Rules & Regulations
Official Marlbank One Loft Race rules, regulations, participant conditions, auction terms and management policies for the 2026 season. Please read carefully before entering.
Entry & Activation
Rules governing entries, activation, placement period and payment obligations.
Entries cost R3500 per pigeon. No perch fee is payable.
All pigeons remaining after the 120 KM training flight must be activated at the stated entry fee.
There is no limit to the number of pigeons that may be entered.
Young birds must be placed at Marlbank OLR (Heron Banks) for settling, training, and racing.
Bird placements will be accepted from 15 September 2025 to 15 March 2026.
Full payment must be made no later than two (2) weeks after the activation race.
Any bird not fully paid for will be removed from all results and remains the property of Marlbank OLR.
All payments are non-refundable, and the fancier remains fully liable for the entry cost.
Ownership, Delivery & Loft Access
Official conditions around ownership transfer, delivery responsibilities and loft access control.
Once a bird is accepted into the loft, ownership transfers to Marlbank OLR and the bird becomes the property of the race organisation.
Delivery of birds to the loft is the sole responsibility and cost of the breeder or fancier.
Only loft management are permitted inside the loft; no fancier or third party is allowed access.
All entries will be vaccinated by the Loft Manager (Johan Jonker) upon delivery.
Each bird will be fitted with a Benzing electronic ring upon arrival.
Race Management & Bird Care
How race operations, care, health treatment and management discretion are handled.
All birds will participate in seven (7) hotspot races prior to the final race.
The race programme is preliminary and may change due to weather conditions or race-day factors.
Loft management reserves full authority over all race decisions.
Management may continue, delay, or cancel any race in the event of equipment malfunction or unforeseen circumstances.
Feeding, medication, exercise, and training are entirely at the discretion of loft management.
Treatment for injury or illness will be determined by loft management, in consultation with Dr Piet van Zyl if required.
Reporting & Updates
A dedicated WhatsApp group will be created for all participants.
Loft management will provide regular updates on training tosses, hotspot races, and the main race.
Arrival times, bird counts, and fancier information will be shared via official communication channels and social media.
Post-Season Auction
Minimum Auction Threshold Rule
Important notice
Pigeons sold for less than R1450 at auction or through club sales will not qualify for any split. In such cases, Marlbank OLR will retain 100% of the proceeds.
All pigeons will be auctioned after the final race.
Auction proceeds will be split 50/50 after a 20% sales commission.
If no pedigree is provided prior to auction, all proceeds will be forfeited to Marlbank OLR.
Pigeons not sold at auction may be retained or sold at the discretion of loft management.
Liability & Protection
Indemnity Notice
Marlbank OLR and its management are fully indemnified against any claims resulting from injury, illness, loss, or death of birds during training, handling, or racing.
Management Note
By entering the race, all fanciers acknowledge and accept these conditions in full.
Prepare for the 2026 season
Review the full rules carefully, download the official PDF and contact Marlbank OLR if you need clarification before registering.