“FIFTH INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”.
ON
THE 22nd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE
(THE BIGGEST & GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD!)
(THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD)
(THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE PIGEON WORLD)
DUE TO BE HELD AT
HERON BANKS GOLF & RIVER ESTATE,
SOUTH AFRICA
ON
SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2018.
ANOTHER RACE SEASON STARTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE.
RESULTS FOR TRAINING RACE 6,
ADDITIONAL TRAINING RACE 01
& HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4.
THE UNITED KINGDOM RACE TEAM WINS
16th, 31st, 47th, 98th & 100th OPEN IN HSCR4,
PLUS 1 x US$1,100 CASH PRIZE IN HSCR4.
THE IRISH TEAM WINS
24th, 48th, 61st, 86th & 92nd OPEN IN HSCR4.
TRAINING RACE 6 took place on Wednesday 10th January 2018 from 114km (71 miles) and a total of 3,082 pigeons were basketed from 35 different countries and this total included 2,742 International pigeons including 179 from the United Kingdom and 36 from Ireland, plus 340 pigeons from South Africa. A total of just 14 pigeons were not basketed, these included 2 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland, these were all left in the lofts because they had made mistakes earlier in the week or had returned from earlier tosses. The total still in the loft was 3,096 pigeons. The convoy were liberated at 06.40 in fine and cool conditions, with a strong head wind, 17c (62f) and a good steady race was anticipated. LIVESTREAM was up and running for TRAINING RACE 6 and as usual I logged on bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft and all of a sudden bang on time a gang of about 30 pigeons approached the loft at 08.19 swung round the loft and then started to trap and as usual it was the first through the traps was the winner. Within a few minutes literally hundreds had homed and all looked good for excellent returns. CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to KLAUS STIENEKER from GERMANY with pigeon named MONTE CASINO bred by KLAUS STIENEKER, which was officially clocked at 08.19.58.09 to record a winning velocity of 1250ypm (19.006m/s) (42mph). Taking 2nd Milly’s Loft from United Kingdom, with the same pigeon that was 3rd in the last race, 3rd Holts Loft from United States of America, 4th UK Elite Syndicate from United Kingdom, 5th Team Valya + Rosen Dobrevi from Bulgaria, 6th Annie & Dusty from South Africa, 7th ALGhfeli Loft from Saudi Arabia, 8th Feathers Loft from United States of America, 9th Team No Good from United States of America, 10th La Sala Syndicate from Australia, 11th Van Wingerden – Book Richardson from United States of America, 12th Fev Flyers from United Kingdom, 13th Tim Brandon from United States of America, 14th Mike Chafardon from United States of America, 15th Team La Paloma from Germany, 16th Dominique Velghe from Belgium, 17th Fazza Team from United Arab Emirates, 18th Club Standerton from South Africa, 19th Bob Stukel from Australia and 20th Team Lehmkuhl-Boes-Stieneker from Germany. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 30.41 seconds and had 8 different countries represented in the top 20 and there were 16 different countries in the top 50, only 40.61 seconds away from the actual race winner. This race resulted with 500 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.27, then 1,000 pigeons by 08.32 and then 2,000 pigeons clocked by 09.05, then 2,500 by 11.18 and finally 2,750 by 19.24. This left 332 pigeons to return to the race loft. The clock was left on and 2,802 were recorded by 08.34 on Thursday morning. By Thursday nightfall a total of 2,836 pigeons were back in the race loft, leaving 246 still to return. The Friday Loft List showed 2,868 pigeons in the race loft. GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 6 amounted to US$5,491.85c (approx. £4,225) and had a total of 251 pigeons entered which included 10 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland and there were 783 Nominations. There was one United Kingdom winner as follows:- 76th Open went to Nigel Templar with his pigeon named National Express bred by Nigel Templar from Bristol which won US$646 (£497) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 2nd OPEN went to MILLY’S LOFT, with their pigeon named MILLYS LOFT SECRET WEAPON N0. 2 bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE which was officially clocked at 08.19.58.29, just 00.20 seconds after the actual race winner, this pigeon was also 1st UK, 3rd Open in the previous race. Taking 2nd UK, 4th Open UK Elite Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Lee Fribbins of Frating, 3rd UK, 12th Open Fev Flyers with pigeon bred by Joe Leech and Steve Bannister from West Yorks, 4th UK, 41st Open Trainspotters from the North East with pigeon bred by Turner & Watson, 5th UK, 48th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 6th UK, 60th Open L+D Wellburn with pigeon bred by this partnership from Acklam, 7th UK, 76th Open Nigel Templar from Bristol with a pigeon bred by Nigel Templar, 8th UK, 87th Open another for Trainspotters fron the North East with a pigeon bred by K. Wagstaff, 9th UK, 137th Open Alistair Hogg from Winchburgh with pigeon bred by him that won the New Car in HSCR2, 10th UK, 140th Open Dever & Lloyd, with pigeon bred by George Dever from Halewood, 11th UK, 146th Open Berkshire Boys, 12th UK, 161st Open Clarke & Kittow with pigeon bred by P+D Clarke from Sevenash, 13th UK, 167th Open Chris Turner with pigeon bred by Chris & Debbie Turner from Coventry, 14th UK, 194th Open another for Nigel Templar from Bristol with a second pigeon bred by Nigel Templar, 15th UK, 199th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 16th UK, 216th Open Syndicate Lofts UK with a pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 17th UK, 259th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 18th UK, 266th Open Zandys Dream Team with another pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 19th UK, 269th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a second pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and then 20th UK, 275th Open Deneside Lofts, John Clarke from Crewe with pigeon bred by Mr & Mrs R. Budd. A total of 50 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.30, then 100 by 08.54 and 146 by 11.43, then 155 had returned to the race loft by 14.40. A total of 160 pigeons returned to the race loft by 19.24, leaving 19 still to return to the race loft. The clock was left on and 4 more were clocked up to 08.34 and by nightfall a total of 167 were home, leaving 12 to return to the race loft. The Friday morning Loft List showed 169 UK pigeons in the race loft. UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 6 had no pigeons entered. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 118th OPEN went to TAXIMUSH with pigeon named TAXIMUSH 7 and bred by GARRET HENSEY which was officially clocked at 08.23.17.75, just 3 minutes 19.66 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 120th Open G+J Douglas, 3rd Ireland, 122nd Open Peter Lucas, 4th Ireland, 145th Open another for Taximush, 5th Ireland, 148th Open Maurice O’Donnell and then 6th Ireland, 177th Open H+C Thorpe – McMorrow. A total of 10 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.26 then 20 by 09.02 and 29 by 11.16 and then 33 by 19.24, leaving just 3 to return. The Friday morning Loft List showed 33 pigeons in the race loft. IRISH COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS in TRAINING RACE 6 had no pigeons entered. More short training will take place on Thursday and Friday prior to HSCR4 giving these pigeons even more confidence and experience to cope with what was in front of them over the next few weeks. THE OVERALL AVERAGES are now up and running and after nine official races stands as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ALHAMLI TEAM from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES with pigeon named JAMEELA bred by ALHAMLI TEAM, with a combined flying time of 15.31.19.70 unchanged position from the last race, this pigeon’s lowest position in 9 races is 476th Open. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 23rd OPEN goes to NIGEL TEMPLAR with pigeon named NATIONAL STAR with a combined flying time of 16.11.15.36 up 23 places from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 33rd OPEN goes to TAXIMUSH with their pigeon named TAXIMUSH 3 bred by GARRET HENSEY with a combined flying time of 16.15.53.02 up 29 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS. ********************************************************************************************** HOT SPOT RACE 5 was supposed to take place on Saturday 13th January 2018 from 250km (155 miles) but was postponed because of two bad training tosses on the Thursday and the Friday prior to basketing taking place. A Basketing List was issued as was a Hold-Back List and this list had a total of 364 pigeons in it that had made a mistake in either of these short training tosses and in the opinion of the Lofts Managers and Veterinary Officer would not cope with a 250km (150 mile) race. As all the other pigeons had already been basketed on Friday evening and were already on the transporter at the loft site waiting to depart early on the Saturday morning, a management decision to postpone the Hot Spot Car Race 4 was taken and it was decided to basket the 364 pigeons that were left in the Hold-Back section and then just have a short Training Race to give the pigeons their confidence back. ADDITIONAL TRAINING RACE 01 took place Saturday 13th January 2018 from 62km (39 miles) and a total of 2,903 pigeons were basketed from 35 different countries and this total included 2,578 International pigeons including 166 from the United Kingdom and 34 from Ireland, plus 325 pigeons from South Africa. The convoy were liberated at 07.45 in fine and clear conditions, with a light wind, 20c (68f) and a good steady race was anticipated. LIVESTREAM was up and running for ADDITIONAL TRAINING RACE 01 and as usual I logged on bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft and then all of a sudden bang on time a gang of about 50 pigeons approached the loft at 08.33 swung round the loft and then started to trap and as usual it was the first through the traps was the winner. Within a few minutes literally hundreds had homed and all looked good for excellent returns. CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to VAN BOXMEER – MEKERS from NETHERLANDS with pigeon named DE BOOSDOENER bred by VAN BOXMEER – MEKERS, which was officially clocked at 08.33.54.28 to record a winning velocity of 1401ypm (21.1295m/s) (47mph). Taking 2nd Finghall Lofts Stud from United Kingdom, just 00.05 of the top position, 3rd Van Heerden Kruger Loft from United Canada, 4th Luecking Loft from Germany, 5th Stanescu & Dobre from Romania, 6th Klaus Wuestefeld from Germany, 7th UK Elite Syndicate from United Kingdom, 8th Jon Dagel from United States of America, 9th Peter Lucas from Ireland, 10th Josef Gerling from Germany, 11th Zandys Dream Team from United Kingdom with a pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 12th Team Magic Limburg from Netherlands, 13th another for Luecking Loft from Germany, 14th Hamad Alhudayan from Kuwait, 15th Op De Beeck – Baetens from Belgium, 16th Irish Syndicate from United States of America, 17th Michael Repapis from South Africa, 18th Team Ute Fenten from Germany, 19th Heerman & Gilbert from South Africa and 20th Hans-Werner Schink – Team Ruhr from Germany. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 12.86 seconds and had 9 different countries represented in the top 20 and there were 11 different countries in the top 50, only 19.97 seconds away from the actual race winner. This short race resulted with 500 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.36, then 1,000 pigeons by 08.38, 1,500 by 08.40 and then 2,000 pigeons clocked by 08.41, then 2,500 by 08.44 and the 2,778 by 09.44. This left 125 pigeons to return to the race loft. The clock was left on and 2,803 pigeons were recorded by nightfall, leaving 100 pigeons still to return. GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for ADDITIONAL TRAINING RACE 01 were not accepted. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 2nd OPEN went to FINGHALL LOFTS STUD, with their pigeon named FINGHAM BLIKSEM BOY bred by KEITH THOMPSON from DONCASTER which was officially clocked at 08.33.54.33, just 00.05 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd UK, 7th Open UK Elite Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Lee Fribbins of Frating, this pigeon was 4th Open in the previous race, 3rd UK, 11th Open Zandys Dream Team with pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 4th UK, 28th Open Les & Dennis Wellburn from Acklam with pigeon bred by this partnership, 5th UK, 47th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 6th UK, 55th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate and with a second pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 7th UK, 87th Open Clarke & Kittow with pigeon bred by P+D Clarke from Sevenash, 8th UK, 89th Open Robert Bean from Sheffield with pigeon bred by him, 9th UK, 100th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a second pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 10th UK, 108th Open Waldron Lofts, with pigeon bred by Graham Watkinson from Skelmersdale, 11th UK, 110th Open Nigel Templar from Bristol with pigeon bred by him, 12th UK, 118th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a third pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 13th UK, 123rd Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith with another pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 14th UK, 124th Open Berkshire Boys, 15th UK, 132nd Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 16th UK, 166th Open Hilamb Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Ron Hillcoat from Sowerby Bridge, 17th UK, 189th Open Paul Smith – Regency Lofts with pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 18th UK, 210th Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a fourth pigeon bred by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, 19th UK, 219th Open Nick Bradford from Exmouth with pigeon bred by him and then 20th UK, 225th Open Fev Flyers with pigeon bred by Joe Leech & Steve Bannister from West Yorks. A total of 50 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.37, then 100 by 08.40 and 150 by 08.46, then 160 had returned to the race loft by 09.24, leaving just 6 still to return to the race loft. The clock was left on and no more were clocked by nightfall, leaving 6 to return to the race loft. UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for ADDITIONAL TRAINING RACE 01 had no pigeons entered. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 9th OPEN went to PETER LUCAS with pigeon named GERRYMANDER and bred by PETER LUCAS which was officially clocked at 08.34.01.90, just 07.62 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 61st Open Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 3rd Ireland, 65th Open anther for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 4th Ireland, 98th Open Taximush, 5th Ireland, 120th Open another for Jos Reilly – Team Ireland and then 6th Ireland, 142nd Open J Kennedy & Son. A total of 10 pigeons being officially clocked by 08.36 then 20 by 08.38 and then 33 by 11.17, and no more before nightfall, leaving just 1 to return. IRISH COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS in ADDITIONAL TRAINING RACE 01 had no pigeons entered. THE OVERALL AVERAGES are now up and running and after ten official races stands as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ALHAMLI TEAM from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES with pigeon named JAMEELA bred by ALHAMLI TEAM, with a combined flying time of 16.20.58.40 unchanged position from the last race, this pigeon’s lowest position in 10 races so far is 476th Open. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 19th OPEN goes to NIGEL TEMPLAR with pigeon named NATIONAL STAR with a combined flying time of 17.01.52.06 up 4 places from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 27th OPEN goes to H+C THORPE – McMORROW with their pigeon named DAVEY bred by HERBIE THORPE with a combined flying time of 17.06.00.97 up 7 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS. ********************************************************************************************** HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 was now held on Monday 15th January 2018 from 212km (132 miles) and for this race a total of 2,874 pigeons from 35 different countries were basketed and this included 2,556 International pigeons and this figure also included 166 from the United Kingdom and 33 from Ireland, plus 318 from South Africa. A total of 20 pigeons were not basketed, these included 1 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland, these were all left in the loft because they had made mistakes in earlier training. Total still in the race loft was 2,894 pigeons. The convoy were liberated at 05.45 with a head wind and in fine and warm conditions and a temperature of 18c (64f) and a fairly steady race was anticipated. Temperatures were expected to rise as the day progressed and the forecast for today it was going to rise to 39/40c (over 100f) so it was essential to get them up early and home before it got too hot. LIVESTREAM was up and running for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 and once again I was up bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft. It was a beautiful morning in South Africa and an ideal racing day and at 08.51 a bit later than anticipated a gang of about 30 pigeons approached the race loft, swung round a couple of times and then they hit the trapping area and within a few minutes literally hundreds of pigeons had been officially recorded. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to HANS-PAUL ESSER from GERMANY with pigeon named TORTOISE bred by HANS-PAUL ESSER, which was officially clocked at 08.52.54.44 to record a winning velocity of 1242ypm (18.9042m/s) (42mph). Taking 2nd Abdullah Alzafiri from Kuwait, 3rd Locante – Cass from United States of America, 4th Ganus Family Loft from United States of America, 5th Saad R Alabhoul from Kuwait, 6th Team Zeche Prinz Regent from Germany, 7th Team Hooymans from Netherlands, 8th Helmut + Alfons Klaas from Germany, 9th another for Helmut + Alfons Klaas from Germany, 10th Si Se Puede Farm from United States of America, 11th Saho Al Saho from Kuwait, 12th ZG Helios – B Bucher + O Gehrken from Switzerland, 13th Triple Lofts from South Africa, 14th another for Triple Lofts from South Africa, 15th Alina Patru from United States of America, 16th Nigel Templar from United Kingdom, 17th Mayer Vom Kreuttal from Austria, 18th Alexander Gebel from Germany, 19th Rebel Blues Syndicate from South Africa and 20th Veenstra –Hsu Ho Chen from Netherlands. The top twenty were separated by 2 minutes 33.65 seconds and had 8 different countries represented in this result with 11 different countries represented in the top 50 and these were just 4 minutes 58.24 seconds apart. The pigeons literally fell out of the sky and a total of 500 were clocked by 09.10, then 1,000 by 09.18, then 1,500 by 09.30 and then 2,000 by 09.57. A further update showed 2,388 pigeons were officially clocked up to 11.33 then further update showed 2,431 pigeons were officially recorded by 12.31. By 19.20 a total of 2,526 pigeons had been officially clocked, leaving 348 pigeons still to return to base camp. The pigeons continued to roll in on Tuesday morning and by 19.05 a total of 2,675 pigeons had been clocked, leaving 201 pigeons to return. The Tuesday evening Loft List showed that there were a total of 2,798 pigeons still in the race loft, which included the 20pigeons that were not sent to this race. HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 CAR WINNER was HANS-PAUL ESSER from the GERMANY with pigeon named TORTOISE which won 1st OPEN and was bred by HANS-PAUL ESSER. WHAT A GREAT START TO THE NEW YEAR FOR THIS FANCIER. HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 there was also 19 x US$1,100 (£846) cash prizes to be won by the next 19 x Activated Pigeons after the Car Winner and in this race and the winners were as follows:- Most of the pigeons that took these cash prizes are mentioned above in the Open result and those which took 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th Open. That meant that there were three pigeons Not-Activated and these were the pigeons that took 2nd (Kuwait), 18th (Germany) and 21st (Germany). Proving once again if they are good enough to get to this stage, then they must be good enough to Activate, once again a costly experience for these fanciers. Because three pigeons were Not-Activated meant that three other pigeons that took 20th Veenstra – Hsu Ho Chen (Netherlands), 22nd Team Germany – SG Altmiks+Soudy (Germany) and 23rd Bieu Tran (United States of America) all took a US$1,100 Cash Prize. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE WINNERS. HOT SPOT CAR RACE OVERALL AVERAGES after the first four race now stand as follows:- 1st OPEN SAHO AL SAHO from Kuwait with his pigeon named Wendy M and bred by SAHO AL SAHO with a combined flying time of 10.04.04.80 and up 10 places from HSCR3. 1st United Kingdom, 4th Open was Chris Turner with his pigeon named Some Picture and bred by Chris & Debbie Turner from Coventry with a combined flying time of 10.08.20.57 up 9 places from HSCR3. 1st Ireland, 21st Open was Taximush with pigeon named Taximush 2 bred by Garret Hensey with a combined flying time of 10.21.27.89 up 30 places from HSCR3. THIS TESTING RACE SERIES HAS A US$5,000 (£3,846) FIRST PRIZE TO THE WINNER AFTER THE 5 HOT SPOT CAR RACES. GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 amounted to a staggering US$24,665.30c (approx. £18,974) and had a total of 515 pigeons entered which included 28 from the United Kingdom and 1 from Ireland and there were 1,901 Nominations. There were three United Kingdom winner as follows:- 16th Open went to the Nigel Templar from Bristol with pigeon named National Express and bred by Nigel Templar which won US$1,496 (£1,151) for its efforts. Then 31st Open went to Chris Turner with his pigeon named Some Picture which won US$1,870 (£1,438) for its efforts and bred by Chris & Debbie Turner from Coventry. Then 47th Open for Planet Brothers from Noak Hill with their pigeon named Don Poleon which won US$3,111 (£2,393) for its efforts and bred by Gary & John Squibb. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 16th OPEN went to NIGEL TEMPLAR with pigeon named NATIONAL EXPRESS which was bred by NIGEL TEMPLAR from BRISTOL, which was officially clocked at 08.54.07.50 just 2 minutes 07.06 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd UK, 31st Open Chris Turner from Coventry with a pigeon bred by Chris & Debbie Turner, 3rd UK, 47th Open Planet Brothers with pigeon bred by Gary & John Squibb from Noak Hill, 4th UK, 98th Open Keith Warnes from Norwich with a pigeon bred by him, 5th UK, 100th Open Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet with a pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 6th UK, 138th Open Tim Atkin from Rugby with pigeon bred by him, 7th UK, 141st Open Emeralds & Diamonds Dynasty with a pigeon bred by John Boyd from Ballyclare, 8th UK, 211th Open Trainspotters with pigeon bred by Turner & Watson from the North East, 9th UK, 263rd Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 10th UK, 288th Open Mark Walker from West Midlands with a pigeon bred by him, 11th UK, 293rd Open another for Chris Turner from Coventry with a second pigeon bred by Chris & Debbie Turner, 12th UK, 307th Open another for Tim Atkin from Rugby with a second pigeon bred by him, 13th UK, 319th Open Nick Bradford from Exmouth with a pigeon bred by him, 14th UK, 327th Open Finghall Lofts Stud with a pigeon bred by Keith Thompson from Doncaster, 15th UK, 331st Open Milly’s Loft with a pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 16th UK, 333rd Open Guys Lofts Elite with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 17th UK, 341st Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and a second pigeon bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 18th UK, 366th Open Guys Lofts with another pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 19th UK, 368th Open Team Lincs with a pigeon bred by Paul & Tracey Stacey from Sleaford and 20th UK, 402nd Open another for Milly’s Loft with a second pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe. A total of 50 pigeons were officially clocked by 09.17, 100 by 09.43, then 138 by 12.25. A further update showed 142 pigeons had returned to the lofts by 19.20, leaving just 24 still to return to the loft. There were 9 more pigeons returned on Tuesday up to 19.05, leaving 15 still to make it home. The Tuesday evening Loft List showed that there were 161 UK pigeons in the race loft, which included those that did not go to this race. UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 had just 6 pigeons entered and 19 Nominations and US$120.70c (approx. £92) to be won and the winners were as follows:- 430th Open L+D Wellburn with pigeon named Krystyna 3 bred by this partnership from Acklam, which won US$68 (£52) for its efforts. Then 927th Open for the Waldron Lofts with their pigeon named Waldron Hope bred by Graham Watkinson from Skelmersdale, which won US$52.70c (£40) for its efforts. WELL DONE TO THESE WINNER. THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 (137 pigeons in this category) and currently have US$16,520 (£12,708) in Prize Money which will be paid out in the 5 x Hot Spot Car Races and The Final Race. The winners in this race were 1st UK, 31st Open and US$125 (£96) went to Chris Turner with pigeon named Some Picture and bred by Chris & Debbie Turner from Coventry. Then 2nd UK, 47th Open and US$75 (£58) went to the Planet Brothers with pigeon named Don Poleon and bred by Gary & John Squibb from Noak Hill then taking 3rd UK, 100th Open and US$50 (£39) went to Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon named Stansted Blue Glory and bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon. SOME GREAT EXTRA CASH PRIZES TO BE WON IN THIS COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS. CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 24th OPEN went to JOE KENNEDY & SON with their pigeon named FLASH HUGIE and bred by this partnership, which was officially clocked at 08.55.09.00, just 4 minutes 58.24 seconds behind the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 48th Open went to Peter Lucas with pigeon bred by him, 3rd Ireland, 61st Open Taximush with pigeon bred by Garret Hensey, 4th Ireland, 86th Open another for Taximush with second pigeon bred by Garret Hensey, 5th Ireland, 92nd Open Jos Reilly – Team Ireland with pigeon bred by Jos Reilly and 6th Ireland, 207th Open H+C Thorpe with pigeon bred by Herbie Thorpe. A great result for the Irish pigeons today. A total of 10 Irish pigeons were officially clocked by 09.12 and then 20 by 09.32. A further update showed 30 by 10.34. No more pigeons returned to the lofts by nightfall, leaving just 3 still to return to the loft. No more returned on Tuesday, leaving 3 still to return to the race loft. The Tuesday evening Loft List showed 32 Irish pigeons in the race loft, which showed that 2 more pigeons had returned to the race loft that had been missing from earlier tosses. IRISH COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 had no pigeons entered. THE IRISH COUNTRY CHALLENGE for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 (11 pigeons in this category) and currently have US$2,660 (£2,046) in Prize Money which will be paid out in the 5 x Hot Spot Car Races and The Final Race. The winners in this race were 1st IRE, 48th Open and US$125 (£96) went to Peter Lucas with pigeon named Gerrymander. Then 2nd IRE, 906th Open and US$75 (£58) went to Donnelly & Kirkwood with their pigeon named Nero, then taking 3rd IRE, 948th Open and US$50 (£39) went to Philip & Mark Smith with their pigeon named Sodar. SOME GREAT EXTRA CASH PRIZES TO BE WON IN THE COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS. THE OVERALL AVERAGES are also up and running and after eleven official races stands as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ALHAMLI TEAM from UNITED ARAB EMIRATES with their pigeon named JAMEELA bred by ALHAMLI TEAM, with a combined flying time of 19.41.13.05 holding same position as the last race. This pigeon’s lowest position so far is 476th Open, great performances. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 24th OPEN goes to the CHRIS TURNER with his pigeon named SOME PICTURE bred by CHRIS & DEBBIE TURNER from Coventry with a combined flying time of 20.27.06.10 up 26 places from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 15th OPEN goes to H+C THORPE with their pigeon named DAVEY bred by HERBIE THORPE with a combined flying time of 20.22.29.58 up 12 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS. THE 2-BIRD AVERAGE & US$2,000 (£1,538) PRIZE MONEY IN HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 was won by SAHO AL SAHO (Team 1) from KUWAIT with their pigeons named WENDY M (11th) and LEGOLAZ (128th) bred by SAHO AL SAHO and with a combined total velocity of 36.981m/s. Then 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 15th OPEN went to PAUL SMITH – REGENCY LOFTS (Team 1) with pigeons named SOME PICTURE (31st) and CHRIS’S PRIDE (293rd) both bred by Chris & Debbie Turner from Coventry and with a combined total velocity of 36.188m/s. Then 1st IRELAND, 7th OPEN went to TAXIMUSH (Team 1) with pigeons named TAXIMUSH 3 (61st) and TAXIMUSH 2 (86th) both bred by GARRET HENSEY and with a combined total velocity of 36.604m/s. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE WINNERS. THE 3-BIRD AVERAGE & US$3,000 (£2,308) PRIZE MONEY IN HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 was won by JOHANNES RIMMELE (Team 2) from the GERMANY with pigeons named ALESSA R (53rd), NICOL R (116th) and JENNIE R (264th) all pigeons bred by JOHANNES RIMMELE with a combined total velocity of 54.366m/s. Then 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 11th OPEN went to PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE (Team 3), administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeons named STANSTED BLUE GLORY (100th), STANSTED MAGIC (487th) and STANSTED BLUE DIAMOND (875th) with all the pigeons bred by the late Jimmy Richards from Laindon with a combined total velocity of 52.165m/s. Then 1st IRELAND, 3rd OPEN went to TAXIMUSH (Team 1) with pigeons named TAXIMUSH 3 (61st), TAXIMUSH 2 (86th) and TAXIMUSH 1 (514th) all bred by GARRET HENSEY with a combined total velocity of 52.351m/s. CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE WINNERS. THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION offers a US$25,000 (£19,231) First Prize and only fully paid up pigeon before basketing of Hot Spot Car Race 1 are eligible to compete for this great cash prize. This fantastic competition offers the following conditions and one lucky winner will walk away with “THE POT OF GOLD” after the Final Race. These rules are as follows:- This competition will take place over the last four Hot Spot Car Races and the Final Race, if however any Hot Spot Car Race are cancelled the race committee can use a Training Race to replace any Hot Spot Car Race. As usual this competition is very well supported and this year was no exception as there was a total of 2,734 pigeons entered, which was made up of 2,506 International pigeons, which included 197 from the United Kingdom and 33 from Ireland, plus 228 pigeons from South Africa. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 on Saturday 30th December 2017 and 1,778 (65%) of the entered pigeons moved forward to the next round. After this round 1 there was still 126 United Kingdom and 23 Irish pigeons left for the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 on Saturday 6th January 2018 and 978 (55%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. After this round 2 there was still 61 United Kingdom pigeons and 12 Irish pigeons left to move forward for the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 took place on the re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 on Monday 15th January 2018 and 343 (35%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. After this round 3 there was still 24 United Kingdom pigeons and 5 Irish pigeons to move forward in to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will take place on the re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 on Tuesday 23rd January 2018 and 69 (20%) of the entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. Then KNOCKOUT ROUND 5 will take place on THE FINAL RACE on SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2018 and just 69 top class pigeons will be competing and the first pigeon clocked of these remaining 69 KNOCKOUT PIGEONS will walk away this coveted First Prize of US$25,000 (£19,231). THIS REALLY IS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION THAT CREATES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT THE RACE SERIES. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE PIGEONS IN THE NEXT ROUND. As mentioned in my first International Press Release as the pigeons were delayed with quarantine regulations and did not start to fly around the race lofts until about early October, it was decided not to rush the pigeons through the initial flying round the loft and the early short training and because of this would result in the pigeons starting their initial training a bit later than usual but the loft staff were confident that these athletes of the skies would soon learn the routine. Numerous short training tosses were given to give the pigeons confidence and the following race programme was agreed:- Pre-Training Race 1 was held on Wednesday 6th December 2017 from 25km (16 miles) followed by Pre-Training Race 2 on Saturday 9th December 2017 from 25km (16 miles). Training Race 1 took place on Wednesday 13th December 2017 from 62km (39 miles), then Training Race 2 took place on Saturday 16th December 2017 from 62km (39 miles) followed by Training Race 3 held on Wednesday 20th December 2017 from 114km (71 miles) with HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 which took place on Saturday 23rd December 2017 from 114km (71 miles), Training Race 4 took place on Wednesday 27th December 2017 from 114km (71 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 took place on Saturday 30th December 2017 from 160km (100 miles), Training Race 5 took place on Wednesday 3rd January 2018 from (114km) (71 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 took place on Saturday 6th January 2018 from 210km (130 miles), Training Race 6 took place on Wednesday 10th January 2018 from 114km (71 miles), Additional Training Race 01 took place on Saturday 13th January 2018 from 69km (39 miles), re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 will be on Monday 15th January 2018 from 215km (134 miles), re-arranged Training Race 7 will be on Thursday 18th January 2018 from 114km (71 miles), re-arranged HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 will be on Tuesday 23rd January 2018 from 305km (190 miles), re-arranged Training Race 8 will be on Thursday 25th January 2018 from 114km (71 miles) and then Training Race 9 will be on Saturday 27th January 2018 from 114km (71 miles). There will still be plenty of time for the pigeons to learn the ropes before THE FINAL RACE takes place from 520km (323 miles) on Saturday 3rd February 2018. Numerous “Loft Reports”, “Updates”, “Photographs” and “Videos” have been placed on the informative state of the art SAMDPR website for all to see and these are all available now on the dedicated website www.samdpr.com Although the race is now named THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, the total to be paid out in cash and prizes in the 2017/18 race series exceeds US$2.2 Million American Dollars or approximately £1.76 Million Pounds Sterling. No other one-loft race in the world today can boast of such massive pay outs and this race is now in its twenty second year and has for the last twenty-one years paid out all of its projected prize money, that is why its reputation of this great race has increased, plus it has already paid out in the last twenty one races, prize money in excess of US$36 Million American Dollars (£25 Million Pounds Sterling), which is a remarkable achievement in itself in one loft racing and one that the race organisers are very proud of. It should also be mentioned that the Prize Money and Awards in THE 22nd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE will be the same as paid out for THE 21st SAMDPR. The FINAL RACE PRIZE MONEY in the 22nd SAMDPR now exceeds US$1.02 Million American Dollars or around £785,000 Million Pounds Sterling. All the United Kingdom Team fanciers/entrants and syndicate shareholders will be kept up to date with regular “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE” and “NEWSLETTERS” plus any of them 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. You can’t change your pigeon’s name/s once training has started. You can even put all your pedigrees on live if you wish to, which certainly helps with the final selling price at the auction after the race. Remember the 2008 SCMDPR OVERALL ACE PIGEON named BIRDY sold for a staggering world record £53,730 and the breeder receives 50% of this figure after expenses. This really is a state of the art race that continues to improve its overall image on an annual basis and gives all fanciers and entrants all the information they need to know about all the pigeons in the lofts. ***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** I am sorry that I can’t add all the information about who bred all the pigeons or where they live because I do not have access to all this information so I can only publish details which I am in possession of at the time. If there are no details besides your winning pigeon/s then please contact me on reglofts@aol.com with your details and I will include these in my later International Press Reports. I personally do my best to give all the fanciers, entrants and breeders all the credit they and their pigeons deserve when they manage to get in the results so your help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. For the first few races numerous pigeons will not trap, so do not worry if yours is clocked late. The main thing to consider over the first few shorter races is that all the pigeons will not trap quickly but if they have made it back to the race loft on Heron Banks Golf & River Estate they are there to fight another day. With each race the pigeons will learn a bit more, giving them more experience to tackle all the tasks that they are going to have in front of them during the testing 2017/18 training and race series. As mentioned earlier only races of 50km (approx. 31 miles) will count towards The 21st South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three superb cash prizes of US$10,000 (approx. £7,692), US$5,000 (approx. £3,846) and US$2,500 (approx. £1,923) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this category after The Final Race has been completed. NOMINATION RACES will be held and officially start on TRAINING RACE 1, plus the HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and of course the FINAL RACE. See SAMDPR Web Site for full details. All these races will have US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 COUNTRY/REGIONAL and US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 GLOBAL NOMINATIONS which can be placed on THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR Web Site. If you wish to enter any of these NOMINATIONS, you will have to have credit in your ASI Master Account. If you do not have any credit in your own personal Air Sport Account then please forward funds to your Country Race Co-ordinator/Shipper so that this can then be transferred to your Master Account in time to get your NOMINATIONS placed. Please do not leave it to the last minute to transfer funds as the transfer may not go through in time and this could result in your pigeon or pigeons not winning what they should be rewarded with. It should be mentioned that GLOBAL & COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS during the 2015/16 race series actually paid out a staggering total of US$546,280 (£437,000). GOOD LUCK TO ALL CONCERNED AND REGULAR “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” WILL BE SENT OUT TO ALL COMPETITORS/ENTRANTS AND SYNDICATE SHAREHOLDERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS BY EMAIL OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. ALSO WEEKLY “PRESS RELEASES” WILL BE SENT OUT TO BOTH OUR TWO PIGEON PUBLICATIONS NAMELY THE “BRITISH HOMING WORLD” AND “”THE RACING PIGEON” PLUS IT WILL ALSO BE ON MY REGENCY LOFTS WEB SITE www.regencylofts.com FOR ALL TO VIEW. ***SPECIAL NOTIFICATION*** 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” or the other THREE (3) pigeons in your “TEAM OF 4” 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 of course you entered a “TEAM OF 4” and you lost your first 3 pigeons, your fourth pigeon would then be your “ACTIVATED PIGEON”. If you were unlucky enough to lose all your entries of 3 or 4 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 23rd SAMDPR and all you have to pay is the official shipping and export costs to your Country Co-ordinator/Shipper. This offer can only be actioned once, for example if you lost your team in your first year, you would get a “Free Entry” the following year but then if you lost all your pigeons in that year, the “Free Entry” offer then does not count. This of course represents great value for your money. All pigeons go to every training toss and Saturday and Mid-Week 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 took place on SATURDAY 23rd DECEMBER 2017 from 114km (approx. 71 miles). The cost to “ACTIVATE” these “RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS” is US$1,100 (approx. £850)(THIS OF COURSE MAY CHANGE SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE AT THE TIME OF ACTIVATION) but that will then entitle all these fully paid up pigeons (ACTIVATED) to compete and be eligible to fly for all the extra cash prizes and special awards that amounts to over US$300,000 (approx. £231,000). The one thing to remember is that once your reserve pigeon or pigeons are fully paid for, if then they get lost and have won no Prize Money or Special Awards in the Special Money Races, then you will get US$1,000 paid back into your ASI Account, which can then be used to purchase another pigeon at a later date and be entered into The Final Race under your name or syndicate or even under another name of your choice. So as you can see it is “BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY” and pay for them early, after all you have nothing to lose. HOW MANY OTHER PIGEON RACES IN THE WORLD OFFER THIS SORT OF OPTION TO COMPETITORS AND ENTRANTS? ***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2017/18 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and awards now add up to a staggering US$2.2 Million American Dollars £1.70 Million Pounds Sterling) and these include 5 x Brand New Motor Cars, 1 for each of the 5 x Car Races, 95 x US$1,100 (£846) Hot Spot Cash Prizes (it should be noted that the Motor Car Winner does not receive a US$1,100 Cash Prize), split into 19 x US$1,100 (£846) Cash Prizes for each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, a US$5,000 (£3,846) Car Race Hot Spot Ace Pigeon Award for the best pigeon in these 5 races, A Two Bird Average Competition and a US$2,000 (£1,538) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots & The Final Race, A Three Bird Average Competition and a US$3,000 (£2,308) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots & The Final Race, The South African Million Dollar Ace Pigeon Award carries US$17,500 in Prize Money, split into three cash prizes with 1st US$10,000 (£7,692), 2nd US$5,000 (£3,846) and 3rd US$2,500 (£1,923) Cash Prizes for the 3 pigeons with the best overall average in all the Official Training Races over 50km (31 miles) and 5 x Car Race Hot Spots and the Final Race. There will also be a Knockout Winner Competition and US$25,000 (£19,231) Prize Money, which starts on the Car Race Hot Spot 2 and the winner is the first one to be clocked in the “FINAL RACE” (over the past few years there has been around 40/60 pigeons still left in this competition). There will also be 3 x Country Cash Prizes of US$125 (£96), US$75 (£58) and US$50 (£39) in each of the first 4 x Car Race Hot Spots (1 to 4). In the 5th Car Race Hot Spot US$70 (£54) from every entry will be added to the starting Prize Money of US$250 (£192) for the Country Challenge. All the Prize Money will be paid out to the first three Country Challenge entered pigeons in a ratio of 50%, 30% & 20%. The SAMDPR website will have an up to the date listing of which pigeons are entered and how much Prize Money will be flown for, plus and an ACE Pigeon Country Challenge which will be won on the FINAL RACE. There is an Entry Fee of US$120 (£93) per pigeon to enter these Country Challenge Competitions and this has to be paid for before the basketing for the 3rd Hot Spot Car Race. The COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON, all countries participating will be given a US$200 (£154) starting Prize Money and US$40 (£31) from each Country Challenge entry fee goes to the “WINNER TAKES ALL” cash prize, which will be awarded to the first Country Challenge pigeon which is clocked in THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON FINAL RACE. The pigeon that wins this award will be named the COUNTRY CHALLENGE ACE PIGEON. It should also be mentioned that during the 2016/17 race series the UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE paid out £14,777 in PRIZE MONEY. Then in the “FINAL RACE” on the 3rd February 2018 there are also 10 magnificent gold pendants to be won worth well over US$1,000 (£770) each and now over US$1.02 Million American Dollars in Prize Money (£1.70 Million Pounds) and 300 cash prizes being on offer. THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE & US$1,000 (approx. £770) NOMINATION will also take place on the “FINAL RACE” and the winning will be A BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ SLK 555 MOTOR CAR, worth a staggering US$85,000 (approx. £65,400). (ONLY “ACTIVATED” PIGEONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE FOR ANY OF THESE SPECIAL CASH PRIZES OR AWARDS). This new competition was very well supported in its first year and had over 160 entries and was so successful that it also paid out a staggering 2nd prize of US$54,000 cash. Do not miss this fantastic opportunity to win a fabulous new car. The 19th SAMDPR attracted about 140 entries and two staggering prizes were once again won by two worthy winners. The 20th SAMDPR attracted over 100 entries and the US$85,000 (£68,000) was won by Lloyd & Kelly from the UK, who actually won 37th OPEN in the FINAL RACE. It was the first Activated pigeons and walked away with the top award. In The 21st SAMDPR Michael Mellor from Crewe was the runner-up for this prestigious award, with over 100 entries, which once again just goes to show that the UK pigeons will hold their own against the best pigeons in the world. PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 22nd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR FINAL RACE, WILL NOW BE AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$200,000 (approx. £154,000), 2nd US$125,000 (approx. £96,000), 3rd US$75,000 (approx. £58,000), 4th US$50,000 (approx. £39,000), 5th US$35,000 (approx. £27,000), 6th US$20,000 (£15,000), 7th US$17,500 (£13,500), 8th US$15,000 (£11,500), 9th US$12,500 (£9,600), 10th US$10,000 (approx. £7,700), 11th/15th US$7,000 each (approx. £5,385), 16th/20th US$5,000 each (approx. £3,846), 21st/30th US$3,500 each (approx. £2,692), 31st/40th US$3,000 each (approx. £2,307), 41st/50th US$2,500 each (approx. £1,923), 51st/70th US$2,000 each (£1,538), 71st/100th US$1,750 each (£1,346), 101st/150th US$1,500 each (£1,154), 151st/200th US$1,100 each (£846) and then 201st/250th US$1,000 each (£770), 251st/300th US$500 each (£385). (Subject to terms and conditions of entry). The actual cash prizes stated above represent exchange rates (1.30) at the current time and may of course change at the time of each race depending what the currency exchange rate is on the actual race day. A total of US$1,002,500 Million American Dollars (£772,000 Pounds Sterling) Prize Money will be paid out in this FINAL RACE. Something else worth mentioning that six brand new motor cars have been won by fanciers representing the United Kingdom Team in the last seven years, Richard Elliott and Chris Gordon both won new motor cars during the 2005/6 race series and Paul & Dave McCarthy won one a new motor car during the 2006/7 series. During the 2011/12 race series fanciers from the UK won a staggering 3 x brand new motor cars and these were won by Nev & Angi Evans & Steve Cuthbert, Robert & Peter Montila and then Phil Bond. This in itself was an outstanding team performance. No other country has ever won three cars on the trot. The Irish fancier named John Nash also won a brand new motor car in the 2008/9 race series. I am hopeful that somebody from the United Kingdom or Ireland will also win one or maybe more brand new motor cars during the 2017/18 race series. GOOD LUCK TO ALL COMPETITORS. ALISTAIR HOGG has also won a BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR in HSCR2 in the 2017/18 race series. WELL DONE ALISTAIR. 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 many other international world pigeon publications for all to see, read and enjoy. The race date for THE 23rd SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been provisionally agreed and confirmed by the race organisers as SATURDAY 2nd FEBRUARY 2019. (This date is still awaiting confirmation). If you are interested in participating, helping us or acting a Country Race Team Co-ordinator/Shipper, then please telephone me as soon as possible on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or SMS or email on reglofts@aol.com and I will give you all the information you require. My two proposed shipping dates for THE 23rd SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2018 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2018. Of course these two dates will be confirmed nearer the time. I strongly recommend that you try to ship your race entries on the 1st shipping date as this then gives these pigeons much more time to settle into the race loft. If you have any questions about any aspect of THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, then please contact me as soon as possible on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or by SMS or email at reglofts@aol.com and I will do my best to answer any of your questions or queries about this great race. These “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES” do take a lot of my time to prepare and I try to get as much into them as possible as I know fanciers and entrants like to know what is happening, unfortunately some time, some information will not be to hand when the print deadline is reached so can’t be included in that report. I can only apologise if I leave something or somebody out but I can assure everybody that I do my best to get as much information as possible to put into each of these international reports and give credit to those that deserve it. IF ANY PIGEON FANCIER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR IN FACT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE MY WEEKLY “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” BY EMAIL, THEN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL ME THEIR ACTUAL EMAIL ADDRESS I WILL PUT THEM ON MY EMAIL DATABASE AND I WILL THEN FORWARD THEM ALL THE INFORMATION BY EMAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS. BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE PIGEON FANCIERS/ENTRANTS AND SYNDICATES WORLDWIDE DURING THE 2017/18 RACE SERIES. 
THIS PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE SHOWS THE COMPLETED BRAND NEW 370 FOOT (113 METRES) STATE OF THE ART RACING LOFT WHICH IS SITUATED IN STUNNING SURROUNDINGS ON THE OUTSTANDING HERON BANKS GOLF & RIVER ESTATE, VAAL RIVER, SOUTH AFRICA. IT HAS THE TRAPPING/CLOCKING SECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOFT, WHICH IS BELOW THE ADMINISTRATION CENTRE AND HAS 44 EQUAL SIZED SECTIONS (22 EACH SIDE) THAT ARE ALL ACCESSED FROM A FULL LENGTH CORRIDOR THAT RUNS ALONG THE BACK OF THIS FABULOUS PIGEON LOFT. ALL THE 44 SECTIONS HAVE GRILLED FLOORING AND THE LOFT HAS A TOTAL PERCH CAPACITY FOR WELL OVER 9,500 PIGEONS IN COMFORT. If you wish to know any more information on this prestigious international pigeon race please contact me ASAP:- Paul Smith, United Kingdom Race Team Co-ordinator/Shipper and International Race Co-ordinator for The 22nd South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race, which is due to be held at Heron Banks Golf & River Estate and Emerald Resort, Casino & Hotel, South Africa on Saturday 3rd February 2018. Regency Lofts Limited, 2, Highmead, off Coltsfield, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. CM24 8LJ. England. Tel/Fax:- 01279-812005. (Int. Code:- +44-1279-812005). Mobile:- 07860-568216. Email Address:- reglofts@aol.com Regency Lofts Website:- www.regencylofts.com Skype Address:- talbot7944 Twitter Address:- PaulSmith@SmithReglofts The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race Website:- www.samdpr.com]]>