Camel racing with robotic jockeys in Dubai – in pictures

A camel handler waves as he and his racing camels arrive Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

A handler wraps up against a sandstorm as camels wait to race Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

A handler prepares a robotic jockey to be strapped to a camel. Historically children from India were used as jockeys on the camels until it was outlawed in 2002 Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Camels arrive for racing at the Dubai camel-racing club Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

A handler and his camel wait to race Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Camel handlers relax on the grass between races Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Robotic jockeys are used and include shock absorbers and GPS tracking systems Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Handlers try to control a camel that decided to run the wrong way during a training session Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Robotic jockeys control camels during a race Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Camels finish their race as the camels' owners control the robots' whips from their speeding four-wheel drives at the side of the track Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Racegoers study the form at the Dubai camel-racing club Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Robotic jockeys race camels through a sandstorm Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Robotic jockeys control camels during a race Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Camels race through a sandstorm Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

A camel is tethered to a railing after racing. Thoroughbred racing camels can be as valuable as $1m Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images