• The camels rest between races.
    The camels rest between races.
  • The car prizes for the final day.
    The car prizes for the final day.
  • Camels are led across the grounds of the Al Wathba track.
    Camels are led across the grounds of the Al Wathba track.
  • A camel is fitted with a robot jockey and led across the grounds of the Al Wathba track.
    A camel is fitted with a robot jockey and led across the grounds of the Al Wathba track.
  • The competing camels are lined up before the start of a race.
    The competing camels are lined up before the start of a race.
  • The camels set off at the start of a race. They can reach speeds of about 40kph.
    The camels set off at the start of a race. They can reach speeds of about 40kph.
  • Owners follow the their camel by car during the race to cheer them on and control the electronic jockey.
    Owners follow the their camel by car during the race to cheer them on and control the electronic jockey.
  • A camel, fitted with a robotic jockey, during a race.
    A camel, fitted with a robotic jockey, during a race.
  • A man rides a camel alongside the race track.
    A man rides a camel alongside the race track.
  • The camels stand lined up for the start of the race.
    The camels stand lined up for the start of the race.
  • A man ensures the camels are correctly lined up for the start of the race.
    A man ensures the camels are correctly lined up for the start of the race.

UAE

Al Wathba camel race festival - in pictures

Julie Nicholson

April 19, 2015

  • English
  • Arabic

The Final Annual Camel Races Festival, which began on Saturday, is the last major event in the annual racing season hosted by the Camel Race Association Abu Dhabi.

The final two days of the race will be held at the main Al Wathba racetrack where the animals will run for 8km and 10km and win up to Dh2 million each race.

All photos by Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

newsdesk@thenational.ae

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