Miniature camel racing takes off

Miniature camel racing is charging ahead as the new fundraising craze sweeping the country, it was claimed today.

The wooden “ships of the desert” range about 30cm in height and are attached with twine to batons which are used by people of all ages to reel them past the winning post.

Curragh Racecourse and the One in Four campaign group have already used the sport as a novel attraction to raise cash at fundraising events.

Dublin-born entrepreneur Paddy Rock came up with the cheeky Irish version of the ’Sport of Sheikhs’ as an alternative to traditional Race Nites.

He said: “In the Gulf region, where real camel racing is popular, they’ve just banned child jockeys after campaigns by human rights organisations.

“But with miniature camel racing all you need to to get the bit between your teeth and the rest is down to pulling power.”