Robot Jockeys were mandated for Camel Racing circa 2004
As Camel Racing became more competitive. Owners sought lightweight Jockeys
That led to the employment of children as Jockeys
The way these children were found employed came under criticism
Robot Jockeys proved to be the solution to this problem
Traditional camel races took place in the desert
Villages competed against villages
Camel "Jockeys" were boys and young men from the competing villages
News of a camel race spread by word of mouth
Invariably races took place in the cool of the early morning
Camels raced in a straight line marked by oil drums
Watching a camel race meant joining the mass of cars driving alongside the camels
Recollections of a Camel Race in the Desert
News of a Camel Race travelled by word of mouth in Dubai as it used to be. No public announcements - just someone telling someone else they'd heard from someone they knew a Camel Race was planned. Date and time were usually well defined but the location in the desert was imprecise. Local knowledge helped as did a 4WD vehicle although that was not essential.Camel Races were invariably held in the cool of the early morning so an early start to the day was part of the plan. Finding the location meant following vague directions. Spotting a mass of cars in the desert generally confirmed this was the place.
Nothing seemed to be organised. There were cars, camels and people milling around then at some point they coalesced in one spot - the Camel Race Start Line. Camels lined up for the start of the Race. Cars jostled for the best places on either side of the line of camels.
Suddenly the race started - there was no indication anyone had started the race - it just started. The camels were off racing. That signalled the start of the accompanying car race. This was akin to the start of the Le Mans 24 hour Car Race with every driver maneuvering to get the best spot while keeping up with the camels - camels are not slow movers. Drivers had to be alert; able to watch the Camel Race with one eye while using the other eye to guide the car.
VIPS did not receive special treatment. Sheikhs' cars were among the melee fighting for their spot in the car race. Radios were absent. Trainers and supporters communicated with their Jockeys by shouting and waiving. There was no indication the Jockeys took any notice. The race was quite long so by the end of the race both camels and cars were spread across the desert.
There appeared to be no prize presentations. Once the last camel crossed the Finish Line people, cars and camels started to move away over the desert dunes.
Len Chapman
After 1983, Camel Racing moved from the desert to newly built Nad Al Sheba Camel Race Track. Camel Racing evolved to mimic horse racing on a closed track.
Villages no longer raced against Villages. Camel Racing became associated with wealth.
This led to Camel Racing coming under international criticism for employing young boys as Jockeys
That problem was overcome by introducing and "Robot Jockeys"
Camels changed too. Now they are bred for racing - leaner, lighter and faster than working camels of the desert.
Camel racing is now about wealth and tourism
