subject: Top 2 Popular racing sports in Dubai [print this page] Top 2 Popular racing sports in Dubai Top 2 Popular racing sports in Dubai
Among the many traditional pastimes still practised, is the sport of falconry, a unique partnership between man and bird. The ancient sport of camel racing also attracts a sizeable following and substantial purses for the champions.
Throughout history, the Arab has maintained a great love of horses. This tradition lives on in the rapid growth and development of horse racing in Dubai, and visitors are welcome to attend race meetings that take place throughout the cooler months.
Being a dry land, sports in UAE are prominently related to the desert sand where camels and horses rule the roost. People flock together to watch various traditional sports amongst which the famous ones are camel racing and various forms of equestrianism. In spite of arrival of modern sport activities like golf and F1 which cater mostly to the tourists and rich people, the popularity of these traditional sports does not cease to exist in the hearts of common Arab.
Here are some traditional sports present to you:
Camel Racing:
Camel Racing is a traditional Arab sport that is a part of native lives for hundreds of years. Mainly two types of camels are used Omani and Sudania for this sport where they differ only in color. They are fed on a typical diet of dates & milk and made to run certain distances to build their stamina. It was initially a long-established part of weddings and special events. But now the sport now has been given formal status with customized 15 race tracks across the UAE equipped with high tech facilities. Some of the famous ones are Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, 10 kilometers outside of Dubai and Al Wathba outside of Abu Dhabi. Customarily underage boys were used as human jockeys but due to wide condemnation from Human Rights Organization they have now been replaced by robots, which is a welcome move.
Horse racing:
Just like camel racing in Dubai, horse racing is also an integral part of the history of Dubai. It is a tradition that has not been done away in the wake of progression and globalization of this emirate.Horse riding is also widely followed as a professional sport in Dubai. Luring a huge number of spectators, the horse races of Dubai have attained international recognition over time. In fact, the Dubai World Cup is considered to be the richest race in the sport.
At all official horse races, there is a gambling station, where gamblers can stake money on a horse.The three most common ways to bet money are: bet to win, bet to place, and bet to show. Bet to win means that you stake money on the horse, and if it comes in first place, the gambler will receive the money. In bet to place, the gambler will stake money on the horse to come in first or second place, and if the horse does, the gambler wins money, but not as much as he would have if he had bet the horse to win. Bet to show means the gambler stakes money on the horse to come in first, second, or third. If the horse does, the gambler wins money, but not as much as they would have if they had bet on the horse to win or to place. In betting to place and betting to show, there is less risk of losing money.
