While the thoroughbred horses from the Maktoum family’s Godolphin
stables usually steal the racing industry kudos, not to mention prize
money and headlines, there is another form of racing with prizes of more
than a million dirhams on offer. The recently concluded camel season
prize money distribution again broke the magic million barrier, with
owners from throughout Gulf region sharing in the bonanza. The racing
camels have been known to fetch at least the equivalent of their equine
counterparts at sale, changing hands for as much as Dhs10 million. The
sport’s origins can be traced back hundreds of years to its roots which
lie in bedouin folk tradition. More recently the sport has been
rejuvenated through the joint efforts of President His Highness Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Vice President and Ruler of Dubai His
Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Both have gone to great
lengths to revive and preserve the heritage of traditional Arab sports.
At the home of UAE camel racing, Nad Al Sheba racetrack, one of these
initiatives is the annual camel marathon run over 43 kilometres. Ridden
by young jockeys weighing about 40 kilograms, the 800 kg camels cover
the distance in a winning time of about two hours and one minute.
Interestingly, the world’s top human marathon runners cover the same
distance in about two and a quarter hours. The camel racing season runs
parallel to the horse racing season, avoiding the extreme temperatures
of the Gulf summer. Races are run over distances of two, three and four
kilometres. Visitors to the track are advised to arrive early as the
race day usually starts at about 8 am. While the timing may not suit the
late sleeper, the softer lighting provides ideal conditions for the
amateur and professional photographer alike.
While the thoroughbred horses from the Maktoum family’s Godolphin
stables usually steal the racing industry kudos, not to mention prize
money and headlines, there is another form of racing with prizes of more
than a million dirhams on offer. The recently concluded camel season
prize money distribution again broke the magic million barrier, with
owners from throughout Gulf region sharing in the bonanza. The racing
camels have been known to fetch at least the equivalent of their equine
counterparts at sale, changing hands for as much as Dhs10 million. The
sport’s origins can be traced back hundreds of years to its roots which
lie in bedouin folk tradition. More recently the sport has been
rejuvenated through the joint efforts of President His Highness Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Vice President and Ruler of Dubai His
Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Both have gone to great
lengths to revive and preserve the heritage of traditional Arab sports.
At the home of UAE camel racing, Nad Al Sheba racetrack, one of these
initiatives is the annual camel marathon run over 43 kilometres. Ridden
by young jockeys weighing about 40 kilograms, the 800 kg camels cover
the distance in a winning time of about two hours and one minute.
Interestingly, the world’s top human marathon runners cover the same
distance in about two and a quarter hours. The camel racing season runs
parallel to the horse racing season, avoiding the extreme temperatures
of the Gulf summer. Races are run over distances of two, three and four
kilometres. Visitors to the track are advised to arrive early as the
race day usually starts at about 8 am. While the timing may not suit the
late sleeper, the softer lighting provides ideal conditions for the
amateur and professional photographer alike.