Regional/Cultural Day
Camel Racing Season Opening
The start of Qatar's camel racing season, held at the Al Shahaniya Racing Track west of Doha. Camel racing is one of the Gulf's oldest sports, dating back millennia, but the modern version is radically different: since 2005, Qatar has used robot jockeys instead of human riders. The robot jockeys (controlled by trainers driving alongside in SUVs) are small remote-controlled units strapped to the camel's back, equipped with a whip and GPS tracker. Each camel wears a numbered bib, and races are broadcast on large screens. The camels themselves are valuable: a champion racing camel can sell for over $5 million. The season opening features processions of decorated camels, traditional music, and the serving of camel milk and dates to spectators.
