The prize money for Australian camel races varies, with the prestigious Boulia Camel Cup offering a significant $45,000 prize pool, making it Australia's richest camel race circuit; however, some sources mention a potential future prize of $500,000 for "The Boulia Desert Sands," while smaller events like the Tara Festival have smaller payouts, around $35,000 total for their event.
Alongside the beauty contest, camel races are also held, with over $2.5 million awarded to the winner of each of the five racing categories. This annual gathering has become one of Saudi Arabia's most popular events, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the region.
Leasing: the breeder/owner leases the horse to you, and you're responsible for training and race entry fees while it competes in your name. Usually 1/3 of any winnings go back to the owner. Typically speaking, 80-85% of the winning horse's prize money goes to the owners, 10% to the trainer/stable, and 5% to the jockey.
The contest is a highlight of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, where $66m (£45m) in prize money is at stake. Key attributes include long, droopy lips, a big nose and a shapely hump.
Fees and Prizemoney
The current Jockey riding fees are: Riding Fee = $262.50 (ex GST) Superannuation = $30.19. Trial fee (non raceday) = $91.87 (ex GST) + Superannuation.
Prize money earnings are tax-free if ownership remains a hobby. Prize money is paid weekly directly into owners' bank accounts by Racing Queensland. There is a 10% deduction for the trainer, 5% deduction for the jockey, 1% deduction for Insurance and 1% Animal Care.
Industry. Pay for jockeys varies and is based upon the experience and track record of success. In 2015, beginning jockeys earned $28 per race on the low end and as much as $124,000 for the top prize in a premier race. Even in a Triple Crown race, jockeys that don't finish in the top five make as little as $500.
Kuwait stands out, boasting the world's most expensive camel — Arnoun, a majestic stallion that fetched an astounding $53 million. — Significance: Bedouin tribes consider camels key to their culture and wealth.
Mazayen al-Ibl, also known as the King Abdel Aziz Festival, is a beauty pageant for camels put on by the Qahtani tribe of Saudi Arabia. It is held in Guwei'iyya yearly.
Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the fourth edition of Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, will take place from 17 to 26 October 2025 in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi.
TOP EARNERS TRAINERS. CIARON MAHER $60,969,383. CHRIS WALLER (pictured above)- $56,075,653. ANNABEL & ROB ARCHIBALD BJORN BAKER- $26,391,102.
Australia's Richest Horse Races
The $70 million horse was the American Thoroughbred racehorse Fusaichi Pegasus, sold in 2000 after winning the Kentucky Derby, to the breeding powerhouse Coolmore Stud, a partnership led by Irish businessman John Magnier, though initially bought by Japanese entrepreneur Fusao Sekiguchi as a yearling and later sold.
Racing camels typically range from AED 30,000 to AED 200,000, but elite camels with excellent lineage can sell for much more. Meat camels are less expensive, with prices starting around AED 10,000. Breeding camels, especially those from prestigious lineages, can cost anywhere from AED 50,000 to AED 300,000 or more.
The outback Queensland town of Boulia has played host to its annual camel races, culminating in a 1200m grand finale — Australia's longest and richest camel race. The races can be unpredictable as the jockeys don't have reins to steer the camels, rather the animals steer themselves.
Australia may now have the largest wild population of Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the world. They live in most of Australia's desert country including the Great Sandy, Gibson, Great Victoria and Simpson deserts, as well as much of the semi-desert lands.
The average life expectancy of a camel is 40 to 50 years. A full-grown adult dromedary camel stands 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) at the shoulder and 2.15 m (7 ft 1 in) at the hump. Bactrian camels can be a foot taller. Camels can run at up to 65 km/h (40 mph) in short bursts and sustain speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph).
One of the most expensive camels ever sold was bought by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum in 2008 for more than $2.7 million, the WAM news agency reported.
Camels Can Survive Freezing Snow-But Their Fur Can Become Dangerous!
Why does Saudi Arabia import sand ? Because Australian sand is of high quality and free of impurities, which makes it ideal for use in critical industries such as glass and cement industries.
The first camel was imported into Australia was purchased by the explorer J.A. Horrocks who unfortunately died after being kicked. The second lot were imported by the Victorian Government for the tragic Burke and Wills expedition.
Following a stewards' inquiry, it was found the false start was ignored by Jack Dace, Taryn Langley, Jack Doughty, Alec Voikhansky and Tommie Jakes and they all received ten-day bans.
Because of this, the tradition to bury only the head, heart, and hooves of a racehorse, began. Only for the highest symbol of honor is a racehorse buried whole. Why the head, heart and hooves? The head signifies intelligence and “Will to Win,” the heart is for courage, and the hooves are speed of execution.