“NINTH INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”.
ON
THE 24th 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 1st FEBRUARY 2020.
A NEW SEASON STARTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE.
OVERALL PRIZE MONEY IS US$1.60 MILLION US DOLLARS
(£1.33 MILLION POUNDS).
1st PRIZE IS A STAGGERING US$300,000 (£250,000).
THE 5 x HOT SPOT RACES IN THE 2019/20 RACE SERIES WILL PAY OUT US$247,500 (£206,250) IN PRIZE MONEY.
36 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ENTER 3,632 PIGEONS.
RACE RESULTS FOR TRAINING RACE 20, TRAINING RACE 22
& HOT SPOT RACE 5.
This is my ninth International Press Release and it follows all my earlier eight International Press Releases which contained all the race results for Training Races 1 to 21 and also Hot Spot Races 1, 2, 3 & 4.
LIVESTREAM was up and running for TRAINING RACE 20, which was due to take place on Tuesday 14th January 2020 but once again because of widespread rain the race was changed to Wednesday 15th January 2020 and the 1,767 pigeons were liberated all together from KOPPIES at 07.20 from 62km (39 miles) in fine and warm conditions with a light head wind, with a temperature of 21c (70f) and a tough race was anticipated. This total was made up of 1,454 International pigeons, which included 121 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 35 pigeons from Ireland, plus 313 pigeons from the host country South Africa. The Hold-Back List showed no pigeons and this included none from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland.
Once again I was up bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft and it was a beautiful morning in South Africa and yet another ideal racing day and bang on my predicted time at 08.13 a gang of about 100 pigeons approached the race loft bang on line, swung round the race loft and then finally they hit the trapping area, as they hit the landing platform another group of about 150 pigeons arrived and within a few seconds the top 50 had been officially recorded.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to SAUD AL-NIMRAN from KUWAIT with pigeon named SAUD AL-NEMRAN 3 bred by SAUD AL-NIMRAN, which was officially clocked at 09.48.16.00 to record a winning velocity of 1270ypm (1153.92m/m), (19.232m/s) or 43mph. This pigeon has won 9th, 33rd,68th, 127th, 4th and now 1st OPEN. Taking 2nd Yousef Al-Mutairi from Kuwait, this pigeon in another that has flown very well in this race series winning 100th, 13th, 1st, 23rd, 28th, 19th, 285th, 270th, 2nd, 230th, 38th and now 2nd OPEN, 3rd Team Lincs from United Kingdom,
4th The Buddies from South Africa, 5th FW Munnik from South Africa, 6th ZG Haas-Moese-Menges from Germany, 7th Mike Chafardon from United States of America, 8th Franz Klienhans from Germany, 9th Hayder Al-Hadad from Kuwait, 10th Kurt Moeres from Austria, 11th Paul Smith Syndicate from United Kingdom, 12th G+P Racing from South Africa, 13th Holts Loft from United States of America, 14th Thorpe Zeballos from Ireland, 15th Reinhold u Christoph Witzel from Germany, 16th Thunderbirds from South Africa, 17th Hussen Al-Jewssry from Kuwait, 18th RMG Racing Team ZA from South Africa, 19th Sami Alfadhli from Kuwait and 20th WAR Syndicate from South Africa. The top twenty in this result were separated by 17.52 seconds and had a total of 7 different countries represented and a total of 11 different countries represented in the top 50, with 50th being 22.23 seconds away from the actual race winner. A total of 1,753 pigeons were officially clocked by 18.05, which included all 121 pigeons from the United Kingdom and all 35 from Ireland leaving 14 pigeons to return to the race loft.
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 20 amounted to US$1,077.80c (approx. £862) and had a total of 64 pigeons entered which included 3 from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland and there were 196 Nominations. There were no United Kingdom and no Irish winners. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 3rd OPEN went to TEAM LINCS with pigeon named BELTON which was bred by PAUL STACEY from RAYLEIGH, which was officially clocked at 08.13.48.31 just 04.39 seconds after the actual race winner. Taking 2nd UK, 11th Open Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon named Pauls Choice bred by Kevin Hibbert from Rotherham, 3rd UK, 25th Open Team Islwyn with pigeon bred by Robert Jones from Port Talbot, 4th UK, 36th Open Alistair Hogg with pigeon bred by Alistair Hogg from Winchburg, 5th UK, 56th Open Essex Superstars with pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Paul Stacey from Rayleigh, 6th UK, 98th Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 7th UK, 100th Open another for Millys Loft with a second pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 8th UK, 114th Open another for Millys Loft with a third pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 9th UK, 116th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Matt Parker from Burton-on-Trent, 10th UK, 126th Open Zandys Dream Team from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Hein Beneke from South Africa, this pigeon is currently holding 1st UK, 4th Open Overall Averages after 25 races, 11th UK, 138th Open Foster Sons & Daughter with pigeon bred by this partnership from Liss, 12th UK, 152nd Open another for Millys Loft with a fourth pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 13th UK, 162nd Open another for Zandys Dream Team from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Hein Beneke from South Africa, 14th UK, 170th Open another for Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Paul Stacey from Rayleigh, 15th UK, 192nd Open Obelisk Syndicate entered by Clive & Sue Barrett from Taunton with pigeon bred by Derek Nicholls from Barry, 16th UK, 204th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with a second pigeon bred by Kevin Hibbert from Rotherham, 17th UK, 218th Open another for Essex Superstars with a second pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Paul Stacey from Rayleigh, 18th UK, 238th Open Team Ede with pigeon bred by Darren Ede from Southampton, 19th UK, 242nd Open another for Zandys Dream Team from Stansted Mountfitchet with second pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Hein Beneke from South Africa and 20th UK, 269th Open TadT with pigeon bred by Tad Truszkowski from Melton Mowbray, this pigeon is currently holding 2nd UK, 6th Open Overall Averages after 25 races and 1st UK, 6th Open Hot Spot Race Averages after 4 Hot Spot Races. A good result for the UK Team which had 7 pigeons in the top 100 in the Open. A total of 120 United Kingdom pigeons were officially clocked by 10.06, leaving just 1 to return to the race loft. That pigeon returned at 17.25 making 100% returns.
UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 20. There were no entries.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 14th OPEN went to THORPE ZEBALLOS with pigeon named WILLIE 2 bred by HERBIE THORPE, which was officially clocked at 08.13.58.15, just 14.27 seconds behind the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 39th Open Joe Kennedy & Son with pigeon bred by Joe Kennedy & Son, 3rd Ireland, 48th Open Jackpot Lofts with pigeon bred by Karl Donnelly, 4th Ireland, 120th Open Safet Duran with pigeon bred by Safet Duran, 5th Ireland, 166th Open another for Thorpe Zeballos with a second pigeon bred by Herbie Thorpe and 6th Ireland, 178th Open Andy Quirke with pigeon bred by Andy Quirke. A god result for the Irish Team with 3 pigeons in the top 48 in the Open. A total of all 35 Ireland pigeons were officially clocked by 09.09, leaving none to return to the race loft.
IRISH COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 20. There were no pigeons entered.
THE OVERALL AVERAGES are now up and running and after 25 races stands as follows:- 1st GERMANY, 1st OPEN goes to KARL HEINZ & TIMO WAGNER from GERMANY with their very consistent pigeon named HEARTBEAT bred by KARL HEINZ & TIMO WAGNER, with a combined flying time of 33.54.01.82 same place from the last race. These top fanciers are past winners of the SAMDPR. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS EXPECTATION bred by PAUL SMITH & HEIN BENEKE from SOUTH AFRICA, with a combined flying time of 34.39.38.73 same place from the last race.
Taking 2nd UNITED KINGDOM, 6th OPEN goes to TAD TRUSZKOWSKI from MELTON MOWBRAY with pigeon named TIME IS TICKING bred by TAD TRUSZKOWSKI with a combined flying time of 34.42.15.39 same place from the last race. Taking 3rd UNITED KINGDOM, 14th OPEN goes to PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named PAULS HERO bred by KEVIN HIBBERT from ROTHERHAM, with a combined flying time of 35.02.36.23 same place from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 7th OPEN goes to PETER LUCAS with pigeon named ULYSES bred by PETER LUCAS with a combined flying time of 34.46.41.73 same place from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.
TRAINING RACE 22 was supposed to take place on Thursday 16th January but once again because of heavy widespread rain in the area the Race Committee decided not to take a chance as it was only two days before HOT SPOT RACE 5 which was due to take place on Saturday 18th January 2020 from 340km (211 miles). The weather forecast for Saturday was not good, so it was decided to have HOT SPOT RACE 5 on Friday 17th January 2020.
LIVESTREAM was up and running for HOT SPOT RACE 5, which took place on Friday 17th January 2020 and the 1,756 pigeons were liberated all together from TIERPORT DAM at 05.50 from 340km (211 miles) in fine and clear conditions with a head wind, with a temperature of 19c (68f) and a fairly tough race was anticipated. The temperature was due to rise through the day and at 13.00 it was already 30c (88f). This total was made up of 1,443 International pigeons, which included 121 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 36 pigeons from Ireland, plus 313 pigeons from the host country South Africa. The Hold-Back List showed just 3 pigeons and this included none from the United Kingdom and none from Ireland.
Once again I was up bright and early to watch the pigeons return to the race loft and it was a beautiful morning in South Africa and yet another ideal racing day and I predicted the pigeon would arrive at 10.34 (1222ypm and 41.6mph) and at 10.35 a gang of 8 pigeons approached the race loft bang on line, swung round the race loft and then finally they hit the trapping area, as they hit the landing platform another small group of about 4 pigeons arrived, followed by another small group and within just over 6 minutes the top 50 had been officially recorded.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to MOHAMED MUBARAK ALAZMI from KUWAIT with pigeon named YOUNG LOLA bred by MOHAMED MUBARAK ALAZMI, which was officially clocked at 10.35.47.94 to record a winning velocity of 1213ypm (1111.86m/m), (18.531m/s) or 41.35mph. Taking 2nd Floridian Loft from United States of America, 3rd Team Allen Voraus from Germany, 4th Thomas Breen from South Africa, 5th Triple J Lofts from South Africa, these guys Jurie Erwee & Son are having a fantastic race series, 6th another for Triple J Lofts from South Africa, a second pigeon bred by Jurie Erwee & Son from Triple Lofts, 7th Gavin Lamprecht from South Africa, 8th Hegemann Racing Team from Germany, 9th Pigeon World USA from United States of America, 10th Aclo Racing from South Africa, 11th Imrich + Juraj Sventek from Slovakia, 12th Samual Lofts from South Africa, 13th Team Ede from United Kingdom, 14th Team Joksch – Siebert from Germany, 15th Club Senekal Duiwe Klub from South Africa, 16th Team Valya + Rosen Dobrevi from Bulgaria, 17th Casselmann – Seitz from Germany, 18th Team Rien van Oss en zn from Netherlands, 19th Mohammad Abdullhameed AlAzemi from Kuwait and 20th Team Hooymans from Netherlands. The top twenty in this result were separated by 2 minutes 54.16 seconds and had a total of 8 different countries represented and a total of 13 different countries represented in the top 50, with 50th being 6 minutes 36.81 seconds away from the actual race winner. A total of 1,306 pigeons were officially clocked by 20.05, which included 79 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 31 from Ireland leaving 450 pigeons to return to the race loft. The last pigeon clocked on the day was from Kuwait and this pigeon had previously won 1st, 5th, 14th & 18th Open and US$8,000 in Nominations. The Benzing Clocking System was left on Saturday and the missing pigeons started to roll in from 05.28 and by 18.01 a total of 1,533 pigeons had been officially recorded, leaving just 227 to return to the race loft. A further 19 pigeons were clocked on Sunday before 13.08 making 1,552 clocked, leaving 204 still to return to the race loft.
HOT SPOT RACE 5 US$49,500 (£39,600) TWENTY CASH PRIZES WINNERS were won as follows:-
1st US$17,500 (£14,000) went to 1st Open, 2nd US$10,000 (£8,000) went to 2nd Open, 3rd US$5,000 (£4,000) went to 3rd Open, 4th US$2,500 (£2,000) went to 4th Open, 5th US$2,000 (£1,600) went to 5th Open, 6th-10th US$1,250 (£1,000) EACH went to 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th & 11th Open, 11th-15th US$750 (£600) EACH went to 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th & 17th Open, 16th-20th US$500 (£400) EACH went to 18th, 20th, 21st & 21nd Open. This result showed that 2 pigeons that won 15th & 19th Open were NOT-ACTIVATED so was not eligible to compete for any of this Prize Money. That meant that pigeons that took up to 21st & 22nd Open won the last 2 x Cash Prizes.
THE HOT SPOT RACE ACE PIGEON AWARD offers a 1st PRIZE of US$10,000 (£8,000) and the winner after all the five races is as follows:- 1st GERMANY, 1st OPEN goes to TEAM PLATTE from GERMANY with pigeon named STERNSCHNUPPE bred by ALEX WOLF with a combined flying time of 18.08.25.66 up 4 places from Hot Spot Race 4. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 5th OPEN goes to TEAM EDE with pigeon named LONE SURVIVOR bred by DARREN EDE from SOUTHAMPTON with a combined flying time of 18.22.07.82 up 18 places from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 34th OPEN goes to JOE KENNEDY & SON with pigeon named ROUTE 66 bred by JOE KENNEDY & SON with a combined flying time of 18.55.25.50 up 27 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS FOR TAKING THESE TOP HONOURS.
2-BIRD AVERAGE WINNER & US$2,000 (£1,600) for HOT SPOT RACE 5 were as follows:- Winning pigeons have to be ACTIVATED and they must be entered in the same Team. 1st SOUTH AFRICA, 1st OVERALL was TRIPLE J LOFTS (Team 5) from SOUTH AFRICA with a winning velocity of 37.020 m/s with both pigeons being bred by JURIE ERWEE & SON. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 28th Overall went to Essex Superstars (Team 2) with a winning velocity of 35.008 m/s and both pigeons bred by Paul Smith & Paul Stacey from Rayleigh. 1st IRELAND, 20th Overall went to Sean Hunt & Family (Team 1) with a winning of 35.282 m/s and both pigeons bred by Sean Hunt & Family. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE WINNING COMPETITORS.
3-BIRD AVERAGE WINNER & US$3,000 (£2,400) for HOT SPOT RACE 5 were as follows:- Winning pigeons have to be ACTIVATED and they must be entered in the same Team. 1st GERMANY, 1st OVERALL was JOSEF SCHNEIDER (Team 1) with a winning velocity of 53.685 m/s with all 3 pigeons bred by JOSEF SCHNEIDER. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 29th Overall went to Paul Smith Syndicate (Team 1) from Stansted Mountfitchet with winning velocity of 49.302 m/s with all 3 pigeons bred by Kevin Hibbert from Rotherham. 1st IRELAND, 11th Overall went to Sean Hunt & Family (Team 1) with winning velocity of 51.842 m/s with all 3 pigeons bred by Sean Hunt & Family. WELL DONE TO ALL THESE WINNING COMPETITORS.
***SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT*** RECORDS ARE CREATED EVERY YEAR AT THE SAMDPR BUT FOR THE FIFTH HOT SPOT IN A ROW JURIE ERWEE & SON (TRIPLE J LOFTS) FROM SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BRED EVERY PIGEON THAT HAS WON THE 1st OVERALL POSITIONS IN HOT SPOT RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 IN BOTH THE 2-BIRD AVERAGES (IN HOT SPOT RACE 3 THEY ACTUALLY BRED THE PIGEONS FOR THE WINNING SYNDICATE). ALSO THEY HAVE BRED THE PIGEONS THAT WON 1st OVERALL POSITIONS IN THE 3-BIRD AVERAGE IN HOT SPOT RACE 1, 2 & 3 AND CAME 2nd OVERALL IN HOT SPOT RACE 4 BEATEN BY DECIMAL POINT ONE AND THEN 2nd OVERALL IN HOT SPOT RACE 5 BEATEN BY DECIMAL POINT TWO. THIS WILL SURELY BE A RECORD THAT WILL STAND FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. THIS REALLY IS A FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT FLYING AGAINST SOME OF THE BEST FANCIERS IN THE WORLD TODAY AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT IS WORTH MENTIONING. IT IS GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE 2-BIRD AND 3-BIRD AVERAGES THE FINAL RACE.
THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION WINNER WINS A STAGGERING US$25,000 (£20,000), only fully ACTIVATED PIGEONS can compete and this competition starts on HOT SPOT RACE 2. Please read the Rules/Regulations on the SAMDPR Website www.samdpr.com as it is one of the most exciting competitions in the race series, with a percentage of pigeons being knocked out in each round. The winner being the first pigeon that was entered in this competition that is clocked in the FINAL RACE. A total of 1,785 pigeons were officially entered into this exciting competition and this included 1,546 International pigeons, which included 239 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 46 pigeons from Ireland, plus 239 pigeons from South Africa. A total of 1,161 pigeons (65%) of the entered pigeons will go through to the next round which will be held on HOT SPOT RACE 3 and this total includes 86 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 31 pigeons from Ireland. So now for HOT SPOT RACE 4 there will now be 639 pigeons (35%) competing and this total includes 42 pigeons from the United Kingdom and 20 pigeons from Ireland. Now that HOT SPOT RACE 4 has been completed there are now just 224 pigeons that will go forward into Round 4 which will take place on HOT SPOT RACE 5 and this total includes just 13 pigeons from the United Kingdom and just 7 pigeons from Ireland. Now that HOT SPOT RACE 5 has been completed there are now just 45 pigeons left in the competition and this total includes just 2 pigeons (Berkshire Boys and Team Ede) from the United Kingdom and just 1 pigeon (Joe Kennedy & Son) from Ireland. These will compete against each other in the FINAL RACE and the first pigeon to be clocked will walk away with the US$25,000 (£20,000) JACKPOT. See full list of pigeons still left in by logging onto www.samdpr.com GOOD LUCK TO ALL THOSE FANCIERS/COMPETITORS/SYNDICATES THAT HAVE A PIGEON OR PIGEONS LEFT IN THIS EXCITING COMPETITION.
GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT RACE 5 amounted to US$21,112.30c (approx. £16,890) and had a total of 376 pigeons entered which included 21 from the United Kingdom and 1 from Ireland and there were 1,490 Nominations. There was one United Kingdom and no Irish winners. Taking 113th OPEN and winning US$680 (£544) was the BERKSHIRE BOYS with pigeon named MISS MAURICE bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL from DUNGARVAN. WELL DONE TO ALL THE WINNERS.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 13th OPEN went to TEAM EDE with pigeon named LONE SURVIVOR which was bred by DARREN EDE from SOUTHAMPTON, which was officially clocked at 10.37.40.89 just 1 minute 52.95 seconds after the actual race winner. This pigeon has been performing well and has already won 54th HSR1, 468th HSR2, 294th HSR3, 71st HSR4 and now 13th HSR5, this pigeon wins 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 5th OPEN HOT SPOT AVERAGES after all 5 HOT SPOT RACES, well done Darren a marvellous performance. Taking 2nd UK, 30th Open Essex Superstars with pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Paul Stacey from Rayleigh, 3rd UK, 33rd Open Alistair Hogg with pigeon bred by Alistair Hogg from Winchburg, 4th UK, 113th Open Berkshire Boys with pigeon bred by Maurice O’Donnell from Dungarvan, 5th UK, 132nd Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 6th UK, 139th Open Team Lincs with pigeon bred by Paul Stacey from Rayleigh, 7th UK, 142nd Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 8th UK, 143rd Open Foster Sons & Daughter with pigeon bred by this partnership from Liss, 9th UK, 181st Open Brian Clayburn with pigeon bred by Brian Clayburn from Ackworth, a past winner of the SAMDPR, 10th UK, 217th Open Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Glynn Stone from Belper, 11th UK, 224th Open Obelisk Syndicate entered by Clive & Sue Barrett from Taunton with pigeon bred by Derek Nicholls from Barry, 12th UK, 234th Open Murray & Mills with pigeon bred by this partnership from Leeds, 13th UK, 247th Open another for Millys Loft with a second pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 14th UK, 278th Open Zandys Dream Team from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Hein Beneke from South Africa, 15th UK, 283rd Open another for Millys Loft with a third pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 16th UK, 307th Open another for Paul Smith Syndicate from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Kevin Hibbert from Rotherham, 17th UK, 314th Open another for Essex Superstars with a second pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Paul Stacey from Rayleigh, 18th UK, 371st Open Team Islwyn with pigeon bred by Robert Jones from Port Talbot, 19th UK, 385th Open another for Zandys Dream Team from Stansted Mountfitchet with pigeon bred by Paul Smith & Hein Beneke from South Africa and 20th UK, 404th Open another for Team Lincs with a second pigeon bred by Paul Stacey from Rayleigh. A total of 79 United Kingdom pigeons were officially clocked by 20.05, leaving 42 to return to the race loft. More returned on the Saturday and by 18.01 a total of 97 had been officially recorded, leaving 24 still to return to the race loft.
THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE WINNERS for HOT SPOT RACE 5 were as follows:-
1st UNITED KINGDOM & US$4,125 (£3,300), 30th Open Essex Superstars with pigeon named Essex Supreme bred by Paul Smith & Paul Stacey from Rayleigh, 2nd UNITED KINGDOM & US$2,475 (£1,980), 113th Open Berkshire Boys with pigeon named Miss Maurice bred by Maurice O’Donnell from Dungarvan, 3rd UNITED KINGDOM & US$1,650 (£1,320), 132nd Open Millys Loft with pigeon named Milly Says Now bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe. UNITED KINGDOM had a total of 115 entries in this category and HOT SPOT RACE 5 offered three great Cash Prizes:- 1st US$4,125 (£3,300), 2nd US$2,475 (£1,980), 3rd US$1,650 (£1,320). The FINAL RACE now offers a 1st Prize of US$4,800 (£3,840) to the winner. The total amount of Prize Money to be flown for in this exclusive UNITED KINGDOM competition will be US$14,050 (£11,240). CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS.
UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT RACE 5. There were no entries.
CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 171st OPEN went to SEAN HUNT & FAMILY with pigeon named CORNSHORE 1 bred by SEAN HUNT & FAMILY, which was officially clocked at 10.50.52.02, just 5 minutes 04.08 seconds behind the actual race winner. Taking 2nd Ireland, 198th Open another for Sean Hunt & Family with a second pigeon bred by Sean Hunt & Family,
3rd Ireland, 207th Open Joe Kennedy & Son with pigeon bred by Joe Kennedy & Son, 4th Ireland, 222nd Open Safet Duran with pigeon bred by Safet Duran, 5th Ireland, 324th Open Jackpot Lofts with pigeon bred by Karl Donnelly and 6th Ireland, 334th Open another for Jackpot Lofts with a second pigeon bred by Karl Donnelly. A total of 31 Ireland pigeons were officially clocked by 20.05, leaving just 5 to return to the race loft. By 18.01 on Saturday a total of 32 Irish pigeons had returned to the race loft, leaving just 4 to return.
THE IRISH COUNTRY CHALLENGE WINNERS for HOT SPOT RACE 5 were as follows:- 1st IRELAND & US$590 (£472), 324th Open Jackpot Lofts with pigeon named Record Breaker bred by Karl Donnelly, 2nd IRELAND & US$354 (£283), 334th Open Jackpot Lofts with a second pigeon named Flying Scotsman also bred by Karl Donnelly, 3rd IRELAND US$236 (£189), 338th Open another for Jackpot Lofts with a third pigeon named Fighting Irish also bred by Karl Donnelly. IRELAND had a total of 14 entries in this category and HOT SPOT RACE 5 offered 3 great Cash Prizes:- 1st US$590 (£472), 2nd US$354 (£283), 3rd US$236 (£189). The FINAL RACE now offers a 1st Prize of US$760 (£608) to the winner. The total amount of Prize Money to be flown for in this exclusive IRISH competition will be US$2,940 (£2,352). CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE WINNERS.
IRISH COUNTRY/REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT RACE 5. There were no pigeons entered.
THE OVERALL AVERAGES are now up and running and after 26 races stands as follows:- 1st GERMANY, 1st OPEN goes to KARL HEINZ & TIMO WAGNER from GERMANY with their very consistent pigeon named HEARTBEAT bred by KARL HEINZ & TIMO WAGNER, with a combined flying time of 39.11.00.35 holding same place from the last race. These top fanciers are past winners of the SAMDPR and this pigeon has not made a fault yet and has without doubt been the most consistent pigeon in the race series so far. 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 7th OPEN goes to PAUL SMITH SYNDICATE from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named PAUL’S HERO bred by KEVIN HIBBERT from ROTHERHAM with a combined flying time of 40.35.17.53 up 7 places from the last race. 1st IRELAND, 57th OPEN goes to MORAN, BOWDEN, LOPEZ, VERGARA with pigeon named TEQUILA bred by ANDREW MORAN with a combined flying time of 41.56.01.40 up 13 places from the last race. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THESE FANCIERS.
Now we move on to TRAINING RACE 23, TRAINING RACE 24 & TRAINING RACE 25.
*****PLEASE NOTE:- This 2019/20 race programme below can be altered at any time, if the weather is not suitable another day will be selected. Also some of the race distances may alter slightly depending on the previous race or how the pigeons are coping with the earlier tosses and races. It should also be noted that there are more races in a week now, hopefully three a week and there are races now taking place on Sunday’s, Monday’s, Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, Thursday’s and Saturday’s. It should also be mentioned that once the pigeons get to the 62km (39 miles) Training Point they go to this spot every day weather permitting for a Training Toss, however results are only published for an Official Training Race which are all listed below.
The remaining revamped Race Programme will be as follows:- Training Race 23 on Monday 20th January 2020 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 24 on Thursday 23rd January 2020 from 62km (39 miles), followed by Training Race 25 on Saturday 25th January 2020 from 62km (39 miles). A few more short training tosses will take place over the next few days prior to basketing taking place on Thursday 30th January 2020. Then the FINAL RACE takes place on Saturday 1st February 2020 from 525km (326 miles).
The Race Organisers (Air Sport Internationale) and all the Official Loft Staff in South Africa wish all fanciers/entrants/syndicates and competitors from literally all over the world the best of luck during the forthcoming 2019/20 race series.
The team of pigeons will not be rushed and the vastly experienced loft staff are very confident that within a few weeks these athletes of the skies will be back on track and ready for the big task in front of them. You can of course follow all the progress of what is happening on the SAMDPR Website www.samdpr.com
Of course, one of the main reasons for the success of this great race is the extremely professional way it has been run from the start and that they have always paid out all of their projected prize money every year since the race first started way back in 1997 and that is why it is now known the world over “AS THE BIGGEST AND GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD” and has been now been tagged as “THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD” and “THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE PIGEON WORLD”.
Numerous “Loft Reports”, “Updates”, “Photographs” and “Videos” have been placed on the informative SAMDPR website for all to see and these are all available now on the dedicated website www.samdpr.com You can also follow the SAMDPR on Facebook, with constant updates and short videos to view.
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 2019/20 race series exceeds US$1.55 Million American Dollars or approximately £1.29 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-fourth year and has for the last twenty-three 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-three races, prize money in excess of US$43 Million American Dollars (£30 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 24th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE will be the slightly more than paid out for THE 23rd SAMDPR. The FINAL RACE PRIZE MONEY in The 24th SAMDPR now exceeds US$1.20 Million American Dollars or around £1 Million Pounds Sterling.
***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 of course 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 2019/20 training and race series.
All Training Races, Hot Spot Races and The Final Race will now count towards The 24th South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three superb cash prizes of US$25,500 (approx. £21,250), US$15,000 (approx. £12,500) and US$10,000 (approx. £8,333) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this category after The Final Race has been completed. This actually is a massive increase on the pay out over previous SAMDP Races.
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 “TWENTY-FOURTH 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.
HOW MANY OTHER ONE LOFT PIGEON RACES IN THE WORLD OFFER THIS SORT OF OPTION TO COMPETITORS AND ENTRANTS?
***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2019/20 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and Special Awards now add up to a staggering US$1.55 Million American Dollars £1.29 Million Pounds Sterling). This total includes US$247,500 (£206,250) in 100 Hot Spot Cash Prizes over the 5 x Hot Spot Races as follows:- In each Hot Spot Race 1st US$17,500 (£14,583), 2nd US$10,000 (£8,333), 3rd US$5,000 (£4,167), 4th US$2,500 (£2,083), 5th US$2,000 (£1,667), 6th to 10th US$1,250 (£1,042) each, 11th to 15th US$750 (£625) each and 16th to 20th US$500 (£417) each. ONLY ACTIVATED PIGEONS CAN WIN ANY OTHER THESE CASH PRIZES. THESE 20 CASH PRIZES WILL GO TO THE FIRST 20 ACTIVATED PIGEONS IN EACH OF THE 5 x HOT SPOT RACES. Then a US$10,000 (£8,333) Hot Spot Ace Pigeon Award for the best pigeon in these 5 races, A Two-Bird Average Competition and a US$2,000 (£1,667) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Hot Spot Races & The Final Race, A Three-Bird Average Competition and a US$3,000 (£2,500) Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Hot Spot Races & The Final Race, The South African Million Dollar Ace Pigeon Award carries US$50,000 in Prize Money, split into three cash prizes with 1st US$25,000 (£20,833), 2nd US$15,000 (£12,500) and 3rd US$10,000 (£8,333) Cash Prizes for the 3 pigeons with the best overall average in all the Official Training Races and 5 x Hot Spot Races and The Final Race. There will also be an overall Knockout Winner Competition and US$25,000 (£20,833) Prize Money, which starts on the 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 exciting competition). There will also be 3 x Country Cash Prizes of US$125 (£104), US$75 (£63) and US$50 (£42) in each of the first 4 x Hot Spot Races (1 to 4). In the 5th Hot Spot Race US$70 (£58) from every entry will be added to the starting Prize Money of US$250 (£208) 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 (£100) 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 (£167) starting Prize Money and US$40 (£33) 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 1st February 2020 there are also 10 magnificent gold pendants to be won worth well over US$1,000 (£833) each and now over US$1.20 Million American Dollars in Prize Money (£1 Million Pounds) and 300 cash prizes being on offer. These estimations are done at US$1.20 to the Pound Sterling. This could of course change on the Final Race.
THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE & US$1,000 (approx. £833) 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. £70,833). (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. In The 22nd SAMDPR, Karl Donnelly from Ireland won this fantastic prize, when his pigeon won 5th OPEN.
PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 24th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR FINAL RACE, WILL NOW BE AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$300,000 (approx. £250,000), 2nd US$150,000 (approx. £125,000), 3rd US$100,000 (approx. £83,333), 4th US$75,000 (approx. £62,500), 5th US$50,000 (approx. £41,667), 6th US$25,000 (£20,833), 7th US$20,000 (£16,667), 8th US$15,000 (£12,500), 9th US$12,500 (£10,417), 10th US$10,000 (approx. £8,333), 11th/15th US$7,500 (approx. £6,250) each, 16th/20th US$5,000 (approx. £4,167) each, 21st/25th US$4,000 (approx. £3,333) each, 26th/30th US$3,500 (approx. £2,917) each, 31st/40th US$3,000 (approx. £2,500) each, 41st/50th US$2,500 (£2,083) each, 51st/75th US$2,000 (£1,667) each, 76th/100th US$1,500 (£1,250) each, 101st/125th US$1,250 (£1,042) each, 126th/150th US$1,100 (£917) each, 151st/200th US41,000 (£833) each, 201st/250th US$750 (£625) each, then 251st/300th US$500 (£417) each. (Subject to terms and conditions of entry). The actual cash prizes stated above represent exchange rates (US$1.20 to the Pound Sterling) 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$1.30 Million American Dollars (£1.08 Million Pounds Sterling) Prize Money will be paid out in this FINAL RACE.
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 www.toppigeon.co.za www.ukpigeonracing.co.uk www.AvianExportServices.com www.pigeonnetwork.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 25th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been provisionally agreed and confirmed by the race organisers as SATURDAY 30th FEBRUARY 2021. (However, this date is still awaiting final confirmation). This will be the 25th anniversary of this great race and it is sure to be a very special occasion with lots of interesting things going on to celebrate this outstanding achievement.
If you are interested in participating, helping us or acting a Country Race Team Co-ordinator or 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 25th SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2020 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2020. 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 as much 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 2019/20 RACE SERIES AND ESPECIALLY IN THE FINAL RACE ON SATURDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2020.
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 24th 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 1st February 2020. 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