Diaz Race 2 Delivers a Thriller as Banie Deetlefs and 'New Dream' Takes Gold

The Race

The Diaz One Loft Race returned for Race 2 on 15 June 2026, liberating 1013 pigeons from Mthatha over 305 kilometres at 07:30 SAST. With 140 fanciers entered and a stiff westerly headwind building along the Eastern Cape coast the race director called it before liberation — another toughy and a real tester for the birds.

Liberation and Conditions

A nippy winter morning greeted liberation. Temperatures in the low teens, partially overcast skies and a mild west to north-westerly wind at the start. Conditions toughened significantly as the race progressed with the wind shifting to a firm westerly and building to a stiff headwind on the final approach into East London.

'New Dream' Leads a Breathtaking Finish

Banie Deetlefs took the victory flowers with 'New Dream' clocking 1225.09mpm to arrive at 11:38:57. Into a stiff westerly headwind over 305 kilometres.

Dewald and Stefan pushed to second with 'Steff' at 1224.99mpm - just 1.28 seconds behind. Natie and Tommie completed the podium with 'Zahara' at 1224.88mpm arriving 2.59 seconds off the pace.

Anton Schonken placed fourth and sixth with 'Valve' and 'Wolfie' - arriving within 3.18 seconds of the winner. Hardy Kruger and Oberholster Loft from Germany claimed fifth with 'CK 4' at 1224.84mpm. Marnes Nel seventh with 'Favoured One', Willie Munnik eighth, Boertjie Nel ninth with 'The Difference' and Webster Lofts tenth with 'Cashflow'. The entire top 10 arrived within 4.97 seconds of the race winner.

Let's Dive Into The Stats

Fanciers With Multiple Pigeons in the Top 100

1. Webster Lofts (South Africa) 9 pigeons 10th, 22nd, 34th, 41st, 42nd, 51st, 56th, 59th, 96th
2. Anton Schonken (South Africa) 6 pigeons 4th, 6th, 30th, 46th, 52nd and one further entry
3. Camelot Hokke (South Africa) 6 pigeons 26th, 37th, 62nd, 69th, 85th, 98th
4. Phillips and Engelbrecht (South Africa) 4 pigeons 18th, 27th, 57th, 77th
5. Hardy Kruger and Oberholster Loft (Germany) 4 pigeons 5th, 33rd, 55th, 95th
6. Bontebok (South Africa) 4 pigeons 24th, 65th, 74th, 75th
7. Henry Quirk (South Africa) 3 pigeons 48th, 72nd, 79th
8. De Kruik Sindikaat (South Africa) 3 pigeons 16th, 45th, 90th
9. Marnes Nel (South Africa) 3 pigeons 7th, 17th and one further entry
10. Saipr Loft (South Africa) 2 pigeons 11th, 25th
11. Willie Munnik (South Africa) 2 pigeons 8th, 12th
12. Tine and Johannes Bendixen (Denmark) 2 pigeons 14th, 39th
13. Natie and Tommie (South Africa) 2 pigeons 3rd, 47th
14. Lauren Gericke (South Africa) 2 pigeons 43rd, 49th
15. KDK Racing and Joe Gomes 2 (USA) 2 pigeons 40th, 50th
16. Kasouga (South Africa) 2 pigeons 20th, 58th
17. Taona Kadye (South Africa) 2 pigeons 23rd, 71st
18. Loft Einkamerer (South Africa) 2 pigeons 76th, 88th
19. Banie Deetlefs (South Africa) 2 pigeons 1st, 81st

Top 5% - Who Dominated the Sharp End

The top 5% of a 1013 bird race covers the first 50 positions. Webster Lofts led all lofts with 5 pigeons in the top 5% — 10th, 22nd, 34th, 41st and 42nd. Anton Schonken placed 4 pigeons in the top 5% — 4th, 6th, 30th and 46th — but crucially placed 2 pigeons in the top 1% with 'Valve' and 'Wolfie' at 4th and 6th. Only Willie Munnik matched that with 8th and 12th. Hardy Kruger and Oberholster Loft placed 2 pigeons in the top 5% including 5th with 'CK 4' — the strongest international concentration stat of the race.

Velocity News Fancier of the Day - Webster Lofts

Nine pigeons in the top 100. Five in the top 5%. Webster Lofts placed nine individual named pigeons inside the top 100 — 'Cashflow' at 10th, 'Youll See' at 22nd, 'Velocity Surge' at 34th, 'War Cry' at 41st, 'Bet On Me' at 42nd, 'Lenser' at 51st, 'Pixie Dust' at 56th, 'Ghost Train' at 59th and 'Taxi Boss' at 96th. Anton Schonken pushed hard with 6 pigeons in the top 100 and the highest front end concentration of the race. But on raw depth and top 5% volume Webster Lofts stood alone. Diaz Race 2 Fancier of the Day belongs to Webster Lofts.

Looking Ahead

Banie Deetlefs and 'New Dream' lead after Race 2. Webster Lofts has demonstrated extraordinary depth. Anton Schonken has two pigeons at the sharp end. Race 3 will tell us more.