SUN CITY MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE
Paul Smith
REPORT ON TRAINING RACE 4 & 1ST HOT SPOT RACE
UNITED KINGDOM TEAM wins 9th, 12th, 60th, 64th, 108th, 153rd, 174th, 187th, 254th, 270th, 286th & 301st Open and the IRISH TEAM wins 17th, 33rd, 44th, 45th, 142nd & 151st Open in the additional Training Race 4A.
UNITED KINGDOM TEAM wins 12th, 22nd, 58th, 62nd, 88th, 95th, 131st, 137th, 181st, 216th, 228th & 242nd Open and the IRISH TEAM wins 17th, 55th, 134th, 194th, 289th & 345th Open in HOT SPOT RACE 1.
Well after a good result by both the United Kingdom and Irish Teams in last Saturday’s race, which resulted in excellent returns for both teams, it was once again training every day during the week to get them ready for the 1st official Hot Spot Race, however the race committee decided that because of lack of road work these pigeons had undergone so far due to the inclement weather, that an additional Training Race 4A should be added to the race programme and this duly took place on Wednesday 14th November from 81 km (approx. 50 miles) and a total of 3,859 pigeons were basketed and this included 250 UK and 73 Irish pigeons.
The convoy were liberated at 07-00 in fine and clear weather, 25c (77f) with a light head wind and the Race Director, Convoyer and Loft Manager thought that the winning pigeons would take about 60 minutes to cover the race distance. Everything was ready at the lofts and then all of a sudden at 07-55 a big gang was seen approaching the lofts, they swung round and immediately started to trap and first up on the computer screen was clocked at 07-55-42.81. CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st OPEN in this race went to MATTHEE & STEMMET from SOUTH AFRICA, with their pigeon named SIR WILLIAM and which recorded a velocity of 1600ypm (approx. 54mph). The top ten pigeons were all clocked within 12.8 seconds of the winner and were made up with 4 South African, 4 German, 1 Austrian and 1 United Kingdom pigeon. The top 50 were all clocked within 75 seconds, plus 2,000 pigeons were officially recorded within 17 minutes of the actual race winner, with 3,727 being officially clocked by 10-15 and this included 240 from the UK Team and 73 from the Irish Team. Another update showed 3,768 pigeons were home by 11-58 and this included 245 UK and 73 Irish. This left 91 to return to base during the rest of the day.
CONGRATULATIONS in this race for winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 9th OPEN goes to the FOWLER FAMILY SYNDICATE and bred by PAUL & ANTHONY FOWLER from Leek who clocked their pigeon named MNFC SUN DANCE 69 at 07-55-52.46, just 9.65 seconds behind the winner, 2nd UK, 12th Open went to the Telmara Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Chris Patmore from Saffron Walden, 3rd & 4th UK, 69th & 64th Open went to Bernard Smyth from Belfast, 5th UK, 108th Open went to Europa Auctions UK (Derek Nicholls from Barry), with a pigeon bred by John Boyd from Ballymena, 6th UK, 153rd Open went to the English Glory Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 7th UK, 174th Open goes to the Stretton Family and bred by Roy Stretton from Cannock Wood, 8th UK, 187th Open goes to Mr & Mrs. Brian Clayburn from Ackworth, 9th UK, 254th Open went to Her Majesty The Queen with a pigeon bred by Carlo Napolitano, the Royal Loft Manager, 10th UK, 270th Open went to Premier Stud with a pigeon owned by Graham Sparkes from Patrington, 11th UK, 286th Open went to Skyleader Lofts with a pigeon bred by Albert Tarleton from Ormskirk and 12th UK, 301st Open going to the Astbury Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Roger & Pat Sutton from Congleton. Well done to both Nev Proctor for winning $136 and Pieter Oberholster for winning $306 pools, it was great to see a total of $8,127-70 Pools was paid out in this race.
CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st IRELAND, 17th OPEN went to GERRY McCOURT, the Irish Race Team Shipper with his pigeon named ADAM, 2nd Ireland, 33rd Open went to Grove Hill Lofts, 3rd Ireland, 44th Open went to Karl Donnelly, 4th Ireland, 45th Open to Lucas Lofts, 5th Ireland, 142nd Open to Josh & Kevin and 6th Ireland, 151st Open going to Dave Brown.
When I logged onto my computer on Friday 16th November the basketing list was already on the SCMDPR Web Site and this showed a total of 3,789 pigeons had been officially basketed for the 1st Hot Spot Race, which was due to take place on Saturday 17th November. This total contained 2,838 International and 951 South African entries and included 250 from the United Kingdom and 73 from Ireland. This race was supposed to have been from 150 km (approx. 93 miles) but because of bad weather earlier in the month, the training distances had slipped behind a bit, so it was decided that rather than push the pigeons it would be better that a shorter race would take place from 113 km (approx. 70 miles) distance.
Saturday dawned and saw the convoy liberated at 07-00 in fine and clear weather, a tail wind and with the temperature of 22c (72f), with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for later in the day. The opinion of most present at the lofts was that the winning pigeons would take about 90 minutes to cover the journey. As usual the fanciers present were enjoying a early morning barbecue when all of a sudden a gang was seen approaching at 08-26 and the pigeons started to trap and within a few seconds the computer screen showed the winner and CONGRATULATIONS go to ENGELBRECHT LOFTS from SOUTH AFRICA with their pigeon aptly named MAJESTIC, which was clocked at 08-26-29.05 to record a velocity of 1432ypm (approx. 48mph). The top fifty were all clocked within 43 seconds of the winner and four different countries were represented in the top ten, these being 5 for South Africa, 3 for Germany, and 1 each for The Netherlands and Czech Republic. The temperature increased up to 29c (84f) as the day progressed and as usual in South Africa heavy rain and a big thunderstorms pushed through as predicted from about 16-30 which unfortunately stopped some of later arrivals making it back to the lofts before nightfall. However, the first result issued on the web site showed 3,126 pigeons clocked by 09-03 and this included 203 from the UK and 61 from Ireland. Three more listing went up throughout the day and a total of 3,417 made it home in daylight and this included 221 from the UK and 65 from Ireland, leaving 372 still to return. As usual the pigeons started to roll in the next morning and another listing was put on the web site and by 12-05 and showed 3,566 had been recorded and this included 231 from the UK and 68 from Ireland, leaving 223 to return. The last web site updated on Sunday showed 3,581 pigeons were home and this included 233 from the UK and 68 from Ireland, which left 208 still missing.
*****IT TURNED OUT TO BE A RIGHT ROYAL WEEKEND AND CONGRATULATIONS go to HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN from SANDRINGHAM for winning 1st UNITED KINGDOM, 12th OPEN with pigeon very fittingly named ROYAL FLUSH and clocked at 08-26-44.25, only 15 seconds after the winner, this pigeon was of course bred by Carlo Napolitano, the Royal Loft Manager who was delighted that Her Majesty had flown the flag for the United Kingdom Team and it s great to see their pigeons doing so well over the past few weeks. A few seconds behind was the same pigeon that won 1st UK, 9th Open in the last race, namely MNFC Sun Dance 69 for the Fowler Family with a pigeon bred by Paul & Anthony Fowler from Leek, 3rd UK, 58th Open went to Nev Proctor from Stoke-On-Trent, 4th & 6th UK, 62nd & 95th Open for Syndicate Lofts UK with two pigeons bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 5th UK, 88th Open for Pieter Oberholster from Lask Edge, who acts as one of the UK Race Team Shippers, 7th UK, 131st Open for the Stretton Family with a pigeon bred by Roy Stretton from Cannock Wood, 8th UK, 137th Open went to the English Glory Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 9th UK, 181st for Brian Long from Gipping, 10th UK, 216th Open for Van Vaiseys Syndicate and bred by Steven Vaisey from Portsmouth, 11th UK, 228th Open for Mr & Mrs. Brian Clayburn from Ackworth and 12th UK, 242nd Open to the Magnificent Seven Syndicate, with an entry bred by Paul Simpson from Ripon.
CONGRATULATIONS also go to THE GREEN TEAM for taking 1st IRELAND, 17th OPEN with their pigeon named SURETHING, 2nd Ireland, 55th Open went to Brown & Lucas, 3rd Ireland, 134th Open went to Wallace & Billy, 4th Ireland, 194th for Josh & Kevin, 5th Ireland, 289th Open for Cooley Brothers and 6th Ireland, 345th Open for Gerry McCourt, the Irish Race Team Shipper.
The winner of the BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR was the pigeon that took second position and was named SPEEDSTER II and owned by the VISION SYNDICATE from SOUTH AFRICA. Once again we have a race winner that was “NOT-ACTIVATED”, which has cost them winning the car. Every year somebody gets caught out that is why I always try to get all my team members to “ACTIVATE” all their reserve pigeons before the 1st Hot Spot Race and by doing this, hopefully something like this will not happen to a UK pigeon. However, there are still a few competitors that have not yet “ACTIVATED” their reserve pigeon/s, so once again let this be an early warning to you all. ONLY “ACTIVATED” PIGEONS CAN WIN ANY OF THESE SPECIAL PRIZES.
The $10,000 Hot Spot Race Prize Money is split into 10 x $1,000 Cash Prizes and the winners in this race were as follows:- 5 x $1,000 prizes went to South African pigeons, 4 x $1,000 prizes went to German pigeons, 1 x $1,000 to a Dutch pigeon and 1 x $1,000 to HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN from the UNITED KINGDOM.
The “TWO BIRD AVERAGE” winner in this race and $2,000 was won by PETER RENSINGHOFF from GERMANY with MISS AWARD & YOGI, United Kingdom fanciers took the following positions:- 12th Nev Proctor with Woodhouse Angel & Woodhouse Woopi-Looni, 15th Pieter Oberholster with Obi-Tinker & Obi-Can Can, 21st Frozen Porridge with Aufedersein Pet & Cant Touch This, 35th English Glory Syndicate with English Flyer & English Express and then 37th Syndicate Lofts UK with Hells Bells & Delihah. Well done to all these competitors.
The leader after three races in the “SUN CITY OVERALL AVERAGES” is Eduard Hoelscher from Germany with pigeon named Koopi and the top ten positions are currently held by 5 x German, 2 x Belgium, 1 x South African, 1 x Danish and 1 American pigeons and only 3 minutes separates them all. This event has allocated prize money of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 cash prizes for the best three pigeons after the Final Race has taken place. The best placed United Kingdom pigeon in the top 100 is named MNFC Sun Dance 69 for the Fowler Family, bred by Paul & Anthony Fowler and is currently in 16th spot only 4 minutes off the pace, 51st is Josie owned by Graeme Sparkes from Premier Stud, 66th Obi-Tinker owned by Pieter Oberholster, 68th Europa Classy, owned by Derek Nicholls and bred by John Boyd, 69th Gipping Mistress and owned by Brian Long, 72nd Mark P and owned by Phil Priddle and 79th Preston Girl owned by Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson. Our Irish counterparts currently have four pigeons in the top 100 and they are 15th Nicola II owned by Brown & Lucas, 65th Kevin owned by Wallace & Billy, 85th Hempo owned by Bernard Hempenstall and 86th Adam owned by Gerry McCourt.
Once again the web site was updated on Monday 19th November and this showed a total of 3,604 pigeons in the lofts and this included 2,697 International and 907 South African entries and these figures included 237 from the UK and 68 from Ireland. This race resulted in 185 pigeons not making it back to the lofts.
More daily training will take place right through the coming week providing the weather is good enough to train these athletes of the skies.
The race next weekend will be the 2nd Hot Spot Race and should be from 200 km (approx. 124 miles) but realistically this will probably be held from a slightly shorter distance, which will only be decided depending how the daily training goes during the week. This will be the race where the “KNOCKOUT COMPETITION” starts and offers a $25,000 (approx. £12,500) prize to the final winner, which will be the first of the few that remain in the competition and are left to compete in the “Final Race” with the fist one clocked taking the “POT OF GOLD”. This is how the “KNOCKOUT COMPETEITION” works and only “ACTIVATED” pigeons are eligible:- Knockout Round 1 – 2nd Hot Spot Race when 65% of those clocked move into Knockout Round 2 – 3rd Hot Spot Race when 55% of those clocked move into Knockout Round 3 – 4th Hot Spot Race when 35% of those clocked move into Knockout Round 4 – 5th Hot Spot Race when 20% of those clocked move into the Knockout Final Round, which will be held on the “Final Race” on Saturday 2nd February 2008 and the first one of these officially clocked is the winner. ONLY “ACTIVATED” PIGEONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO WIN THIS $25,000 CASH PRIZE.
***POLITE REMINDER:- Any competitors/entrants that have not yet “ACTIVATED” their “Reserve Pigeons” can still do so at any time. It should also be noted that only “ACTIVATED PIGEONS” can win any of the PRIZE MONEY and SPECIAL AWARDS including the BRAND NEW CARS which are allocated and are on offer in the forthcoming Hot Spot Races. Do not leave it until the last minute to “ACTIVATE” as it could cost you or your syndicate winning a major prize. Please call me today on 01279-812005 and give me your instructions.
Now we are up and rolling for the 2007/8 race series, weekly race reports and updates will be sent out to all UK competitors and of course published in both our weekly pigeon magazines. They are also available to view on three web sites, namely:- www.iprr.co.uk www.elimarpigeons.com and www.pigeonportal.com
If anybody wants to follow what is happening an a daily basis over the next three months all the have to do is log onto www.scmdpr.com it is without doubt the most up to date and comprehensive one loft web site in the world today and last year had in excess of 16 million “HITS” during the whole race series.
If any United Kingdom competitors/entrants want to pool or nomination any of their pigeons in the forthcoming Hot Spot Races and have no funds in their ASI Bank Account, they need to transfer some money and funds into their account so that they can then pool/nominate any of their pigeons in any of the Hot Spot Races to come. If you are intending to pool/nominate any of your pigeons then please do not leave it until the last minute to transfer these funds, as it takes a few days for these to clear. POOLS/NOMINATIONS can be put on direct through the web site.
If there is anything anybody would like to know about this race, then please contact me on 01279-812005 or email me on
GOOD LUCK TO ALL COMPETITORS/ENTRANTS OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
Paul Smith. United Kingdom Race Team Shipper for The 12th Sun City Million Dollar (The Greatest Pigeon Race In The World Today), which is due to be held in Sun City Resort, South Africa on Saturday 2nd February 2008.
Regency Lofts Limited, “Five Pennies”, High Lane, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. CM24 8LQ. Telephone/Facsimile:- 01279-812005. (Int. Code:- +44-1279-812005).
Mobile:- 07860-568216. Email:-
20/11/07
