The '35939' Impact: A Current Breeding Masterclass in the 2026 Diaz OLR Season
Passing the Torch: The impact of "35939" on the Kasouga loft's future is clear. As a breeder, she is the grandmother to the current 2nd and 9th Ace Diaz OLR 2026 contenders. More details, pedigree’s and photo’s inside.
Team Kasouga
Racing from the Eastern Cape (ZA) under the loft name Kasouga, Norman Phillips has established a reputation as a formidable competitor across South Africa's premier One Loft Races, including Diaz, Dinokeng, and SAIPR.
He carries momentum into the upcoming season following a stellar year featuring a 2nd Ace Pigeon title and 8th in the SAIPR Final, alongside 2nd in the Dinokeng BarZAlona Bakkie race.
Phillips' success is driven by a simple philosophy: he acquires birds based on proven racing performance rather than pedigree. This emphasis on ability forms the foundation of his loft's bloodlines.
Current OLR Season
The 2026 campaign is another definitive year for Phillips. Following Diaz Race 6, he holds two top-ten Ace Pigeon rankings: 2nd with 'Step-By-Step' and 9th with 'Evolved'.
Both birds excelled in Race 5 from Mount Frere (380km). When a breakaway group of 14 pigeons arrived six minutes clear, 'Evolved' and 'Step-By-Step' were in the lead pack, finishing 2nd and 12th respectively.
With two entries in the top ten at this stage, Phillips' Kasouga loft remains a top contender as the Diaz OLR nears its final events.
Ace Pigeon Ranking Week 6
'Evolved' Takes Pigeon of the Week Race 6
This ranking is based on the smallest margin behind the race winner across two races. Smallest average margin ranks highest. This shows what pigeons are currently in the best form.
Across Race 5 Mount Frere (380km) and Race 6 Ixopo (525km), Norman Phillips 'Evolved' posted the smallest average margin behind the winner the past two weeks, edging out Anton Schonken and Benn & Bailie for Velocity News Pigeon of the Week after race 6.
The Hen Behind The Success?
'ZA21-35939' grandmother to both 'Evolved' and 'Step-By-Step', current top Aces Diaz One Loft week 6 and equal winners Mount Frere 380km by 6minutes.
'ZA21-35939' Top performer herself. One of the best racers to race at Diaz OLR. Landing 7 times in the first pack out of 10 consecutive Races and leading the Ace Bird Averages going into the final!
Dam to 'ZA21-35939'
'ZA18-BHU-4406' the Nr1 hen of Norman. Flew herself 18.Final Diaz OLR 635km 1221mpm, 2nd KO Ace Pigeon and 3.Ace Bird Velocity. Dam to:
2nd Ace Pigeon SAIPR 2025
2nd Ace Pigeon Diaz OLR 2022
3rd Ace Pigeon Diaz OLR Avg. Velocity
4th Ace Pigeon Dinokeng 2022
'Step-By-Step' Currently 2nd Ace Diaz OLR
Equal winner Race 5 Mount Frere 380km by 6minute break-away. From direct son 'PASCAL X ZA21-35939' mated to a super bred G&G Koopman hen
Left: ZA23-OP-2620 father 2nd Ace Currently. Middle: 'Pascal' grandfather 2nd Ace. Right: ZA21-35939 grandmother 2nd Ace
'Evolved' Currently 9th Ace Diaz OLR
Equal winner Race 5 Mount Frere 380km, direct daughter 10.Ace Pigeon Diaz OLR 2023 mated to ZA24-10720, a son from 'Half brother Quatro Porsche x ZA21-35939'. Velocity News Pigeon of the week after Race 6.
Left: Mother 'Evolved' 9th Ace Currently. Middle: 'Half Bro Quatro Porsche' g/father 9th Ace. Right: ZA21-35939 grandmother 9th Ace
Looking Ahead
With Race 6 now behind him and two pigeons firmly locked into the top ten Ace standings, Norman Phillips heads into the closing stages of the Diaz One Loft Race with genuine title contention in sight. 'Step-By-Step' and 'Evolved' have already shown they can hold their own in the quality company the race has to offer, and every race remaining is another opportunity to strengthen their positions on the Ace Pigeon leaderboard.
Get race day results, Fancier of the Race announcements, and breaking pigeon racing news sent straight to your phone, no need to check the site.
Written by
What's Next?
CPL Race 3: Johan Van Rensburg Victorious. Team Judels leads the Ace Pigeon rankings
The Central Provincial Loft Race 3 Yearlings 401km report is here! Get all the details on Race 3, including the overview, Top 10 standings, Velocity News Fancier of the race, ranked fanciers, Ace Pigeon standings, and our weekly Pigeon of the week. Stay updated on the latest racing developments!
Race 6 Diaz OLR: Stear Painter Collects Yet Another OLR Victory
Race 6 is in the books. Stear Painter's 'PILOT' took the win, while Gavin Rous was named Velocity News Fancier of the Race. De Kruik Sindikaat and Loft Einkamerer rounded out the podium. Kasouga's 'Evolved' was named Pigeon of the Week.
SAIPR Lofts Winter Season 2026: Hotspot 1 Gets Off to a Flying Start
The 2026 SAIPR Lofts Winter Season is underway with the Bultfontein Hotspot. This report covers the race overview, including, top performers, and the latest Velocity News rankings. We also announce the Fancier of the Race and our Pigeon of the Week winners.
Carnival Winter Series 2026 Kicks Off in Style: Derick and Jakkals Claim Race 1 Victory
Carnival Winter One Loft's Race 1 is in the books — clear winter skies, a stacked Top 10 Arrivals list, a new Velocity News Fancier of the Race, a Follow Up Ranking shake-up, this week's Pigeon of the Week podium, and what it all means for the fanciers Looking Ahead. Full breakdown inside.
Race 6 Diaz OLR: Stear Painter Collects Yet Another OLR Victory
Race 6 is in the books. Stear Painter's 'PILOT' took the win, while Gavin Rous was named Velocity News Fancier of the Race. De Kruik Sindikaat and Loft Einkamerer rounded out the podium. Kasouga's 'Evolved' was named Pigeon of the Week.
Marlbank One Loft HS 4: All You Need To Know
Hotspot 4 Springfontein 444km was the latest leg of the Marlbank OLR Winter Season 2026, sending 1,330 pigeons from 246 fanciers to Springfontein. Mountain Loft/Murray & Mills/C Oxley (ENG) took the race win. Michael Burger was named Velocity News Fancier of the Race and also led the Follow Up Ranking. Race Conditions Pigeons left Springfontein at 07:45 under a thick blanket of winter cloud, with temperatures of 4-6°C and a light northwesterly breeze of 6-8mph. Isolated fog patches were repo
SAIPR Lofts Winter Season 2026: Hotspot 1 Gets Off to a Flying Start
The 2026 SAIPR Lofts Winter Season is underway with the Bultfontein Hotspot. This report covers the race overview, including, top performers, and the latest Velocity News rankings. We also announce the Fancier of the Race and our Pigeon of the Week winners.
Carnival Winter Series 2026 Kicks Off in Style: Derick and Jakkals Claim Race 1 Victory
Carnival Winter One Loft's Race 1 is in the books — clear winter skies, a stacked Top 10 Arrivals list, a new Velocity News Fancier of the Race, a Follow Up Ranking shake-up, this week's Pigeon of the Week podium, and what it all means for the fanciers Looking Ahead. Full breakdown inside.
CPL Race 3: Johan Van Rensburg Victorious. Team Judels leads the Ace Pigeon rankings
The Central Provincial Loft Race 3 Yearlings 401km report is here! Get all the details on Race 3, including the overview, Top 10 standings, Velocity News Fancier of the race, ranked fanciers, Ace Pigeon standings, and our weekly Pigeon of the week. Stay updated on the latest racing developments!