“INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE”
REPORT ON
17th TRAINING RACES
in
THE 14th SUN CITY MILLION DOLLAR
(THE RACE WITH THE PROVEN TRACK RECORD)
(THE GREATEST PIGEON RACE IN THE WORLD)
WHICH IS DUE TO BE HELD IN SUN CITY, SOUTH AFRICA ON SATURDAY 30th JANUARY 2010.
This fantastic team of top quality pigeons bred and supplied by some of the best pigeon fanciers in the world today have now completed thousands of miles of training and they are all now ready for Training Race 17 which took place from 113km (70 miles) on Saturday 23rd January 2010 and a total of 3,176 pigeons were finally basketed for this race with 2,684 International pigeons and this figure included 214 from the United Kingdom and 44 from Ireland, plus 492 from South Africa. For the second race on the trot the early liberation was delayed because of rain but they finally managed to get a liberation.
This convoy were liberated at 08-20 with a light head wind and in overcast clearing conditions at the lofts and a temperature of 24c (75f) rising steadily throughout the day to about 30c (88f) and even hotter in Sun City later in the day with the possibility and a good steady race around the 2 hour mark and speeds of about 35mph mark was anticipated by Zandy Meyer (Race Director) and Dave van der Merwe (Loft Manager) and an estimated time of arrival would be about 10-20, which would be a ideal preparation race, just a few days before the Final Race.
CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st Open in this TRAINING RACE 17 went to Kurt Noeres from Austria with pigeon named Bi-turbo which was officially clocked at 10-14-47 to record a winning velocity of 1072ypm (37mph), this pigeon has won 2218th, 1289th, 1046th, 1053rd, 3397th, 3130th, 630th, 659th, 1685th, 865th, 461st, 1412th, 301st, 395th, 1890th, 2932nd, 1220th, 939th, 1888th, 1419th, 1163rd and now 1st Open in the first 22 races, 2nd Open went to N+A Evans, Cuthbert and Sutton from the United Kingdom with Burntoft Babe, 3rd Open to Mick Feeney and Sons from Ireland with Muttley, 4th Open for Veenstra Pigeons from Netherlands withDown The Aisle, 5th Open for Team Senne – Hoevelhof from Germany with My Hearts Desire, 6th Open for Boris Sovic from Slovenia with Marjana, 7th Open for Chris Smith from South Africa with Blue Heaven, 8th Open for Jaap Koehoorn from Netherlands with Hanks Last Shot, 9th Open for Koopman Racing Pigeons II from Netherlands with Count Look Alive, 10th Open for De Jaeger – Bramax from Belgium with Kristien, 11th Open for Norman Philip from Belgium with Come Running V M, 12th Open for Richard + Friedhelm +Thomas Klein from Germany with Bella Donna, 13th Open for Herbots – Kader from Belgium with Blue Miracle, 14th Open for Peeters – Huybregts from Netherlands with Nadia, 15th Open for Heinz Wilms from Germany with Rose Hill, 16th Open for Rolf Berger from Germany with Chi Chi, 17th Open for Team Rhein-Main from Germany with Please Answer, 18th Open another for Jaap Koehoorn from Netherlands with Timely Guest, 19th Open for Herbots – Fahad Al Watri from Belgium with Blue Mirage and then 20th Open for Schroll – Esser from Germany with Pass N Style. Once again it turned out to be another great international result with 7 different countries taking the first seven open positions an 8 different countries being represented in the top 10 and these were all clocked within 11-60 seconds of the race winner, then 67.85 seconds between the first 50 and 127.85 seconds between the first 100 pigeons clocked. The first official report showed 1,183 pigeons had been officially clocked on the state of the art Unikon (Deister) Electronic Clocking System by 10-30, then 2,271 by 10-40, then 2,935 by 10-54 and 3,111 by 11-14, 3,138 by 14-14, then a few more returned through the afternoon and the last report showed 3,156 by 16-22, leaving just 20 missing on the day. At the Monday check, a total of 3,176 were in the lofts, which was the same number sent to this race.
CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st United Kingdom, 2nd Open went to N+A Evans, Cuthbert and Sutton with their pigeon named Burntoft Babe, bred by N+A Evans from Wolviston and being clocked at 10-14-53 just 05.83 seconds off the winner and this pigeon has now won 1832nd, 3968th, 3874th, 701st, 1281st, 938th, 1255th, 549th, 2664th, 996th, 1542nd, 3296th, 2346th, 682nd, 1110th, 2452nd, 1375th, 2526th, 637th, 1863rd, 2287th and now 2nd Open in the first 22 races, 2nd UK, 52nd Open for Don Lupo from Southampton with Emilo, 3rd UK, 76th Open for PBW KPM + FW Syndicate with Belle bred by Paul, Brian & Wendy Hyatt from Brockeridge Common, 4th UK, 123rd Open for Brown Brothers from Gloucester with Blue Girl, 5th UK, 174h Open for Waldron Lofts with Waldron Star bred by Graham Watkinson from Skelmersdale, 6th UK, 191st Open for Dave & Paul McCarthy from Wallasey with Wallasey Star, 7th UK, 225th Open for Derek Wilson from Cuckney with Princess, 8th UK, 249th Open for Witto – Porter from Dorchester with Try Again Chestnut bred by Dave Whitefield, 9th UK, 271st Open for Team Thomas with Kirwood Arthur bred by Mike, Christine & Thomas Kirby from Asselby, 10th UK, 284th Open for Harrow Boys 3 with Charmaine bred by D Damalie from Wembley, 11th UK, 294th Open for Team Oberholster with Obi Kate, bred by Pieter & Kate Oberholster from Lask Edge, 12th UK, 325th Open for the Paul Smith Syndicate, administer by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with African Choice bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 13th UK, 361st Open for Jurgen & Caroline Josch from Hailsham with Newbury, 14th UK, 366th Open for Mr & Mrs. Brian & Mavis Clayburn from Ackworth with Sunshine and Showers, 15th UK, 375th Open for Stretton Family with Beau Peep bred by Roy Stretton from Cannock Wood, 16th UK, 377th Open for Roger Sutton from Congleton with Astbury Orchid, 17th UK, 391st Open for the Magnificent Seven Syndicate with Ocean Wave bred by Paul Simpson from Ripon, 18th UK, 398th Open another for Brown Brothers from Gloucester with Jet, 19th UK, 402nd Open another for the Paul Smith Syndicate with African Lord bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon and then 20th UK, 426th Open for Cathleen and George Chadwick with Amy No 1 bred by Mr & Mrs. Derek Boyes from Southampton. The first report on the web site showed a total of 79 United Kingdom pigeon was officially clocked in by 10-30, then 168 by 10-40, then 194 by 10-54, then 206 by 11-14, 210 by 14-14,
and the final report at 16-22 showed 210 officially clocked, leaving just 4 still to return home to the lofts. At the Monday loft check, 212 UK pigeons were back in the lofts.
CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st Ireland, 3rd Open goes to Mick Feeney and Sons with pigeon named Muttley which was bred by this partnership and was clocked at 10-14-53 just 05.98 seconds after the race winner, this pigeon has now won 2107th, 1150th, 3575th, 3768th, 69th, 3317th, 3493rd, 2586th, 3662nd, 172nd, 865th, 1973rd, 2128th, 2324th, 838th, 597th, 1261st, 2612th, 1444th, 2389th, 438th and now 3rd Open in its last 22 races, then 2nd Ireland, 50th Open for Oliver Bond Flats with The Warlord, 3rd Ireland, 55th Open for Bernard Smyth with Dora 35, 4th Ireland, 108th Open for Paul Poole and Son with The Dub, 5th Ireland, 130th Open for Philip + Mark Smith with Jamie S and then 6th Ireland, 312th Open for the Lucky Lotto Syndicate with Martin.
The first report on the web site showed a total of 15 Irish Team pigeon had been officially clocked by 10-30, then 35 clocked by 10-40, then 42 by 10-54 and then all 44 by 11-14.
SUN CITY OVERALL AVERAGES carries $5,000, $3,000 and a $2,000 cash prize for the first three pigeons in this category but only No. 1 pigeons or pigeons fully paid for before the first official Training Race are eligible to win the actual prize money. Now after 22 official races have taken place the web site shows the following:- 1st Open goes to Team Waldeck from Germany with his excellent pigeon named Dancers Choice bred by Friedrich Nasemann which has so far won 124th, 267th, 1655th, 10th, 135th, 655th, 167th, 33rd, 29th, 564th, 194th, 427th, 90th, 228th, 22nd, 27th, 1336th, 325th, 71st, 129th, 336th and now 296th Open in the 22 races that count and total time is 37-16-06, leading by 31 minutes and 51 seconds. WHAT A GREAT PIGEON! 2nd Open for Koopman Racing Pigeons II from Netherlands with Count Look Alive, 3rd Open for Jochen Huenten from Germany with Grey Mantle, 4th Open for Team Brandy from Germany with Lancaster, 5th Open for Georg Oswald from Germany with Achilles, 6th Open for Christian Steinhagen from Germany with Day by Day, 7th Open for Koopman Racing Pigeons 1 from Netherlands with Sheena, 8th Open for Dr Marian Piwatz from Germany with Winny, 9th Open for Team German Dream Boys from Germany with Klugscheisser and then 10th Open for the Magnificent Seven Syndicate fro United Kingdom with Ocean Wave. Only 3 different countries are represented in the top 10 in this category and with just over 86 minutes covering them all.
Holding onto 1st UK, 10th Open in this category goes to the Magnificent Seven Syndicate with their very consistent pigeon Ocean Wave bred by Paul Simpson from Ripon which is now leading this competition by 26 minutes and 47 seconds, his results so far are 1417th, 58th, 138th, 9th, 23rd, 59th, 661st, 534th, 129th, 1678th, 1378th, 2842nd, 312th, 408th, 1166th, 346th, 8th, 162nd, 1884th, 926th, 99th and now 391st Open in the 22 races that count, then 2nd UK, 19th Open for Mark Gilbert - NFC Sponsor Team with Southfield Grey bred by Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 3rd UK, 67th Open for Mr & Mrs Andy Gregson from Preston with Preston Prince, 4th UK, 74th Open for Team Oberholster with Obi Kate bred by Pieter & Kate Oberholster from Lask Edge, 5th & 6th UK, 122nd & 127th Open for the Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet, with African Pacemaker bred by Terry Robinson from Enfield and African Lad bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 7th UK, 128th Open for Mr & Mrs Bill & Beryl Lewis from Kempsey with Freelands Vickers, 8th UK, 137th Open for Tony Darling from Southampton with Hampshire Boy, 9th UK, 159th Open for Horseshoe Syndicate with Horseshoe Mistress bred by Steve Radcliffe from Skelmersdale and then 10th UK, 173rd Open for the Wallasey Superstars Syndicate, which is administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with Wallasey Bluey bred by Dave & Paul McCarthy from Wallasey. The UK top 10 is covered by 2 hours and 27 minutes. It really is good to see so many United Kingdom pigeons doing well in this competition.
Holding onto 1st Ireland, 31st Open in this category goes to Nashers Team with his pigeon named Annette N bred by John Nash from Dublin and is now leading this competition by 42 minutes and 20 seconds and has so far won 3050th, 392nd, 162nd, 3089th, 512th, 1487th, 166th, 1044th, 279th, 295th, 127th, 2259th, 525th, 4th, 493rd, 3rd, 410th, 3rd, 87th, 458th, 1936th and now 1295th Open in the 22 races that count, this exceptional pigeon has won 1st Ireland, 1st OPEN in THE SUN CITY HOT SPOT AVERAGES and won $5,000 and wins included 1st Ireland, 4th Open in 3rd Hot Spot Race, 1st Ireland, 3rd Open 4th Hot Spot Race and 3rd Ireland, 3rd Open 5th Hot Spot Race, WHAT A GREAT PIGEON, then 2nd Ireland, 64th Open for Tom Cahill with Danny C, 3rd Ireland 76th Open for McCourt – Larkin with pigeon named Larkin, 4th Ireland, 85th Open for Canon Lillis Lofts with their great pigeon named Carlo and bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, which had held onto 1st Ireland, 1st Open in this category for seven races on the trot, 5th Ireland, 371st Open for Philip + Mark Smith with Michaela and then 6th Ireland, 510th Open for Karl Donnelly with Megan. Good to see the Irish pigeons still doing well in this competition.
The GLOBAL NOMINATIONS for Training Race 17 attracted a total of 245 pigeons (15 from the UK and 1 from Ireland) and there was 897 nominations placed and flown for in the $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 categories and a total of $7,857-40c was up for grabs and there were two UK winners in this race as follows:- Team Oberholster with Obi Kate, bred by Pieter & Kate Oberholster from Lask Edge winning 294th Open and $170 and then the Magnificent Seven Syndicate with Ocean Wave, bred by Paul Simpson from Ripon winning 391st Open and $1,700. Both these good pigeons have been flying exceptionally well during the 2009/10 race series. Then in the UNITED KINGDOM NOMINATIONS in the $1, $2, $5,$10 and $20 categories there were 10 pigeons entered and a total of 34 nominations were placed and $172-55c was paid out to just one lucky winner and they were as follows:- Team Oberholster with Obi Kate, bred by Pieter & Kate Oberholster from Lask Edge, taking 294th Open and winning all the nominations and a total of $172-55c. Congratulations to these winners.
The CASCADE CHALLENGE this weekend attracted a total of 118 pigeons (12 UK and 2 Irish) for this race and as this new competition had not been won since it started way back on Hot Spot 2, there was a running total prize fund of $7,270-00c that could be won. The only way this prize fund can be won is for one of the single nominated pigeons entered to win 1st Open, if this does not happen then all the cash rolls over to the following nomination race. As mentioned before, this is going to be a tough one to crack. However, sooner or later somebody was going to hit the jackpot and this was the race that Kurt Noeres from Austria walked away with the $7,270-0c prize money with his pigeon named Bi-turbo
which had previously won 2218th, 1289th, 1046th, 1053rd, 3397th, 3130th, 630th, 659th, 1685th, 865th, 461st, 1412th, 301st, 395th, 1890th, 2932nd, 1220th, 939th, 1888th, 1419th, 1163rd and now 1st OPEN in TRAINING RACE 17. CONGRATULATIONS MY MAN ON A GREAT WIN. Taking 1st UK, 294th Open went to Team Oberholster with Obi Kate, bred by Pieter & Kate Oberholster from Lask Edge, 2nd UK, 391st Open for the Magnificent Seven Syndicate with Ocean Wave, bred by Paul Simpson from Ripon and 3rd UK, 426th Open for Cathleen and George Chadwick with Amy No 1, bred by Mr & Mrs Derek Boyes from Southampton. Taking 1st Ireland, 853rd Open went to Canon Lillis Lofts with Carlo, bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin. Another new CASCADE CHALLENGE will start on the FINAL RACE and Air Sport Internationale will start the prize fund with $2,000. Good luck to everybody that enters.