In the past 50 years, Dubai has rapidly transformed into a modern, desert metropolis, offering the same lifestyle amenities as cities that have existed for centuries. Despite the speedy transformation making it seem as though age-old traditions have disappeared, there are still many traditional elements that remain if you dig beneath the glitz and glamour of Dubai. Camel racing is one such element that should not be missed, and you can experience it firsthand by spending a day at the Dubai Camel Races!
Throughout the region, camels have played a huge role in the daily life of its inhabitants for hundreds of years – as a food source as well as for trade and desert transportation and, of course, as a sport. In the UAE, the camel is a prominent symbol of the Emirati identity and camel racing is a valued cultural event. For visitors to the country, the camel races are a must-see experience, and you can purchase tickets for a glimpse at this ancient sport and insight into the local culture.
We ventured out to Al Marmoum camel racetrack for the first time on a dusty afternoon together with 3 other families all with children under 6. If you don’t want to book a tour and want to drive yourself, you will need to rent a car to get to Al Marmoum race track. In total, we had between us 8 young kids bursting with joy at the prospect of seeing these iconic ships of the desert race across an arid sea of sand. The children weren’t disappointed as there were literally hundreds of camels with colourful blankets and silks draped across their backs. Of course, there are plenty of camel races too – witnessing these majestic creatures awkwardly galloping down a sandy straight is truly an amazing sight to see.
A modern twist to camel racing in the UAE is the replacement of jockeys with robotic ones (the UAE abolished the use of jockeys under the age of 15 in 2002). Owners now travel in 4x4s on a separate track alongside the camels and control the robot jockeys via remote control whilst shouting words of encouragement to their animals. The cavalcade of SUVS alongside sweaty racing camels amidst a cacophony of shouts and cheers is indeed a sight to behold!
Facts and Tips for the Dubai Camel Races:
- The Dubai camel racing season is between October and mid-April.
- The Al Marmoum race track is on the Dubai Al Ain Road (E66) and is an easy 20 minute drive from central Dubai.
- You can also book a tour at the Dubai Royal Camel Racing Club.
- Camel racing takes place at 7am and 2pm
- Call to check which days the camel races are taking place before heading out to the track on +971 4832 6526
- The stadium at Al Marmoum has a dedicated section for visitors/tourists.
- It is an event with a mostly male attendance. Although women are of course welcome, it is wise to respect the local culture and dress modestly.
- Unlike horse racing (can be), camel racing is not a dressy event, nor is it tourist focused. So you can leave your Melbourne Cup fascinators and Ascot tie and morning dresss at home!
Here are some images from our day at the camel races!
Thank you for reading!
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