From within the early-morning fog, a buzzer rings. Suddenly the desert comes comes to life — blaring car horns and cheering crowds heard between the steady beat of camel hooves. The Al Marmoum racetrack is alive with spectators and racers alike, the morning illuminated by the adrenaline of all present. The Dubai Camel Races have begun.
Camel racing has been a part of Emirati culture long before Dubai was home to towering skyscrapers and 20-lane highways. These days the races continue, now a full-blown sporting event drawing locals and visitors alike. It is truly an authentic look into Emirati culture, both past and present.
Visiting a camel race in had been on my radar since I moved to Dubai, but I had a number of concerns and questions before I actually found myself at the racetrack. Whether you’re coming to this article interested to learn more about the history of the sport or planning your own visit to a Dubai camel race, I’m here to help answer all your questions. Explore all topics in the drop-down menu below, or keep reading to learn more about the heritage sport of the UAE.
Camels and Emirati History
Why are camels so important in the UAE?
The camel didn’t earn it’s nickname “the ship of the desert” for nothing. Long before Dubai was the bustling metropolis we know it as today, it was nothing more than a pearl-diving village on the shores of the Persian Gulf. Survival was challenging in the arid conditions of the Arabian Peninsula and camels became an integral part of life for their ability to traverse the desert terrain with ease, oftentimes with little to no water for days. A healthy camel could be the difference between you and your next water source. Camels were not only a source of transportation, but a source of milk and wool for Bedouin travelers.
What is the history of camel racing?
With camels a prized possession of the Arabs, camel racing was reserved for important ceremonies throughout the Gulf countries, most notably at weddings. The bridegroom would often distribute prizes to the owners of the winning camels in the forms of money or food, and the races themselves were a jubilant part of the wedding celebrations. No Emirati wedding was complete until crowds had gathered for a camel race.
How did camel racing become a major sporting event?
As major cities began to arise in the UAE and other Gulf Countries in the late 20th century, camel races became fewer and far between. Noting the loss of this heritage sport, the rulers of the UAE made a conscious effort to revive the camel races. Large racetracks were constructed in the early 2000s and camel racing quickly evolved into a major sporting event throughout the UAE. These days, camel racing is one of the most high-profitable sports in the world, with winning camels taking home millions.
Visiting a Camel Race in Dubai
Where can I watch a camel race in Dubai?
Though Dubai is home to many smaller, locally-owned race tracks, the best place to watch the races is at the Al Marmoum racetrack, the largest in the emirate and most popular in the country. Al Marmoum is located only 30 minutes from central Dubai. There are other popular racetracks located in different emirates, including the Al Wathba racetrack in Abu Dhabi, the Al Sawan racetrack in Ras Al Khaimah, and the Al Dhaid racetrack in Sharjah.
What are ticket prices for the Dubai Camel Races?
There are no tickets needed to visit the Dubai camel races — just show up and watch! Don’t be fooled by companies selling tickets online, as you’ll mainly just be paying for transportation and/or a guide to the event. Anyone is welcome to visit by themselves for free as long as you have your own way to get there.
What is the best time to see the races?
Camel races usually happen between 6AM and 9AM on weekend mornings, so be prepared to visit the racetrack early. The racing season takes place during the winter months of the year when the weather is milder, usually beginning in mid-September and running until the end of March. While there are occasional special events held throughout the year, you can ensure you’ll see a race by visiting during the times above. To view all events from the Dubai Camel Racing Club, click here.
Is there public transportation to Al Marmoum racetrack?
There are multiple ways to access Al Marmoum racetrack in Dubai. Dubai bus #67 operates between 6:10AM and 8:40PM and has a stop in Al Marmoum. From the Oud Metha metro station, the ride takes 1 hour. Click here to see the exact route. Note that the camel races usually only run until around 9:30AM, so even if you take the earliest bus you’ll only have about an hour at the racetrack. To save on time, a Careem taxi will get you to the racetrack in just 30 minutes and can be ordered at any time.
Operations of a Camel Race
How does a camel race operate?
Long before the sun rises, camel handlers and owners arrive at the racetracks to begin warming up. Camels are taken on short sprints around the area with special care not to exhaust them before the races. Once they are ready, racing camels are fitted with their team gear and strapped with a small robotic jockey before lining up behind the starting gate in heats, often based on age and ownership. With the sound of the buzzer, the gates are released and the camels begin racing on the well-packed sand track, closely followed by their owners and trainers in SUVs.
How long is a camel race?
A typical camel race can consist of anywhere from 15-60 camels per heat and racetracks are 10 kilometers long. A typical racing camel can run up to 65 km/hr, so a heat can last anywhere from 10-15 minutes.
Why do cars drive alongside the races?
You’ll notice plenty of large SUVs driving alongside the race track. These cars are owned by camel owners and trainers, who follow their camels to monitor their progress and health. Many trainers carry a remote control with them that is connected to the robotic jockeys on the camel’s back, allowing them to operate a riding crop connected to the jockey.
Can I place a bet on a camel race?
Gambling is prohibited in Islam, and so all forms of betting are outlawed in the UAE under Article 414 of the UAE Penal Code. Do not accept any betting offers at the races or engage in any kind of online bets in relation to the camel races.
The Cost of a Camel Race
How much does a racing camel cost?
A racing camel is not a cheap investment. Most camels are purchased at camel auctions and can range in price for anywhere from 10,000 AED ($2,700 USD) to 1 million AED ($272,000 USD) Camels that have already won races can go for even higher prices, ranging into the 10 million AED range. Caring for a racing camel is no cheap activity either, with medical care, transportation, lodging, and food raking in costing thousands of dirhams per year.
What is the prize for winning a camel race?
With such a hefty price tag for a racing camel, the incentive to win a race is high. Winning a race at Al Marmoum comes with a large payout, with first place cash prizes beginning at 1 million dirhams in regular season races and upwards of 80-90 dirham for season championships. Alongside cash, winning camels have also been known to win luxury cars, handcrafted daggers, and gold-plated swords.
The Race Camels
What kind of camels are typically best for racing?
You’ll typically find one-humped camels on the Arabian Peninsula, a breed known as dromedary camels. These camels are known for their ability to survive in extreme heat and sand due to their long legs and low weight, which also makes them perfect for racing. Native camels to the UAE, known as Mahaliyat camels, are a popular breed for racing, alongside Omaniyat (Omani) camels and Muhajanat (interbred) camels. Although camel races are not gender-segregated, female camels are traditionally the most popular for racing.
When do camels begin training to race?
It is illegal to race camels below two years of age as their bones and teeth are not fully developed. Regardless, racing camels begin training from a young age and are fed specialized diets to ensure proper growth. Race officials can ensure that camels are not under the two year age mark by examining the size of their teeth, and camels that pass the examination are marked with a special symbol to ensure that camels meet the racing requirements.
Are racing camels specially bred?
While selective breeding of racing camels does take place, the Emirates Camel Racing Federation has strict guidelines to ensure that camels are bred in non-harmful ways. Due to studies done at the Al Marmoum Camel Hospital camels can now be specially-bred and cloned to be faster and stronger. Specially-bred racing camels can cost upwards of 50,000 dirham ($13,000 USD).
Can I meet the racing camels?
Since the camel races operate in heats, there are plenty of opportunities to meet the racing camels in between races. Before and after racing, camels usually gather in groups with their trainers to rest and relax. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet the camels
The Ethics of Camel Racing
Are racing camels well-treated?
One major concern with visiting a camel race, as is true with any activity involving animals, is animal well-being. There is obviously a lot of nuance to this subject, especially when we hear outrageous stories like those of the camel owners who injected their camels with botox for beauty competitions. However, the Emirates Camel Racing Federation has made significant strides to protect the safety and health of the camels involved in their races, from regularly testing for malpractice like doping to monitoring camel health throughout the races. Overall, camels are prized by the racing community and are treated well to ensure good health and strength for the races.
What is the purpose of the robotic jockeys?
If you’re visiting a camel race, you’ll notice the small, robotic jockeys strapped to the backs of the camels. These jockeys have been in use since 2001, when the Emirates Camel Racing Federation banned the use of child jockeys, This was a two-fold decision, made to protect both children and camels alike. The new robotic jockeys, made from light-weight materials like aluminum, are much lighter on the camel’s backs as well as contain a heart sensor that can monitor the camel’s health while they race. The robotic jockeys do contain a small whip, controlled via a remote control operated by the trainer, but the whip acts like more a riding crop for a horse and does not harm the camel.
Is it ethical to visit a camel race?
Deciding to visit a camel race is a personal decision. Obviously, even with all of the regulations and modifications in place, this is still an event with animals at the center, so use your own discretion to decide whether it is something that alines with your travel morals. Personally, as someone who tries to travel responsibly, I found the camel races an important part of understanding Emirati culture and was very pleased with the care and well-being of both the camels and humans involved. If you want to chat more about my personal experience, please feel free to leave me a message below.
Keep Exploring the UAE
Visiting a camel race is one of the best ways to get an in-depth look at Emirati culture and heritage. These are not just races — they are a source of pride for Emirati locals and an important way to maintain their traditions even as skyscrapers continue to rise in the desert. Visitors are welcomed and embraced with an excitement to share in these long standing traditions. I encourage you to come with an open mind and a camera ready.
Have a question that didn’t make the list? Leave it in the comments and I’ll answer!
Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.
The camels look so cute! I’ve been to Dubai a few times but never made it to the camel races. Thank you for sharing about the ethical side as this was one of my main concerns too.
I’m obsessed with camels ever since moving here, I think they might just be the cutest animals of all time! I hope you get a chance to visit if you return to Dubai in the future 🙂
I like that you also address the ethical point ; I’ve always seen those kind of events as cruelty towards animals but at the same and as you say, it’s an important part of the Emirati culture and I probably need to shift my perspective so I can understand it from another paradigm. Thank you for sharing this, very eye opening !
I totally hear you — I was really worried about the treatment of the camels before I went and don’t usually engage in any kind of animal tourism for that exact reason. It was really relieving to find they were treated well and the locals were all so proud to share! It’s certainly not going to make me start booking any safaris, but I do think it gave me some things to think about regarding the line between tourism and cultural experience.
Wow, this is a unique thing to do in Dubai. What a fun experience to see the culture of the area!
Thank you for reading! 🙂 Dubai is a unique place — it’s so interesting the mix of skyscrapers and cultural experiences!
Wow, this sounds like an interesting and unique cultural experience in Dubai! I would love to watch a camel race. It it great to hear that the camels are well treated, too. Thanks for sharing your experience!
It’s definitely a different kind of experience than lots of the tourist attractions in Dubai, but an interesting one! I hope you get the chance to visit some day.