Million Dollar Pigeon

Documentary maker Morgan Matthews follows a cast of British players to the most lucrative pigeon race in the world, exploring the at times obsessive world of modern fancying where birds can sell for over 100,000 pounds and grown men become possessed by the power of the pigeon. In recent years, traditional pigeon racing has been in decline. In an effort to sex-up a dying pursuit, a new style of race known as ‘one loft’ racing has emerged. These races allow top pigeon fanciers from around the world to compete in the same event for big cash prizes - and the biggest contest of them all is the Million Dollar Pigeon Race in South Africa. Matthews follows three British hopefuls in their quest for the biggest prize in pigeon racing, but could the bird flu crisis be the final nail in the pigeon racing coffin? One man whose livelihood depends on pigeons is Derek Nichols, a pigeon high roller from South Wales. One of the world’s top pigeon auctioneers, he also runs the biggest ‘one loft’ race in Europe. East Londoner Eddie Thompson has been a pigeon fancier for over fifty years. Now in his seventies and suffering with MS he has adapted to the new style of racing and has his heart set on taking one of the top spots in South Africa.