This rare falcon was sold for a whopping Rs 83 lakhs at an auction in Abu Dhabi

Falcon auction in Abu Dhabi

This was the first live falcon auction ahead of Abu Dhabi’s International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX 2025). On the first day of the auction, the Pure Garmousha Falcon, which was one of the rarest birds up for grabs, was also the star attraction of the day.

AED 350,000! Congratulations, sold!

Pure Garmousha Falcon – Ultra White from RW Falcon farm, Ukht Al-Saab, winner of the President’s Cup for Falcon Breeding 2024 – 2025, one of the rarest birds, at #ADIHEX2025 auctions in #ADNEC_Centre_AbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/ofyDrQxpuU

— ADIHEX (@ADIHEX) August 17, 2025

What makes it special

“The Garmousha is considered a bank for breeding – it produces the best falcons, and is very hard to find,” Mohammed Nabil, a member of an online auction group who attends in person on behalf of remote bidders, told Khaleej Times.

According to Nabi, the new owner of the falcon wanted to buy it at any cost. “He told us to keep bidding till he wins it – no limit,” he said.

“This Garmousha is the sister of the Ultra White breed. Any contest this bird enters – it wins, especially beauty pageants. Always first place. This was a very unique opportunity to acquire it,” Nabil said.

In total, seven elite birds went under the hammer on the opening night and another eight were up for grabs on the second day. The third and fourth rounds of auctions will be held at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on August 23 and 24.

The Elite Falcon Auctions of #ADIHEX2025 brought together bidders from across the region, united by their passion for competing for the rarest falcons.
Listen to their impressions of this exceptional experience.

Stay tuned for the 3rd & 4th auctions on 23 & 24 August at 7:30 PM.… pic.twitter.com/ThrH4pR1lj

— ADIHEX (@ADIHEX) August 18, 2025

ADIHEX 2025

This will be followed by the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2025 (ADIHEX 2025), which will be held from August 30 to September 7. This will be the 22nd edition of ADIHEX and the largest in its history.

“The four auctions before the exhibition are the elite – the top of the top. During the exhibition itself, we will have falcons for different categories: elite, medium, and audience-oriented. We want to involve the public to encourage them to buy falcons,” Saeed Al Hassani, director of ADIHEX, told Khaleej Times.

According to him, only the best falcons make it to the auction. Out of 1,000 birds that applied, we examined and selected the best of the best,” he said.

Falconry in Middle East

Falconry is an age-old cultural practice across the Middle East and still remains an integral part of the society. In the UAE and Qatar, falconry is considered the national sport. In the UAE, falcons are issued their own passports and these documents are used to facilitate their cross-border travel, including on flights to participate in competitions and hunting trips.