Brenda Brough (73), a member of the Horizon Pigeon Club, has been breeding and racing pigeons for more than 30 years and has numerous accolades in the sport.

Racing pigeons are a specific breed of domestic pigeons that have been selectively bred for their ability to navigate and return home to their loft over long distances at high speeds.

Currently, Brenda has about 70 trained pigeons and 100 pigeons overall and is growing 20 baby pigeons. She started this sport when she was 13, and it has been a long-standing tradition in her family.

“The sport involves releasing trained pigeons from a specified location, where they race back to their loft. The winner is determined by calculating the average speed of each bird, based on the time it takes to cover the measured distance.”

She explained the process, stating that during race day, the birds are taken to the club, placed into allocated baskets, and then transported to the starting point for release. After the birds return home, participants gather to calculate and determine the winner.

She also told the Roodepoort Record that she races her pigeons mostly at the South Africa Invitational Pigeon Race, and on August 8, one of her birds won the Grand Average Ace Pigeon after it travelled 550km.

This race was held in Krugersdorp.

“This is a very competitive and satisfying sport, especially if you love birds.”

Brenda’s other achievements:

• Ace Pigeon in Bloemfontein
• Ace Pigeon in Sun City
• Ace Pigeon International One Loft Race
• Ace Pigeon at Three Sisters 795km

She concluded by saying racing pigeons seemed to have become a dying sport over the years, and they are encouraging community members who want to know more about the sport to visit their club.

They can also contact Brenda on 069 212 9096 or Romeo Kroats on 083 200 3608.