HUDSON CIRCUS: Meet camel sisters Sahara, Ruby and Cleo

Three camels are stopping joggers and dog walkers in their tracks at Riverway - and Darcy, the circus horse who narrowly avoided being stolen last year, is back. Meet the circus’ animal stars.

Daneka Hill

@DanekaHill

2 min read

May 16, 2025 - 8:56AM

Townsville Bulletin

Beau Pearson at Riverway with Sahara, Ruby and Chloe from Hudsons Circus. Picture: Evan Morgan

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Joggers and dog walkers are being shocked and delighted by the strange arrival of three camels, a pose of welsh ponies, and a circus horse next to a Riverway footpath.

The animals all belong to Hudson Circus, which has set up shop near the Riverway lagoon public pool - a big change from the circus’ normal spot on Woolcock St.

This is the first time in 15 years a circus has used Riverway as their site.

Hudson Circus owner Shane Lennon said their paddock of circus animals has attracted many admirers.

“We invite anyone interested to come down, have a look and even talk to the trainers,” Mr Lennon said.

Beau Pearson at Riverway with (L-R) Sahara, Ruby and Cleo from Hudsons Circus. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We arrived on Monday (May 12)... normally we keep our animals behind the circus tent so not many people see them but here in the park they are right near the footpath.

“It’s really great we’ve been allowed to use this space.”

The huge trio of enormous camels are sisters, Sahara, Ruby and Cleo, who’ve been travelling with the circus since it started in 2013.

“They are 14 years old now and have been with Hudson Circus since it started,” Mr Lennon said.

“They perform a liberty act, where they will run around the ring, bow to the audience and do a number of things without any ropes on them or a way to control them.”

Also travelling with the camel sisters is horse Darcy, who made the news last year when he was stolen away from the circus in the dead of night.

Darcy’s trainers said the horse spent six months recovering from his experience.

Darcy from Hudsons Circus is still in training for a one-of-a-kind act. Picture: Evan Morgan

According to his owners, Darcy was found several hours after he went missing behind some buildings and was scared of having his head or hindquarters touched.

“It took him a good six months to get over his shyness,” animal trainer Beau Pearson said.

“We know who did it. We have video footage of them pushing through the fences.”

CCTV footage of the Hudson Circus horse thief disconnecting the electric fencing.

According to the trainers, the wannabe horse rustler tried to drag Darcy onto a horse float, but he refused - the trainers think this battle is why Darcy developed a fear of being touched.

Unlike his paddock companions, Darcy doesn’t make an appearance in the circus’ shows, because he’s actually being trained up for a one-of-a-kind liberty and silk act yet to be performed.