A Saudi falcon auctioned at the International Falcon Breeding Farms Auction on Saturday achieved a "record deal," selling for 270,000 Riyals (72,000 USD), earning it the title of "most expensive falcon" produced in Saudi Arabia to be sold at auction so far, according to the Saudi Press Agency. On the second day of the auction, held by the Saudi Falcon Club in northern Riyadh, sales reached 410,000 Riyals (109,000 USD) for five falcons auctioned on Saturday.
The standout falcon is a "Harar" chick, measuring 17¼ inches in height, 17.5 inches in length, and weighing 1,105 grams, produced by the Al-Aradi Saudi farm. The bidding commenced at 100,000 Riyals (27,000 USD).
The auction was won by Saudi falconer Muteb Munir Al-Aiyafi, who stated that he will name his new falcon "Ragwan" and will participate with it in the "Mazin" competition designated for locally bred falcons, offering a prize of 300,000 Riyals (80,000 USD) for the owner of the most beautiful falcon, with second place receiving 200,000 Riyals and third place 100,000 Riyals.
The auction is held at the Saudi Falcon Club headquarters in the Al-Mulhim area, north of the Saudi capital Riyadh. Al-Aiyafi noted that he inherited the falconry hobby from his family, revealing that he has won championships in horse beauty competitions and is aiming to compete in the Falcon Beauty Contest during the King Abdulaziz Falcon Festival, which will kick off its fourth edition on November 28 and continue until December 16. The auction will run until September 5, with participation from 25 farms from 14 countries, including Germany and Poland.
