From the desert sands to Dubai’s Al Marmoom Racetrack, camel racing blends tradition and sport. Trailblazing women jockeys like Fatima Al Ameri and rising stars such as Eman Salem are redefining this Emirati heritage, proving that strength, skill, and cultural pride go hand in hand.
Race days have already attracted hundreds of spectators, while global media interest has extended the sport’s reach to millions.
The sandy tracks in Al Marmoom are set to witness a historic conclusion to the racing season as the C1 Championship returns for its Season 5 finale on Sunday.
Two races will take place on Aug. 4 in Aix-les-Bains.
They are not only participating but defying expectations and breaking barriers.
At the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center, riders range from five-year-olds to retirees.
Federation was seeking to promote camel sports globally.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports and chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, visited pavilion.
The camel training track in the area referred to as Grayteesah, just off the Dubai Al Ain Road, is mesmerising. In the morning, there are plenty of camels out training and I love watching them. I listen to the chatter of the trainers as they pass each other on the track and can’t help but feel a sense of calm as I observe the scene.
French rider Coralie Viroulaud competed fiercely against local favorite Reem Salem In Riyadh’s inaugural ‘Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival’.
While the focus of many in the horse racing world will be on the $20 million Saudi Cup this Saturday, I find myself next door for a different kind of race – a camel race. And not just any camel race, but the C1 Championships, the UAE’s inaugural all-women’s camel race series.
The race, part of the esteemed “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival,” showcased the prowess of female jockeys who are breaking barriers and defying stereotypes in the male-dominated sport of camel racing. Among the participants were Coralie Viroulaud, Reem Salem, and Linda Krockenberger, representing the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC) in Dubai, where they honed their skills for this historic competition.
Fancy learning to ride a camel in the UN-designated Year of the Camelids? Ask Linda Krockenberger who runs the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Centre, a school dedicated to camel riding and handling.
Giddy up, if you have always wanted to learn to ride a camel in Dubai, now you can.
Dubai is now home to its first officially licensed camel school where visitors can try their hand at mastering the art of camel riding.
Coralie Virauloud in portrait with our sponsor Jeep Trading Enterprises.
Wie Frauen in Dubai mit dem Traditionssport der Aufstieg gelingt.
Linda Krockenberger’s quest for a recreational pursuit saw her become a jockey and trainer.
Anjana Kumar
The final event of the 2022/2023 season, held at the Al Marmoom track, attracted enthusiasts from across the Gulf.
All photos by EPA
Participants prepare to compete during the first Female Camel Racing Series C1 Championship at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai.
All photos by EPA.
Race winner and season champion Joanna Patejuk from Poland celebrates after the final Female Camel Racing Series C1 Championship race of the season at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai.
All photos: EPA
From the desert sands to Dubai’s Al Marmoom Racetrack, camel racing blends tradition and sport. Trailblazing women jockeys like Fatima Al Ameri and rising stars such as Eman Salem are redefining this Emirati heritage, proving that strength, skill, and cultural pride go hand in hand.
Two races will take place on Aug. 4 in Aix-les-Bains.
They are not only participating but defying expectations and breaking barriers.
At the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center, riders range from five-year-olds to retirees.
Federation was seeking to promote camel sports globally.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports and chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, visited pavilion.
The camel training track in the area referred to as Grayteesah, just off the Dubai Al Ain Road, is mesmerising. In the morning, there are plenty of camels out training and I love watching them. I listen to the chatter of the trainers as they pass each other on the track and can’t help but feel a sense of calm as I observe the scene.
French rider Coralie Viroulaud competed fiercely against local favorite Reem Salem In Riyadh’s inaugural ‘Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival’.
While the focus of many in the horse racing world will be on the $20 million Saudi Cup this Saturday, I find myself next door for a different kind of race – a camel race. And not just any camel race, but the C1 Championships, the UAE’s inaugural all-women’s camel race series.
The race, part of the esteemed “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival,” showcased the prowess of female jockeys who are breaking barriers and defying stereotypes in the male-dominated sport of camel racing. Among the participants were Coralie Viroulaud, Reem Salem, and Linda Krockenberger, representing the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Center (ADCRC) in Dubai, where they honed their skills for this historic competition.
Fancy learning to ride a camel in the UN-designated Year of the Camelids? Ask Linda Krockenberger who runs the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Centre, a school dedicated to camel riding and handling.
Giddy up, if you have always wanted to learn to ride a camel in Dubai, now you can.
Dubai is now home to its first officially licensed camel school where visitors can try their hand at mastering the art of camel riding.
Coralie Virauloud in portrait with our sponsor Jeep Trading Enterprises.
Wie Frauen in Dubai mit dem Traditionssport der Aufstieg gelingt.
Linda Krockenberger’s quest for a recreational pursuit saw her become a jockey and trainer.
Anjana Kumar
The final event of the 2022/2023 season, held at the Al Marmoom track, attracted enthusiasts from across the Gulf.
All photos by EPA
Participants prepare to compete during the first Female Camel Racing Series C1 Championship at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai.
All photos by EPA.
Race winner and season champion Joanna Patejuk from Poland celebrates after the final Female Camel Racing Series C1 Championship race of the season at Al Marmoom Camel Racing Track in Dubai.
All photos: EPA
Joanna Patejuk participated in the Polish Pavilion’s Celebration of Women’s Day on March 8th, 2022. Speaking about her different passions and professions including flat racing with horses, being an artist as well as currently leading the C1 Championship tally at ADCRC.
Camel racing can be traced back to the seventh century in the United Arab Emirates. Fast-forward to 2021 and a group of women are making history in the world of camel racing.
شهد ميدان المرموم في دبي انطلاق أول سباق هجن نسائي مرخّص في دولة الإمارات، بتنظيم من نادي الصحراء العربية لركوب الهجن ضمن سلسلة بطولة C1. ويُعد الحدث محطة تاريخية في مسيرة سباقات الهجن، مسلطاً الضوء على مشاركة المرأة في هذه الرياضة التراثية بحضور جماهيري لافت.
Paris Norriss rose to the challenge to race against our female camel jockeys. How did it go? Stay tuned for our episode of Guy In Dubai.
After being at the centre of life in the UAE for many decades, camels have are a symbol of Emirati heritage.
So much so, the country is now set to create its very own and first female camel riding team.