For decades, races held as part of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival were off-limits to women.
However, this all changed over the weekend when a Saudi princess became the first-ever woman to take part in the festival. The royal - Sirene bint Abdul Rahman bin Khalid al-Saud - even shattered records there.
The princess came first in the Solo Al-Dig (camels under 4-years-old) category after her camel won against all other contestants, >according to Arab News
The princess was announced the top winner by judges and was followed by four male runner-ups, Al Arabiya reported.
In a report aired on MBC, it was revealed that the princess had bought her camel from last year's Al Dhafra Camel Festival for a whopping 4.5 million riyals ($1.2 million).
In a statement to press, Princess Sirene said she inherited a love for camels from her father and brothers.
In another statement to Arriyadiyah newspaper, the royal added that her participation in a camel race is considered historic and leads the way for more women to take part in similar events in the future.
"A day like no other at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival"
"The first woman to break into the male-dominated camel competitions."
"The princess deserves to win the first place"
"Mashallah"
"Mabrook your highness"
The King Abdulaziz Camel Festival is a major event in the kingdom
The pageant is >an annual festival that began in 1999. It was started by a group of local Bedouins who decided they wanted to set up a contest for the most beautiful camel.
After receiving support form the Saudi royal family, the festival went on to become a major cultural event. It aims to preserve purebred Arabian camel strains and celebrate the historic relation between man and camel across the Arabian peninsula.
This year, the festival runs until March 20 and features daily events, races, and pageants that are all open to the public.