Enjoy Brunch at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

Ghantoot wins the Gold Cup!

Conquered Habtoor Polo by 14 goals to 6 to win the most important trophy of the season

Ghantoot defeated Habtoor Polo in the final by 14 goals to 6 and won the Gold Cup, Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2013.

Facunda Sola

 

The team made by Ali Al Merri, Juan Zubiaurre, Facundo Sola and Pelayo Berazadi played a superb match from beginning to end and took a deserved victory.

After two tied chukkers, Facundo Sola, the MVP of the tournament, led Ghantoot in the second half of the game to a comfortable win.

Sola scored 9 goals for his team and also was the top scorer of the tournament.

Habtoor Polo tried hard, with patron Mohammed Al Habtoor and captain Guillermo Cuitino playing a good game, but couldn´t stop the excellent performance by Ghantoot.

Pelayo Berazadi´s “El Pibe” was the best playing pony of the final.

Bin Drai Polo Team won the Subsidiary Final after defeating Abu Dhabi by 10 goals to 7.

Pictures credited to Gonzalo Etcheverry/DubaiPoloGoldCupSeries

Ghantoot Crowned Gold Cup Champions After Defeat Of Habtoor

Young Abu Dhabi Side Down Defending Champions 14-6

Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club took home their biggest scalp of the season this afternoon (Friday), when they wrestled the Dubai Polo Gold Cup away from defending champions and hosts, Habtoor Polo in a 14-6 victory at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

The Dubai Polo Gold Cup is considered one of the sport’s biggest titles in the region and is the concluding tournament in a series that also includes the Dubai Silver Cup.

Habtoor, the defending champions and 2013 Dubai Silver Cup holders, began the match as justifiable favourites, having defeated the Royal Abu Dhabi club 8-7 in golden goal extra time in the preliminaries. Yet Ghantoot did hold  form over the home side prior to this match after orchestrating a 9-7 victory over Habtoor in a charity match at Ghantoot last month.

Ghantoot made their way into this final following their 10-5 semi-final win over today’s subsidiary final winners, Bin Drai Polo, but did weather two scares after suffering another defeat, also by golden goal, at the hands of capital city rivals, Abu Dhabi Polo, before the knock-out stages.

Ghantoot finished the first chukker with a single goal lead for a 2-1 scoreline. By the end of the second period, Ghantoot had doubled their goal tally, to lead 4-2 over Habtoor.

The third period proved rich pickings for a dominant Ghantoot, with the side's top goalscorer, Facundo Sola, Pelayo Berazadi and Juan Zubiaurre all getting onto the scoreboard, which read 9-3 by the time the claxon went.

Habtoor, never a team to underestimate no matter the scoreline, executed a revival in the fourth period of this five-chukker final, with Ezequiel Martinez scoring twice to bring his side’s haul to five.

But the visitors could taste victory and a flurry of fast-paced play late in the period saw three more Ghantoot goals. Then an angled strike from Emirati player, Ali Al Merri seconds before the end of the chukker brought the score to 13-5 in favour of Ghantoot and left Habtoor facing an uphill battle to save the championship in the fifth and final period.

It wasn’t to be Habtoor’s day. Sola notched again in the fifth period and the best the hosts could muster at that late stage was a consolation goal from Guillermo Cuitino to see out the game 14-6 to Ghantoot.

The Ghantoot players, who play under the patronage of HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan embraced on the field following the conclusion of the match and Al Merri was lifted high on the shoulders of Ghantoot’s jubilant travelling fans.

“It’s a great feeling to have won this tournament,” he said later. “It has been a principle focus of ours since the start of the season and to achieve such an important goal is incredibly gratifying as a team.

“We did not have the smoothest progression throughout this tournament, but we survived to the final and the produced our best polo on the day and that’s really what matters. Habtoor are a very tough team and, as you can see from all our past meetings, the results are always very close when we play each other.”

HE Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club Vice Chairman said the club was now focusing on Ghantoot's biggest tournament of the season, the HH President’s Cup, which starts on March 24. The finals will be held on April 5.

“Congratulations to the players and staff at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club,” he said. “This victory has come as the result of a lot of hard work and it’s pleasing to see that this has earned us real rewards. Now we focus on hosting the H.H. President of UAE Polo Cup 2013 where no doubt we will be treated to more fast-paced and exciting polo.”

" The Most Anticipated Polo Event in the Region " Dubai Polo Gold Cup 2013

Dubai Gold Cup Final Day Programme for 15th March 2013 :

Come and enjoy the day and the high class polo!

~ 10:00 am Gates Open

~ 11:00 am Kid's Zone by Dubai Calendar

~ 12:00 pm Villa Romana VIP’s Lunch & Gold Lounge Opens, 3 Dj’s playing until late:

* DJ Richard Round

* DJ Serhan

* DJ Danny Whitlock

~ 13:30 pm Cheerleaders Show

~ 14:00 pm Gold Cup , Subsidiary Final - Bin Drai Polo Vs Abu Dhabi Polo

~ 15:15 pm Fashion Show in the Gold Lounge

~ 15:40 pm Cheerleaders Show

~ 15:50 pm U.A.E National Anthem

~ 16:00 pm Dubai Gold Cup Final 2013 - Habtoor Polo Vs Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club

~ 17:30 pm Prize Giving Ceremony

~ 18:00 pm Gold Lounge ~ Official Polo Party continues until late

***********************************************************

Shuttle Buses from Habtoor Grand Hotel to the Polo Club:

- 12pm; 1pm; 2pm: 3pm; 4pm

Shuttle Buses from Polo Club to Habtoor Grand Hotel:

- 8pm; 9pm; 10pm;

Timeout: http://www.timeoutdubai.com/sportandoutdoor/events/21110-dubai-polo-gold-cup-2013

Platinum List: http://dubai.platinumlist.net/nightlife/ticketing-box-office/9479/DUBAI-POLO-GOLD-CUP-SERIES-2013-Dubai-Open

Habtoor Grand Hotel :Reservation/ Guest Relation Desk from 10:30am - 8pm

Public Area: AED 150

Villa Romana VIP Lunch: AED 1500 (including Lunch Buffet , soft drinks, white and Red wine) 1pm-5pm

Gold Lounge : AED 5000 minimum spend per table including 10 passes

 

Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot will be in the final of the Gold Cup

Mohammed Al Habtoor´s team defeated Abu Dhabi by 8 goals to 6 and Ghantoot beat Bin Drai by 9 goals to 5.

Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot will be in the final of the Gold Cup after winning this afternoon`s  respective matches.

Habtoor Polo defeated Abu Dhabi by 8 goals to 6 and Ghantoot beat Bin Drai 9-5.

Both semifinal matches were a high level of  polo with plenty of goals in the two games.

The first match between Habtoor Polo and Abu Dhabi was a close game.

In the first three chukkas both teams had a small margin between them. The first chukka Abu Dhabi led by 3 goals to 2, in the second period they ended with a 4 goal apiece and in the third Habtoor had the advantage by 6-5.

The one goal lead was very important for Mohammed Al Habtoor´s team who played the fourth chukka in a very intelligent way and with an earlier goal by Mohammed managed to control the game and achieve a victory.

In the second game of the Gold Cup Semifinals, Ghantoot played a superb match, with two great initial chukkas that were crucial for the final result.

With a great performance by Facundo Sola, who scored four goals, Ghantoot went several goals ahead in the first half of the match (5-1 and 7-2) to control the game in the second half.

Despite Bin Drai reacting in the last chukka they couldn´t manage to catch Ghantoot who finally won by 9 goals to 5.

Pictures credited to Gonzalo Etcheverry/DubaiPoloGoldCupSeries

Ghantoot Earn Semi-Final Spot Despite Golden Goal Defeat in Gold Cup Polo

Royal Club Lose 8-7 To Defending Champions Habtoor 

Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club will meet Bin Drai Polo in the Dubai Gold Cup semi-final on Monday, despite this afternoon’s (Friday).golden goal defeat to Habtoor Polo at Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club. After being deposited from the Dubai Silver Cup by a golden goal at the semi-final stage last month, Ghantoot will not have good memories of extra time in this tournament.

Initially the Abu Dhabi-based side gained the early lead, finishing the first period with a one-goal advantage. Habtoor’s Nacho Bello opened the scoring but it was not long before Ghantoot’s Juan Zubiaurre and Facundo Sola scored to end the first chukker, 2-1.

The second chukker saw Sola score twice more, while Mohammed al Habtoor and Ezequiel Martinez notched for Habtoor. Going into the decisive third leading by 4-3, Martinez swiftly converted two early penalties before Habtoor teammate, Guillermo Cuitino buried a neck shot to take the home side into the lead by a single goal, 6-5.

Cuitinho proved his neck shot was no fluke, by scoring another in the fourth chukker to extend his side’s lead to 7-5 but Ghantoot fought back courtesy of a fine goal from Zubiaurre to bring them within one goal of their opponents.

It was the Royal Club’s top scorer, Sola who claimed the equaliser to send his team into extra time.

And it was Habtoor’s Bello who sunk Ghantoot’s hopes of breaking their golden goal curse in this event.

Ali Al Marri, Ghantoot’s Emirati star was upbeat.

“We lost today but we can take a lot of good things from this match,” he said. “First of all we are in the semi-final so it didn’t affect our progression in this event. Secondly, we were able to fight back from two goals down to get level and earn a fifth chukker and I think that demonstrates the kind of commitment and passion that we play with at Ghantoot.

“Now we will be putting that golden goal behind us because all our energies will be focused on the semi-final on Monday against Bin Drai. Our objective all along has been to get into the final of this tournament and that has not changed.”

Habtoor, Abu Dhabi and Ghantoot make their way to the semifinals

In today´s matches, Abu Dhabi defeated Mahra by 6 goals to 3 and Habtoor was victorious over Ghantoot by 8 goals to 7 in overtime.

The qualyfing round of the Gold Cup came to an end this afternoon with two good polo matches which resulted in Habtoor Polo, Ghantoot and Abu Dhabi qualyfing to the semifinals of the tournament.

In the first game of the day, at the main field of the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Abu Dhabi defeated Mahra by 6 goals to 3 and made their way to the semifinals with this victory.

Mahra, as in almost all the tournament, made a good start but couldn´t maintain this level and Abu Dhabi over-powered them in the last two chukkers of the game.

In the second match, Habtoor Polo had to go into overtime to defeat Ghantoot by 8 goals to 7, thanks to a great goal from Nacho Bello.

It was an exciting match, with great goals, one of them scored by Mohammed Al Habtoor, in a match which could have gone either way.

Habtoor were leading for most of the match but the Ghantoot team reacted well later in the game to force the game to overtime.

After missing three good chances to score finally it was Nacho Bello who, in a great individual play, scored for Habtoor and gave the victory for his team.

The semifinals of the Gold Cup will be held next Monday at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

Habtoor will face Abu Dhabi from 2.30 and Bin Drai play against Ghantoot at 4 pm.

Pictures credited to Gonzalo Etcheverry/DubaiPoloGoldCupSeries

Bin Drai wins and steps into the semifinals of the Gold Cup

Saeed Bin Drai´s team defeated Zedan by 7 goals to 6 in a exciting match

Bin Drai defeated Zedan by 7 goals to 6 and qualyfied to the semifinals of the Gold Cup.

It was an exciting match, with great polo level and goals.

Zedan made a great start taking the score to 3 goals to 1 but a quick reaction by Bin Drai, who had in Salvador Ulloa the MVP of the game, tied the score at 3 in the end of the first seven minutes of the match.

Amr Zedan´s team, with Nachi Heguy leading the actions, maintained a one goal difference through the second and third chukka til Bin Drai managed to tie the game and start the last chukka with a 5 goal apice.

Juanjo Brane, with two goals gave Bin Drai the victory and the ticket to the semifinals of the Gold Cup.
Picture credit to Gonzalo Etcheverry/DubaiPoloGoldCupSeries

Ghantoot wins and joins the leaders of the Gold Cup

The victory against Mahra by 8 goals to 3 also puts them on the top of the qualyfing list with Habtoor Polo, Bin Drai and Abu Dhabi

Ghantoot defeated Mahra by 8 goals to 3 in the only match of the day for the Gold Cup.

This victory gives Ghantoot good chances to qualify to the semifinals in four places that will be decided in the last two days of the qualifying round.

Despite the effort of Mahra Team, Ghantoot was superior from the first chukker till the end and deserved the victory.

Juan Zubiaurre from Ghantoot was the mvp and top scorer of the match with five goals.

The Gold Cup has four places reserved for the semifinals and five teams with chances to get through. Four of them are better positioned: Habtoor Polo, Abu Dhabi, Bin Drai and Ghantoot, with two victories each.

Zedan, with their triumph against Abu Dhabi yesterday, has to win his next match against Bin Drai, to be held on Thursday, to have a possibility to reach the semifinals.

The final matches will be decisive and for sure full of emotion. On Thursday, Zedan will play against Bin Drai and on Friday, Abu Dhabi will face Mahra and Habtoor against Ghantoot.

Ghantoot Polo Keeps Dubai Gold Cup Hopes Alive With Mahra Victory

Abu Dhabi Club Faces Must-Win Clash With Defending Champions, Habtoor

Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club claimed an 8-3 victory over Mahra Polo in the Dubai Gold Cup this evening (Tuesday) and now face the hurdle of a decisive clash against defending champions, Habtoor Polo before they can seal a place in the semi-final.

Ghantoot, who defeated Habtoor in a charity exhibition match on home turf just before the start of the two-week long Gold Cup, now find the tables turned as they go into their next game at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, the home ground of Habtoor.

The Royal club has suffered mixed fortunes in this tournament, defeating Zedan Polo in their opening round before losing to bogey team and fellow capital-based rivals, Abu Dhabi Polo, who also turfed them out of the Dubai Silver Cup at the semi-final stage last month.

Today’s victory will serve as a good confidence boost before the crunch match with Habtoor, but Ghantoot’s players are taking nothing for granted.

Ali Al Marri, Ghantoot’s Emirati player said: “We played well today and were happy to walk away with a win, but we are a long way from the final which is our ultimate goal in this tournament. We now look forward to our match with Habtoor having beaten them going into the event.

“Having said that, we don’t rest on our laurels. Habtoor are the form team in this competition, defending their trophy and playing with home advantage and they will be very tough.”

In today’s match Mahra Polo drew first blood, but it was not long before Ghantoot found their stride, ending the first chukker with a two goal advantage at 3-1.

The second chukker ended 5-2 to an increasingly confident-looking Ghantoot and by the end of the third chukker, the Abu Dhabi side were leading 8-2. Mahra scored a consolation goal in the fourth period, but never looked like challenging for the lead.

Ghantoot, who were in fourth place in the table going into this match, meet third-placed Habtoor at 4pm on Friday.

Tournament blown right open after super performances from Bin Drai Polo and Zedan Polo

Monday’s matches blew the Dubai Polo Gold Cup wide open again with results that saw Saeed Bin Drai´s team defeat Habtoor Polo by 6 goals to 5 and Amr Zedan´s team overcome Abu Dhabi 10-9

The victories of Bin Drai and Zedan in today´s matches for the Gold Cup brought both teams right back into contention for the tournament.  Three teams now have two victories in the Gold Cup amd these are Habtoor Polo, Abu Dhabi Polo and Bin Drai Polo whilst the other three  Ghantoot Polo, Mahra Polo and Zedan Polo will all continue to fight to get through to the semifinals in the remaining matches of the qualifying round.

Bin Drai played a great match today against Habtoor Polo with a tough victory by 6 goals to 5. It was a game played with a lot of intensity, with both teams making great efforts to win the game.

In the end slightly better team work and accuracy that saw the Bin Drai outfit home. Saeed Bin Drai scored the first goal within the first thirty seconds and his team never looked back although Habtoor Polo certainly kept the pressure on them.

Zedan were in the second game and they finally achieved their first victory of the tournament by defeating Abu Dhabi by 10 goals to 9. They have been threatening this for a long time as they have had bad luck in the extra chukka but on Monday they just avoided that ordeal with the winning goal coming in the last 30 seconds of the match and was scored by Mariano Uranga.

Beach Polo is back!

UAE revellers invited to experience two days of thrill and excitement at the return of the original Beach Polo Cup

Traditionally referred to as the ‘Sport of Kings’, after much anticipation, the original Beach Polo Cup is set to return to its roots on the sands of Dubai this 19^th and 20^th of April, 2013.

Arguably the world’s grandest and most entertaining sport, Beach Polo adds an electrifying dimension by swapping ‘turf for surf’ as players battle it out on the sands of one of Dubai’s iconic beach locations.

Founded in 2004 by mamemo productions, the Beach Polo Cup has since grown tremendously, making its way to more than 30 cities all over the world, including Miami (USA), Ibiza (Spain), Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), Riviera (Mexico), Rimini (Italy), Poole (England), as well as soon to be, Tianjin (China).

During a recently held signing ceremony, Sam Katiela, Beach Polo Cup organizer and mamemo productions’ Managing & Creative Director, proudly announced Julius Baer, the leading Swiss private banking group, as the presenting and team sponsor for this year’s event. Now officially named the “Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2013”.

Remy Bersier, Member of the Executive Board of Julius Baer, and present at the signing ceremony commented: “The sponsorship activities of Julius Baer share the same goals towards which we strive every day as a business enterprise: to consider the individual needs of our clients. That is why we support carefully selected sports and cultural events that represent innovation, consciousness of tradition and the exceptional quality of performance. We are delighted to showcase our commitment to the game and the region in our latest partnership with mamemo productions to launch the “Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2013”.

Featuring an invitation only Exclusive Players Night on the 18^th of April and two days of heart pounding tournaments on the 19^th and 20^th, Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2013 will celebrate the event’s success by bringing an entourage of professional polo players from around the world as well as recognised personalities and celebrities from the region.

“Dubai is continually being stamped on the global map as a world class destination”, says Sam Katiela. “Since gaining international momentum and after the success of previous years, it’s now time to bring Beach Polo back to Dubai!”

Bringing world class horsemanship, nail biting pace and international glamour to the shores of Dubai, the legendary tournament, under the new name, Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2013, promises to be a weekend to remember. 

Habtoor Polo remains unbeaten in the Gold Cup

Mohammed Al Habtoor´s  team defeated Zedan by 7 goals to 6 in overtime and Bin Drai won their game against Mahra 14 goals to 9.

We had an exciting afternoon at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club with two great polo matches for the Gold Cup tournament.

Bin Drai and Habtoor Polo where the winners of the matches played today. Saeed Bin Drai´s team defeated Mahra by 14 goals to 9 while Mohammed Al Habtoor´s team made the same against Zedan by 7 goals to 6 in overtime.

The match between Bin Drai and Mahra was full of exciting moments and goals. The game played by this two teams is, until the moment, the top scored match in the Dubai Polo Gold Series 2013.

Mahra made a great half time, taking a difference of three goals at the end of the second chukka (7-4). But a great reaction by Bin Drai turn things over and the scoreboard had them as leaders during the second half of the game.

A great performance by Juan José Brane, with 8 goals, four in the last chukka, made things easier for Bin Drai´s victory.

In the second match of the day, Habtoor Polo and Zedan brought another great game to the crowd in the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Team.

With a constant coming and going in the actions and the goals both teams brought great polo to the main field of the club.

Nachi Heguy in Zedan and Ezequiel Martínez for Habtoor had outstanding performances this afternoon.

With a one goal difference in the fourth chukker, Heguy took the game to overtime after scoring a great goal.

But in the extra chukker it was Martínez turn to answered with another great move to give Habtoor Polo the victory and a good chance to reach the semifinals of the Gold Cup.

The Gold Cup returns on Monday with two new matches. At 2.30 Habtoor Polo will face Bin Drai and at 4 pm Abu Dhabi plays against Zedan, both matches will be held at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

Pink Polo Nominated Best Sporting Event

Pink Polo presented by ADCB, a unique Polo initiative that was created in Abu Dhabi to support breast cancer awareness in the UAE, was yesterday nominated as Best Sport Event at the inaugural Sport Industry Awards (SPIA).

The SPIA awards was created by Gulf Sports Media, the pioneers of Sport360, the world’s only English language daily sports newspaper, along with trade and consumer publication specialists, Mediaquest.

The awards will honor top industry leaders for their contribution to the development of sport in the UAE.

Pink Polo’s founder Carrie McNeill, who launched Pink Polo in 2010, said:

"It's a great recognition to be nominated in this prestigious award. I believe Pink Polo has helped promote the sport of polo to a whole new audience and I believe our concept has showcased how the power of sport can be used to unite a community to support a great cause.

"Just to have our event competing with big sports such as football, tennis and golf is a proud achievement for polo in general and for us as organisers. 

"We have had great support from leading local businesses such as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank as well as international brands, St Regis Resorts & Hotels who recognised Pink polo last year. The vision would not have been possible without the support of His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is one of the biggest driving forces of polo in the region, along with government support from Abu Dhabi Sports Council."

The Pink Polo concept is developed and managed by Mama Creative a company which develops ideas to power strategic alliances between governments, international brands and grassroot communities.

Designed as an enjoyable family day out, Pink Polo was created as a way to break down social taboos associated with breast cancer awareness.

McNeil said: “At Mama Creative, we design ideas and solutions that drive brands and entities forward while supporting the local community.  Pink Polo is a great showcase where government and businesses can associate with an event that not only bring exposure to their brand but at the same time includes CSR as an added bonus. The meaning of the terms “sustainability” and “business” are undergoing a transition and companies are now beginning to understand that in order to create bigger returns on investment and profits, they need to give more emphasis to the social value of business, moving beyond the simple goal of profit maximisation.”

Pink Polo is presented by ADCB and supported by Official Partners St. Regis Hotel & Resorts, Mercedes-Benz, Emirates Motors Company and Omnia.

The 2013 Pink Polo will start on October 1 with a UAE-wide University Campus tour leading up to the main family day taking place on Friday November 8.

For more information visit www.pinkpolo.ae and follow us on Facebook/PinkPoloworld

Ghantoot Polo Lose Extra-Time Dubai Gold Cup Qualifier To Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Come Off Best In 6-5 Clash 

Ghantoot Polo lost a close game in the second round of the Dubai Gold Cup to their bogey team, Abu Dhabi Polo at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club this afternoon.

It was Abu Dhabi Polo who denied Ghantoot Polo a place in the final of the Silver Cup earlier this month and the Royal club would have been hopeful of a strong showing after beating the 2012 Gold Cup champions, Habtoor Polo in a charity match on home turf over the weekend.

But it was not to be. Ghantoot, who defeated Saudi Arabia's Zedan Polo in theor opening Gold Cup clash on Monday, were unable to sustain a three-goal advantage gained in the first-chukker which also saw star player, Facundo Sola receive treatment after sustaining a knock to the leg. 

Abu Dhabi’s JJ Storni pulled back a goal in the second chukker but at half-time Ghantoot were still leading 3-1.

In the third chukker Abu Dhabi Polo scored twice more while Ghantoot answered once and the sides went into the final period with a 4-3 lead. The fourth chukker saw Manuel Elizalde level the score for Abu Dhabi only for Sola to drive home a penalty giving Ghantoot the lead again. 

But with less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Storni buried the ball between the posts in open play to take the teams to a golden goal fifth chukker and it was Storni who scored the penalty, sealing the win for Abu Dhabi.

 

Ali Al Marri, Ghantoot’s Emirati player was disappointed.

“An extra-time penalty is one of the most frustrating ways to lose an important game,” he said. “We had a lead in the beginning and obviously things didn’t go our way after that and we are very disappointed.

“But that is not the end of the Gold Cup for us, we play Mahra on Tuesday next week so we will be going away and analysing our performance today in order to concentrate on that match.”