International Press Report s2

“ INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE” THE 20th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR “ PLATINUM EDITION” (THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD) (THE GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD) DUE TO BE HELD IN LINBRO PARK, SANDTON, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA ON SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2016.

ANOTHER RACE SEASON STARTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUNSHINE .

THE FANTASTIC MONTECASINO COMPLEX, FOURWAYS, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA WILL BE HOSTING THE 20th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE.

RESULTS FOR TRAINING RACE 10 & HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4.

The pigeons in the two race lofts a Linbro Park are now after numerous Training Races and four Hot Spot Car Races really getting used to the regular training programme and now have a great racing line back to the lofts. They are also now coping with the extremely hot and humid weather conditions this year, plus of course the regular South Africa thunderstorms. On Tuesday and Wednesday this week the temperature exceeded 100f, so it just shows you what these athletes of the skies have to put up with during this tough race programme.

These are the rest of the races remaining in the 2015/16 race series:- Training Race 11 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 13th January, Training Race 12 from 100km (62 miles) on Saturday 16th January, Training Race 13 from 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday 20th January, HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5 from 350km (218 miles) on Saturday 23rd January, Training Race 14 from 40km (25 miles) on Wednesday 27th January, Training Race 15 from 80km (50 miles) on Saturday 30th January, then THE FINAL RACE from 550km (342 miles) on Saturday 6th February 2016. The dates are not be set in stone and if the proposed date for any of these races is not suitable for liberation, then these will take place on the next best day in that week. Daily training will also take place during the week providing the weather is suitable. No training will take place on Sundays unless of course a holdover takes place on the Saturday race. The Overall Averages and the allocated Prize Money will only count in races of 50km (31 miles) and over.

All the United Kingdom Team fanciers/entrants and syndicate shareholders will be kept up to date with weekly “NEWSLETTERS” plus any of them or in fact anybody can log on to the state of the art The South African Million Dollar Race web site:- www.samdpr.com and get all the information they might require over the next few months.

LIVESTREAM was once again available for TRAINING RACE 10 so I duly logged on at 05.20 (GMT) or 07.20 SA time and noticed it there was a lovely blue sky and not a cloud in the sky and a nice breeze at the race lofts. All in all a perfect race day. I thought the winning pigeons would take about 50 minutes. I did not have to wait very long before the first gang of about 50 pigeons duly arrived at 07.49 bang on line and did a lap of honour before landing on the traps and loft 2, immediately they landed the tape recording was put on and these started to trap, within a few seconds of the arrival of the first gang another gang of about 100 arrived, followed by two more gangs of aver 100 pigeons. All these pitched on the traps and race lofts and started to trap. Within a few minutes literally hundreds of pigeons were officially recorded by the Deister Electronic Clocking System. The pigeons did not trap very well because the journey did not take much out of them. The tougher the race and the further the distance the pigeons always seem to trap quicker.

TRAINING RACE 10 took take place on Wednesday 6th January from 76km (47 miles). The convoy were liberated at 07.00 in fine, warm and clear conditions, with a light head wind at liberation but slightly assisting them on route and with a temperature at liberation of 22c (72f) and a fairly fast race was anticipated. The temperature was expected to rise to a staggering 37c (102f) during the afternoon. Of course the majority of the pigeons liberated would be home and tucked up in the race lofts by the time the rain arrived. Thursday was expected to be even hotter in Linbro Park with temperatures rising to around 38c (104f) but then it would cool down a bit for the weekend.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN goes to SYNDICATE LOFTS UK from UNITED KINGDOM with his pigeon named CREAM and bred by PETER FOX, which was officially clocked at 07.50.01.50 to record a winning velocity of 1654ypm (56mph). The CREAM certainly rose to the top today. Then 2nd Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 3rd Club Sonskyn Duiweklub from South Africa, 4th Cradock Homing Society from South Africa, 5th Klaus Stretz from Germany, 6th Team Didden - Ledder from Belgium, 7th Sheikh Abdulla Mohammad Al Thani from Qatar, 8th Club Des XX from Belgium, 9th Vladimir Srebotnjak from Slovakia, 10th Mohammad Almeleab from Kuwait, 11th Abdulla Bin Mathi from Kuwait, 12th Coenie Hattingh from South Africa, 13th another for Al-Abraq Loft from Kuwait, 14th Maurice Mattheeuws from Belgium, 15th Erwin u Ralf Schuermann from Germany, 16th Orlowski - Puzio from Poland, 17th Floridian Loft from United States Of America, 18th Homoud J Alazme from Kuwait, 19th Henry Boeckmann - Theo Tuechert from Germany and 20th Gutsy Blues Syndicate from South Africa. The top twenty in this result were separated by just 18.09 seconds and had 9 different countries represented in the top 20 and 12 different countries represented in the top 50, only 40.75 seconds away from the actual race winner.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 1st OPEN went to SYNDICATE LOFTS UK and with pigeon named CREAM, which was bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR and which was officially clocked at 07.50.01.50. The CREAM certainly rose to the top today as we say in the UK. Then 2nd UK, 27th Open Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by this syndicate, 3rd UK, 28th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 4th UK, 44th Open Mark Gilbert GB with pigeon bred by Mark Gilbert from Southfields, 5th UK, 59th Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a second pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough, 6th UK, 68th Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 7th UK, 71st Open another for Zandys Dream Team with a second pigeon bred by this syndicate, 8th UK, 76th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Mabin and bred by this partnership from Buckfastleigh, 9th UK, 90th Open Oberholster Race Team with pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 10th UK, 96th Open Dream Team Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Terry Robinson from Goffs Oak, 11th UK, 110th Open a third for Zandys Dream Team and again bred by this syndicate, 12th UK, 127th Open Roger Lowe, Orbital Lofts from Reading, 13th UK, 128th Open Keeping Up with The Jones with pigeon bred by Robbie Jones from Southampton, 14th UK, 129th Open J+C Joesch with pigeon bred by Jurgen & Caroline Joesch from Hailsham, 15th UK, 132th Open Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff from Fontwell, 16th UK, 139th Open another for Millys Loft with a second pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 17th UK, 163rd Open Common View Lofts with pigeon bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd, 18th UK, 165th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson from Preston, 19th UK, 173rd Open another for Lucky Devils Syndicate with a third pigeon bred by Bob Fenech from Attleborough and then 20th UK, 176th Open Manchester Maestros with pigeon bred by John Crehan from Manchester.

THE UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGE WINNERS after 12 races are as follows:- 1st UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate and with a total flying time 15.35.29.91, then 2nd UK LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY BABE total flying time 16.15.14.62, then 3rd UK MILLYS LOFT with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a combined flying time of 16.20.36.37.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 47th OPEN went to MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named LUCKY LOUISE and bred by MAURICE O’DONNEL, which was officially clocked at 07.50.40.28, just 38.78 seconds after the actual race winner. Then 2nd Ireland, 65th Open Pat Maher, 3rd Ireland, 142nd Open James King, 4th Ireland, 280th Open another for James King, 5th Ireland, 281st Open Safet Duran and then 6th Ireland, 401st Open another for Maurice O’Donnell.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 10 showed 139 pigeons including 14 UK pigeons and 2 IRISH pigeon were entered with 440 Nominations and were flying for US$3,939.75c (£2,718) in Nominations. There was only one UK winner and that was MARK GILBERT GB taking 44th OPEN with pigeon named GILBERT 1 and bred by MARK GILBERT from SOUTHFIELDS which won US$518.50c (£358) for its efforts.

REGIONAL UNITED KINGDOM NOMINATIONS for TRAINING RACE 10 showed 6 pigeons were entered with 27 Nominations and were flying for US$187 (£129) in Nominations. Only one winner and that was the pigeon that took 4th UK, 44th OPEN for MARK GILBERT GB from SOUTHFIELDS and with his pigeon named GILBERT 1 which won US$187 (£129) for its efforts.

GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES in the OPEN after 12 races are as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to BARTOSZ MOREL from POLAND with his pigeon named ZOSIA and bred by BARTOSZ MOREL with a combined flying time of 15.34.48.24. Then 2nd OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM from UNITED KINGDOM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 15.35.29.91 just 41 seconds away from 1st OPEN. Then 3rd OPEN goes to TEAM GSA from GERMANY with pigeon named RIHANA bred by HORST ZIKELI with a combined flying time of 15.38.45.93. GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 12 races in the UNITED KINGDOM TEAM are as follows:- 1st UK, 2nd OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 15.35.29.91, just 41 seconds away from 1st OPEN, then 2nd UK, 17th OPEN goes to SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named CREAM bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR and with combined flying time of 15.56.54.82, then 3rd UK, 63rd OPEN goes to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY BABE bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH with a combined flying time of 16.15.14.62.

GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 12 races in the IRISH TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 86th OPEN goes to ROBBIE DALY with his pigeon named MR POTATO HEAD and bred by ROBBIE DALY with a combined flying time of 16.22.30.85, then 2nd IRELAND, 124th OPEN goes to MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named HALL and bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL with a combined flying time of 16.32.51.74, then 3rd IRELAND, 147th OPEN goes to DYLAN & DANIAL BOYLAN with their pigeon named GLEN and bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 16.38.33.09.

More short training took place during the week giving these pigeons more confidence and experience to cope with what was in front of them.

LIVESTREAM was once again available for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 but just after I logged on at 06.30 (GMT) or 08.30 South African time. The transmission showed a lovely morning in Linbro Park, clear blue sky with no clouds and a light breeze, however the wind did pick up whilst I was watching. I thought about three and a half hours for the 285km (177 mile) journey. After as false alarm when a black pied returned from a previous Training Race it was watch the sky and look for the first arrivals then all of a sudden one small gang of about 20 pigeons bang on line arrived at 09.21 they flew round the lofts and hit the trapping area, they did not hang around to trap and as they did another gang of about 25 pigeons landed followed by another gang of around 50 arrived bang on line, flew round the lofts and landed and they started to move towards the traps. These were followed by more small gangs bang on line and they hit the top of the lofts. The trapping this morning was excellent and those that went in first won the major spoils. Within a few minutes there were hundreds of pigeons waiting to be clocked by the Deister Electronic Clocking System.

HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 was held on Saturday 9th January 2016 from 285km (177 miles) and this would be their toughest test so far and the convoy were liberated at 05.45 with a light head wind at liberation and a temperature of 18c (64f) at liberation an a fairly fast race was anticipated. The weather forecast was for a good day rising to 31c (90f) as the day progressed with late afternoon rain and thunderstorms from about 16.30 onwards. Hopefully, most of the pigeons would be tucked up in the lofts by then.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st OPEN goes to BADER M F AL-JWESR from KUWAIT with his pigeon named SHEHAB bred by this fancier, which was officially clocked at 09.21.42.33 to record a winning velocity of 1436ypm (49mph). Then 2nd Jaworscy - Michalak from Poland, 3rd Team Buttner - Zurecki from Poland, 4th Engelbrecht Lofts from South Africa, this pigeon won 2nd OPEN HSCR3 and actually won a BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR because the pigeon that took 1st OPEN was NOT-ACTIVATED which strangely enough was just behind this pigeon today in 5th position, 5th Ruediger Schoenau from Germany, this pigeon actually won 1st OPEN HSCR3 but was NOT-ACTIVATED so was not eligible to win the BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR, 6th Alias-Alias from United States Of America, 7th Team BL from Germany, 8th Piotr Surowiec from United States Of America, 9th Las Vladimir+Juraj from Slovakia, 10th McKenna + Carney from United States Of America, 11th Jan Hooymans - Hu Zhen Yu from Netherlands, 12th Wilfon - Rhodes from United States Of America, 13th Tomasz Wiczling from Poland, 14th Fayez Q8 from Kuwait, 15th Hermans - De Duif from Belgium, 16th Lucky Devils Syndicate from United Kingdom, 17th Ken Easley from United States Of America, 18th a second pigeon for Bader M F Al-Jwesr from Kuwait, 19th a third pigeon for Bader M F Al-Jwesr from Kuwait and 20th a second pigeon for Fayez Q8 from Kuwait. The top twenty were separated by just 45.62 seconds and had 9 different countries represented in this result with 11 different countries represented in the top 50 and these were just 2 minutes 14.63 seconds apart.

THE BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR was won by the 1st OPEN winner and that was BADER M F AL-JWESR from KUWAIT with his pigeon named SHEHAB which was also bred by this fancier. WHAT A NICE WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR BY WINNING A CAR.

The 19 x US$1,000 (£745) CASH PRIZES for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 were won by positions 2nd to 20th and all have been mentioned in the Open result with just one United States Of America pigeon in 17th position NOT-ACTIVATED, so this US$1,100 (£745) was won by the pigeon in 20th position. This now makes a total of 15 pigeons that should of won US$1,100 (£745) Cash Prize, plus one pigeon that should have won a Brand New Motor Car that were NOT-ACTIVATED so were not eligible to win the prize. It just goes to show, if they are still in the lofts, then they should be ACTIVATED.

HOT SPOT CAR RACE ACE PIGEON after four races is as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to SAAD AL ABHOUL from KUWAIT with his with pigeon named HOFEN and bred by this fancier with a combined flying time of 10.37.35.90, this pigeon has won 10th, 67th, 30th and now 254th OPEN in the four races that count. Then 2nd OPEN goes to KEN EASLEY from UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with his pigeon named MUKIWA and bred by this fancier with a combined flying time of 10.39.22.00, this pigeon has won 165th, 3rd, 136th and now 21st OPEN in the four races that count. Then 3rd OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM from UNITED KINGDOM administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate and with a combined flying time of 10.39.53.55, this pigeon has won 63rd, 7th, 84th and now 236th OPEN in the four races that count. This outstanding pigeon is also holding onto 1st UK, 1st OPEN in the GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 13 races that count in this competition.

TWO PIGEON TEAM AVERAGE FOR HSCR4 is 1st KUWAIT, 1st OPEN plus US$2,000 (£1,355) was won by FAYEZ 8 (TEAM 7) from KUWAIT with two pigeons named Q8 FAYEZ 20 which took 20th OPEN and Q8 FAYEZ 19 took 61st OPEN both being bred by FAYEZ JAMAAN ALOTIBI with a combined velocity of 43.490 m/s. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 4th OPEN was OBERHOLSTER RACE TEAM (TEAM 1) with two pigeons named TRY which took 29th OPEN and TRY AGAIN which took 165th OPEN both bred by PIETER OBERHOLSTER from KEYSOE with a combined velocity of 43.138 m/s. Taking 1st IRELAND, 69th OPEN was MAURICE O’DONNELL (TEAM 2) with two pigeons named HALL which took 108th OPEN and MANIE which took 971st OPEN both bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL with a combined velocity of 41.681 m/s.

THREE PIGEON TEAM AVERAGE FOR HSCR4 is 1st UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1st OPEN plus US$3,000 (£2,032) was won by WILFON - RHODES (TEAM1) for UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with three pigeons named COCKED & LOADED which won 157th OPEN, CAR WINNER2 which won 304th OPEN and PAZIA PRINCESS which won 315th OPEN all bred by PROTÉGÉ LOFT/KENNY RHODES with a combined velocity of 63.572 m/s. Taking 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 3rd OPEN was MILLYS LOFT (TEAM1) with three pigeons named CROC BITE which won 190th OPEN, RED DUNDEE which won 295th OPEN and DOWN UNDER which won 533rd OPEN all bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a combined velocity of 63.240 m/s. Taking 1st IRELAND, 46th OPEN was PHILIP & MARK SMITH (TEAM 5) with three pigeons named MICHAELAS CHOICE which won 1,154th OPEN, DARCEYS CHOICE which won 1,350th OPEN and DEVINS CHOICE which won 1,784th OPEN all bred by PHILIP & MARK SMITH with a combined velocity of 55.482 m/s.

THE KNOCKOUT COMPETITION and its 1st Prize of US$25,000 (£17,000), all entries had to be paid for prior to basketing for the 1st HOT SPOT CAR RACE. This great competition offers the following conditions and one lucky winner will walk away with “THE POT OF GOLD” after the FINAL RACE. The rules are as follows:- This competition will take place over the last four Hot Spot Car Races and the Final Race. As mentioned earlier only entered and fully paid before basketing of HSCR1 are eligible. Should any Hot Spot Car Race be cancelled then one of the Training Races prior to the Final Race will be used to calculate the next round’s pigeons. This year there was a total of 2,114 pigeons entered, with 1,984 International pigeons which included 176 pigeons from the United Kingdom, 35 pigeons from Ireland, plus there were 130 South African pigeons in the total. KNOCKOUT ROUND 1 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 and 1,375 (65%) of the entered pigeons returning from this race moved forward to the next round. This total contained 1,273 International pigeons which included 111 pigeons from the United Kingdom, 23 pigeons from Ireland plus 102 pigeons from South Africa. KNOCKOUT ROUND 2 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 and 756 (55%) of the entered pigeons moved forward to the next round. It was revealed that 701 International pigeons including 57 from the United Kingdom and 12 from Ireland and 55 from South Africa pigeons went through to the next round. KNOCKOUT ROUND 3 took place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 and 265 (35%) of these entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. It has now been revealed after HSCR4 the 265 pigeons that have gone through to the next round are as follows:- 248 INTERNATIONAL pigeons, which include 17 from the UNITED KINGDOM and 4 from IRELAND and 17 pigeons from SOUTH AFRICA. KNOCKOUT ROUND 4 will take place on HOT SPOT CAR RACE 5and 53 (20%) of these entered pigeons will move forward to the next round. KNOCKOUT FINAL ROUND will take place on THE FINAL RACE on SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2016 and the first of the remaining KNOCKOUT PIGEONS clocked will win the US$25,000 (£17,000) “POT OF GOLD”. AS I AM SURE YOU CAN REALISE THIS IS A REALLY A TOUGH INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION THAT CREATES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT THROUGHOUT THE RACE SERIES.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 16th OPEN went to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named LUCKY PEARL, bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH which was officially clocked at 09.22.02.83 just 20.50 seconds away from the actual race winner. Then 2nd UK, 29th Open Oberholster Racing Team with pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 3rd UK, 33rd Open Millys Loft with pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 4th UK, 38th Open Susan Bennett with pigeon bred by Ian Stafford from the North East, 5th UK, 90th Open Manchester Maestros with pigeon bred by John Crehan from Manchester, 6th UK, 97th Open Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn with pigeon bred by this partnership from Ackworth, 7th UK, 98th Open Gribbles Choice with pigeon bred by Phil Bond & Son from Torquay, 8th UK, 116th Open Les & Derick Wellburn with pigeon bred by this partnership from Acklam, 9th UK, 147th Open Guys Lofts Elite with pigeon bred by Graham Guy from Wolverhampton, 10th UK, 165th Open another for Oberholster Race team with a second pigeon bred by Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe, 11th UK, 168th Open another for Mr & Mrs Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth, 12th UK, 172nd Open Syndicate Lofts UK with pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 13th UK, 187th Open Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson with pigeon bred by this partnership from Preston, 14th UK, 190th Open another for Millys Loft with a second pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 15th UK, 215th Open Smith - McAllister Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by Bruce McAllister from Furneaux Pelham, 16th UK, 236th Open Zandys Dream Team, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon bred by this syndicate, 17th UK, 287th Open Andrew Thompson with pigeon bred by this fancier from Warrington, 18th UK, 295th Open another for Millys Loft with a third pigeon bred by Michael Mellor from Crewe, 19th UK, 307th Open Bannister + Leech & Son with pigeon bred by this Stephen Bannister from Wetherby and 20th UK, 311th Open Bartley & Tweats with a pigeon bred by Iddie Davies from Wales.

The UNITED KINGDOM HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 CHALLENGE winners were as follows:- 1st UK and US$125 (£87) went to LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY PEARL which took 16th OPEN and was bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLEBOROUGH. Then 2nd UK and US$75 (£45) went to MILLYS LOFT with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE which took 33rd OPEN and was bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE. Then 3rd UK and US$50 (£35) went to LES & DERICK WELLBURN from ACKLAM with their pigeon named KRYSTYNA which took 116th OPEN and was bred by this partnership.

CONGRATULATIONS on winning 1st IRELAND, 108th OPEN went to MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named HALL bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL, which was officially clocked at 09.25.33.50 just 3 minutes 51.17 seconds behind the actual race winner, then 2nd Ireland, 121st Open Robbie Daly, 3rd Ireland, 170th Open Dylan & Daniel Boylan, 4th Ireland, 317th Open James King, 5th Ireland, 379th Open Dylan & Daniel Boylan and 6th Ireland, 523rd Open Corn Direct.

GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 showed 409 pigeons were entered which included 45 UK and 2 IRISH pigeons and with a total 1,578 Nominations and US$21,075.75c (£14,536) was up for grabs and one United Kingdom fanciers won the following:- 29th OPEN for OBERHOLSTER RACE TEAM from UNITED KINGDOM, with his pigeon named TRY bred by PIETER OBERHOLSTER from the KEYSOE and winning US$306 (£211) for its efforts.

UNITED KINGDOM REGIONAL NOMINATIONS for this HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 showed 45 pigeons were entered with a total of 71 Nominations and US$1,167.90c (£806) was up for grabs. There was three winners and they were 29th OPEN OBERHOLSTER RACE TEAM with pigeon named TRY bred by PIETER OBERHOLSTER from KEYSOE which won US$79.90c (£55) for its efforts. 116th OPEN LES & DERICK WELLBURN with pigeon named KRYSTYNA bred by this partnership from ACKLAM which won US$663 (£457) for its efforts. Then 236th OPEN ZANDYS DREAM TEAM with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE and bred by this syndicate which won US$425 (£293) for its efforts. This outstanding pigeon is currently holding onto 1st UK, 1st Grand Overall Averages after 13 races, 1st UK Country Challenge Overall Averages after 13 races ans also 1st UK, 3rd OPEN Hot Spot Car Race Averages after four races that count in this competition.

UNITED KINGDOM COUNTRY CHALLENGE AVERAGES WINNERS after 13 races are as follows:- 1st UK ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE and bred by this syndicate with combined flying time of 19.19.04.77 and leading this category by nearly 40 minutes. Then 2nd UK MILLYS LOFT with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a combined flying time of 19.59.01.92. Then 3rd UK LUCKY DEVILS SYNDICATE, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET and with pigeon named LUCKY HOTSPOT bred by BOB FENECH from ATTLERBOROUGH with combined flying time of 20.22.51.54.

GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES in the OPEN after 13 races are as follows:- 1st OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 19.19.04.77, currently leading by over 8 minutes. Then 2nd OPEN goes to BARTOSZ MOREL from POLAND with his pigeon named ZOSIA bred by BARTOSZ with a combined flying time of 19.27.26.35 and then 3rd OPEN goes to TEAM BL from GERMANY with pigeon named MUGA bred by CAHRNSS with a combined flying time of 19.30.32.76.

GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 13 races in the UNITED KINGDOM TEAM are as follows:- 1st UK, 1st OPEN goes to ZANDYS DREAM TEAM, administered by PAUL SMITH from STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET with pigeon named ZANDYS CHOICE bred by this syndicate with a combined flying time of 19.19.04.77 currently leading by nearly 20 minutes. Then 2nd UK, 11th OPEN SYNDICATE LOFTS UK with pigeon named CREAM bred by PETER FOX from BANGOR and with a combined flying time of 19.39.30.05 and then 3rd UK, 35th OPEN goes to MILLYS LOFT with pigeon named MR DUNDEEE and with pigeon bred by MICHAEL MELLOR from CREWE with a combined flying time of 19.59.01.92.

GRAND OVERALL AVERAGES after 13 races in the IRISH TEAM are as follows:- 1st IRELAND, 66th OPEN goes to MAURICE O’DONNELL with his pigeon named HALL bred by MAURICE O’DONNELL with a combined flying time of 20.13.25.25. Then 2nd IRELAND, 102nd OPEN goes to DYLAN & DANIEL BOYLAN with their pigeon named GLEN and bred by this partnership with a combined flying time of 15.40.24.14 and then 3rd IRELAND, 160th OPEN goes to JOE KENNEDY & SON with their pigeon named EUBANK bred by JOE KENNEDY & SON with a combined flying time of 20.39.15.46.

The next race will be TRAINING RACE 11 from 80km (50 miles) and should take place on Wednesday 13th January 2016.

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** I am sorry that I can’t add all the information about who bred all the pigeons or where they live as I can only publish details which I am in possession of at the time of going to press. If there are no details besides your winning pigeon/s then please contact me on 01279-812005 or [email protected] with your details and I will include these in my later International Press Reports. I personally do my best to give all the fanciers, entrants and breeders all the credit they and their pigeons deserve when they manage to get in the race results so your help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

As mentioned earlier only races of 50km (approx. 31 miles) will count towards The 20th South African Million Dollar Overall ACE PIGEON Averages, which has a total of three superb cash prizes of US$10,000 (approx. £6,666), US$5,000 (approx. £3,333) and US$2,500 (approx. £1,666) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in this category after the Final Race has been completed.

NOMINATION RACES will be held on numerous TRAINING RACES, started on TRAINING RACE 2 plus the HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and of course the FINAL RACE. See SAMDPR Web Site for full details. All these races will have US$1, US$2, US£5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 REGIONAL and US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50 & US$100 GLOBAL NOMINATIONS which can be placed on THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR Web Site. For HOT SPOT CAR RACES there will also be an optional US$200 Nomination. If you wish to enter any of these NOMINATIONS, you will have to have credit in your ASI Master Account. If you do not have credit then please forward funds to your Race Shipper so that this can be transferred to your Master Account in time to get your NOMINATIONS placed. Please do not leave it to the last minute to transfer funds as the transfer may not go through in time and this could result in your pigeon or pigeons not winning what they should be rewarded with.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL CONCERNED AND REGULAR “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” WILL BE SENT OUT TO ALL COMPETITORS/ENTRANTS AND SYNDICATE SHAREHOLDERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS BY EMAIL OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. ALSO WEEKLY “PRESS RELEASES” WILL BE SENT OUT TO BOTH OUR TWO PIGEON PUBLICATIONS NAMELY THE “BRITISH HOMING WORLD” AND “”THE RACING PIGEON” PLUS IT WILL ALSO BE ON MY REGENCY LOFTS WEB SITE www.regencylofts.com FOR ALL TO VIEW.

***SPECIAL NOTICE*** One point that should be pointed out to all competitors and entrants is that only your NUMBER 1 pigeons is “ACTIVATED” (FULLY PAID UP ENTRY) with the other TWO (2) pigeons in each of your “TEAM OF 3” being your RESERVES or BACK- UP PIGEONS. Another point worth mentioning is if you happened to lose your NUMBER 1 PIGEON, your NUMBER 2 PIGEON would replace it FREE OF CHARGE and likewise if you then lost your NUMBER 2 PIGEON, your NUMBER 3 PIGEON would then replace that one FREE OF CHARGE. If you were unlucky enough to lose all your entries of 3 pigeons in any of your “TEAMS” and they had won no “Special Prize Money” in the new HOT SPOT CAR RACES 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 then you are entitled to a FREE ENTRY into the 21st SAMDPR and all you have to pay is the official shipping/export costs to your Country Shipper. This of course represents great value for your money. All pigeons go to every training toss and Saturday and Wednesday races providing they are fit enough but can only compete for any of the allocated PRIZE MONEY or SPECIAL AWARDS in the 5 x HOT SPOT CAR RACES if they are “ACTIVATED” and that means that these must be paid for prior to the HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1, which actually took place on SATURDAY 12th DECEMBER 2015 from 130km (approx. 81 miles). The cost to “ACTIVATE” these “RESERVES or BACK-UP PIGEONS” is US$1,100 (approx. £750) (THIS MAY CHANGE SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE AT THE TIME OF ACTIVATION) but that will then entitle all these fully paid up pigeons to compete and be eligible to fly for all the extra cash prizes and special awards that amounts to close to US$300,000 (approx. £200,000). The one thing to remember is that once your reserve pigeon or pigeons are fully paid for, if then they get lost and have won no prize money or special awards in the Special Money Races, then you get this money refunded (less about US$15 (£10) for bank charges) or you can have it added to your ASI account, which can then be used to purchase another pigeon at a later date and be entered into the Final Race under your name or syndicate or even under another name of your choice. So as you can see it is “BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY” and pay for them early, after all you have nothing to lose. The race entry fee for The 19th SAMDPR was actually increased by US$100, up to US$1,100. However, all cash refunds will be at US$1,000 per paid pigeon, which will give the race organiser US$100 per pigeon towards the feeding, training and quarantine costs. HOW MANY OTHER RACES IN THE WORLD OFFER THIS SORT OF OPTION TO COMPETITORS AND ENTRANTS?

***WHAT CAN BE WON DURING THIS 2015/16 RACE SERIES*** Prizes and awards now add up to a staggering US$1.8 Million American Dollars £1.2 Million Pounds) and these include 5 x Brand New Motor Cars, 1 for each of the 5 x Car Races, 95 x US$1,100 Hot Spot Cash Prizes (it should be noted that the Motor Car Winner does not receive a US$1,100 Cash Prize), split into 19 x US$1,100 Cash Prizes for each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, a US$5,000 Car Race Hot Spot Ace Pigeon Award for the best pigeon in these 5 races, 5 x US$5,000 Country Cash Prizes on the Car Race Hot Spot 5, plus numerous other US$1,000 Cash Prizes, these prizes are for the first pigeon from each country in the result, the first five different countries take the US$5,000 prizes, then after that US$1,000 prizes. A Two Bird Average Competition and a US$2,000 Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, A Three Bird Average Competition and a US$3,000 Cash Prize in each of the 5 x Car Race Hot Spots, The South African Million Dollar Ace Pigeon Award carries US$17,500 in Prize Money, split into three cash prizes with 1st US$10,000, 2nd US$5,000 and 3rd US$2,500 Cash Prizes for the 3 pigeons with the best overall average in all the Official Training Races over 50km (31 miles) and 5 x Car Race Hot Spots and the Final Race. There will also be a Knockout Winner Competition and US$25,000 Prize Money, which starts on the Car Race Hot Spot 2 and the winner is the first one to be clocked in the “FINAL RACE” (over the past few years there has been around 40/60 pigeons still left in this competition). Then in the “FINAL RACE” on the 6th February 2016 there are also 10 magnificent platinum pendants to be won worth well over US$1,000 each and now over US$1 Million American Dollars in Prize Money and 300 cash prizes being on offer.

THE ZANDY MEYER MEMORIAL RACE & US$1,000 (approx. £645) NOMINATION will also take place on the “FINAL RACE” and the winning will be A BRAND NEW MERCEDES BENZ SLK 555 MOTOR CAR, worth a staggering US$85,000 (approx. £55,000). (ONLY “ACTIVATED” PIGEONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE FOR ANY OF THESE SPECIAL CASH PRIZES OR AWARDS). This new competition was very well supported in its first year and had over 160 entries and was so successful that it also paid out a staggering 2nd prize of US$54,000 cash. Do not miss this fantastic opportunity to win a fabulous new car. The 19th SAMDPR attracted about 140 entries and two staggering prizes were once again won by two worthy winners.

PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATED TO THE 20th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR FINAL RACE, “PLATINUM EDITION” ON SATURDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2016 IS NOW AS FOLLOWS:- 1st US$150,000 (approx. £93,750), 2nd US$100,000 (approx. £62,500), 3rd US$75,000 (approx. £46,875), 4th US$50,000 (approx. £31,250), 5th US$40,000 (approx. £25,000), 6th US$25,000 (£15,625), 7th US$17,500 (£10,938), 8th US$15,000 (£9,375, 9th US$12,500 (£7,813), 10th US$15,000 (approx. £10,000), 11th/15th US$7,500 each (approx. £4,688), 16th/20th US$5,000 each (approx. £3,125), 21st/30th US$4,000 each (approx. £2,500), 31st/40th US$3,500 each (approx. £2,188), 41st/50th US$3,000 each (approx. £1,875), 51st/70th US$2,000 each (£1,250), 71st/100th US$1,750 each (£1,094), 101st/150th US$1,500 each (£938), 151st/200th US$1,250 each (£782) and then 201st/300th US$1,100 each (£688). (Subject to terms and conditions of entry). The actual cash prizes stated above represent exchange rates at the current time and may of course change at the time of each race depending what the currency exchange rate is on the actual race day.

It is worth mentioning that six brand new cars have been won by fanciers representing the United Kingdom Team in the last seven years, Richard Elliott and Chris Gordon both won new cars during the 2005/6 race series and Paul & Dave McCarthy won one a new car during the 2006/7 series. During the 2011/12 race series fanciers from the UK won a staggering 3 x brand new cars and these were Nev & Angi Evans & Steve Cuthbert, Robert & Peter Montila and then Phil Bond. This in itself was an outstanding team performance. No other country has ever won three cars on the trot. The Irish fancier named John Nash also won a brand new car in the 2008/9 race series. I am hopeful that somebody from the United Kingdom or Ireland will also win one or maybe more brand new cars during the 2015/16 race series. GOOD LUCK TO ALL COMPETITORS.

I would also just like to notify fanciers that my weekly “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”, “NEWSLETTERS” and “UPDATES” can now also be seen on the following pigeon web sites:- www.regencylofts.com www.iprr.co.uk www.elimarpigeons.com www.pigeonportal.com www.pigeonglobe.co.uk www.cyberpigeon.co.uk www.pigeonbasics.com www.starpigeons.com www.pigeonpixels.co.uk www.theloftreport.com www.oneloftracing.com www.hitchcock-pigeons.com plus of course they will also be published in the “”BRITISH HOMING WORLD” and “THE RACING PIGEON” weeklies and other world pigeon publications for all to see, read and enjoy.

The race date for THE 21st SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE has already been agreed and confirmed by the race organisers as SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY 2017.

If you are interested in participating or acting a Country Race Team Shipper/Co-ordinator, then please contact me as soon as possible on 01279- 812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or SMS or email on [email protected] and I will give you all the information you require. My two proposed shipping dates for THE 21st SAMDPR will take about the middle of MAY 2016 and then the second one should be around the middle of JUNE 2016. Of course these two dates will be confirmed nearer the time. I strongly recommend that you try to ship your race entries on the 1st shipping date as this then gives these pigeons much more time to settle into the race lofts. If you have any questions about any aspect of THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, then please contact me as soon as possible on 01279-812005 or my mobile 07860-568216 or by SMS or email at [email protected] and I will do my best to answer any of your questions or queries about this great race.

These “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES” do take a lot of my time to prepare and I try to get as much into them as possible as I know fanciers and entrants like to know what is happening, unfortunately some time, some information will not be to hand when the print deadline is reached so can’t be included in that report. I can only apologise if I leave something out but I can assure everybody that I do my best to get as much information as possible to put into each of these international reports.

IF ANY PIGEON FANCIER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR IN FACT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE MY WEEKLY “INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASES”, “NEWSLETTERS” AND “UPDATES” BY EMAIL, THEN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL ME THEIR ACTUAL EMAIL ADDRESS I WILL PUT THEM ON MY EMAIL DATABASE AND I WILL THEN FORWARD THEM ALL THE INFORMATION BY EMAIL ON A REGULAR BASIS.

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL PIGEON FANCIERS, SYNDICATES AND ENTRANTS DURING THE 2015/16 RACE SERIES.

Paul Smith. United Kingdom Race Team Co-ordinator/Shipper & International Race Co-ordinator for The 20th South African Million Dollar, “Platinum Edition” (The Greatest & Biggest One Loft Pigeon Race In The World Today! and also The Race With The Proven Track Record), which is due to be held at the Montecasino Complex, Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 6th February 2016. Regency Lofts Limited, 2, Highmead, off Coltsfield, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. CM24 8LJ. England. Telephone/Facsimile:- 01279-812005 (Int. Code:- +44-1279-812005). Mobile:- 07860-568216. Email Address:- [email protected] Skype Address:- talbot7944 Regency Lofts Web Site Address:- www.regencylofts.com The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race Web Site Address:- www.samdpr.com