The prestigious title of the Dubai Crown Prince Cup for the ‘Lqaya’ category was claimed by “مــعــراض,” marking a significant milestone in the world of camel racing. This event showcased not only exceptional racing skills but also a strong cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of tradition in the UAE. The numerous competitions held during this festival drew significant attention, with “مــعــراض” emerging as a standout among many impressive competitors.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Camel Racing Club, awarded the winners of the Lqaya category for the tribes’ camels during the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival. The event was attended by Ali Saeed bin Sarood, Executive Director of the Dubai Camel Racing Club, and Abdullah Ahmed Faraj, Director of Media, Marketing, Events, and Partner Relations at the club. This concluded a busy day that featured 40 races with the participation of 1,629 camels, including 18 races in the evening, topped by four races designated for the trophies in both the open and production categories over a distance of 5 kilometers.
“مــعــراض,” owned by Mohammed Sari Baloush Al Mazrouei, won the Dubai Crown Prince Cup for the open Lqaya female camels in the first race, clocking a time of 7:20.7 minutes and earning a cash prize of 1.5 million dirhams. “Daraman,” owned by Saeed Jaber Abdullah Mohammed, secured the trophy in the second race, winning the open Lqaya male camels’ rifle and one million dirhams, with a time of 7:18.6 minutes, the best of the evening.
“Delma” won the production Lqaya female camels’ cup and one million dirhams in the third race, owned by Fahed Mohammed Fahed Al-Razaq Al-Ajmi, finishing the race in 7:19.1 minutes. “Tari,” owned by Saeed Rashid Abdullah Mubkhoot Qarah, won the production Lqaya male camels’ rifle in the fourth race, completing the distance in 7:19.9 minutes and securing a prize of 800,000 dirhams.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with Augustin Molina, the Argentine Ambassador to the UAE, during the festival. They discussed the importance of heritage and cultural events organized by the state and the role of camel racing in preserving heritage and enhancing cultural communication. The Argentine ambassador expressed his admiration for the precise organization and significant public turnout, affirming that what Dubai offers in this field reflects an advanced vision that combines authenticity and renewal, enhancing the country’s status as a global center for celebrating human heritage.
The morning challenges kicked off the Lqaya competitions for the tribes’ camels within the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival, featuring 22 races over 5 kilometers. The first 12 races were allocated to the production category, with “Samha,” owned by Mubarak Ghanem Hatrush Al-Mansouri, winning the first race for local production Lqaya female camels with a time of 7:30.2 minutes.
“Shabah,” owned by Khalid Hamid Harb Al-Muhairi, topped the second race for production hybrid Lqaya female camels, completing the distance in 7:24.1 minutes. The third race for local production Lqaya male camels was won by “Al-Mukhtabar,” owned by Ahmed Sultan Balrasheed Al-Suwaidi, with a time of 7:29.5 minutes. In the fourth race for production hybrid Lqaya male camels, “Raad,” owned by Sultan Abdullah bin Demithan Al-Qamzi, secured first place with a time of 7:24.2 minutes. “Nasoub,” owned by Hamad Saleh Jaber Al-Sharqi, recorded the best time in the morning challenges during the twentieth race for hybrid Lqaya male camels, clocking in at 7:23.1 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Marmoom track is hosting the challenges for the Yidha camels of the tribes as part of the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival, featuring 36 races held in two sessions, morning and evening, all spanning a distance of 6 kilometers. The morning competitions will commence with 20 races, 12 of which are designated for the production category. In the evening, the challenges will continue with 16 races, led by four main races for the Yidha trophies.
The competition for the trophies began in the first race, where participants competed for the Dubai Crown Prince Cup for the open Yidha female camels, with a prize of 1.5 million dirhams. The competition for the Dubai Crown Prince Cup for the production Yidha female camels took place in the third race, with a cash prize of one million dirhams. In the second race, the male camels competed for the open Yidha rifle, with a prize of one million dirhams, while the trophy races concluded with the fourth race, featuring competition for the production Yidha male camels’ rifle and 800,000 dirhams.
Additionally, the thirteenth Marmoom Auction for weaned camels was held alongside the festival, organized by the Dubai Camel Racing Club as part of the accompanying events for the Dubai Crown Prince Camel Festival, continuing until the evening of next Tuesday. The first day of the auction began with the presentation of 66 camels from the personal production of the tribes, attracting a large turnout from enthusiasts and owners. The first evening witnessed notable interest in the distinguished breeds descending from the elite racing camels.
The female camel “Bint Al-Muhandis” from “Hamad Rashid bin Ghadir,” descended from the “Al-Shahiniya” mother, made a remarkable appearance after being sold for 200,000 dirhams to Youssef Ghanem Ahli. Another female camel from the “Al-Muhandis” lineage, descended from the “Lamhah” mother, was sold for the same amount and transferred to Mohammed Ahmed Al-Ghaith Al-Marri. During the auction, a male camel “Ibn Al-Wadih” named “Al-Aseefa,” descended from the “Jabbarah” mother, was sold for 180,000 dirhams to Fayyaz Ghafan Al-Jabri. The Marmoom Auction for personal production of weaned camels is considered a key event in the agenda of the camel racing season in Dubai, eagerly anticipated by owners and enthusiasts as an ideal opportunity to acquire camels showing early signs of readiness and future excellence in racing.