What is Falcon Racing

Welcome to Vowley Racing

Vowley is proud to be the first and only Falcon Racing venue in the UK.

Located in Wiltshire, the exclusive 110-acre site boasts purpose-built falconry facilities in addition to three flat race courses and three high flight arenas. Vowley plays host to a series of Falcon Racing events throughout the summer months.

* Click here for highlights of the British Falcon Races 2020 *

You can find further details and links to our races below…

View/download t he General Race Rules

Flat Racing

Flat racing is a classic 400m straight flight sprint to the lure over level ground. The race is timed between a start beam and a finish beam. Flat Racing is used to determine the fastest Falcon. It is currently practised mainly in the Middle East.

View and download the Flat Race Rules

Hunt Racing

Hunt racing is used to test the Falcon’s hunting abilities.

Dr Nick Fox invented a falconry flight-training device called the Roprey, a remote-controlled machine, shaped like a houbara bustard, that can match the cruising speeds of falcons and act as the bait. Read more about robotic prey.

The race starts with a Falcon being unhooded and chasing a robotic Roprey into the sky, climbing as quickly as it can until it reaches a pre-set height (UK drone law currently limits this to 120m). Once it has reached the set height, the Pilot dives the Roprey. The Falcon must stoop and pursue the Roprey, catch it in the air and land on the ground with it inside a 120-metre square landing area. The fastest Falcon wins.
View and download the Hunt Race Rules: in English / or in Arabic

While Flat Racing tests the speed of the Falcons, Hunt Racing offers different elements: Click to read more about Hunt Racing