Al Ain Camel Racing Festival Concludes with Triumphant Final Day Competitions

The second edition of the prestigious Al Ain Camel Racing Festival reached its crescendo with final-day competitions that drew widespread participation from owners and enthusiasts across the UAE and Gulf region, culminating in the presentation of awards by senior officials.

The second Al Ain Camel Racing Festival concluded with a celebrated final day of competitions at Al Rawda Camel Racetrack, where Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Board Chairman of the Presidential Flight, and His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Undersecretary of the Ruler’s Representative Court in Al Ain Region, presented awards to the day’s victors.

Held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, the festival was orchestrated by the Camel Racing Affairs Centre and the Presidential Camels, operating under the supervision of the Camel Racing Federation.

Historic Performances Mark Final Competitions

The concluding day’s competitions dedicated to the Houl and Zomool categories witnessed intense rivalry among participants vying for pre-eminence. The festival attracted considerable numbers of camel owners, trainers and racing enthusiasts from across the Emirates and neighbouring GCC nations, underscoring the enduring appeal of this celebrated sporting tradition.

In the Open Houl race, Al Wasila, owned by Mohammed Sultan bin Markhan Al Ketbi, secured first place with a commanding performance, completing the race in 9 minutes, 7 seconds and 64 hundredths of a second. The victory earned its owner the golden sword, a prestigious accolade in camel racing circles.

The Open Zomool race saw Al Khafji, owned by Mousa Abdulaziz Al Mousa, emerge victorious, crossing the finish line in 9 minutes, 15 seconds and 31 hundredths of a second. The owner was presented with a rifle as recognition of this distinguished achievement.

Celebrating Heritage and Sporting Excellence

Both senior officials extended their congratulations to the winners, acknowledging the calibre of results achieved throughout the festival’s second edition and expressing best wishes for their forthcoming competitive endeavours. They also commended the considerable organisational efforts that ensured the festival’s success, particularly praising the participating entities for establishing an environment that actively supported both competitors and spectators alike.

The officials emphasised the festival’s significance in preserving the heritage intrinsically linked to camel racing, recognising it as one of the quintessential sports deeply rooted in Emirati and broader GCC cultural identity. The event thus served not merely as a sporting competition but as an affirmation of regional traditions and community values.

Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office