Irish breeder targets more wins at Saudi falconry festival

Falco Ireland owner Ken Smith is aiming to extend his farm’s run of success at the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, which opens in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 17. The 2026 event will bring together falconers and breeders for racing, beauty contests and top titles worth more than 36 million Saudi riyals.

Why it matters: - The King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival is a major international test for breeding programs, with race results used to compare falcons from different bloodlines and farms. - Falco Ireland’s record of 10 cup wins and one King’s Sword title gives the Irish breeder a visible stake in one of the sport’s biggest stages. - The festival’s prize pool of more than 36 million Saudi riyals ($9.6 million) underscores the scale of the competition.

What happened: - Irish falcon breeder Ken Smith, owner of Falco Ireland, said he hopes to add to his farm’s record at the King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, which opens in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 17. - Smith said he will not attend this year’s event but expects several falcons bred at his farm to compete under their current owners. - The 2026 festival runs from Nov. 17 to 30 at the National Center for Falcons headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh.

The details: - Falco Ireland’s falcons have won 10 cups and a King’s Sword title at previous editions of the festival. - The 2026 event will include 140 rounds of Al-Milwah falcon racing and Al-Mazayen beauty contests. - Competitors will also vie for the King Abdulaziz Cups, King’s Sword and King’s Shalfa titles. - Smith said the festival gives breeders and falconers from around the world a chance to judge their falcons against international competition and assess the quality of their breeding programs. - Smith said races that feature falcons from different bloodlines help breeders measure performance against other farms.

Between the lines: - The festival functions as both a competition and an industry benchmark, making results meaningful beyond trophies alone. - Falco Ireland’s past success suggests the farm’s breeding program has established credibility among international falconry circles. - The mix of racing and beauty contests shows the festival is designed to reward both speed and appearance.

What's next: - The festival will run through Nov. 30, with winners emerging across racing and beauty categories. - Falco Ireland’s performance under other owners will show whether Smith’s breeding line can keep producing top-tier results. - Future editions could add to the farm’s existing cup and title count if its falcons remain competitive.