A rare Canadian-bred falcon has been sold for 1.3 million Saudi riyals, or about $346,000, at an auction north of Riyadh, becoming the most expensive bird sold at this year's event and the second-highest sale in the auction's history.The bird, a juvenile three-quarter gyr Super White falcon, was bred by Jim Wilson Falcons in Ontario, Canada. It went under the hammer on the seventh night of the International Falcon Breeders Auction in Malham, around 65 kilometres north of the Saudi capital.Bidding, as per Gulf News, opened at 200,000 riyals, but competition quickly pushed the price into seven figures before the bird was eventually bought by Nova Falcon. "This bird is rare, and rare birds are priceless," Shadeed Al Rashidi of Nova Falcon said in a video released by the auction organisers.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/someday-your-children-will-white-house-attacks-cnn-reporter-after-question-about-trump-aide-natalie-harp-1787018113542">'Someday, your children will...': White House attacks CNN reporter after question about Trump aide Natalie Harp</a><h2>Two birds fetch 1.45 million riyals</h2>The Canadian breeder had another successful sale on the same evening. A pure gyrfalcon chick from the farm sold for 150,000 riyals, after bidding started at 40,000 riyals.Together, the two birds brought in 1.45 million riyals, underscoring the prices commanded by elite falcons in the Gulf's highly competitive falconry market.The winning sale was also announced by Saudi Arabia's National Center for Falcons, which described the bird as the world's most expensive Mathlouth gyr pure falcon sold in 2026.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;الطير النادر ماله سعر&quot; 1,300,000 ريال قيمة اقتناء شركة نوفا فالكون لأغلى مثلوث جير بيور في العالم لعام 2026، لتضيف إلى الإنتاج المحلي سلالةً يُنتظر أن يمتد أثرها لسنوات. “Some falcons are simply priceless.” NOFA Falcon Company acquires the world’s most expensive Mathlouth… <a href="https://t.co/ExiOOLiQg5">pic.twitter.com/ExiOOLiQg5</a>&mdash; المركز الوطني للصقور National Center for Falcons (@NCFSaudi) <a href="https://x.com/NCFSaudi/status/2088762781793202576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Still short of auction record</h2>Despite the huge price, the bird did not break the event's all-time record. That mark remains 1.75 million riyals, around $467,000, paid in 2021 for a juvenile Ultra White three-quarter pure gyrfalcon. The latest sale, however, exceeded last year's top price of 1.2 million riyals.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-s-last-election-had-trump-invokes-india-while-pushing-us-voter-id-bill-1787014115814">'India’s last Election had...': Trump invokes India while pushing US voter ID bill</a><h2>Why pay millions for a falcon?</h2>Falconry has deep cultural roots across Saudi Arabia and the wider Arabian Peninsula. In recent years, events such as the Malham auction have also become major international marketplaces, bringing together specialist breeders, collectors, and professional falconers. The birds sold at the auction automatically qualify for popular falcon racing competitions in Saudi Arabia. The sport offers substantial prize money, with around $12.5 million available across the racing season.The International Falcon Breeders Auction will continue at Malham until August 25, with breeders and buyers from Saudi Arabia and overseas expected to take part.

A rare Canadian-bred falcon has fetched 1.3 million Saudi riyals at an auction near Riyadh, making it the most expensive bird sold at this year's event. But what makes a falcon worth more than $300,000?

A rare Canadian-bred falcon has been sold for 1.3 million Saudi riyals, or about $346,000, at an auction north of Riyadh, becoming the most expensive bird sold at this year's event and the second-highest sale in the auction's history. The bird, a juvenile three-quarter gyr Super White falcon, was bred by Jim Wilson Falcons in Ontario, Canada. It went under the hammer on the seventh night of the International Falcon Breeders Auction in Malham, around 65 kilometres north of the Saudi capital. Bidding, as per Gulf News, opened at 200,000 riyals, but competition quickly pushed the price into seven figures before the bird was eventually bought by Nova Falcon. "This bird is rare, and rare birds are priceless," Shadeed Al Rashidi of Nova Falcon said in a video released by the auction organisers. Also read | 'Someday, your children will...': White House attacks CNN reporter after question about Trump aide Natalie Harp Two birds fetch 1.45 million riyals The Canadian breeder had another successful sale on the same evening. A pure gyrfalcon chick from the farm sold for 150,000 riyals, after bidding started at 40,000 riyals. Together, the two birds brought in 1.45 million riyals, underscoring the prices commanded by elite falcons in the Gulf's highly competitive falconry market. The winning sale was also announced by Saudi Arabia's National Center for Falcons, which described the bird as the world's most expensive Mathlouth gyr pure falcon sold in 2026.

A rare Canadian-bred falcon has fetched 1.3 million Saudi riyals at an auction near Riyadh, making it the most expensive bird sold at this year's event. But what makes a falcon worth more than $300,000?

Why did this falcon sell for $346,000? Rare bird becomes Saudi auction sensation

As the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025, hosted by the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of Riyadh, concludes on Monday (Aug 25), the 21-day event witnessed participation from notable falcon breeding farms around the world. The highlight of the event remained three falcons, which were sold for a total of SAR1.276 million ($340k) on Saturday (Aug 23).Saturday evening opened with the sale of the first falcon, Shaheen Gyr Farkh, from the UK-based Border Falcons farm, which was sold for SAR28,000 ($7.4k). While another Shaheen Gyr Farkh from the UK’s Falcon Mews farm was sold for SAR48,000 ($12k).The most expensive falcon of the year sold at the auction was a Super White Pure Gyr Farkh from the US-based RX farm. The bird drew a competitive bidding and was finally sold for SAR1.2 million ($319.8k), according to the Saudi Press Agency.International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025The auction, which is attended by prominent local and international breeders, falconers, and enthusiasts, has been a trusted platform that brings together elite falcons in fast-paced, competitive bidding. It is also broadcast on television and live-streamed, which supports the Saudi Falcons Club’s vision of leading in the development of falcon breeding and care. It also raises environmental awareness and promotes the cultural and economic heritage.The event is aimed at supporting falcon breeders from Saudi Arabia and other countries, offering them a safe and trusted environment for exchanging the birds and uplifting the Gulf nation’s position as a global hub for falconry events.The event, which was launched four years ago, has seen a steady rise in the number of falcons traded, with over 2,300 birds sold and auctions exceeding SAR29 million ($ 7.729 million). The most expensive falcon by an international breeding farm was sold for SAR1.75 million ($466k), and from a local farm was sold for over SAR500,000 ($133k).

A falcon was sold for nearly $320k at the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025 in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh. The event draws prominent local and international breeders and enthusiasts.

As the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025, hosted by the Saudi Falcons Club in Malham, north of Riyadh, concludes on Monday (Aug 25), the 21-day event witnessed participation from notable falcon breeding farms around the world. The highlight of the event remained three falcons, which were sold for a total of SAR1.276 million ($340k) on Saturday (Aug 23). Saturday evening opened with the sale of the first falcon, Shaheen Gyr Farkh, from the UK-based Border Falcons farm, which was sold for SAR28,000 ($7.4k). While another Shaheen Gyr Farkh from the UK’s Falcon Mews farm was sold for SAR48,000 ($12k). The most expensive falcon of the year sold at the auction was a Super White Pure Gyr Farkh from the US-based RX farm. The bird drew a competitive bidding and was finally sold for SAR1.2 million ($319.8k), according to the Saudi Press Agency. International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025 The auction, which is attended by prominent local and international breeders, falconers, and enthusiasts, has been a trusted platform that brings together elite falcons in fast-paced, competitive bidding. It is also broadcast on television and live-streamed, which supports the Saudi Falcons Club’s vision of leading in the development of falcon breeding and care. It also raises environmental awareness and promotes the cultural and economic heritage. The event is aimed at supporting falcon breeders from Saudi Arabia and other countries, offering them a safe and trusted environment for exchanging the birds and uplifting the Gulf nation’s position as a global hub for falconry events. The event, which was launched four years ago, has seen a steady rise in the number of falcons traded, with over 2,300 birds sold and auctions exceeding SAR29 million ($ 7.729 million). The most expensive falcon by an international breeding farm was sold for SAR1.75 million ($466k), and from a local farm was sold for over SAR500,000 ($133k).

A falcon was sold for nearly $320k at the International Falcon Breeders Auction 2025 in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh. The event draws prominent local and international breeders and enthusiasts.

Falcon for nearly $320k? Saudi Arabia auction draws competitive bidding from across the world

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Why did this falcon sell for $346,000? Rare bird becomes Saudi auction sensation

Falcon for nearly $320k? Saudi Arabia auction draws competitive bidding