Camel racing: Centuries-old traditions with modern twist
Updated On Apr 20, 2017 10:49 AM IST
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Updated on Apr 20, 2017 10:49 AM IST
A marshal tries to control the camels behind the start barrier a few seconds ahead of a race at the Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack, in al-Lisaili about 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Updated on Apr 20, 2017 10:49 AM IST
Camel racing is a big-money sport and fast thoroughbreds can fetch well over a million dollars. As rising temperatures across Gulf Arab countries signal the end of the winter camel racing season, Dubai is wrapping up its races with the annual Al Marmoom Heritage Festival that has drawn thousands of camels from across the oil-rich Gulf. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Updated on Apr 20, 2017 10:49 AM IST
A Sudanese camel keeper, performs his afternoon prayers at a farm for female racing camels, in Dubai. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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In Dubai, the races are wrapping up this week with the annual Al Marmoom Heritage Festival, which has drawn thousands of camels from across the oil-rich Gulf. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Camels mounted with robot jockeys start a race at the Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack, in al-Lisaili about 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Owners race alongside in sport-utility vehicles as tiny robot jockeys urge the camels on. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Owners of winning camels get trophies that include brand-new luxury cars all the way up to the top prize of more than half a million dollars. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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A camel keeper carries robotic jockeys ahead of a race. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Acamel keeper tries to control his camel ahead of a race . (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Keepers try to load two camels on a truck at the Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Camel owners in their SUVs follow their camels as a race starts at the Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack, in al-Lisaili about 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Duba. (Kamran Jebreili / AP)
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Updated on Apr 20, 2017 10:49 AM IST