon Award carries US$17,500 in Prize Money, split into three cash prizes with 1st US$10,000 (£8,000), 2nd US$5,000 (£4,000) and 3rd US$2,500 (£2,000) 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 (£20,000) Prize Money, which starts on the Car Race Hot Spot 2 and the winner is the first one to be clocked in the “FINAL RACE” (over the past few years there has been around 40/60 pigeons still left in this competition). There will also be 3 x Country Cash Prizes of US$125 (£100), US$75 (£60) and US$50 (£40) in each of the first 4 x Car Race Hot Spots (1 to 4). In the 5th Car Race Hot Spot US$70 (£56) from every entry will be added to the starting Prize Money of US$250 (£200) 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 after the FINAL RACE. There is an Entry Fee of US$120 (£96) per pigeon to enter these two Country Challenge Competitions and has to be paid for before the basketing for the 5th Car Race Hot Spot. The COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON, all countries participating will be given a US$200 (£160) starting Prize Money and US$40 (£32) from each Country Challenge entry fee goes to the “WINNER TAKES ALL” cash prize, which will be awarded to the first Country Challenge pigeon in the Grand Averages per each competing country after the SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON FINAL RACE. The pigeon that wins this award will be named the COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON. It should also be mentioned that during the 2015/16 race series the COUNTRY CHALLENGE paid out US$52,270 (£42,000) in PRIZE MONEY. Then in the “FINAL RACE” on the 4th February 2017 there are also 10 magnificent platinum pendants to be won worth well over US$1,000 (£800) each and now over US$1 Million American Dollars in Prize Money and 300 cash prizes being on offer. THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE & US$1,000 (approx. £800) 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. £68,000). (ONLY “ACTIVATED” PIGEONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE FOR ANY OF THESE SPECIAL CASH PRIZES OR AWARDS). This new competition was very well supported in its first year and had over 160 entries and was so successful that it also paid out a staggering 2nd prize of US$54,000 cash. Do not miss this fantastic opportunity to win a fabulous new car. 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. PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 21st SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR FINAL RACE, IS NOW AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$200,000 (approx. £160,000), 2nd US$125,000 (approx. £100,000), 3rd US$75,000 (approx. £60,000), 4th US$50,000 (approx. £40,000), 5th US$35,000 (approx. £28,000), 6th US$20,000 (£16,000), 7th US$17,500 (£14,000), 8th US$15,000 (£12,000), 9th US$12,500 (£10,000), 10th US$8,000 (approx. £10,000), 11th/15th US$7,000 each (approx. £5,600), 16th/20th US$5,000 each (approx. £4,000), 21st/30th US$3,500 each (approx. £2,800), 31st/40th US$3,000 each (approx. £2,400), 41st/50th US$2,500 each (approx. £2,000), 51st/70th US$2,000 each (£1,600), 71st/100th US$1,750 each (£1,400), 101st/150th US$1,500 each (£1,200), 151st/200th US$1,100 each (£880) and then 201st/250th US$1,000 each (£800), 251st/300th US$500 each (£400). (Subject to terms and conditions of entry). The actual cash prizes stated above represent exchange rates at the current time and may of course change at the time of each race depending what the currency exchange rate is on the actual race day. A total of US$1,002,500 Million American Dollars (£802,000 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, Richard Elliott 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. 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 2016/17 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 plus of course they will also be published in the “”BRITISH HOMING WORLD” and “THE RACING PIGEON” weeklies and other world pigeon publications for all to see, read and enjoy. The race date for THE 22nd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been agreed and confirmed by the race organisers as SATURDAY 3th FEBRUARY 2018. If you are interested in participating or acting a Country Race Team Shipper/Co-ordinator, then please contact me as soon as possible on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or SMS or email on reglogfts@aol.com and I will give you all the information you require. My two proposed shipping dates for THE 22nd SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2017 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2017. 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 lofts. 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 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. 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 PIGEON FANCIERS/SYNDICATES & ENTRANTS WORLDWIDE DURING THE 2016/17 RACE SERIES. Paul Smith, United Kingdom Race Team Co-ordinator/Shipper and International Race Co-ordinator for The 21st 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 4th February 2017. 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]]>