Emirati splashes $6.5m on three racing camels

An Emirati camel-racing fanatic has spent $6.5m on three camels on sale at an auction in the UAE.

Hamdan Bin Ghanim Al Falahi paid $2.7m for one of the camels at the Al Dhafra Festival, according to state news agency WAM.

The ten day-long festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, also includes a camel beauty contest known locally as “Camel Mazayen” as well as competitions to find the best camel meat and milk.

Total camel sales have so far reached $16.3m, Hamad Kardous Al Ameri, a member of the organising committee, said.

“The festival challenged the economic recession in its first days; camel sales are very active since the beginning of the festival which points to hot competition coming up between camel owners more than last year,” he said.