In the heart of the United Arab Emirates, the ancient and exhilarating sport of camel racing is experiencing a remarkable renaissance. The region’s rapid transformation from a gulf outpost to an economic powerhouse has elevated the stakes, with prize money for winning camels soaring to astronomical heights of up to $2 million. In fact, a single bull camel recently fetched a staggering 35 million Dirham, equivalent to over $9.5 million.
“It’s part of the tradition, it’s part of the culture,” shared accomplished endurance rider Hussain al Marzooqi with CNN. He added, “There’s hardly a house you can find that doesn’t have a camel owner in it.”
Over the centuries, camel racing has been a cherished pastime, but with the advent of technology, the game is evolving. Since the ban on child riders in 2002, small robots have become a common sight on racing camels, replacing humans in a move towards a more compassionate form of competition.
“It’s sound thinking to put a robot on a young camel,” remarked Al Marzooqi. “Before it used to be young riders on them but the UAE has always wanted to go forward doing the correct thing.”
These robots, weighing no more than 4kg, come equipped with a walkie-talkie speaker for owners to issue commands during the race and a small automatic whip controlled by a remote. A fleet of accompanying cars drives alongside the camels, allowing owners to dictate the speed of the robot’s whip.
While the track length varies between 1.5 and 8 kilometers, recently broken-in camels typically train for two to three kilometers daily. Al Marzooqi likened the training of camels to that of thoroughbred horses, emphasizing the importance of feeding, weight management, cardio work, and strength training.
“Camels have been domesticated for a very long time; some say even before the horse,” he noted.
The world of racing camels is not just about sport—it’s big business. These regal animals undergo weekly blood tests and adhere to specialized dietary regimens. Some trainers spare no expense, even purchasing honey for their camels at a whopping 12,000 Dirhams ($3,250) per kilogram.
“Some of these camels really get treated well,” Al Marzooqi remarked. “The average cost of keeping a camel here would be 4,000-5,000 Dirhams ($1,000-1,300) per month. It’s on par with keeping a thoroughbred.”
In the realm of camel racing, where tradition meets innovation, the allure of the ancient sport continues to captivate enthusiasts and participants alike.
