Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ALETIHAD)
Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President and Chairman of the Camel Racing Federation, alongside Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Hamdan bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Sultan bin Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, honoured the winners on the final day at Al Marmoom Heritage Festival, which drew to a close with its traditional showpiece races and high-value camel auction.
The final day featured four elite races over eight kilometres, the longest distance on the programme, with participation from some of the region's leading stables and camels.
The feature event, the fourth race for Open Haul, saw the Presidential Team dominate proceedings under trainer Sultan Al Wehaibi. Their female camel Remas surged to victory to claim the UAE Sword and a top prize of Dh2 million, clocking 11:57.08 in a commanding performance.
The Presidential Team had earlier set the tone in the opening race for Local Zumool, where Al Dheeb secured the Sheddad and Dh500,000, finishing in 12:21.07.
The second race went to Aba'ad, trained by Jabir Ali Faran of Al Shehaniya, as they pocketed the Dagger and Dh500,000 with their time of 12:02.01.
In the third race for Open Zumool, Al Rayan, owned by Al Shehaniya, delivered a narrow victory under trainer Faran Al Marri, winning the Golden Rifle and Dh1 million with a time of 12:02.02.
The festival's conclusion marked another milestone for one of the UAE's premier heritage sporting events, combining elite competition with strong public engagement and participation from across the Gulf.
Running alongside the racing programme, the 13th Al Marmoom Camel Auction for Fatameen (Batch C), organised by the Dubai Camel Racing Club, also concluded after four days of trading at the heritage village arena.
The auction featured 279 lots of camels, male and female, including the progeny of some of the sport's most distinguished bloodlines.
On the final day alone, 69 camels were presented, with the sale of 44 fetching a total of Dh2.972million. The highest bid of Dh600,000 was secured by Mohammed Al Marri for a female camel with notable pedigree. He also claimed the third-highest bid at Dh190,000, underlining his dominance at the sale.
The second-highest price of Dh280,000 went to a female camel purchased by Mohammed Al Hashimi, while Ali Al Owaisi secured another prized lot for Dh180,000.
Organisers said the auction continues to play a vital role in promoting the cultural, social and economic significance of camel racing, while supporting breeders and owners in preserving purebred bloodlines.
The strong turnout of bidders from the UAE and wider GCC region reflected sustained interest in the heritage sport and its future.
