Abu Dhabi falcon auction sets world record with $571,000 sale

A Gyr Pure Ultra White falcon has set a new world record at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2026. The bird, imported from the United States, sold for 2.1 million dirhams, approximately $571,000, during the final falcon auction of the event.

This sale surpassed a previous record set just days earlier at the same exhibition, where a ‘Qarmoosha Pure Ultra White’ falcon sold for 1.5 million dirhams. The high valuation is attributed to the bird's rare white plumage, pure lineage, and striking appearance, which are highly prized by falconers and breeders in the Gulf region.

Sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and organized through a partnership between ADNEC Group and the Emirates Falconers Club, ADIHEX serves as a major hub for hunting, equestrian, and traditional culture. The exhibition attracted over 480,000 visitors and featured 2,405 companies from 71 countries, highlighting the cultural and economic significance of falconry as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.