Hundreds of bidders participated in the 21st Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition’s auction. At the 21st Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), 15 purebred Arabian camels sold for nearly Dh2.5 million.
“Young male and female camels of the finest breeds, renowned for their outstanding racing abilities, were sold at the auction. According to a statement released on Friday by the organizers, “each camel is distinguished by its lineage and the accomplishments of its sire and dam, which are essential factors in determining its value.” The annual hunting, equestrian sports, and outdoor lifestyle exhibition Adihex is held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) until September 8.
Additionally, it serves as a global platform for fostering cultural exchange among nations. The auction attracted hundreds of bidders from the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) who were looking for purebred camels known for their exceptional lineage and racing potential.
The Supreme Organising Committee for the Purebred Arabian Camel Auction stated that they established a set of terms and organizational procedures in addition to financial guarantees to verify the seriousness of the bidders in order to ensure that the best breeds were offered for sale.
Camels, also known as “the ships of the desert,” assisted the nomadic Bedouin people for centuries in surviving. On the other hand, camel racing is an ancient sport that has been played on the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. It was accepted to have begun in the seventh hundred years and coordinated by Bedouin clans as a component of widespread developments, functions and festivities during weddings or birthday events.
In order to encourage the preservation of purebred lines and the transmission of this traditional sport from generation to generation, modern races offer substantial financial prizes to the winning camels and their owners.
