Dubai ( CNN ) It 's with some trepidation that I set off for the Al Marmoum camel race in Dubai . As the only Gulf national in the CNN team , I am expected to be familiar with camel racing , an ancient tradition in the region . But despite my attempts to dress in a kandora , a UAE national dress , my modern outlook on life means I am a total outsider in this world . A cheerful farm owner leads us inside the majlis -- meeting area -- where the camel owners are gathering . The wide space of the majlis feels like an ornate theater . The camel owners are sitting on the floor , eating the a'aish , a traditional Arabic dish of fish and rice , laid out in front of them . The conversation is loud and exciting . We take our place on the floor and slowly , the world of camel racing begins to open up to us . The conversation is all about camels ; the best breeds , famous old champions , training methods , bad losers and potential winners . Over Arabic coffee and dates I am told that remote controlled robots have replaced children as camel jockeys -- this primal sport is moving with the times . Once lunch is over , we head to the track for the racing to begin . There will be 14 races through the afternoon . And in addition to the honor and prestige , the camels are racing for thousands of dollars in prize money and fancy new cars for their owners . It 's surprising how spectacular camel racing can be . Compared to the grace of thoroughbred racehorses , camels are indeed ungainly creatures . But 20 of these huge beasts pounding around a track in the desert is really a sight to behold , their hooves throwing up a cloud of dust in their wake . Their owners hang out of their four-by-fours , shouting encouragement while trying to keep up with their charges . It is oddly beautiful . The winning camels are paraded with pride , their heads and necks covered in bright golden saffron and their owners applauded for their efforts and rewarded with cash prizes . As we excitedly watch the final race draw to a close , the sun sets across the sky of this metropolis . Camel racing bears no relevance to the modernity embraced here , but this old-fashioned sport is equally as fascinating .
harness racing is a centuries - old sport in the sport . Modern technology is changing the sport . Camels compete for thousands of dollars in prize money .