In a success story that reflects the great economic viability of the falconry hobby, the Saudi falconer Musa bin Abdulrahman Al-Shalawi was able to achieve a remarkable accomplishment within the competitions of the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival 2025. Al-Shalawi succeeded in winning first place in the International Auction Round Championship for the “Mathlouth Gyr Pure” category, within the Al-Malwah competition, which is one of the most prominent events of the festival.
The amazing paradox of this victory is that the champion falcon, named (G2), was bought by its owner from the international auction of falcon production farms for only 30,000 riyals, and thanks to good training and participation in this global event, it was able to win the first-place prize of 120,000 riyals, thus achieving an investment return that quadrupled the purchase value in a short period.
Valuable prizes and global competition
The international auction rounds witness fierce competition among falcons acquired exclusively through the falcon breeding farms' international auction, with the Saudi Falcons Club allocating generous prizes for the top finishers. In addition to the 120,000 riyal prize for first place, the second-place winner receives 75,000 riyals, while the third-place winner receives 50,000 riyals. Winners up to tenth place are also recognized, fostering a spirit of competition and encouraging falconers to acquire the finest breeds.
King Abdulaziz Festival: A global event on Saudi soil
This achievement comes at the heart of the Saudi Falcons Club headquarters in Mulham (north of Riyadh), which is hosting the festival's events until January 10th. The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival is considered the largest gathering of falcons in the world and has previously entered the Guinness World Records, making it a major destination for professional and amateur falconers from within the Kingdom and abroad, and a platform that combines the rich heritage of the past with modern organizational techniques.
After a deep economic and cultural impact
The festival's role extends beyond mere competition; it plays a pivotal part in revitalizing the falconry market and boosting the associated economic activity. The club has successfully transformed the international auction into a trusted global platform, bringing together leading breeding farms from around the world, thus providing falconers with a wide selection of rare breeds at competitive prices, as exemplified by the G2 falcon.
This event reflects the interest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, in preserving cultural and civilizational heritage, as falconry is an integral part of the authentic Arab identity, and a living human heritage registered on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage, which gives these competitions a national and cultural dimension that goes beyond being merely a sporting event.
