“FIRST INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”

THE 20th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR

“PLATINUM EDITION”

(THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD)

(THE GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD)

DUE TO BE HELD IN LINBRO PARK, SANDTON, JOHANNESBURG,

SOUTH AFRICA ON SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2016.

     ANOTHER RACE SEASON STARTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE.

THE FANTASTIC MONTECASINO COMPLEX, FOURWAYS, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA WILL

BE HOSTING THE 20th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE.

RESULTS FOR HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 & TRAINING RACE 8.

 
The pigeons in the two race lofts a Linbro Park are now after numerous Training Races and two Hot Spot Car Races really getting used to the training programme and have a great line back to the lofts. They are also now coping with the extremely hot weather conditions this year, plus of course the regular South Africa thunderstorms.
 
These are the rest of the races in the 2015/16 race series:- HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 from 250km (155 miles) on Monday 28th December 2015, Training Race 9 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 2nd January 2016, Training Race 10 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 6th January, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 from 300km (187 miles) on Saturday 9th January, Training Race 11 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 13th January, Training Race 12 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 16th January, Training Race 13 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 20th January, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 from 350km (218 miles) on Saturday 23rd January, Training Race 14 from 40km (25 miles) on Wednesday 27th January, Training Race 15 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 30th January, then THE FINAL RACE from 550km (342 miles) on Saturday 6th February 2016. The dates are not be set in stone and if the proposed date for any of these races is not suitable for liberation, then these will take place on the next best day in that week. Daily training will also take place during the week providing the weather is suitable. No training will take place on Sundays unless of course a holdover takes place on the Saturday race. The Overall Averages and the allocated Prize Money will only count in races of 50km (31 miles) and over.
 
All the United Kingdom Team fanciers/entrants and syndicate shareholders will be kept up to date with weekly “NEWSLETTERS” plus any of them or in fact anybody 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.
 
LIVESTREAM was once again available for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 so I duly logged on at 05.30 (GMT) or 07.30 SA time and noticed it there was a lovely blue sky, no clouds and a nice breeze at the race lofts. I did not have to wait very long before a pigeon arrived all on its own at 07.37 but that subsequently turned out to be a pigeon that had come back from a previous race. Shortly after at 07.41 the first gang of about 25 pigeons duly arrived bang on line and did a lap of honour before landing on the traps and loft 2, immediately they landed the tape recording was put on and whilst another gang of about 40 arrived, followed by two more gangs of about 50 pigeons. All these pitched on the race lofts and started to trap. Within a few minutes literally hundreds of pigeons were officially recorded by the Deister Electronic Clocking System. It was also great to see that now the pigeons are flying longer, it seems they are also trapping much quicker.
 
HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 took take place on Saturday 19th December from 184km (114 miles). The convoy were liberated at 05.30 in fine, cool and clear conditions, with a light head wind at liberation but slightly assisting them on route and with a temperature of 18c (64f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated. Light rain showers were expected around 08.00 and again at 14.00. The temperature was expected to rise to 33c (94f) during the afternoon. Of course the majority of the pigeons liberated would be home and tucked up in the race lofts by the time the rain arrived.
 
CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to DARRELL BARTZ from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named HAPPY HOUR and bred by MICHAEL SERRAO, which was officially clocked at 07.41.47.21 to record a winning velocity of 1520ypm (52mph). Then 2nd Kelley – Buckner from United States Of America, 3rd Ken Easley from United States Of America, 4th SG Altmiks + Soudy from Germany, 5th Sabine u Ralf Kurth from Germany, 6th Franz Kleinhans from Germany, 7th Zandys Dream Team from United Kingdom, 8th Wilfon – Rhodes from United States Of America, 9th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 10th Franssens – Verhaeghe from Belgium, 11th Henri & Petra Stiglingh from South Africa, 12th Maria Krempler from Austria, 13th Klaus Wuestefeld from Germany, 14th Premier Stud UK Syndicate from United Kingdom, 15th Larakin from Australia, 16th Karel + Michal Krutil from Czech Republic,
17th Piotr Surowiec from United States Of America, 18th another for Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America,
19th Ron Pairan from United States Of America and 20th Susan Bennett from United Kingdom. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 31.99 seconds and had 8 different countries represented in the top 20 and 14 different countries represented in the top 50, only 57.99 seconds away from the actual race winner. A great race for the United States Of America with 8 pigeons in the top 20, Germany 4 and the United Kingdom had 3.
 
THE BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR was won by DARRELL BARTZ from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his pigeon named HAPPY HOUR which was bred by DARRELL BARTZ. WELL DONE FOR WINNING THE SECOND CAR OF THE 2015/16 RACE SERIES, AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT. 
 
THE 19 x US$1,100 (£745) CASH PRIZES for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 were won by positions 2nd to 16th which are all mentioned above. However the pigeons that won 17th (United States Of America) was NOT-ACTIVATED so was not eligible to win one of these top cash prizes. So the pigeon in 21st spot from the Netherlands walked away with a bonus US$1,100 (£745) cash prize. SO ONCE AGAIN IT PROVES THAT YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ACTIVATE YOUR “RESERVE PIGEONS” BEFORE BASKETING FOR HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1. After just two Hot Spot Car Races seven pigeons have now not won a US$1,100 Cash Prize for their performance because their owners had NOT-ACTIVATED there pigeons.
Still the good news for other fancier that has ACTIVATED their pigeon is that seven of these have now won a bonus US$1,100 Cash Prize.
 
HOT SPOT CAR RACE ACE PIGEON after two races is as follows: 1st OPEN SJ VAN UDEN from NETHERLAND with his pigeon named STAN with a flying time of 01.39.39.79.
 
TWO PIGEON TEAM AVERAGE FOR HSCR2 is 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 1st OPEN plus US$2,000 (£1,355) was won by ZANDYS DREAM TEAM (TEAM 2) from the UNITED KINGDOM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with their two pigeons named ZANDYS CHOICE (7th) and ZANDYS MEMORY (35th) bred by this syndicate with total velocity of 46.372 m/s. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 1st OPEN was ZANDYS DREAM TEAM (TEAM 2) with their two pigeons named ZANDYS CHOICE (7th) and ZANDYS MEMORY (35th) (which are nest-mates) bred by this syndicate with a total velocity of 46.372 m/s. Taking 1st IRELAND, 63rd OPEN was JAMES KING (TEAM 1) with his two pigeons named ALEC (292nd) and SENAN (671st) bred by JAMES KING with a total velocity of 43.308 m/s.
 
THREE PIGEON TEAM AVERAGE FOR HSCR2 is 1st POLAND, 1st OPEN plus US$3,000 (£2,032) was won by ORLOWSKI – PUZIO (TEAM 1) with their three pigeons named FINAL COUNTDOWN (51st), ONE 2 WIN (196th) and FENLANDS LYNDSEY (232nd) all bred by PAWEL ORLOWSKI with a total velocity of 67.923. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 18th OPEN was ZANDYS DREAM TEAM (TEAM 2), administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with their three pigeons named ZANDYS CHOICE (7th), ZANDYS MEMORY (35th) and ZANDYS MISSION (1788th) with a total velocity of 62.744 m/s. Taking 1st IRELAND, 13th OPEN was JAMES KING (TEAM 1) with his three pigeons named ALEC (292nd), SENAN (671st) and LEIGH (1265th) bred by JAMMES KING with a total velocity of 62.258 m/s.
 
THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION and its 1st Prize of US$25,000 (£17,000), all entries had to be fully paid for prior to basketing for the 1st HOT SPOT CAR RACE. This great competition offers the following conditions and one lucky winner will walk away with “THE POT OF GOLD” after the FINAL RACE. The rules are as follows:- This competition will take place over the last four Hot Spot Car Races and The Final Race. Only pigeons entered and fully paid for before basketing for the first Hot Spot Car Race will be eligible. Should any Hot Spot Car Race be cancelled one of the Training Races prior to the The Final Race will be used to calculate the next round’s pigeon. This year there was a total of 2,114 pigeons entered, with 1,984 International pigeons which included 176 from the United Kingdom and 35 from Ireland, plus there were 130 South African pigeons. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 and 1,375 (65%) of the entered pigeons returning from this race will move forward to the next round. This total contained 1,273 International pigeons which included 111 pigeons from the United Kingdom, 23 pigeons from Ireland plus 102 pigeons from South Africa. KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 and 757 (55%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 and 265 (35%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 and 53 (20%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. KNOCKOUT FINAL ROUND will take place on THE FINAL RACE on SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2016 and the first of the remaining KNOCKOUT PIGEONS will win the US$25,000 (£17,000) “POT OF GOLD”. THIS REALLY IS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION THAT CREATES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT THE RACE SERIES.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 7th OPEN went to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE, which was bred by this syndicate and which was officially clocked at 07.42.01.25, just 14.04 seconds after the actual race winner. This pigeon is also now leading the OVERALL AVERAGES after 8 races and has already started winning OPEN and UNITED KINGDOM Nominations and Country Challenge Prize Money and now US$1,100 Hot Spot Cash Prize, plus it also won with its nest-mate ZANDYS MEMORY the 2-Bird Average in this race & US$2,000 Prize Money. Then 2nd UK, 14th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, this pigeon also won US$1,100 Hot Spot Cash Prize, 3rd UK, 20th Open Susan Bennett from Darlington with pigeon bred by Ian Stafford from the North East, this pigeon also won US$1,100 Hot Spot Cash Prize, 4th UK, 25th Open Paul Bamford from Pembroke Dock, 5th UK, 35th Open another for Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a second pigeon bred by this syndicate, 6th UK, 57th Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 7th UK, 71st Open another for Premier Stud UK Syndicate and with second pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 8th UK, 98th Open JCT Syndicate with pigeon bred by Julta Brothers from Upton Park, 9th UK, 112th Open Shot In The Dark entered by Stewart Wight from Berwick-Upon-Tweed and with pigeon bred by Chainbridge Lofts, 10th UK, 117th Open Bartley & Tweats and with pigeon bred by J+R Tweats, 11th UK, 141st Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 12th UK, 166th Open Les & Derek Wellburn from Acklam, 13th UK, 180th Open Robert Bartley & W Gardner and with pigeon bred by W Gardner, 14th UK, 184th Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 15th UK, 186th Open another for Premier Stud UK Syndicate and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 16th UK, 188th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 17th UK, 202nd Open Mabin Syndicate with pigeon bred br Andy Mabin from Buckfastleigh, 18th UK, 212th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 19th UK, 230th Open Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot and then 20th UK, 240th Open Oberholster Race Team with pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe.
 
THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGE WINNERS after 8 races are as follows:- 1st UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE total flying time 09.39.53.36, then 2nd UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY total flying time 09.45.33.08, then 3rd UK LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE with pigeon named LUCKY BABE bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH with a combined flying time of 10.03.10.10 then 4th UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS GLORY total flying time 10.07.26.64. All these three pigeons in ZANDYS DREAM TEAM are the same way bred from Fontwell Foxtrot Romeo x Lucky Countess which were two of the best UK pigeon in the 2014/15 races series.
 
THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE WINNERS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 were as follows:- 1st UK ZANDY DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE which won US$125 (£85), then 2nd UK PREMIER STUD UK SYNDICATE with pigeon named PREMIER PERFECTION bred by PREMIER STUD from PATRINGHAM HAVEN which won US$75 (£51) and then 3rd UK was ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY bred by this syndicate which won US$50 (£34).  
 
HOT SPOT CAR RACE AVERAGES after two races in the UNITED KINGDOM TEAM are as follows:- 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE which was bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 03.53.17.04. Then 2nd UNITED KINGDOM, 7th OPEN goes to PREMIER STUD UK SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH and with pigeon named PREMIER PERFECTION and bred by PREMIER STUD from PATRINGHAM HAVEN with a combined flying time of 03.53.57.55. Then 3rd UNITED KINGDOM, 13th OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY with a combined flying time of 03.54.58.45.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 140th OPEN went to DYLAN 7 DANIEL BOYLAN with THEIR pigeon named LUIGI and bred by this partnership, which was officially clocked at 07.45.00.09, just 3 minutes 12.88 seconds after the actual race winner. Then 2nd Ireland, 157th Open Philip & Mark Smith, 3rd Ireland, 291st Open Maurice O’Donnell, 4th Ireland, 292nd Open James King, 5th Ireland, 329th Open Karl Donnelly and then 6th Ireland, 350th Open Safet Duran.
 
HOT SPOT CAR RACE AVERAGES after two races in the IRELAND TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 83rd OPEN PHILIP & MARK SMITH with pigeon named MICHAELAS CHOICE which was bred by this partnership. Then 2nd IRELAND, 120th OPEN goes to MAURICE O’DONNELL with pigeon named LUCKY LOUISE bred by Maurice and with a combined flying time of 04.01.33.20. Then 3rd IRELAND, 145th OPEN goes to KARL DONNELLY with his pigeon named MESSI bred by Karl and with a combined flying time of 04.02.30.01.
 
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 showed 367 pigeons including 34 UK pigeons were entered with 1,299 Nominations and were flying for US$13,257.45c (£8,958) in Nominations. There was only on UK winner with two pigeons and that was ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET taking 7th OPEN with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE and bred by this syndicate which won a very nice US$5,236 (£3,538p) for its efforts. Then again ZANDYS DREAM TEAM taking 35th OPEN with pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY and once again bred by this syndicate which won US$1,589.50c (£1,075) for its efforts. An amazing fact is that these two pigeons are actually nest-mates and are both from Fontwell Foxtrot Romeo x Lucky Countess which were two of the best UK pigeons in the 2014/15 race series and which Paul purchased at the auctions in South Africa after the Final Race.
 
REGIONAL UNITED KINGDOM NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 showed 19 pigeons were entered with 48 Nominations and were flying for US$376.55c (£255) in Nominations. Only one winner and that was the pigeon that took 1st UK, 7th OPEN for ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate and won US$376.55c (£255) for its efforts.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES in the OPEN after 8 races are as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM from UNITED KINGDOM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 09.39.53.36. Then 2nd OPEN goes to ANDREAS MOELLER from GERMANY with his pigeon named KERSSENBROCK PINK bred by TEAM MOELLER with a combined flying time of 09.41.39.50 and then 3rd OPEN goes to HARDY KRUEGER from GERMANY with pigeon named BLACK SPARKLE LH bred by HARDY KREUGER with a combined flying time of 09.42.24.36.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 8 races in the UNITED KINGDOM TEAM are as follows:- 1st UK, 1st OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 09.39.53.36, then 2nd UK, 7th OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY bred by this syndicate and with combined flying time of 09.45.33.08, then 3rd UK, 44th OPEN goes to SHOT IN THE DARK with pigeon named MR DUNDEE bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a combined flying time of 09.56.59.84. ZANDYS CHOICE and ZANDYS MEMORY are nest-mates and are bred from FONTWELL FOXTROT ROMEO x LUCKY COUNTESS two of the best performing pigeons in the UK Team in the 2014/15 race series.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 8 races in the IRISH TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 22nd OPEN goes to DYLAN & DANIEL BOYLAN with pigeon named PHILO and bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 09.52.50.20, then 2nd IRELAND, 70th OPEN goes to SAFET DURAN with his pigeon named BOSNIAN PREDATOR with a combined flying time of 10.02.25.16, then 3rd IRELAND, 137th OPEN goes to ROBBIE DALY with his pigeon named MR POTATO HEAD and bred by this fancier with a combined flying time of 10.10.16.48.
 
More short training took place on Monday and Tuesday giving these pigeons more confidence and experience to cope with what was in front of them. On the Tuesday afternoon the temperature in Linbro Park rose to a staggering 37c (102f), just as well all the pigeons were sitting in the race lofts at this time.
 
LIVESTREAM was once again available for TRAINING RACE 8 but just after I logged on at 05.40 (GMT) or 07.40 South African time. The transmission showed a lovely morning in Linbro Park, blue sky, no clouds and a light breeze, however the wind did pick up whilst I was watching. I thought about 08.15 then all of a sudden one big gang of about 100/150 pigeons bang on line arrived at 09.14 and as they landed another massive gang of over 100 arrived bang on line, flew round the lofts and landed and they started to move towards the traps literally hundreds more came bang on line and hit the top of the lofts. Within a few minutes there were literally well over 1,000 pigeons waiting to be clocked by the Deister Electronic Clocking System.
 
TRAINING RACE 8 was held on Wednesday 23rd December 2015 from 76km (47 miles) and the convoy were liberated at 07.15 with a light head wind at liberation and a temperature of 22c (72f) at liberation. A fairly fast race was anticipated. As the day progressed the temperature would rise to around 32c (92f) later in the day.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to TEAM JOACHIM from GERMANY with pigeon named ARTUS bred by TEAM JOACHIM, which was officially clocked at 08.14.58.55 to record a winning velocity of 1379ypm (47mph). Then 2nd Saad Al Abhoul from Kuwait, 3rd Klaus Wuestefeld from Germany, 4th Jochen Huenten from Germany, 5th Victory Lofts from Malta, 6th Team Planica from Slovenia, 7th Aldahoum Loft from Kuwait, 8th Hans & Evert-Jan Eijerkamp from Netherlands, 9th Zamil Alreshedi from Kuwait, 10th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 11th Gaddin Brothers & Charl Stander from South Africa, 12th Abdulla Bin Mathi from Kuwait, 13th Guys Lofts from United Kingdom, 14th Sabine u Ralf Kurth from Germany, 15th Suseni Team from Belgium, 16th Thomas Ammann from Germany, 17th Team Kespohl – Nottebaum from Kuwait, 18th Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 19th another for Abdulla Bin Mathi from Kuwait and 20th Team Ellenbroek – Seelen from Netherlands. The top twenty were separated by just 52.66 seconds and had 9 different countries represented in this result with 12 different countries represented in the top 50 and these were just 1 minute 17.20 seconds apart.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 13th OPEN went to GUYS LOFTS with their pigeon named GRAHAMS FANCY, bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON which was officially clocked at 08.15.40.04. Then 2nd UK, 56th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 3rd UK, 78th Open Keeping Up With The Jones with pigeon bred by Robbie Jones from Southampton, 4th UK, 95th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 5th UK, 98th Open Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot, 6th UK, 111th Open Tadt Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 7th UK, 135th Open Signalmen with pigeon bred by P Turner from North East, 8th UK, 152nd Open Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by this syndicate, 9th UK, 153rd Open Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell, 10th UK, 164th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with second pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 11th UK, 229th Open Chip & Clarke with pigeon bred by John Chipperfield from Herne Bay, 12th UK, 234th Open Robert Bartley & W Gardner from Dalry with pigeon bred by W Gardner, 13th UK, 240th Open Mark Gilbert Uk from Southfields, 14th UK, 271st Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 15th UK, 289th Open Milly Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe,
16th UK, 304th Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 17th UK, 346th Open another for Millys Loft and again bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 18th UK, 388th Open Common View Lofts with pigeon bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd, 19th UK, 393rd Open Mabin Syndicate with pigeon bred by Andy Mabin from Buckfastleigh
and 20th UK, 395th Open Aylesbury Speed-Birds and with pigeon bred by Peter Entwistle from Aylesbury.  
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 60th OPEN went to SAFET DURAN with his pigeon named BOSNIAN PREDATOR bred by SAFET DURAN, which was officially clocked at 08.16.21.55 just 1 minute 23.00 seconds behind the actual race winner, then 2nd Ireland, 75th Open Maurice O’Donnell, 3rd Ireland, 136th Open Roby Daly, 4th Ireland, 205th Open Padraig & Caoimhe, 5th Ireland, 217th Open another for Safet Duran and 6th Ireland, 219th Open Karl Donnelly.
 
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 8 showed 220 pigeons were entered which included 16 UK and no IRISH pigeons and with a total 628 Nominations and US$4,359.65c (£2,946) up for grabs and a United Kingdom fancier won the following:- 13th OPEN for GUYS LOFTS from UNITED KINGDOM, with his pigeon named GRAHAMS FANCY bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON and winning US$646 (£437) for its efforts.
 
UNITED KINGDOM REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for this race showed 12 pigeons were entered with a total of 12 nominations and the only winner was as follows:- 152nd OPEN for ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with his pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY and winning US$11.20c (£7) for its efforts.
 
UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES WINNERS after 9 races are as follows:- 1st UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE with combined flying time of 10.44.12.97, then 2nd UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY with combined flying time of 10.47.26.19 and then 3rd UK LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE with pigeon named LUCKY BABE with combined flying time of 10.06.35.95. The first 2 pigeons in this average are all nest-mates and bred from Fontwell Foxtrot Romeo x Lucky Countess which were two of the best UK pigeons in the 2014/15 race series.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES in the OPEN after 9 races are as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ANDREAS MOELLER from GERMANY with his pigeon named KERSSENBROCK PINK and bred by TEAM MOELLER with a combined flying time of 10.43.36.31. Then 2nd OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM from UNITED KINGDOM with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 10.44.12.97 and then 3rd OPEN goes to HARDY KRUEGER from GERMANY with pigeon named BLACK SPARKLE LH and bred by HARDY KRUEGER with a combined flying time of 10.44.56.22.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 9 races in the UNITED KINGDOM TEAM are as follows:- 1st UK, 2nd OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 10.44.12.97. Then 2nd UK, 5th OPEN another for ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS MEMORY and with a combined flying time of 10.47.26.19 and 3rd UK, 61st OPEN goes to SHOT IN THE DARK with pigeon named BASIL 2 enter by STEWART WIGHT from BERWICK-ON-TWEED and with pigeon bred by Chainbridge Lofts with a combined flying time of 11.05.15,07.  The first two pigeons are nest-mates and bred from Fontwell Foxtrot Romeo x Lucky Countess which were two of the best UK pigeons that competed in the 2014/15 race series.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 9 races in the IRISH TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND,17th OPEN goes to DYLAN & DANIEL BOYLAN with pigeon named PHILO bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 10.56.22.65. Then 2nd IRELAND, 135th OPEN goes to SAFET DURAN with his pigeon named BOSNIAN PREDATOR and bred by SAFET DURAN with a combined flying time of 11.03.46.72 and then 3rd IRELAND, 162nd OPEN goes to JAMES KING with pigeon named SENAN bred by JAMES KING with a combined flying time of 11.15.33.04.
 
The next race will be HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 from 250km (155 miles) and should take place on Monday 28th December 2015. ONCE AGAIN THERE WILL BE A BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR FOR THE FIRST ACTIVATED PIGEON CLOCKED IN THIS RACE, PLUS 19 x US$1,100 (£745) CASH PRIZES. GOOD LUCK TO ALL ENTRANTS.
 
***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 at the time of going to press. If there are no details besides your winning pigeon/s then please contact me on 01279-812005 or 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 race results so your help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
 
As mentioned earlier only races of 50km (approx. 31 miles) will count towards The 20th South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three superb cash prizes of US$10,000 (approx. £6,666), US$5,000 (approx. £3,333) and US$2,500 (approx. £1,666) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this category after the Final Race has been completed.
 
NOMINATION RACES will be held on numerous TRAINING RACES, 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.
 
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 20th SAMDPR and all you have to pay is the official shipping/export costs to your Country Shipper.
 
This of course represents great value for your money. All pigeons go to every training toss and Saturday and Wednesday races providing they are fit enough but can only compete for any of the allocated PRIZE MONEY or SPECIAL AWARDS in the 5 x HOT SPOT CAR RACES if they are “ACTIVATED” and that means that these must be paid for prior to the HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1, which is due to take place on SATURDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2014 from 130km (approx. 81 miles). The cost to “ACTIVATE” these “RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS” is US$1,100 (approx. £667) (THIS MAY CHANGE SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE AT THE TIME OF ACTIVATION) but that will then entitle all these fully paid up pigeons to compete and be eligible to fly for all the extra cash prizes and special awards that amounts to close to US$300,000 (approx. £200,000). The one thing to remember is that once your reserve pigeon or pigeons are fully paid for, if then they get lost and have won no prize money or special awards in the Special Money Races, then you get this money refunded (less about US$15 (£10) for bank charges) or you can have it added to your ASI account, which can then be used to purchase another pigeon at a later date and be entered into the Final Race under your name or syndicate or even under another name of your choice.  So as you can see it is “BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY” and pay for them early, after all you have nothing to lose. The race entry fee for The 19th SAMDPR was actually increased by US$100, up to US$1,100. However, all cash refunds will be at US$1,000 per paid pigeon, which will give the race organiser US$100 per pigeon towards the feeding, training and quarantine costs.
HOW MANY OTHER RACES IN THE WORLD OFFER THIS SORT OF OPTION TO COMPETITORS AND ENTRANTS?
 
***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2015/16 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and awards now add up to a staggering US$1.8 Million American Dollars £1.2 Million Pounds) and these include 5 x Brand New Motor Cars, 1 for each of the 5 x Car Races, 95 x US$1,100 Hot Spot Cash Prizes (it should be noted that the Motor Car Winner does not receive a US$1,100 Cash Prize), split into 19 x US$1,100 Cash Prizes for each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, a US$5,000 Car Race Hot Spot Ace Pigeon Award for the best pigeon in these 5 races, 5 x US$5,000 Country Cash Prizes on the Car Race Hot Spot 5, plus numerous other US$1,000 Cash Prizes, these prizes are for the first pigeon from each country in the result, the first five different countries take the US$5,000 prizes, then after that US$1,000 prizes. A Two Bird Average Competition and a US$2,000 Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, A Three Bird Average Competition and a US$3,000 Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, The South African Million Dollar Ace Pigeon Award carries US$17,500 in Prize Money, split into three cash prizes with 1st US$10,000, 2nd US$5,000 and 3rd US$2,500 Cash Prizes for the 3 pigeons with the best overall average in all the Official Training Races over 50km (31 miles) and 5 x Car Race Hot Spots and the Final Race. There will also be a Knockout Winner Competition and US$25,000 Prize Money, which starts on the Car Race Hot Spot 2 and the winner is the first one to be clocked in the “FINAL RACE” (over the past few years there has been around 40/60 pigeons still left in this competition). Then in the “FINAL RACE” on the 6th February 2016 there are also 10 magnificent platinum pendants to be won worth well over US$1,000 each and now over US$1 Million American Dollars in Prize Money and 300 cash prizes being on offer.
 
THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE & US$1,000 (approx. £645) NOMINATION will also take place on the “FINAL RACE” and the winning will be A BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ SLK 555 MOTOR CAR, worth a staggering US$85,000 (approx. £55,000). (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.
 
PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 20th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR FINAL RACE, “PLATINUM EDITION” IS NOW AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$150,000 (approx. £93,750), 2nd US$100,000 (approx. £62,500), 3rd US$75,000 (approx. £46,875), 4th US$50,000 (approx. £31,250), 5th US$40,000 (approx. £25,000), 6th US$25,000 (£15,625), 7th US$17,500 (£10,938), 8th US$15,000 (£9,375, 9th US$12,500 (£7,813), 10th US$15,000 (approx. £10,000), 11th/15th US$7,500 each (approx. £4,688), 16th/20th US$5,000 each (approx. £3,125), 21st/30th US$4,000 each (approx. £2,500), 31st/40th US$3,500 each (approx. £2,188), 41st/50th US$3,000 each (approx. £1,875), 51st/70th US$2,000 each (£1,250), 71st/100th US$1,750 each (£1,094), 101st/150th US$1,500 each (£938), 151st/200th US$1,250 each (£782) and then 201st/300th US$1,100 each (£688). (Subject to terms and conditions of entry). The actual cash prizes stated above represent exchange rates at the current time and may of course change at the time of each race depending what the currency exchange rate is on the actual race day.
 
It is worth mentioning that six brand new cars have been won by fanciers representing the United Kingdom Team in the last seven years, Richard Elliott and Chris Gordon both won new cars during the 2005/6 race series and Paul & Dave McCarthy won one a new car during the 2006/7 series. During the 2011/12 race series fanciers from the UK won a staggering 3 x brand new cars and these were Nev & Angi Evans & Steve Cuthbert, Robert & Peter Montila and then Phil Bond. This in itself was an outstanding team performance. No other country has ever won three cars on the trot. The Irish fancier named John Nash also won a brand new car in the 2008/9 race series. I am hopeful that somebody from the United Kingdom or Ireland will also win one or maybe more brand new cars during the 2015/16 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 21st SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been agreed and confirmed by the race organisers as SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY 2017.
 
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 reglofts@aol.com and I will give you all the information you require. My two proposed shipping dates for THE 21st SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2016 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2016. 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 AND ENTRANTS DURING THE 2015/16 RACE SERIES.
 
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EVERYBODY A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
 
Paul Smith.
United Kingdom Race Team Co-ordinator/Shipper & International Race Co-ordinator for The 20th South African Million Dollar, “Platinum Edition” (The Greatest & Biggest One Loft Pigeon Race In The World Today! and also The Race With The Proven Track Record), which is due to be held at the Montecasino Complex, Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 6th February 2016. Regency Lofts Limited, 2, Highmead, off Coltsfield, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. CM24 8LJ. England. Telephone/Facsimile:- 01279-812005 (Int. Code:- +44-1279-812005). Mobile:- 07860-568216. Email Address:- reglofts@aol.com  Skype Address:- talbot7944  Regency Lofts Web Site Address:- www.regencylofts.com The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race Web Site Address:- www.samdpr.com
 
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