Champion Port Stephens camel Polished Copper has again struck gold in Outback Queensland.
Ridden by cameleer and jockey Emily Parrott, the Oakfield Ranch camel stormed home to defend his Jundah Cup title and win the first race on the 2026 Desert Champions Way Outback Camel Trail.
Polished Copper and fellow Oakfield Ranch camel Geoffrey were the two stars of last year's inaugural Trail, sharing the Camel of the Trail title.
The month-long Trail now continues across Queensland's west, stopping off at the Birdsville Carnival, Bedourie Camel and Pig Races, Boulia Camel Races, and the grand finale in Winton.
Parrott has been racing camels since she was 14, having grown up with the "big puppy dogs" at Anna Bay's Oakfield Ranch with her father, Rod Sansom, a renowned animal trainer.
Oakfield Ranch hosts camel rides for tourists on the Stockton Dunes, races camels, trains camels, sells camels, and takes them to events as special guests.
The Desert Champions Way Outback Camel Trail is a family affair for Parrott. Her husband Luke and children Cooper and Abby are part of her camel caravan and its annual 4000-kilometre journey through the Outback.
"Polished Copper just loves to race," she said.
"He knows when it's time. He loves the crowds, he loves the excitement and when he gets going, he is an incredible camel."
Hosting the 2026 Desert Champions Way Outback Camel Trail opening weekend was important for the tiny town of Jundah after devastating floods last year left much of the region underwater. Last weekend's races boosted the town's population from 100 to 500.
It's the reason Parrott takes her camel caravan on the road each year; to bring tourist dollars to Outback towns.
And although she loves racing, she's reluctant to take any of the credit.
"It's not me running the race, it's our camels, and I'm just trying not to get in their way," she said.
"I've done a lot of media interviews but I want to use that opportunity to promote the towns we visit and the other people racing their camels. It's not about me."
This year Oakfield Ranch is facing stiff competition from Boulia-based Woodhouse Camels and Victoria's Peter Hodge Camel Hire.
"Peter is back on the circuit and he is one of the best camel trainers in Australia ... he's got two of his own camels racing and he's helping us out as well," Parrott said.
"His camel was out of action last year but it won Jundah the year before, and has come back even stronger this year.
"We're all happy with the win at Jundah. The body's a bit sore but I stayed on, so I'm pretty happy. There were a few riders who came off and are a bit worse for wear."
As for Parrott's crowd-favourite camel Thirsty, he's taking it easy back at the ranch this year.
