A final covering 655 kilometres. A field of 905 pigeons. And a decision by only 0.490 seconds.
Jordaan & Bornman have won the 2026 Marlbank One Loft Race Richmond Final with Raptor. Racing as ZA,25-BPFD-1393, Raptor was clocked on 2 September at 16:37:10.290, recording an average speed of 1,125.0980 metres per minute.
Absolute class when it mattered most.
Raptor Delivers Another Elite Performance
This victory was no accident. Raptor had already finished third in Hotspot 1 from Winburg. In the grand final, this outstanding pigeon completed the job in championship style.
After flying for 9 hours, 42 minutes and 10 seconds, Raptor defeated the pigeon of Bertus Nel by less than half a second. The winner averaged approximately 67.5 kilometres per hour and claimed the magnificent first prize of R200,000.
The first three pigeons arrived within 24.440 seconds. The entire top ten was clocked within 4 minutes and 59.060 seconds.
This was pigeon racing at its sharpest.
First Ten Arrivals in the Richmond Final
Together, the top ten earned R682,000 in prize money. Positions 11 through 20 each receive R10,000, while positions 21 through 25 earn a free entry.
Current Standings on 3 September
The pigeons were liberated from Richmond at 06:55 on 2 September. At the time the result was printed, 10:45 AM on 3 September 2026, 586 of the 905 basketed pigeons had been registered.
The numbers tell the real story:
- 64.75 percent registered arrivals, rounded to 65 percent
- 319 pigeons not yet registered
- The latest recorded arrival at 10:41:29.960
- Only 0.490 seconds separating gold and silver
- Just 24.440 seconds covering the first three pigeons
The result was still live at that moment. These figures therefore represent the official standings printed on 3 September at 10:45 AM.
Professional Care in Sasolburg
Marlbank OLR is based at Heron Banks Golf Course in Vaalpark, Sasolburg, South Africa. Here, young pigeons are cared for, trained and prepared within one professional system for seven hotspots and the final.
Loft Manager Johan Jonker vaccinates the pigeons upon arrival. Every pigeon also receives a BENZING electronic ring. Feeding, medication, exercise and training are controlled by the loft management. Dr Piet van Zyl is consulted when required for illness or injury.
Electronic timing, live results and regular communication about training and racing provide the transparency expected from a modern international One Loft Race.
A Final That Puts Marlbank in the Spotlight
The Richmond Final delivered everything great pigeon racing needs: distance, selection, suspense, powerful competition and substantial prize money.
Jordaan & Bornman and Raptor deserve centre stage for this magnificent victory. Every fancier and pigeon in the top ten can also be proud of an elite performance over 655 demanding kilometres.
The Pigeon Boss stands fully behind this perfectly organised race. Marlbank OLR demonstrates how modern pigeon racing should be presented: professional care, transparent timing and a sporting challenge at championship level.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
