Over the past season, I was asked an important question by a fancier: “Why do we no longer go to 600km liberations in the summer race series?” The answer is twofold. Firstly, temperatures today are significantly higher than they were 20 years ago.But more importantly, the real issue is time—and
1. Entry Options & Fees
Participants may enter pigeons under one of the following team options:
Small Team Entry
Big Team Entry
Entrants may send fewer reserve pigeons if desired.
Payment Terms
2. Eligibility & Health Requirements
3. Intake Period
4. Paid Entries, Reserves & Transfers
Paid Entry Eligibility
Only paid entry pigeons are eligible to compete for:
Reserve Pigeons
After Hot Spot 3
Replacement of Lost Paid Entries
5. Race Program (Proposed)
| Date | Location | Distance | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Nov | Kroonstad | 160 km | Training |
| 14 Nov | Ventersburg | 210 km | Race 1 / Ace |
| 21 Nov | Ventersburg | 210 km | Race 2 / Ace |
| 28 Nov | Verkeerdevlei | 300 km | Hot Spot 1 / Ace |
| 05 Dec | Verkeerdevlei | 300 km | Hot Spot 2 / Ace |
| 16 Dec | Glen | 335 km | Hot Spot 3 / Ace |
| 30 Dec | Bloemfontein | 360 km | Hot Spot 4 / Ace |
| 09 Jan | Tierpoort Dam | 390 km | Hot Spot 5 / Ace |
| 23 Jan | Gariep Dam Area | 450–550 km | Final Race / Final Ace |
All race dates and liberation points remain at management’s discretion and may be amended in the best interest of the pigeons.
6. Prize Money Structure
(Based on 500 paid entries before Hot Spot 3)
Final Race Prizes (ZAR)
Ace Pigeon – Overall
(Races 1 & 2, Hot Spots 1–5, and Final Race to count)
Hot Spot Prizes (1–5)
7. Team Competition
Team Categories
A Big Team entrant may split their 12 pigeons into two Small Teams of 6 pigeons each to also take part in the small team competition.
8. Auction & Breeder Kickback
Season Review: 2026 Gold Cup Race
Carnival Lofts South Africa – Final Race | 6 February 2026
“Would I have done anything different? Hell no.”
As has been the case for several years now, the season started later than planned due to various factors. But, as always, it worked out.
And on Friday, 6 February 2026, we witnessed one of those proper summer one-loft race finals — the kind only the diehards truly appreciate. Anyone who understands what a South African summer final during a peak heatwave entails will know exactly what I mean.
Yes, the pedigrees of the pigeons on the podium are once again stacked with proven Carnival Lofts summer super racers. If you’re looking for easy race conditions, South Africa offers plenty of winter races — some cheaper, some more expensive — where you can pick and choose.
But if you want a real test — where pigeons still have a genuine chance to perform under gruelling summer conditions — then you’re in the right place.
It’s not for everyone. I know that.
But for pigeons with the blood, the engine, and the recovery, this is where legends are made.
The Allflight Carnival Lofts Summer Series, much like the old Million Dollar Race, has produced pigeons that still appear in the pedigrees of major one-loft winners across the globe years later. And make no mistake: the pigeons that made it back on the day — and early on day two — will feature prominently in pedigrees for years to come.
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Heat, Headwinds, and Hard Truths
Is it stressful waiting when pigeons arrive slower and further apart than expected? Of course it is.
But I knew they were ready for the heatwave conditions. I knew they had the stamina to make it home — even after being forced down early to find water and shade, in some cases before 10am, simply because the temperatures were too high to continue flying.
Was it a gamble once pigeons went down?
Absolutely not.
By that stage, the pigeons with the right blood were already ahead. Their recovery is faster, and once rested, they strike up first to carry on racing home.
You can see this clearly when studying the pedigrees of the front birds — none more so than the little blue-chequer hen I’ve fondly named “Queen of Aces.”
I’ll write more about her in a later newsletter, but for now this much is certain: she has firmly placed herself in my top five greatest pigeons of all time — and the other four are already legendary producers.
________________________________________
Race Day Conditions
It was good to catch up with old friends and meet new faces as we waited near the lofts. Every weather update from Nic started the same way:
“It’s hot out here — with a strong headwind.”
In my 25+ years as a trainer, I’ve learned that wind doesn’t worry me much — and it doesn’t worry pigeons much either. Yes, it slows them down, but generally it won’t stop them racing.
Heat, however, is a different story.
And they had plenty of it.
Temperatures hovered around 32°C for most of the day, with a heatwave stretching along much of the route.
At 05h00, Nic called to say there had been a thunderstorm overnight at Trompsburg. Liberation was delayed until 06h15 to allow better sunlight through the cloud cover. Once liberated, the pigeons took immediate direction for home.
Nic and Alfred saw the kit about 30km from liberation, then again 5km further on — flying low into the north-easterly wind. At Bloemfontein (100km into the route), temperatures were climbing fast and humidity was already noticeable. That report followed them almost all the way home.
Around 100km from the lofts, the wind shifted northerly and temperatures soared even higher.
We knew then: this was going to be another proper summer final.
________________________________________
Waiting at the Lofts
Back at the lofts, fanciers began guessing arrival times. My estimate — worked out the day before — was 14h45. That assumed a pigeon could fly straight at around 1050 mpm.
But I knew they would go down for water at least twice, possibly three times.
Most people don’t factor this in:
At temperatures above 28°C, a pigeon will rarely fly more than two hours without needing water. The first stop might be quick. The second and third require actual cooling and recovery before the bird can orient properly and continue.
What do I base this on?
Twenty-nine years of training pigeons in winter and summer.
I’ve seen half a summer kit go down for water within 40km of liberation back in the late ’90s. I’ve watched pigeons arrive 30 minutes apart — the later ones with muddy, dripping feet from sitting too long at water, even within 10km of the loft.
That’s not theory.
That’s experience.
________________________________________
The Winner Arrives
We had snacks, then fired up the braai — wors and chicken prego’s with rolls and salad.
I didn’t eat. I never do on final day. The tension gets me every time.
The pile of empty water and cold-drink bottles under my chair told the real story of just how hot and humid it was.
While chatting, something caught my eye on the line of flight above the blue loft roof.
I called it immediately.
The crowd looked up as a small pigeon made a turn over the yellow loft, then another wide turn — half-shaking her tail as if announcing her destiny.
She dropped, looked at us all, and calmly walked into the loft as if she could do another four hours if needed — stepping over the Benzing ETS to record a winning time of 14:26:13.55.
Earlier than I expected. But welcome all the same.
Seconds later, the name lit up the system — and phones around the world:
Greg Anderson — Winner of the 2026 Carnival Lofts Gold Cup Race.
Congratulations, Greg. Well deserved.
I’m sure you said something like Hannibal from the A-Team once did:
“I love it when a plan comes together.”
________________________________________
More news to follow tomorrow… ... See MoreSee Less
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Carnival Lofts Summer Gold Cup 🏆 liberated at 06h15 from 462km for their final challenge ... See MoreSee Less
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Final training flight #carnivallofts summer Gold Cup team 2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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Bly maar mooi as hulle so in kom
Net jammer daardie landing bird is so gehawend. Baie splinters seker in die duiwe se voete.
Gold Cup summer race team ready for the final race ... See MoreSee Less
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Carnival Loft One Loft Race liberation of hot spot 4 from 350km. Best of luck to everyone. Headwind conditions with some scattered showers along the way. ... See MoreSee Less
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The final test for the team before the final race planned for 6 February 2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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4 CommentsComment on Facebook
HI Carnival Lofts i was asking the same as Jaime .. Thank you
How much for 1 bird entry, I don't have a bird, can you supply me 1.
I am from the Philippines!
Liberation at Verkeerdevlei 295km from the lofts for hot spot 3 Allflight Carnival Lofts Gold Cup summer race team 2026 ... See MoreSee Less
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There they go fly well love the sport
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Carnival Lofts hot spot 2 summer Gold Cup series liberation at 6h15 from Ventersburg 206km #carnivallofts ... See MoreSee Less
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