The inaugural season brings Al Ain and Al Dhafra together over four distances, from 1,000 to 2,500 metres, ending on 20 March 2027.
Al Ain will host the opening round of the inaugural Arabian Saluki Championship on 7 November 2026, followed by Al Dhafra on 14 November. Organised by the Emirates Falconers’ Club and the Arabian Saluki Center in Abu Dhabi, the sporting season runs through March 2027.
Qualifying begins over 1,000 metres at Al Rawdah Camel Racing Track in Al Ain. The season comprises ten competitive rounds across four distances: 1,000-metre sprints, 1,500-metre middle-distance races, 2,000-metre endurance races and 2,500-metre stamina races, according to the club’s 5 November release.
From November qualifiers to the March finale
In the 1,000-metre category, Al Ain hosts the first qualifying round on 7 November and Al Dhafra the second on 14 November. The final takes place at the camel racing track in Al Dhafra on 28 November 2026.
December brings the 1,500-metre races: qualifying in Al Ain on 5 December, qualifying in Al Dhafra on 12 December, and the final in Al Dhafra on 26 December 2026.
Qualifying over 2,000 metres starts in Al Ain on 9 January 2027, followed by Al Dhafra on 16 January, before the final in Al Ain on 6 February. The season concludes with the 2,500-metre stamina race in Al Dhafra on 20 March 2027.
Keeping sport connected to heritage
The championship is held in Al Dhafra under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, and in Al Ain under the patronage of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region. It aims to support owners and breeders, preserve native Arabian bloodlines and encourage younger generations to participate through an organised racing, registration and classification system.
The accompanying programme includes the Arabian Saluki Beauty Contest, known as Al Mazayen, and simulated hunting using a mechanical lure. These activities began during the latest Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, highlighting both the Saluki’s appearance and its natural abilities.
A vision for training, research and wider participation
Majed Ali Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, said the championship’s ambitions extend beyond racing to breeding, training, assessment and research. The vision includes a specialised scientific database studying the Arabian Saluki’s genetic and physical capabilities, alongside programmes to help preserve native bloodlines.
Organisers also aim to expand participation among owners, breeders and enthusiasts, and to support activities linked to breeding, training, equipment and heritage tourism.
Media professionals, photographers and content creators wishing to cover the championship can access a registration form on its official website.
Official Arabian Saluki Championship website · Media and photographer registration
Archive images supplied by the Emirates Falconers’ Club.
