Camel race festival draws crowds from across the Gulf

A wrangler dashes out of the way after leading camels at the start of a race at the Al Sawan track in Ras al Khaimah.

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Sheikhs and tribesmen gathered from across the Gulf for the finals of the 20th annual Camel Race Festival at Al Sawan racetrack yesterday.

To the uninitiated there may be little to distinguish one racing dromedary from another, but for the attendees at this week's Al Sawan festival a camel's neck covered in saffron was a mark of pride. That spice, derived from crocus flowers, indicates a winner.

Swords, trophies, 75 vehicles and money prizes that probably ran into the millions were on offer this week, along with the pride that comes with being recognised as a camel baron.

Sheikh-owned camels dominated trackside conversation, particularly the specimens owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai.

"The camel master is Sheikh Hamdan," said Hamad al Khatri, 30, who spends his free time with his brothers at a camel farm near the track. "Because when he challenges someone, he's the winner."

As is custom, yesterday's six final races were divided into categories for royals and members of tribes.

Al Gharbia's Mohammed Zayed dominated the tribal category, winning the three-, five- and six-kilometre events. He tok home the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup and the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Cup.

In the royal category, one of Sheikh Hamdan's camel placed first in the six-kilometre race, winning him the Sheikh Khalifa Cup.

The Saudi emirs Mitaba Turki and Sharat Turki won the four- and three-kilometre royal races.

The weeklong festival was a whirl of all things camel, and milking contests and camel trading took place in the dunes surrounding the race track.

Omani and Emirati women sold handicrafts and camped near Sudanese camel traders and date and honey vendors from Saudi Arabia.

Young men disinclined to the rigors of chasing with races alongside the track parked on dunes overlooking the course.

Mussabah Salem, 26, a police officer, entered 10 of his 50 camels in the festival, five of which qualified for today's finals.

Though he claims apathy for the creatures, he nonetheless took the week off of work to attend.

"All bedu did," he said. "But these camels are for my brother. I like falcons."

Sheikhs watched from grandstands, where the air was thick with oud.

Camels crossed before their eyes on giant televisions, first in slow motion and then in reverse, allowing the men to enjoy the animals' beauty from every angle.

Saif al Kitbi, a race commentator with 20 years' experience, credited the UAE's rulers for the growing popularity of the sport amongst youth in the region.

"The sport is getting better," said Mr al Kitbi. "The rulers are supporting people more and are buying higher-quality camels."