“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 3 & TRAINING RACE 9.

The pigeons in the two race lofts a Linbro Park are now after numerous Training Races and three Hot Spot Car Races really getting used to the regular training programme and now have a great racing line back to the lofts. They are also now coping with the extremely hot and humid weather conditions this year, plus of course the regular South Africa thunderstorms.
 
These are the rest of the races remaining in the 2015/16 race series:- 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 3 so I duly logged on at 06.30 (GMT) or 08.30 SA time and noticed it there was a lovely blue sky, a few fluffy clouds and a nice breeze at the race lofts. I thought the winning pigeons would take about 3 hours. I did not have to wait very long before the first gang of about 25 pigeons duly arrived at 08.43 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 these started to trap, then all of a sudden another gang of about 25 arrived, followed by two more gangs of about 20 pigeons. All these pitched on the traps and 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 3 took take place on Monday 28th December from 238km (148 miles). The convoy were liberated at 05.45 in fine, warm and clear conditions, with a light head wind at liberation but slightly assisting them on route and with a temperature of 21c (70f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated. Light rain showers were expected around 12.00. 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 RUEDIGER SCHOENAU from GERMANY with pigeon named RAMBO and bred by RUEDIGER SCHOENAU, which was officially clocked at 08.43.13.88 to record a winning velocity of 1464ypm (50mph). This winning pigeon was NOT ACTIVATED so could not win the BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR. Then 2nd Engelbrecht Lofts from South Africa, 3rd Bacula Danut + Serafim from Belgium, 4th Team Koch – Wichert from Germany, 5th Jan Hooymans – Hu Zhen Yu from Netherlands, 6th Georg Oswald from Germany, 7th Zamil Alreshedi from Kuwait, 8th Jacob Poortvliet Racing Pigeons from Netherlands, 9th Gray Fox Harms from United States Of America, 10th Untiedt – Hufnagel from Germany, 11th Mohammed Marzouq Al-Alwan from Kuwait, 12th Team Klaus Stretz from Germany, 13th Wilfon – Rhodes from United States Of America, 14th Dominique Velghe from Belgium, 15th Saad Aljuwaikh from Kuwait, 16th Hok Jos Vercammen from Belgium, 17th Team Peyrick from Germany, 18th Willy + Ivan Baetens from Belgium, 19th Team Joachim from Germany and 20th Las Vladimir+Juraj from Slovakia. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 1 minute 30.33 seconds and had 7 different countries represented in the top 20 and 11 different countries represented in the top 50, only 2 minutes 53.97 seconds away from the actual race winner.  
 
THE BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR was won by 2nd OPEN by ENGELBRECHT LOFTS from SOUTH AFRICA with pigeon named A1-PACER which was bred by ENGELBRECHT LOFTS. WELL DONE FOR WINNING THE THIRD NEW CAR OF THE 2015/16 RACE SERIES. The pigeon that took 1st OPEN was NOT-ACTIVATED so was not eligible to win this prize which was a costly mistake for the owner, which once again just shows how important it is to have all your pigeons ACTIVATED prior to the 1st HOT SPOT CAR RACE.
 
THE 19 x US$1,100 (£745) CASH PRIZES for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 were won by positions 3rd to 26th with up to 20th are all mentioned above. However the pigeons that won 1st (Germany), 10th (Germany), 11th (Kuwait), 14th (Belgium), 17th (Germany) and 18th (Belgium) were NOT-ACTIVATED so were not eligible to win one of these top cash prizes. So the pigeons in 21st spot from the Canada, 22nd from Germany, 23rd from Netherlands, 24th from United Kingdom, 25th from South Africa and 26th from Kuwait 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 three Hot Spot Car Races thirteen pigeons have now not won a US$1,100 Cash Prize for their performance because their owners had NOT-ACTIVATED there pigeons. It has now also cost one fancier a BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR. Still the good news for other fanciers that has ACTIVATED their pigeon is that six of these have now won a bonus US$1,100 Cash Prize.
 
HOT SPOT CAR RACE ACE PIGEON after three races is as follows: 1st OPEN goes to JACOB POORTVLIET RACING PIGEONS from NETHERLANDS with their pigeon named GEORGIO ARMANI bred by JACOB POORTVLIET with a combined flying time of 06.52.23.76. This pigeon has now won 9th, 84th and 8th Open in these 3 qualifying races. Then 2nd OPEN goes to SAAD AL ABHOUL from KUWAIT with his pigeon named HOFEN bred by SAAD AL ABHOUL with a combined flying time of 06.53.44.04. This pigeon has now won 10th, 67th and 30th Open in these 3 qualifying races. Then 3rd OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate and with a combined flying time of 06.56.18.68. This pigeon has now won 63rd, 7th and 84th Open in these 3 qualifying races.
 
TWO PIGEON TEAM AVERAGE FOR HSCR3 is 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 1st OPEN plus US$2,000 (£1,355) was won by LEO HEREMANS (TEAM 1) from BELGIUM with his two pigeons named RADIOACTIVE Nrpl (42nd) and AETHER (109th) bred by LEO HEREMANS with total velocity of 43.532 m/s. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 12th OPEN was MILLYS LOFT (TEAM 2) with their two pigeons named MR DUNDEEE (24th) and WHITE DUNDEE (563rd) bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a total velocity of 42.506 m/s. Taking 1st IRELAND, 5th OPEN was ROBBIE DALY (TEAM 1) with his two pigeons named MR POTATO HEAD (70th) and TURN UPTOWN MOLLY (215th) bred by ROBBIE DALY with a total velocity of 42.903 m/s.
 
THREE PIGEON TEAM AVERAGE FOR HSCR3 is 1st NETHERLANDS, 1st OPEN plus US$3,000 (£2,032) was won by JACOB POORTVLIET RACING PIGEONS (TEAM 1) with their three pigeons named GEORGIO ARMANI (8th), BLUE PRINS 934 (413th) and ERICS DREAMER (614th) all bred by JACOB POORTVLIET with a total velocity of 63.292. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 2nd OPEN was MILLYS LOFT (TEAM 2) with their three pigeons named MR DUNDEEE (24th), WHITE DUNDEE (563rd) and MRS DUNDEE (638th) with a total velocity of 62.750 m/s. Taking 1st IRELAND, 12th OPEN was ROBBIE DALY (TEAM 1) with his three pigeons named MR POTATO HEAD (70th), TURN UPTOWN MOLLY (215th) and MRS FANCY PANTS (1427th) bred by ROBBIE DALY with a total velocity of 61.171 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 756 (55%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. It was revealed that 701 International pigeons including 57 from the United Kingdom and 12 from Ireland and 55 South African pigeons got through 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, 24th OPEN went to MILLYS LOFT and with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE, which was bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE and which was officially clocked at 08.44.44.73 just 1 minute 36.62 seconds away from the actual race winner. Then 2nd UK, 29th Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 3rd UK, 54th Open JCT Syndicate with pigeon bred by Julta Brothers from Upton Park, 4th UK, 57th Open Mark Gilbert GB with pigeon bred by Mark Gilbert from Southfields, 5th UK, 77th Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 6th UK, 84th Open Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon named Zandys Choice and bred by this syndicate, this pigeon is holding 1st OPEN in THE OVERALL AVERAGES after 10 races and 3rd OPEN in THE HOT SPOT CAR RACE AVERAGES after 3 races, plus winning quite a lot on Nomination money, 7th UK, 112th Open Trainspotters with pigeon bred by Mr & Mrs K. Wagstaff from the North East, 8th UK, 115th Open another for Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 9th UK, 118th Open Gribbles Choice with pigeon bred by Phil Bond from Torquay, 10th UK, 131st Open Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell, 11th UK, 139th Open Manchester Maestros with pigeon bred by John Crehan from Manchester, 12th UK, 200th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Terry Robinson from Goffs Oak, 13th UK, 203rd Open Bannister + Leech & Son with pigeon bred by Stephen Bannister from Wetherby, 14th UK, 208th Open another for Syndicate Lofts UK with a second pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 15th UK, 284th Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate and with pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 16th UK, 287th Open another for Millys Loft with a second pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 17th UK, 312th Open another for Ian Crammond & Nigel Lanstaff from Fontwell, 18th UK, 331st Open Lucky Devils Syndicate with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 19th UK, 352nd Open Guys Lofts with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton and then 20th UK, 354th Open a third for Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth.
 
THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGE WINNERS after 10 races are as follows:- 1st UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE total flying time 13.47.14.62, then 2nd UK LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHETwith pigeon named LUCKY BABE total flying time 14.31.11.96, then 3rd UK MILLYS LOFT with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a combined flying time of 14.35.23.74.
 
THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE WINNERS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 were as follows:- 1st UK MILLYS LOFT with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE  bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE which won US$125 (£85), then 2nd UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate which won US$75 (£51) and then 3rd UK was DREAM TEAM SYNDICATE with pigeon named DREAM MAKER bred by TERRY ROBINSON from GOFFS OAK which won US$50 (£34).  
 
HOT SPOT CAR RACE AVERAGES after three races in the UNITED KINGDOM TEAM are as follows:- 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 3rd 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 06.56.18.69. Then 2nd UNITED KINGDOM, 5th OPEN goes to MR & MRS BRIAN & MAVIS CLAYBURN from ACKWORTH with pigeon named TRUE GRIT 2 and bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 06.58.08.25. Then 3rd UNITED KINGDOM, 6th OPEN goes to JCT SYNDICATE with pigeon named HAMMERS CHOICE bred by JULTA BROTHERS from UPTON PARK with a combined flying time of 06.58.53.21.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 70th OPEN went to ROBBIE DALY with HIS pigeon named MR POTATO HEAD and bred by this ROBBIE DALY, which was officially clocked at 08.47.19.03, just 4 minutes 05.15 seconds after the actual race winner. Then 2nd Ireland, 121st Open James Smith, 3rd Ireland, 148th Open Maurice O’Donnell, 4th Ireland, 153rd Open another for Maurice O’Donnell, 5th Ireland, 170th Open Dylan & Daniel Boylan and then 6th Ireland, 215th Open another for Robbie Daly.
 
HOT SPOT CAR RACE AVERAGES after three races in the IRELAND TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 47th OPEN MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named LUCKY LOUISE which was bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL. Then 2nd IRELAND, 70th OPEN goes to JAMES KING with pigeon named ALEC bred by JAMES KING and with a combined flying time of 07.10.47.84. Then 3rd IRELAND, 172nd OPEN goes to MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named HALL bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL and with a combined flying time of 07.19.27.35.
 
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 showed 400 pigeons including 36 UK pigeons and just 1 IRISH pigeon were entered with 1,375 Nominations and were flying for US$16,666.80c (£11,262) in Nominations. There was only one UK winner and that was ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET taking 84th OPEN with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE and bred by this syndicate which won US$510 (£345) for its efforts.
 
REGIONAL UNITED KINGDOM NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 showed 21 pigeons were entered with 80 Nominations and were flying for US$787.10c (£532) in Nominations. Only two winners and that was the pigeon that took 1st UK, 84th 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$770.10c (£520) for its efforts. Then BARTLEY & TWEATS that took 394th OPEN with pigeon named IN THE RED bred by J+R TWEATS from the NORTH EAST which won US$17 (£12) for its efforts.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES in the OPEN after 10 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 13.47.14.62. Then 2nd OPEN goes to BARTOSZ MOREL from POLAND with his pigeon named ZOSIA bred by BARTOSZ MOREL with a combined flying time of 13.50.02.69 and then 3rd OPEN goes to YOUSEF ALZAYID from KUWAIT with pigeon named YOUSEF 65 bred by YOUSEF ALZAYID with a combined flying time of 13.54.35.02.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 10 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 13.47.14.62, then 2nd UK, 24th OPEN goes to SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named CREAM bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR and with combined flying time of 14.11.33.58, then 3rd UK, 95th OPEN goes to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY BABE bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH with a combined flying time of 14.31.11.96.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 10 races in the IRISH TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 49TH OPEN goes to ROBBIE DALY with his pigeon named MR POTATO HEAD and bred by this ROBBIE DALY with a combined flying time of 14.18.50.07, then 2nd IRELAND, 166th OPEN goes to JOE KENNEDY & SON with their pigeon named EUBANK with a combined flying time of 14.47.39.25, then 3rd IRELAND, 170th OPEN goes to DYLAN & DANIAL BOYLAN with their pigeon named GLEN and bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 14.48.09.77.
 
More short training took place during the week giving these pigeons more confidence and experience to cope with what was in front of them.
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LIVESTREAM was once again available for TRAINING RACE 9 but just after I logged on at 05.30 (GMT) or 07.30 South African time. The transmission showed a very overcast morning in Linbro Park (after heavy overnight rain the first of its kind since September), cloudy and a light breeze, however the wind did pick up whilst I was watching. I thought about 07.45 then all of a sudden one big gang of about 100/150 pigeons bang on line arrived at 07.45 they flew round the lofts 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. The trapping this morning was not good and as usual those that did go in quickly won the spoils. Within a few minutes there were literally well over 1,000 pigeons waiting to be clocked by the Deister Electronic Clocking System.
 
TRAINING RACE 9 was held on Saturday 2nd January 2016 from 76km (47 miles) and the convoy were liberated at 06.55 with a light head wind at liberation and a temperature of 18c (64f) at liberation. A fairly fast race was anticipated. Light rain was forecast to start about 09.00 building up to afternoon thunderstorms. As the day progressed the temperature would rise to around 33c (94f) later in the day.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to CEPERO Y DENIS LOFT from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with pigeon named GLADIADOR bred by CEPERO Y DENIS, which was officially clocked at 07.46.40.08 to record a winning velocity of 1590ypm (54mph). Then 2nd Willy Kumpmeyer from Germany, 3rd Team Germany – WA Waldow – S Thiel from Germany, 4th Cradock Homing Society from South Africa, 5th Piotr Surowiec from United States Of America, 6th Bader Al-Sanafi from Kuwait, 7th Mark Gilbert GB from United Kingdom, 8th Helmut + Alfons Klaas from Germany, 9th Mesopotamia Loft from United States Of America, 10th Cornelissen -VD Helm from Netherlands, 11th Hegemann Racing Team from Germany, 12th Pro Pigeon Racing Loft from United States Of America, 13th Roger Ponnet from Belgium, 14th Millys Loft from United Kingdom, 15th Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 16th Carlos Acosta from United States Of America, 17th Bieche Lofts Syndicate from United States Of America, 18th Abdulla Bin Mathi from Kuwait,
19th another for Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait and 20th Werner A Waldow – Silvia Thiel from Germany. The top twenty were separated by just 17.71 seconds and had 7 different countries represented in this result with 9 different countries represented in the top 50 and these were just 29.37 seconds apart.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 7th OPEN went to MARK GILBERT GB with his pigeon named GILBERT 1, bred by MARK GILBERT from SOUTHFIELDS which was officially clocked at 07.46.50.45. Then 2nd UK, 14th Open Milly Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 3rd UK, 28th Open Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell with pigeon bred by this partnership, 4th UK, 33rd Open Hilamb with pigeon bred by Ken Ambler from Keighley, 5th UK, 37th Open Trainspotters with pigeon bred by Mr & Mrs K Wagstaff from the North East,
6th UK, 41st Open Keep Up With The Jones with pigeon bred by Robbie Jones from Southampton, 7th UK, 42nd Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 8th UK, 149th Open Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by this syndicate, 9th UK, 206th Open Oberholster Race Team with pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 10th UK, 242nd Open Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot with pigeon bred by this partnership, 11th UK, 249th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with another pigeon bred by this syndicate, 12th UK, 276th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon  bred by Terry Robinson from Goffs Oak, 13th UK, 306th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 14th UK, 337th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 15th UK, 343rd Open Tadt with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 16th UK, 353rd Open Manchester Maestros with piogeon bred by John Crehan from Manchester, 17th UK, 365th Open Bartley & Tweats with pigeon bred by J+R Tweats fron the North East, 18th UK, 378th Open another for Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell with a second pigeon bred by this partnership,
19th UK, 384th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson with pigeon bred by this partnership from Preston and 20th UK, 385th Open a third pigeon for Lucky Devils Syndicate with another pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough.  
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 22nd OPEN went to CORN DIRECT with their pigeon named YOUNG GLADIATOR bred by CONOR WHELAN, which was officially clocked at 07.46.58.29 just 18.21 seconds behind the actual race winner, then 2nd Ireland, 52nd Open Maurice O’Donnell, 3rd Ireland, 81st Open Pat Maher, 4th Ireland, 154th Open Karl Donnelly, 5th Ireland, 169th Open Dylan & Daniel Boylan and 6th Ireland, 236th Open James King.
 
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 9 showed 185 pigeons were entered which included 16 UK and no IRISH pigeons and with a total 594 Nominations and US$4,774.45c (£3,226) up for grabs and two United Kingdom fanciers won the following:- 37th OPEN for TRAINSPOTTERS from UNITED KINGDOM, with their pigeon named BRIGHTON BELLE bred by MR & MRS K WAGSTAFF from the NORTH EAST and winning US$442 (£299) for its efforts. Then 41st OPEN KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES with pigeon named COXFORD KING bred by ROBBIE JONES from SOUTHAMPTON and winning US$289 (£195) for its efforts.
 
UNITED KINGDOM REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for this TRAINING RACE 9 showed no entries.
 
UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES WINNERS after 11 races are as follows:- 1st UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE and bred by this syndicate with combined flying time of 14.42.40.41, then 2nd UK LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY BABE bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLERBOROUGH with combined flying time of 15.24.27.77. Then 3rd UK MILLYS LOFT with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a combined flying time of 15.29.46.83.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES in the OPEN after 11 races are as follows:- 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 14.42.40.41. Then 2nd OPEN goes to BARTOSZ MOREL from POLAND with his pigeon named ZOSIA bred by BARTOSZ with a combined flying time of 14.42.42.29 and then 3rd OPEN goes to TEAM GSA from GERMANY with pigeon named RIHANA bred by HORST ZIKELI with a combined flying time of 14.48.17.63.
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 11 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 14.42.40.41. Then 2nd UK, 26th OPEN SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named CREAM bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR and with a combined flying time of 15.06.53.32 and 3rd UK, 80th OPEN goes to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY BABE and with pigeon bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH  with a combined flying time of 15.24.27.77.  
 
GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 11 races in the IRISH TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 65th OPEN goes to ROBBIE DALY with his pigeon named MR POTATO HEAD bred by ROBBIE DALY with a combined flying time of 15.20.33.15. Then 2nd IRELAND, 143rd OPEN goes to MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named HALL and bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL with a combined flying time of 15.40.24.14 and then 3rd IRELAND, 157th OPEN goes to JOE KENNEDY & SON with their pigeon named EUBANK bred by JOE KENNEDY & SON with a combined flying time of 15.43.34.19.
 
The next race will be TRAINING Race 10 from 80km (50 miles) and should take place on Wednesday 6th January 2016.
 
***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. For HOT SPOT CAR RACES there will also be an optional US$200 Nomination. 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 21st 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 actually took place on SATURDAY 12th DECEMBER 2015 from 130km (approx. 81 miles). The cost to “ACTIVATE” these “RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS” is US$1,100 (approx. £750) (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” ON SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2016 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 CLOSE AND TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EVERYBODY 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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