Saudi-based camel racing team Al Haboob has secured its strongest result to date, finishing second at the His Majesty the Sultan’s Camel Racing Cup Festival 2026 in Oman, as the organization continues to position itself at the forefront of a more professionalized version of the sport.
The five-day event, held under royal patronage, featured 85 races and a wide array of prizes, with Al Haboob’s podium finish marking a notable step forward for the team’s competitive ambitions.
The performance was driven by Hajma, a recent addition to the team, who delivered an immediate impact in her debut appearance. The camel, bred from a strong racing lineage, had previously secured a first-place finish at a major Saudi festival, underscoring her credentials as a high-potential entrant.
The result builds on a steady upward trajectory for Al Haboob, which had placed sixth at the Al Marmoom Heritage Festival earlier, highlighting consistent performance improvements as the team expands its roster and refines its racing strategy.
Founded by Saudi entrepreneurs Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir, the team has positioned itself as the world’s first professional camel racing organisation, aiming to bring structure, global visibility, and commercial potential to a sport deeply rooted in regional heritage.
The project has also attracted international attention, with Paul Pogba joining as an ambassador and shareholder, signalling growing crossover between traditional sports and global sports investment trends.
Team executives said the latest result reflects a deliberate approach to talent acquisition and preparation, emphasizing data, breeding, and performance optimization as key differentiators in an increasingly competitive field.
Looking ahead, Al Haboob is set to compete in the Grand Annual Closing Festival at Al Shahaniya Racecourse in Qatar later this month, one of the region’s most prominent events in the camel racing calendar.
The team’s broader ambition extends beyond competition. By introducing a professional structure and long-term vision, Al Haboob is seeking to elevate camel racing into a globally recognized sport, including plans to contribute to the development of a formal Camel Racing League.
As investment flows into niche and heritage sports across the Middle East, Al Haboob’s progress highlights the potential for traditional disciplines to evolve into structured, commercially viable sporting platforms with international appeal.
