Dinokeng Lofts in gauteng is the home of the Ultimate Pigeon Race, which offers a combined cash prize pay-out of R3 375 000. Open to both South African and international entrants, the entry fee will be R7 000 per bird plus one reserve.
The final race in the Ultimate Pigeon Race programme is held in August. This is the best time of the year for racing in South Africa, as it’s our pigeons’ usual racing season, which is also in line with the birds’ natural moulting and biological clocks.
Racing and training out of season disturbs the normal shedding of baby feathers and causes pigeons to experience a kind of hormonal “shut down”.
Some pigeon families do handle out-of-season racing well, but for the many that just don’t seem to cope, their true value as racers can’t really be judged. The Ultimate Race programme will better define the true champions for many local fanciers.
Categories/competitions and races
The seven categories or competitions in the programme (First place; Ace pigeon; Two bird; Three bird; Most birds; Team and Super Turbo) are judged on five races: Ventersburg (300km, 26 June 2011); Bloemfontein (450km, 10 July 2011); Bloemfontein (450km, 24 July 2011); Smithfield (540km, 7 August 2011) and Gariep Dam (600km; 21 August 2011).
First-place main race
Pay-outs for the 600km first-place race on 21 August 2011 at the Gariep Dam are as follows:
- First: R1 million.
- Second: R300 000.
- Third: R100 000.
- Fourth: R80 000.
- Fifth: R50 000.
- Sixth: R30 000.
- Placing 7th to 15th: R20 000 each.
- Placing 16th to 100th: R7 000 each.
Ace pigeon competition (best bird)
The winner of the best bird (Ace pigeon) category will be determined over three races – two super turbo tosses (in Bloemfontein on 10 July 2011 and Smithfield on 7 August 2011) and the main race at Gariep Dam.
The velocity of every bird – calculated at metres/minute – added together over the three races will decide the winner. Each race will therefore close at exactly 200m/minute after the first paid bird was clocked, to prevent any birds being put out after one bad race. First prize is R100 000, second prize R50 000 and third prize R30 000.
Team competition (two or more paid birds)
The best team category will be decided over five races: one toss race in Ventersburg on 26 June, three super turbo tosses in Bloemfontein on 19 July and 24 July and the Gariep Dam main race.
The average velocity of any team’s first two paid birds home, reached in each separate race, will be added together and the team with the best overall speed will be the winner.
First prize is R100 000, second prize R80 000 and third prize R50 000.
Other competitions
- The Two Bird Competition, where the first entrant with two paid birds that finish the main race receives a R100 000 prize.
- The Three Bird Competition, for the first entrant to have the first three paid birds home in the main race for a R100 000 prize.
- The Most Birds Home Competition, for the entrant with the most paid birds home before main race close for a R100 000 prize.
- Three Super Turbo Races, two in Bloemfontein, one in Smithfield, for total prize money of R330 000.
About the trainer
Veteran pigeon fancier Barnie Deetlefs is Dinokeng Lofts’ pigeon trainer. Barnie has 40 years of experience in South Africa’s racing pigeon community and has won numerous awards during this time. He is one of South Africa’s most respected pigeon fanciers.
For more information on entering the race or on race rules , contact Dinokeng Lofts on 012 546 2391 or at [email protected].
