The winners were crowned on a busy day at Janadriyah
In a festive atmosphere reflecting the depth of Saudi heritage, His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation, crowned the winners of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival Cups for 2026, at the conclusion of the “Jathaa” category competitions held at the historic Janadriyah Camel Racing Track in Riyadh. This crowning took place during the sixth day of the third edition of the festival, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and continuing for ten days, reaffirming its status as one of the most prominent heritage and sporting events in the region.
Historical background and cultural significance
Camel racing is an integral part of the cultural and historical fabric of the Arabian Peninsula, where camels were once the lifeblood of the land and a symbol of authenticity and strength. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival serves to preserve and enhance this rich heritage, presenting it to the world in a modern and professional manner. Holding the festival in the Janadriyah Square, a national landmark of culture and heritage, lends the event a historical and symbolic dimension, connecting the present with the Kingdom's glorious past. This significant focus on the camel racing sector aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to safeguard national identity, showcase its cultural treasures to the world, and transform it into a vital economic and tourism driver.
Strong results and broad Gulf participation
The “Jathaa” races witnessed fierce competition among elite camels from various Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, reflecting the regional importance of the festival. The main races resulted in the following outcomes:
- First round (Bakar - Open): The camel “Al-Maida” from Al-Shahaniya Camels from the State of Qatar won, achieving the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup with a time of 8:59.551 minutes.
- The second round (Qadan - Open): The camel “Al Wasmi” of the Presidential Camels of the United Arab Emirates won the title with a time of 9:01.367 minutes.
- Third round (Bakar - General): The camel “Dhababa” won the title, owned by Qatari Abdulhadi Khalil Al-Hajri, with a time of 9:02.883 minutes.
- The fourth round (Qadan - General): The camel “Al-Baher” owned by the Emirati Saeed Jaber Al-Harbi won the title, with a time of 9:02.942 minutes.
The total prize money for the “Jathaa” category, which was held over two days, amounted to 16.18 million riyals, confirming the generous support for this authentic sport.
“Al Mazayen”... A celebration of the beauty of purebred camels
The festival's activities were not limited to races; they also included camel beauty contests celebrating the beauty and authentic standards of camels. This event, organized in cooperation with the Camel Club, witnessed wide participation from owners who showcased their finest camels in the individual (male and female) category, in the "Majahim" and "Wadh" colors, competing for prizes totaling 2.7 million riyals.
Digital transformation and its role in the growth of camel racing
The camel racing sector in the Kingdom is undergoing a transformation thanks to digital initiatives spearheaded by the Saudi Camel Racing Federation. The "Hajin" smart application is a prime example of leveraging technology to serve owners and investors, facilitating registration, ownership transfers, and results tracking, thus enhancing the sector's transparency and attractiveness. Investors like Salem bin Obaid Al-Marri have praised this development, which has encouraged them to enter the camel racing world, emphasizing that the combination of substantial prizes and digital facilities creates a promising and sustainable investment environment.
International influence and global destination
The festival is no longer just a local or regional event; it has become a global destination attracting the attention of international experts and investors. Irish businessman Raoul Masterson, CEO of TRM International, expressed his admiration for the professional organization and the unique blend of rich heritage and cutting-edge scientific standards. He emphasized that this gathering represents an ideal opportunity to exchange expertise and promote healthcare solutions for camels, reflecting the Kingdom's ability to present its heritage to the world in a captivating manner and opening new horizons for international cooperation and investment in this vital sector.
