RCC completes 10-camel acquisition on fourth day

MUSCAT, NOV 11
The Royal Camel Corps (RCC) has completed the acquisition of 10 racing camels during the fourth event of the 2026-2027 annual camel racing programme.
RCC is purchasing two more camels from Wednesday’s rounds at Al Fulaij Racecourse in Barka.
The two top-performing camels selected were ‘Yaqeen’, owned by Abdullah bin Sultan al Ghufaili, the winner of the Open Shield. And ‘Saftan’, owned by Rakan bin Mohammed al Amri, runner-up in the same race.
The purchases followed five acquisitions in the Hagaeg category on Monday and three in the Lagaya category on Tuesday.
Organised by the Oman Camel Racing Federation (OCRF), Wednesday's competitions featured 13 races for the Al Yathaa category over 5 km and 6 km, with the participation of 319 camels across 13 rounds.
The fourth event will conclude on Thursday at Al Fulaij Racecourse in Barka with 12 races, including six for the Al Thanaya category and six for the Al Houl categories.
The honouring ceremony will be under Shaikh Said bin Saud al Ghufaili, OCRF Chairman.
OMANI TRAINER'S DREAM
Omani trainer Ali bin Rashid al Amri celebrated the acquisition of two camels under his care, Mahatta and Saftan, by the Royal Camel Corps over the four days of racing.
Al Amri explained that Mahatta had been purchased for RO 45,000 and had already won a vehicle, adding that he chose to present one of his finest camels to the RCC despite receiving substantial offers.
'It has always been my dream, and the dream of every camel trainer, to see one of our camels acquired by the Royal Camel Corps while continuing to care for and train it. Preparing the camel for races and seeing it compete under my name as a trainer is a tremendous honour and a source of great pride,' he said.
Al Amri added, 'For me, it is more than a purchase; it is the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition and an opportunity to remain part of the camel's racing journey.'
CAMEL RACING ECONOMY
Camel racing generates significant economic activity through breeding, training and trading, with high-value sales across the Gulf.
Among recent deals, Hamoud bin Obaid al Wahibi sold Sayyaf to Qatar's Al Shahaniya Racing Camel Establishment, while Abdullah bin Sulaiman al Rashidi sold Risalah to a Gulf buyer for more than RO 100,000 each.
Al Yathaa category results
(Read as round, camel, owner)
1. Tamweel, Mohammed bin Sulaiman al Saadi
2. Yaqeen, Abdullah bin Sultan al Ghufaili
3. Fazaa, Saud bin Ali al Habsi
4. Ghara, Najim bin Said al Ghailani
5. Fakhr, Qannas bin Ali al Jahafi
6. Al Tayef, Abdullah bin Said al Ghufaili
7. Iftitah, Royal Camel Corps
8. Warsan, Ahmed bin Abdullah al Derai
9. Al Dhahiba, Yousuf bin Saud al Derai
10. Barzan, Mohammed bin Saqr al Amri
11. Sayeb, Hamad bin Sultan al Ghufaili
12. Ashqar, Khamis bin Humaid al Mashaikhi
13. Ghala, Abdullah bin Said al Makhmari