The annual Marree Australian Camel Cup has been held in the remote desert town of Marree, Australia, drawing attention with a series of fast-paced camel races marked by spirited competition.
The event took place in Marree, located around 600 kilometres from Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, where hundreds of spectators gathered for the occasion.
More than a dozen camels took part across 13 races, as the small settlement, with a population of just 65, once again hosted a large influx of visitors for the annual sporting event.
Organisers noted that camels were introduced to Australia in the mid-19th century, with more than 10,000 brought into the country after 1840. Many were later released into the wild following the arrival of railways and motor vehicles.
Camel trainer Kyrraley Woodhouse stated that racing camels are selected for both speed and temperament, adding that the best racing camel combines caution with energy and a strong competitive instinct, much like a racing horse.
This year’s Marree Australian Camel Cup title was secured by a camel named “Young Gun”, ridden successfully by Patrick Dennis.
The officials added that Australia’s feral camel population has grown into the millions, creating environmental pressures in some regions, including strain on food sources and water supplies, with numbers potentially doubling every eight years if unmanaged.
Australia also exports a limited number of live camels to other countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia.
