The Saudi Falcons Club Auction 2024 recorded a total of SAR 163,000 in sales on its 14th night, November 2, 2024, as two young Shaheen (Peregrine) falcons were sold at the club’s headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh. The auction, which began earlier this season and continues until November 15, has become a key platform for falconry enthusiasts and breeders. Seven falconers participated in the bidding for the first falcon, a young Shaheen from Um Al-Arad in the Eastern Province, with bids starting at SAR 50,000 and closing at SAR 101,000. Falconer Abdulrahman Al-Jahni from Jazan presented the second falcon, also a young Shaheen, which sold for SAR 62,000.
Context and Background
The Saudi Falcons Club Auction is recognized as the largest official falcon auction in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, drawing participants from across the nation and international buyers. The event is part of the club’s broader efforts to promote the cultural, civilizational, and economic heritage of falconry, which holds deep historical significance in the Arabian Peninsula. By hosting the auction in Malham, a region north of Riyadh, the club leverages a central location that facilitates attendance by falconers from various regions, including the Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, and Southwestern areas.
Key Details
The 14th night’s sales highlight the steady demand for high-quality falcons, particularly the young Shaheen, known for their hunting prowess and rarity. The Saudi Falcons Club provides comprehensive services to falcon owners throughout the auction season, including accommodations and transportation to the site, ensuring a smooth experience. Each falcon is presented in a live auction format, broadcast on television and via the club’s social media platforms, allowing a global audience to follow the proceedings and bid remotely.
Implications and Impact
The auction supports the falconry hobby, which is deeply embedded in Saudi culture and increasingly recognized worldwide. By organizing the trade through official channels, the Saudi Falcons Club aims to raise standards for falcon auctions, making the Kingdom a premier destination for enthusiasts and breeders globally. The club also enforces regulations to protect endangered falcon breeds, restricting the sale of certain species and raising awareness against illegal capture, thereby contributing to conservation efforts.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The auction aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and supporting economic activities related to falconry. As the event continues until November 15, it underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving traditional practices while modernizing their presentation through digital broadcasting and streamlined logistics. This dual focus on heritage and innovation positions the auction as a model for sustainable cultural tourism and economic diversification, reinforcing the Kingdom’s global role as a hub for falconry.
20 Questions
Q1. What was the total amount from the two falcon sales on the 14th night of the Saudi Falcons Club Auction 2024?
A1. The two falcons were sold for a combined total of SAR 163,000, with the first fetching SAR 101,000 and the second SAR 62,000.
Q2. Where is the Saudi Falcons Club Auction 2024 being held?
A2. The auction takes place at the Saudi Falcons Club headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Q3. When did the 14th night of the auction occur?
A3. The 14th night occurred on November 2, 2024, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
Q4. What type of falcons were sold on the 14th night?
A4. Both falcons were young Shaheen, also known as Peregrine falcons, a highly valued species in falconry.
Q5. How many falconers participated in the bidding for the first falcon?
A5. Seven falconers participated in the bidding for the first falcon, driving the price from SAR 50,000 to SAR 101,000.
Q6. What was the starting bid for the first falcon?
A6. The starting bid for the first falcon, a young Shaheen from Um Al-Arad, was SAR 50,000.
Q7. Who presented the second falcon that sold for SAR 62,000?
A7. Falconer Abdulrahman Al-Jahni from Jazan presented the second falcon, which sold for SAR 62,000.
Q8. How long does the Saudi Falcons Club Auction 2024 last?
A8. The auction began earlier and continues until November 15, 2024, spanning several weeks.
Q9. What services does the Saudi Falcons Club offer to falconers during the auction?
A9. The club offers accommodations and transportation to the auction site for falcon owners, supported by teams in multiple regions.
Q10. In which regions does the Saudi Falcons Club operate support teams?
A10. The club has support teams in the Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, and Southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia.
Q11. How are the falcon auctions broadcast to the public?
A11. The live auctions are broadcast on television and via the club’s social media platforms, allowing global audience participation.
Q12. What is the significance of the Saudi Falcons Club Auction for the Kingdom?
A12. It is the largest official falcon auction in Saudi Arabia, promoting cultural heritage and supporting the falconry hobby.
Q13. How does the auction align with Saudi Vision 2030?
A13. The auction promotes Saudi cultural and economic heritage, supporting Vision 2030’s goals of diversification and cultural tourism.
Q14. What conservation efforts does the Saudi Falcons Club undertake?
A14. The club protects endangered falcon breeds by restricting their sale and raising awareness against capturing them in the wild.
Q15. What is the goal of the auction for falconry enthusiasts?
A15. The auction aims to make Saudi Arabia a premier destination for falconry enthusiasts and breeders worldwide.
Q16. From which area in the Eastern Province was the first falcon sourced?
A16. The first falcon came from Um Al-Arad in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
Q17. Is the auction only open to local participants?
A17. No, the auction is open to international buyers, as indicated by its global broadcast and promotion to worldwide falconry communities.
Q18. What happens after the auction ends on November 15?
A18. After the auction concludes, the club continues its year-round efforts to organize falcon trade and promote falconry activities.
Q19. How does the auction prevent illegal falcon trade?
A19. The club organizes trade through official channels, restricts endangered species sales, and educates against capturing wild falcons.
Q20. What is the broader cultural impact of the auction for Saudi Arabia?
A20. The auction reinforces Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted falconry tradition, connecting it to modern global markets and sustainable practices.
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