Saudi camel riders swept all four cups in the human-rider races at the Crown Prince Camel Festival 2026, as Bandar Al-Huwaiti, Rami Al-Balawi, Kholoud Al-Shammari and Jowzaa Al-Rashidi topped the men's and women's fields at the historic Taif camel racing track, in a result that reflects the steady expansion of this category of the sport and the growing presence of Saudi riders on its podiums.
In the women's races, Kholoud Al-Shammari won the first heat after steering the camel «Al-Bashar» over two kilometres in a time of 3:13.46 minutes, adding the title to a record that already includes a gold medal at the first Asian Camel Racing Championship in Abu Dhabi and a world endurance title in AlUla. The second women's heat went to Jowzaa Al-Rashidi aboard «Mubshira» in 3:21.65 minutes, her first cup at the Crown Prince Camel Festival after a career that has included appearances in several competitions, among them the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival.
In the men's races over five kilometres, Bandar Al-Huwaiti took the first heat on «Barraqa» in 8:38.38 minutes, while Rami Al-Balawi clinched the second heat on «Sayeb» with a time of 8:45.06 minutes. The four riders' first-ever cups at the festival come as human-rider racing draws a widening pool of male and female participants, part of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation's efforts to broaden the base of the sport's practitioners and preserve its heritage.
The results add to the competitive record of the festival, organised by the Human Capability Development Program and held in Taif from 3 to 13 September 2026, which has drawn thousands of camels across its various categories and a growing commercial and visitor turnout, with total prize money exceeding 50 million riyals.