From the comfort of well-upholstered armchairs in a vast room in Malham, north of Riyadh, hundreds of prized hunting birds will be exchanged for millions of riyals over the next few weeks. Falconry is an important part of Saudi sporting heritage — along with camel racing and horse racing — but its economic importance is increasing too. Sales at the annual International Falcon Breeders Auction have soared by more than 60% since 2023, reaching 13 million riyals ($3.5 million) last year, when some 1,100 birds of prey were bought and sold.
On the first night of this year’s auction, one gyrfalcon — the largest of the family — sold for 380,000 riyals. Other deals took the total over the first four days to more than 1 million riyals, with more than two weeks still to go. The buyers tend to be Saudi, but the sellers (and their birds) often fly in from Europe, North America, and elsewhere. The money should keep flowing in the months ahead: Falcons bought at the auction can compete in races offering prize money totaling 50 million riyals.