Prince Abdulaziz and Mohammed Al-Kutbi Win Big at 2022 AlUla Camel Cup
On Day 2 of the AlUla Camel Cup, Saudi Arabia's Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif and Emirati Mohammed Al-Kutbi's camel Shart emerged as winners in the Hagayeg category, each taking home $870,000.
The races, held in hot conditions, consisted of two 5 km categories with a total prize pool of $6.83 million.
The remaining prize money was distributed among other finishers.
In the first Hagayeg race, Prince Abdulaziz's camel AlUla finished in 5 minutes 59.3 seconds, while Shart completed the second race in 5:57.8. The Royal Commission for AlUla organized the 2024 AlUla Camel Cup in partnership with the Saudi Camel Racing Federation.
This year's event, which is the Year of the Camel, offers a larger experience for spectators and participants.
The AlUla Camel Cup is known for attracting top riders and camels from around the world.
Qualification for the competition is rigorous, with 11 camel races taking place throughout the season.
The Saudi Camel Racing Federation aims to promote and improve the sport of camel racing by reaching all corners of Saudi Arabia.
The AlUla Camel Cup, a camel racing event held in Saudi Arabia, takes place at one of the more than 50 camel racing tracks in the country.
The elite race takes place in AlUla, with the final races scheduled for Saturday.
The event celebrates the heritage and culture of camel racing, which dates back to the seventh century.
Modern additions to the event include opportunities for camel selfies, camel smoothies, and live folk music performances by local artists.
RCU's chief sports officer, Ziad Al-Suhaibani, praised the participants and emphasized the significance of the sport as a cultural symbol in the Kingdom.