Taif, Saudi Arabia – In a historic moment at the Crown Prince Camel Festival 2025, Saudi riders achieved a clean sweep in the “Sabāq al-Hijānāh” (human rider races) for both men and women. For the first time since the category was introduced, the Kingdom’s athletes secured every first-place finish across all heats, a milestone that cements Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in camel sports.
The competition, staged on the sixth day of the festival at the historic Taif racecourse, featured five heats: three men’s races over 5 km and two women’s races over 2 km. Saudi riders dominated from start to finish:
Men’s Races Ahmed Salama Al-Juhani with his camel ʿIzz al-Jaysh – 8:54.402 Aziz Salama Al-Huwayti with Bashāyer – 8:45.405 Mohammed Eid Al-Huwayti with Shiryān – 8:55.758 Women’s Races Reema Abdullah Al-Shuwaie with Abshir – 3:14.585 Hadeel Hussein Al-Sharif with Mubashir – 3:17.950
Each winner not only earned prize money from a total purse of 775,000 SAR but also secured direct qualification to represent Saudi Arabia at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh this November, where more than 3,000 athletes from 57 nations will compete.
Heritage on the Track
The “Sabāq al-Hijānāh” is more than a sporting category — it is a direct echo of the Bedouin tradition where camels were ridden into endurance contests long before the advent of modern robotic jockeys. By reviving the role of the human rider, the Saudi Camel Federation ensures that the heritage of camel racing remains visible alongside its modern professionalization.
Women at the Forefront
The presence and victories of female riders mark another heritage milestone. Once restricted to men, camel racing has rapidly expanded under Vision 2030 to include women at the highest levels. Their wins in Taif underscore both the continuity of tradition and the Kingdom’s commitment to making that tradition accessible to all Saudis.
Looking Ahead
With total prizes for the festival exceeding 50 million SAR, the Crown Prince Camel Festival is the largest and most prestigious event of its kind. But its significance runs deeper: each thunder of hooves on Taif’s sand affirms the camel’s place as a cultural pillar of Saudi identity, celebrated not only as a sporting animal but as a living symbol of heritage.
As Saudi riders prepare for November’s international stage, Taif 2025 will be remembered as the moment when camel racing’s past and future came together in one sweep.
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