Over 1,600 Saudi-bred camels compete at Crown Prince Camel Festival

More than 1,600 Saudi-bred camels participated in the dedicated "Saudi Production" races at the 2026 Crown Prince Camel Festival, competing in the Haqayeq and Laqaya categories. This strong turnout reflects the increasing involvement of Saudi owners and breeders, as well as the expanding base of local camel production.

A total of 989 camels competed in the Haqayeq category, while the opening Laqaya races saw 671 entries. The Laqaya competitions will continue next Tuesday with two races for the Crown Prince Camel Festival Saudi Production Cup, which are expected to attract around 100 more camels.

The eighth edition of the festival is being held at the historic Taif Camel Racecourse, organized by the Saudi Camel Federation, with prize money exceeding 50 million riyals (SAR).

The Saudi Camel Federation has allocated separate prizes for the "Saudi Production" races, as part of its initiatives to empower local owners and breeders, encourage investment in national camel breeds, and enhance their technical and competitive standards.

Mahmoud Al-Balawi, CEO of the Saudi Camel Federation, said that surpassing 1,600 entries demonstrates the growth of the local production sector. He emphasized that supporting these dedicated races has given Saudi owners greater opportunities to compete, develop their breeding programs, and build profitable investments in the industry.

He added that the performance and speeds recorded in the Haqayeq and Laqaya categories highlight the quality of national breeds and increase their market value, supporting the development of a sustainable sporting and economic environment and strengthening the presence of Saudi producers in camel racing.

Support for "Saudi Production" is part of the Saudi Camel Federation's efforts to develop the sector, enhance its economic impact, and preserve its heritage, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.