Expect the unexpected when the camel racing comes to Penrith

A first-of-its-kind event is coming to Penrith and people are being told to expect the unexpected.

Camel racing is coming to Penrith.

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A first-of-its-kind event is coming to Penrith and people are being told to expect the unexpected.

Camel racing will be held in Penrith for the first time tomorrow night, when the event is held at Penrith Paceway.

The unique opportunity has been organised by Monique Annetts, who said she has been wanting to bring the fun to Penrith for some time.

“I have been planning this for three years, so it hasn’t just been a spurt of the moment thing,” Ms Annetts said.

“I wanted to hold the event because it is different and I always try to bring what I can to the Penrith area and test the boundaries.”

Camel racing is said to be different from horse racing, largely due to the unpredictability of the camels. Picture: Adam Head

Other highlights of the meet include crab racing, a mechanical bull and human camel racing, which is where two people dress in one camel suit and gallop down the racetrack.

Ms Annetts said the whole point of the evening is to bring smiles to faces and said people attending the races should expect the unexpected.

“The whole thing is about creating an old fashioned style country fun in Penrith.

“There is no telling what they will do and at the end of the day there will be a start and somebody will be declared the winner somehow.”

Camel racing is already a popular sport in other areas of NSW, but this is the first time it comes to western Sydney. Picture: Adam Head

Rod Sansom runs the largest camel farm in NSW and will be bringing his camels to Penrith for the first time. He says camel racing is like nothing else and urged people to come along and witness it for themselves.

“The funniest thing I have seen in camel racing is a camel coming down the racetrack and grabbing an ice-cream of someone as it has come past,” Mr Sansom said.

“You have to be here to see it and join in the fun, you haven’t lived until you get to see a camel race.”

The Paceway gates will open tomorrow at 3.30pm, with the racing getting underway at 4pm.