If there’s one sporting occasion that absolutely sparks the curiosity of tourists, and binds collectively the native folks of UAE throughout all emirates, it’s the conventional sport of camel racing. There isn’t something fairly like having the ability to watch skilled race camels mounted with robotic jockeys, racing at speeds of round 65km/h, alongside the desert tracks.
What’s Camel Racing?
Camel racing goes again many centuries when Center-Japanese folks of the native inhabitants would get collectively throughout festivals and occasions equivalent to weddings to participate on this folks sport. Just like horse racing, camels would compete in opposition to one another by operating alongside a predetermined observe.
On the day of the camel race, wherever between 15-60 camels might be competing with one another for the trophies and prize cash. Camels adorned in shiny colors stand behind the gates firstly line, and dash as quickly because the gates fling open.
There’s pleasure within the air as you hear the crowds cheering for these camels sprinting with their necks bobbing right into a fog of sand. Their trainers comply with them carefully of their SUVs, driving across the race observe, giving directions by way of robotic jockeys sitting on high of the camels. Races sometimes last as long as quarter-hour, which is then adopted by the award ceremony.
Camel racing in Dubai attracts in massive crowds and guarantees to be a superb vacationer attraction. The races going down within the UAE even embody conventional customs, rituals and folklore throughout your entire day of racing to evoke the customs of the area amongst guests and vacationers.
A Conventional Sporting Occasion
The connection that Emirati’s have with camels has been lengthy rooted. Not solely had been these animals used as modes of transport throughout the huge deserts, however they had been additionally a dependable supply of meals and milk to the locals. They’ve been used for buying and selling, and as talked about earlier than, participating in sporting occasions.
The camel racing occasions that we see now in UAE protect that wealthy Emirati cultural values and mirror the area’s traditions.
Whereas the love for camel racing prevails, there are some issues which have modified considerably over time. With the chance for the successful camels to stroll away with money prizes value tens of millions of dirhams, this internationally recognised sport has led to the rise of amenities for camel coaching, breeding, and analysis.
These days, methods equivalent to particular synthetic insemination and embryo switch methods are used for crossbreeding choose lineages and elevating camels which are meant for the racing observe. Cautious consideration is given to their coaching and vitamin with a view to put together racing camels for competitors.
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Within the UAE, beneath the strict tips of the Emirates Camel Racing Federation, native governments encourage breeding packages and even present subsidies to camel house owners and breeders.
Protected Practices with Robotic Jockeys
In 2002, UAE outlawed any little one jockeys driving the camels, and welcomed lightweight robotic jockeys as an alternative. The fundamental construction of those robotic jockeys contains a steel body, and a cordless energy drill connected to a whip that encourages the camel to run sooner with out inflicting any damage.
These robots are adorned within the colors of the group and positioned on moulded steel saddles that go on the camel throughout a race.
Development in know-how has allowed some trainers so as to add on further options to their jockeys with out compromising on the load which will decelerate the camel. These options embody a GPS to find the camel’s location, a walkie talkie permitting the coach to talk to the camel and a coronary heart fee monitor to maintain observe of the camel’s well being.
When is Camel Racing season in Dubai?
The Dubai camel racing season sometimes takes place through the cooler winter season, from October to April, on the completely different camel racing tracks throughout the nation.
Races are prone to happen early mornings, round 7:00 am, on weekends. The Dubai races additionally run through the week.
What started as a casual sport, has rapidly been established as a global racing occasion recognised throughout a worldwide platform. The camel racing festivals held in UAE beneath the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Dubai’s Crown Prince and the Chairman of Dubai Sports activities Council, convey collectively 1000’s of camel house owners and race lovers from throughout the UAE in addition to the opposite Center Japanese areas.
The place can I see a Camel Race in Dubai?
Camel races are often free to attend, nevertheless, as a result of yearly it attracts in massive crowds, it’s advisable to e-book seats beforehand. Are available in early on race day and have the chance to take photos with the camels too.
In Dubai, the biggest observe is the Al Marmoon Camel Racing Observe, located close to the Al Marmoum Heritage Village, which is a half an hour drive on the Al Ain street in direction of Oman. It hosts annual camel races as a part of the nation’s heritage pageant – Al Marmoom Heritage Pageant.
Camels being skilled on the observe at Al Marmoon race observe, Dubai
Updated data on Dubai camel races and upcoming occasions, particularly on the Al Marmoon Camel race observe might be discovered on the Dubai Camel Racing Membership web site or electronic mail them data@dcrc.ae.
In case you are considering instances for the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Racing Pageant you could find these dates and instances under. We’re suggested the Tribesman days are the louder, extra thrilling days to attend!
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Racing appears to run as much as Thursday 3 March 2022 however additional dates could also be launched in the end by DCRC – test occasions right here.
Different camel racing within the UAE
Along with Al Marmoom, different camel racing tracks are current throughout the UAE, together with:
- Al Wathba race observe in Abu Dhabi
- Al Sawan race observe in Ras Al Khaimah
- Al Dhaid race observe in Sharjah
- Al Tallah racecourse in Ajman
- Al Lebsa race observe in Umm Al Quwain
Additionally, you will discover camel racing as a part of the annual Al Dhafra Pageant, held within the Abu Dhabi Western Area every December. That is the nation’s largest heritage pageant occasion and its cornerstone occasion the Camel Mazayna attracts large worldwide curiosity. The principle pageant grounds are roughly 3 hours from Dubai.
Are there any extra camel experiences in Dubai?
A go to to Dubai is incomplete and not using a image of you with a camel. And there may be a couple of spot so that you can seize that good shot with the ship of the desert. You may select to get one whereas driving a camel on the beachfront of The JBR, in opposition to the backdrop of Palm Jumeirah, on a desert safari, or whereas feeding the camels on the Camel Farm.
You could find all the most effective locations for camel experiences in Dubai right here.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for the simplest place to journey & be photographed with a camel head to The Seaside JBR
What’s camel racing within the UAE?
Camel racing is an internationally recognised conventional sport that entails well-bred and skilled camels mounted with robotic jockeys operating across the camel race observe, with the successful camel fetching prizes value tens of millions of dirhams.
The place can I watch camel racing in Dubai?
There are just a few completely different venues of various dimension tracks throughout UAE, nevertheless, the biggest and hottest is the Al Marmoon Camel Racing Observe of Dubai. Do be aware, racing is seasonal so you want to look forward to the cooler days of winter to catch the racing in motion. In summer time you possibly can head alongside early and catch a glimpse of trainers placing camels by way of their paces.
What’s the largest camel racing observe in Dubai?
The most important observe is the Al Marmoon Camel Racing Observe of Dubai, positioned on the outskirts of the town.
How briskly can a camel run?
A number of the quickest racing camels can run as much as 65 km/h.
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Are camels sooner than horses?
Typically, camels are slower than horses, however skilled camels on a desert observe can run simply as quick as a racehorse.
The place is camel racing fashionable?
Camel racing is a vital a part of the normal tradition handed down the generations for a lot of center japanese Arab international locations. Subsequently, it’s a sport that’s fashionable in these international locations, together with UAE.
Are you able to wager on camel racing in Dubai?
The emirate prohibits all types of playing beneath Article 414 of the UAE Penal Code.
How a lot does a racing camel value in Dubai?
Camels might be bought at auctions and begin from about AED 350,000, (approx USD 95,000) relying on the camel breed. Profitable camels come at a fair larger value with bids beginning in tens of millions of {dollars}.
What else is there to do in Al Marmoom?
This distinctive desert space of the town is usually ignored by company to Dubai, however there’s loads greater than first meets the attention. Take a look at our information to the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve for extra data.