“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.

ANOTHER FANTASTIC RACE ENTRY WITH AROUND 5,000 PIGEONS BEING ENTERED FROM 36 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN THE 2015/16 RACE SERIES.

RESULTS FOR TRAINING RACES 1 & 2.

 
Well after a few weeks of virtually daily training and three Pre-Training Races we are finally off and running even though Training Race 1 will not count in the Overall Averages because it is below the qualifying distance of 50km (31 miles). The team at the lofts sent 3,413 pigeons to Pre-Training Race 1 and as you will see by the race entries for Training Race 1 a total of 3,090 pigeons were basketed for this race. This means that during this two week period a total of 323 pigeons have failed to make it back to the lofts in Linbro Park.
 
It has been a tough start to this 2015/16 race series, mainly because of the extended quarantine period, then the exceptional weather that the Johannesburg area has experienced over the past month with very high temperatures and very little rainfall. However, the loft staff are confident that they will soon catch up and that the pigeons will be have had enough training to go to the 1st Hot Spot Car Race which is due to take place on Saturday 12th December from 150km (93 miles).
 
Numerous “Loft Reports”, “Updates”, “Photographs” and “Videos” have been placed on the informative SAMDPR Web Site after the 19th SAMDPR was completed and as the organisation was moving towards taking in race entries for the 20th SAMDPR “THE PLATINUM EDITION”. These are all available now on the dedicated Web Site www.samdpr.com for all to see.
 
LIVESTREAM was available on this TRAINING RACE 1 for the first time this season and the weather conditions in Linbro Park looked very overcast with heavy clouds and quite a strong wind blowing but it was great to sit in the comfort of my home and watch the pigeons arrive at the race lofts in Linbro Park. This really is technology at its best. As I sat at home in England looking out through the window of my office when all of a sudden it started to snow very heavily but luckily it only lasted for a short time before heavy rain followed and washed it all away. The first pigeons duly arrived at 07.44 in two big groups of about 100 in each and flew round the lofts a few times and then finally hit the lofts and started to trap, once they heard the tape cassette of corn being tipped into the feed trays and the loft staff calling them in. Within a few minutes there were thousands that had arrived and trapped. In fact the results showed that the first 500 pigeons were officially and electronically recorded by the Deister Unikon Electronic Clocking System in just 2 minutes 33.23 seconds and the first 1,000 in 7 minutes 03.54 seconds after the actual race winner. This is a fantastic sight to watch and I strongly recommend anybody to watch the arrival of the pigeons for all the forthcoming races. See results below for more information.
 
The Pre-Training Races, Training Races, Mid-Week Races and Saturday Races during 2015 and 2016 are listed as follows:- Pre-Training Race 1 from 18km (11 miles) to be held on Wednesday 11th November, then Pre-Training Race 2 from 26km (16 miles) on Saturday 14th November, Pre-Training Race 3 from 35km (22 miles) on Wednesday 18th November. Then Training Race 1 from 40km (25 miles) on Saturday 21st November, Training Race 2 from 50km (31 miles) on Wednesday 25th November, Training Race 3 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 28th November, Training Race 5 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 2nd December, Training Race 6 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 5th December, Training Race 7 from 100km (62 miles) on Wednesday 9th December,  HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 from 150km (93 miles) on Saturday 12th December, Training Race 8 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 16th December, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 from 200km (125 miles) on Saturday 19th December, Training Race 9 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 23rd December, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 from 250km (155 miles) on Monday 28th December, Training Race 10 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 2nd January 2016, Training Race 11 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 6th January, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 from 300km (187 miles) on Saturday 9th January, Training Race 12 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 13th January, Training Race 13 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 16th January, Training Race 14 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 20th January, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 from 350km (218 miles) on Saturday 23rd January, Training Race 15 from 40km (25 miles) on Wednesday 27th January, Training Race 16 from 80km (49 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. The three Pre-Training Races 1, 2 & 3 and Training Race 1 will not count in The Overall Averages.
 
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.
 
It should be noted the Organising Committee and Loft Managers have decided this year not to try to rush the youngsters up to the 50km (31 miles) mark. So with the pigeon’s best interest in mind there will now be a total of three Pre-Training Races 1 to 3 up to distances of 35km (22 miles). Please watch the Race Programme listed on the dedicated web site:- www.samdpr.com for more information on the distances as some of these earlier races as some might have to be changed or altered because of circumstances. Of course as mentioned earlier only races of 50km (31 miles) will actually counts in the SAMDPR Ace Pigeon Overall Averages and only fully paid up pigeons can win any of these three cash prizes which have been allocated to this competition.
 
TRAINING RACE 1 then took place on Saturday 20th November 2015 from 38km (24 miles) and a total of 3,090 pigeons were basketed from 36 different countries and this total included 2,903 International and 187 South African pigeons and this total also included 242 from the United Kingdom and 48 from Ireland. The convoy were liberated at 07-15 in overcast and cool conditions, with little to no wind, 15c (58f) and a good race was anticipated. The temperature was expected to rise to 29c (86f) during the afternoon, with light rain forecast from about 14.00.
 
CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to HENRI & PETRA STIGLINGH from the SOUTH AFRICA with pigeon named IRISH MOLLY and bred by this great partnership, which was officially clocked at 07.44.51.88 to record a velocity of 1408ypm (48mph), it was great to see this partnership taking the number one spot because unfortunately Henri Stiglingh who was the ambassador for the SAMDPR passed away earlier this year. 2nd Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 3rd Bader Al-Elayaan from Saudi Arabia, 4th APC Loft from United States Of America, 5th Guido Barth from Germany, 6th Kubacek & Kodl Team from Czech Republic, 7th Team Peterv u Bianca Kocks from Germany, 8th Helmut + Alfons Klaas from Germany, 9th Hussain Rashid from Bahrain, 10th another for Helmut + Alfons Klaas from Germany, 11th Zandys Dream Team from United Kingdom, 12th Walfred Stockinger from Austria,
13th Chuck Lopresti from United States Of America, 14th Quad Syndicate from Germany, 15th A Defaulter Pigeon, 16th Van Heerden Kruger Loft from Canada, 17th Franz Kleinhans from Germany, 18th Gaddin Brothers & Charl Stander from South Africa, 19th Club Sonskyn Duiweklub from South Africa and 20th Norman – Van Den Berghe from Belgium. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 16.73 seconds and had 9 different countries represented in the top 20 and 14 different countries in the top 50, only 33.26 seconds away from the actual race winner. A total of 2,840 pigeons being officially recorded by 18.45, leaving just 250 pigeons to make it back to the lofts. A further update on Sunday morning showed 2,983 pigeons in the race lofts, leaving 107 pigeon to return to the race lofts.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 11th OPEN went to the ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named ZANDYS HOPE, which was bred by this syndicate, which was officially clocked at 07.45.01.61, just 9.73 seconds after the actual race winner. Then 2nd UK, 81st Open Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 3rd UK, 100th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 4th UK, 107th Open Paul Smith Syndicate and administered by Paul and with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 5th UK, 108th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith and with pigeon bred by Terry Robinson from Goffs Oak, 6th UK, 115th Open Tadt with pigeon bred by Tadt Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, 7th UK, 122nd Open Planet Brothers and bred by Gary & John Squibb from Noak Hill, 8th UK, 127th Open Guys Lofts with a pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 9th UK, 129th Open Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot and with pigeon bred by this partnership, 10th UK, 137th Open JCT Syndicate with pigeon bred by Julta Brothers from Upton Park, 11th UK, 145th Open Smith – McAllister Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bruce McAllister from Furneaux Pelham, 12th UK, 146th Open Millys Loft and with pigeon bred by Mike Mellor from Crewe, 13th UK, 163rd Open Mark Gilbert GB from Southfields, 14th UK, 175th another for Planet Brothers with pigeon bred by Gary & John Squibb from Noak Hill, 15th UK, 181st Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn with a pigeon bred by this partnership from Ackworth, 16th UK, 186th Open another for Smith – McAllister Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Bruce McAllister from Furneaux Pelham, 17th UK, 195th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a second pigeon bred by this syndicate, 18th UK, 196th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate and with a pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 19th UK, 238th Open Rixshaw with a pigeon bred by Len Rix from Mildenhall, this pigeon won 1st UK earlier on in this race series and then 20th UK, 240th Open Oberholster Race Team with a pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe. A total of 219 UK pigeons being officially clocked by 18.45, leaving 23 pigeons still to make it back to base camp. A Sunday morning loft list showed 234 UK pigeons were in the race lofts, leaving 8 pigeons still to make it back home.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 58th OPEN went to MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named LUCKY LOUISE, which was officially clocked at 07.45.28.09, just 36.21 seconds after the actual race winner, this pigeon has already win 2nd Ireland, 95th Open in Pre-Training Race 1 and then 2nd Ireland, 54th Open in Pre-Training Race 3, I bet Maurice is feeling just great about this special pigeon, 2nd Ireland, 87th Open Johnson – Leonard & Sons, 3rd Ireland, 132nd Open Safet Duran, 4th Ireland, 134th Open Pat Maher, 5th Ireland, 220th Open James King and then 6th Ireland, 267th Open Padraig & Caoimhe. A total of 46 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 18.45, leaving just 2 pigeons to return. The Sunday morning loft list showed all 48 Irish pigeons had returned to the race lofts..
 
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.
 
Once again I logged onto LIVESTREAM about 06.00 (GMT) or 08.00 South African time for TRAINING RACE 2 and the skies looked bright but the wind was really blowing but looked like it was going to slightly help the pigeons. All of a sudden at 06.03 about 150 pigeons arrived in bang on line and flew round the lofts trying to land in the wind and as they landed another gang of about 100 pigeons and swung round the race lofts and hit the trapping area and roof. The trapping was first class as the tape cassette was switched on. The first 500 were officially clocked by the Deister Unikon Electronic Clocking System by 08.08.16.55 just 4 minutes and 12.42 seconds away from the race winner and the first 1,000 were clocked by 08.12.59.02 just 8 minutes and 54.89 seconds away from the race winner. It was interesting to see that 1,333 viewings took place on this race.
 
TRAINING RACE 2 was held on Wednesday 25th November 2015 from 51km (32 miles) and will be the first race in The Overall Averages and for this race a total of 3,043 pigeons from 36 different countries were basketed and this included 2,858 International and 185 South African pigeons and this figure also included 241 from the United Kingdom and 48 from Ireland. The convoy were liberated at 07.25 with a light head wind increasing to a strong head wind and a temperature of 15c (58f) at liberation and 23c (74f) at the race lofts. A fairly steady race was anticipated. As the day progressed the temperature would rise to around 31c (90f) and it would stay very windy all day.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to JACOB POORTVLIET RACING PIGEONS from NETHERLANDS with pigeon named GEORGIO ARMANI bred by JACOB POORTVLIET, which was officially clocked at 08.04.04.13 to record a velocity of 1444ypm (49mph), 2nd Team Fasselt Risthe from Germany, 3rd Georg Oswald from Germany, 4th Abdulla Bin Matri from Kuwait, 5th Team Klaas – Konstantin from Germany, 6th Aldahoum Loft from Kuwait, 7th Fleschenberg-Wolter from Germany, 8th Johann Seitz from Germany, 9th Team Luecke-Schulz-Stieneker from Germany, 10th Pradellas Pieds from Australia, 11th SYM-PEC from Belgium, 12th V & W Vahle from Canada, 13th Team Fraiquin-Steenstra from Netherlands, 14th Marian Mucha from United States Of America, 15th Mclaughlin Lofts from United States Of America, 16th Van Heerden Kruger Loft from Canada, 17th Leo Heremans from Belgium, 18th Guys Lofts Elite from United Kingdom, 19th Sheikh Abdulla Mohammad Al Thani from Qatar and 20th Johannes Berghoefer from Germany. The top twenty were separated by just 23.25 seconds and had 9 different countries represented in this result with 13 different countries represented in the top 50 and these were just 31.17 seconds apart. A total of 2,689 pigeons were officially clocked up to 18.11. This figure meant that 354 pigeons had failed to make it back to the lofts and I am fairly sure that a few more will work back during Thursday. The Thursday Loft List showed 2,722 pigeons in the lofts which meant that 321 pigeons were still missing.
 
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 18th OPEN went to GUYS LOFTS ELITE with their pigeon named LIGHTNING which was bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON, which was officially clocked at 08.04.25.23 just 21.10 seconds away from the actual race winner. Then 2nd UK, 40th Open Mark Gilbert GB from Southfields, 3rd UK, 42nd Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Terry Robinson from Goffs Oak, 4th UK, 50th Open Bamford Top Flight with pigeon bred by Alan Bamford from Leyland, 5th UK, 81st Open Shot In The Dark entered by Stewart Wight from Berwick-Upon-Tweed and with pigeon bred by Chainbridge Lofts from the North East, 6th UK, 96th Open another for Guys Lofts Elite with a second pigeon bred by from Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 7th UK, 136th Open Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by this syndicate, this pigeon has already scored a few times and has already won 13th UK, 162nd Open PTR1, 2nd UK, 13th Open PTR2, 2507th Open PTR3, 31st UK, 396th Open TR1 and now 7th UK, 136th Open TR2 winning US$841.50c (£570) in Global and Regional UK Nominations. It is a direct from Fontwell Foxtrot Romeo which won US$8,505.50C (£5,772) bred by Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell paired with Lucky Countess which won US$24,047.50c (£16,034) bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough. Both these pigeons were big winners and money winners in the UK and OPEN during the 2014/15 race series. I then purchased both great performers for ZAR25,000 (£1,429) and ZAR14,000 (£825) after the 19th SAMDPR and paired them together and this YB is the result of a from that pairing, 8th UK, 138th Open Chip & Clarke with pigeon bred by Jamie Clarke from Kent, 9th UK, 141st Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 10th UK, 186th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 11th UK, 188th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with another pigeon bred by this syndicate, 12th UK, 194th Open Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff  from Fontwell, 13th UK, 208th Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 14th UK, 211th Open Planet Brothers with pigeon bred by Gary & John Squibb from Noak Hill, 15th UK, 245th Open another for Planet Brother with pigeon bred by Gary & John Squibb from Noak Hill, 16th UK, 299th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 17th UK, 302nd Open Common View Lofts with pigeon bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd, 18th UK, 303rd Open Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot, 19th UK, 325th Open a third pigeon for Guys Lofts Elite with another pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton and 20th UK, 342nd Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson from Preston. A total of 215 pigeons from the United Kingdom were officially recorded up to 18.11, leaving 26 still to make it back to base camp. The Thursday Loft List showed 216 UK pigeons in the lofts, meaning that 25 were still missing.
 
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 93rd OPEN went to PADRAIG & CAOIMHE with pigeon named ANNIE bred by PJ NANGLE, which was officially clocked at 08.04.48.55, just 44.42 seconds behind the actual race winner,
2nd Ireland, 99th Open James King, 3rd Ireland, 157th Open Philip + Mark Smith, 4th Ireland, 173rd Open Pat Maher,
5th Ireland, 235th Open another for Padraig & Caoimhe and 6th Ireland, 243rd Open Joe Kennedy & Son. A total of 44 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 18.11, leaving just 4 to make it back to the lofts. The Thursday Loft List still showed 44 Irish pigeons in the lofts, meaning that 4 were still missing.
 
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for Training Race 2 showed 290 pigeons were entered with a total of US$4,023.05c (£2,726) up for grabs and United Kingdom and Irish fanciers won the following:- 18th OPEN for GUYS LOFTS ELITE from UNITED KINGDOM with pigeon named LIGHTNING bred by GRAHAM GUY from WOLVERHAMPTON and winning US$646 (£438), then 93rd OPEN for PADRAIG & CAOIMHE from IRELAND with pigeon named ANNIE bred by NJ NANGLE which won US$51 (£35) for its efforts, then 136th OPEN for ZANDYS DREAM TEAM from UNITED KINGDOM with pigeon named ZANDYS GLORY bred by this syndicate and which won US$476 (£322) for its efforts.
 
REGIONAL UK NOMINATIONS for Training Race 2 showed 7 pigeons were entered with a total of US$365.50c (£248) up for grabs and there was only one winner and that was ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, with pigeon named ZANDYS GLORY which took 136th OPEN and is administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with a pigeon bred by this syndicate. This pigeon won US$365.50c (£248) for its efforts.
 
The next race will be TRAINING RACE 3 from 80km (50 miles) and should take place on Saturday 28th November 2015.
 
***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 80km (approx. 50 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.
 
This is the “TWENTIETH YEAR” since this great International One Loft Race started and every year since day one the Organising Committee have created new competitions and I assume that this year will be no exception, more on this subject will be published as details come through from the race organisers.
 
“TRIP OF A LIFETIME” it will also be my twentieth year of organising such a trip and I am also fairly positive that once again The South African pigeon fanciers and all the staff at the 4 STAR SOUTHERN SUN HOTEL, THE PIVOT, MONTECASINO, FOURWAYS, JOHANNESBURG will be going out of their way to make sure everybody has a fantastic time in the fabulous hotel and as in past years I will as usual be organising an 11 day (9 nights) stay in South Africa. We will depart on Economy South African Airways from London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday 2nd February 2016 and then depart on Economy South African Airways from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg on Friday 12th February 2016 finally arriving back at London Heathrow Airport on Saturday 13th February 2016 at around 06-30. We will spend 5 nights in the fantastic 4 star Southern Sun Hotel, The Pivot, Montecasino, Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa to watch and be part of this fantastic race and meet lots of top fanciers from literally all over the world, whilst the same time enjoying the outstanding South African scenery, weather, food, beer and of course the superb South African hospitality. This top class hotel is situated in the modern suburb of and offers 244 luxury rooms plus 15 luxury suites and is 25km (16 miles) from O.R. Tambo Airport. I personally visited this hotel on my recent trip to South Africa and it is sure to please, it is within walking distance to all the major functions over the race weekend. Right next door is the 3 star Sun Square Hotel which is located in the Piazza Square, which is slightly cheaper than the main hotel. MONTECASINO COMPLEX is a staggering venue and offers lots for people to do either during the day or night, with some bars, numerous restaurants, gambling, cinema, theatres and even a bird garden plus many other things to do right on your doorstep. Then on Monday 8th February 2016 we will depart from the Southern Sun Hotel mid-morning and travel down to Sun City Resort for a 4 night stay in the fabulous 5 star Cascades Hotel. These few days will be for you to do whatever you want in the outstanding resort. Included in this part of the trip will be all the three Official Functions and meals, transfers to and from the race lofts and also the race marking and auction in Linbro Park, plus
B & B basis for the duration of our stay.
 
The estimated cost at the current time is about £1,625 per person in a twin room sharing, Economy South African Airways return flights from London Heathrow Airport and O. R. Tambo Airport Johannesburg, plus transfers to and from the Southern Sun Hotel. If paid in full by the end of November this price will be honoured, after that there will probably be a supplement charged. With the current Rand/Sterling exchange rate, all these trips represent outstanding value for money.
 
This price may fluctuate depending on the current exchange rates at the time of you confirming and paying for your booking. This will certainly be a trip for all to remember so if you are genuinely interested in travelling with this group then please get in touch with me ASAP on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or by email on reglofts@aol.com because flights and accommodation will be as usual be at a premium. All accommodation packages are based on a twin or double sharing basis and breakfast is included every morning in my special package deal. A single room supplement is also available for those that require it. This trip represents great value for money and will be sold on a first come, first served basis, just give me a call on 01279-812005 or 07860-568216 or email me on reglofts@aol.com to get full details. A full itinerary will be published in my International Press Release and in both the “BHW” and the “RP” once full costings are known. Of course if you would just like to go out for the 5 nights stay in the 4 star Southern Sun Hotel, Montecasino then please let me know and I will get an all in price for you. If any fanciers/friends would like to add any extra pre or post trips in South Africa, then please let me know what you would like to do and where you would like to go to and I will then get a quote for you from Deirdre Kallmeyer, African Olive Travel Concepts which are the official travel representative for the race and also the company that I personally deal with.
 
***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.
 
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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