Dubai: Behind the scenes of the age-old tradition of camel racing, a true passion of the emirate

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In the shadow of Dubai's towers, in the heart of the Eastern Desert, they are a living symbol of the Bedouin past of the United Arab Emirates (Middle East). Camels compete daily during this season in races . A centuries-old tradition that fascinates Dubai residents.

"It's a big day, it's very important. We're excited and, God willing, we're going to win," says one spectator. "These races are our passion. Our ancestors did them and we continue to do it because we love it," explains another.

Originating in the 7th century, these camel races can bring in big prizes, up to 50,000 euros. But here, there are no jockeys. Robots hold the reins, controlled from the track by the owners. A walkie-talkie is connected to a loudspeaker on the animal's back. A box activates the whip. In Dubai, there are no limits on the number of blows. A practice that can be considered shocking. At top speed, the dromedary can reach 65 km/h. "It's truly a magnificent race," enthuses one participant, who controls the animal from his car.

Before the start of each competition, this is an essential step. The robot must be securely fastened to the animal's back. Stable employees are responsible for securing them. "Now we're going to secure the robot. This belt must pass to the side, so that the mat doesn't move. To do this, it must be firmly attached," one of them explains.

Before the robots appeared, jockeys were children. But in 2005, authorities wanted to put an end to this practice. "Before, there was a significant risk of falls and injuries, and children were heavier, so the race was difficult. Now, these robots are very light and can be controlled from a distance of 3 km," he says.

Today, these small robots have become indispensable to competition. Racing machines designed in a workshop. Mohammed Ismail, robot maker Bait Al Thiqa, produces 90% of the robots used in the country here. A model sells for around 130 euros: "This is where we manufacture and prepare the robot parts. And once it's assembled, we keep it on this shelf," he explains.

The robot's motor is actually a drill. It's what turns the whip. The final touch is the outfit. Like the jockeys', the robots' jerseys are chosen by the owners of the racing camels. "Look at this red outfit here. It's different from the one on the left. It was commissioned by the Prince of Dubai. He chose the color and style," Mohammed Ismail shows us.

A new star of competitions, robot jockeys have ensured the future of camel racing in the United Arab Emirates. Here, it is even more popular than horse racing.