RIYADH: A young falcon in Saudi Arabia was sold for SR201,000 ($53,600), which was the most expensive falcon sold on the eighth night of the Saudi Falcons Club’s second auction, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The event, organized by the club in Malham, north of Riyadh, will run until Nov. 15.
Five falcons were sold on Tuesday with a combined value of $117,600.
The most expensive falcon broke the previous record, which was set on the first night of the auction, for a Peregrine (Shaheen) falcon from Al-Masnaah. It was owned by falconer Taamees Al-Anzi and sold for $45,300.
Tuesday’s bidding started at $13,300 for the Peregrine (Shaheen) falcon from Jubail. Before it was sold for the new record, it was owned by falconers Fahd Al-Souwaiket and Rashid Raja Al-Hajiri.
The auction started with the first Peregrine (Shaheen) falcon (in the Qurnas category) from Dibdiba that was sold for $7,470. It was owned by falconers Ibrahim Aashi Al-Aanzi, Sultan Aashi Al-Aanzi, Faisal Aashi Al-Aanzi, Sami Saqr Al-Aanzi, Majid Aashi Al-Aanzi, Majid Suleiman Al-Aanzi, Mohammed Salameh Al-Aanzi, Abdullah Aashi Al-Aanzi and Abdullay Subeih Al-Aanzi.
The second Peregrine (Shaheen) falcon (in the Qurnas category) was from Wadi Bayed and was owned by falconers Gaby Ahmed Khalwi and Gebran Mohammed Athlawi before it was sold for $6,930.
In the same class, the third falcon from Labkhah (West of Riyadh) was sold for $14,900. It was owned by falconers Fayez Khalif Al-Omeiry, Salman Duhais Al-Kalwi, Fahd Eid Al-Omeiry, and Sultan Mehdi Al-Qahtani. The night ended with the fifth Peregrine (Shaheen) falcon from Wadi Bayed, owned by Abdullah Mohammed Bahloul, as it was sold for $34,700.
The Saudi leadership is interested in promoting the falconry heritage and serving falconers in the Kingdom and the region. The auction aims to support investment in falcons, develop falcon auctions and organize their purchase and sale.
It offers several advantages for participating falconers. The club’s five teams receive them in the central, eastern, northern, northwestern, and southwestern regions. They also examine the bird and document its bid.
The Saudi Falcons Club also provided housing and transportation for falcon owners to the auction site. The competitive bidding is broadcast live on television and the club’s accounts on social media platforms, along with the sale and purchase not being subject to any charges.
Following the sale of the falcon, an export certificate is issued, an electronic anklet is installed and official records are issued to finish the sales procedure.
The weapons pavilions at the Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition will open its doors for five additional days, after the Saudi Falcons Club accommodated the wishes of hunting trips enthusiasts and extended the pavilion through Oct. 15.
