@dubaigoldcup Nominated at Best Sport Event (Professional) in upcoming SPIA Awards

Mohammed K. Al Habtoor , Chairman of Dubai Polo Gold Cup Organization says: "We are honored that the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series is held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. I am proud to say that the Dubai Polo Gold Cup organization  is well established and being in its fifth  year has earned itself a worldwide reputation. The Sport of Polo has once again proved its massive appeal as DUBAI POLO GOLD CUP Series has been shortlisted in the top 8 Best Sport Event (Professional).  The Sport Industry Awards category finalists were announced yesterday, at the Press Conference that was held  at the  Royal Box of Zayed Sports City Stadium by the SPIA committee  in association with the Dubai Sports Council."

“We are proud to be nominated for 2014 SPIA Awards.”

• Best Sport Event (Professional)
• Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
• Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
• Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series
• Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters
• Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby 7s
• Mubadala World Tennis Championship
• OSN 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations
• European Tour’s Race to Dubai

Being recognized as one of the leading Best Sport Event in the region is testament that DUBAI POLO GOLD CUP Series ability is to become one of the leading sports hub locally and internationally , attracting the best polo teams from around the world

The  Sport Industry Awards recognizes the greatest achievements across the entire business of sport, including the most outstanding and innovative work in marketing, PR, advertising, community investment and sponsorship.

In addition ,the “ Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series “ an impeccable organization that was recognized by the World Polo Tour  in 2011 , and in January 2014 the WPT committee announce that the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series is now the highest tournament in points inside the Challenge Cup Category by raising to 50 points for the winners.

The certificate of entry was presented by the international polo.

@DubaiGoldCup Strong start by UAE Polo and Desert Palm 2 in the Bentley Emirates Dubai Polo Gold Cup

Great victories by UAE Polo and Desert Palm 2 in today´s matches of the Bentley Emirates Dubai Polo Gold Cup, the most important trophy of the UAE. Desert Palm 2 had a strong start against Edrees Polo by winning 9 goals to 2 and UAE Polo achieved a great victory against Bin Drai by 8 goals to 7. Both matches were held at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

In the first game of the day, Desert Palm 2, winner of the President´s Cup and finalist of the McLaren Silver Cup, showed it´s potential from the beginning to the end of the match. Team made by Tarik Albwardy, Matías Machado, Alejo Taranco and Santiago Laborde were too much for Edrees Polo in their first appearance in the Dubai polo season.

Match Progression:
Desert Palm 2: 3-0/ 6-2/ 8-2/ 9-2


The second match of the day was one of the most exciting games of the season. Bin Drai and UAE played a thrilling match that was decided in the last 8 seconds of the game.

UAE Polo Team, with it´s new foursome, made by HH Sheika Maitha, Ollie Cudmore, Agustín Martínez and Martín Aguerre (h) achived an important victory after a great come back in the fourth chukka. Bin Drai had a great start with 3 consecutive goals in the first chukka and the control of the game during the half time of the match.
UAE reaction started in the third chukka, closing the gap to one goal (4-5) and in the fourth and last period of the game they managed to take the lead of the score by one goal in two opportunities (6-5 & 7-6). With only one minute to go the game was still tied in 7 goals a pice but in the last seconds UAE had a 30 yards penalty scored by Martín Aguerre (h) for the final 8 goals to 7 victory.

Match Progression:
UAE Polo: 0-3/ 3-4/ 4-5/ 8-7

The Bentley Emirates Gold Cup will continue next Thursday 27th February with two matches at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. At 2.30 pm, Habtoor Polo will face Zedan in field 2 and from 4 pm Abu Dhabi will play against Desert Palm 1.

Bentley Emirates Dubai Polo Gold Cup begins tomorrow @dubaigoldcup

Two matches will open tomorrow the Bentley Emirates  Dubai Polo Gold Cup, the most important trophy of the UAE, with 10 teams taking part of the event.

Ghantoot ADCB, Mc Laren Silver Cup champion, will play against Desert Palm 1 in the opening match of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup, sponsored by Bentley Emirates
This match will be held from 2.30 pm at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.
The second match of the day will face Zedan and Abu Dhabi. This game will be held in Desert Palm Club from 4.15.
Ten teams will be taking part of the Bentley Emirates Dubai Polo Gold Cup, the nine teams that already took part of the Silver Cup plus Edrees Polo Team.
Patron Sultan Edrees will take part of this prestigious event with Brieuc Rigaux, Max Charlton and Pierre Henry N´Goumou.

The 10 teams of the Gold Cup will be distributed in two groups of 5 teams each.

Group A will have Ghantoot ADCB, Abu Dhabi, Habtoor Polo, Zedan and Desert Palm 1.

Group B will be completed by Desert Palm 2, Bin Drai, Mahra, UAE and Edrees Polo.

@dubaigoldcup Ghantoot Polo wins the McLaren Silver Cup Final

Ghantoot Polo Team won the Mc Laren Silver Cup Final after defeating Desert Palm 2 in the final by 9 goals to 8 in a great polo match. Habtoor Polo won the Hildon Cup after defeating Mahra by 6 goals to 5 in another big game on the final day of the Mc Laren Silver Cup, the first tournament of the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series 2014.
In the Mc Laren Silver Cup Final, Ghantoot team, made by Abdullah bin Dismal, Juan Zubiaurre, Facundo Sola and Pelayo Berazadi played a great match against a tough opponent who battled till the end to turn over the score.
Facundo Sola was the mvp of the match and also named MVP of the Silver Cup after an exhibition of great polo that included a goal with a broken mallet.
Although Ghantoot took a quick advantage on the score in the first minutes of the final, Desert Palm 2 managed to hold up his opponent with a 4 goal a pice at the end of the second chukka.
In the third period, Ghantoot, with a tremendous Facundo Sola, took control of the game and the score with a 7 – 4 on their side. Despite of the advantage, Desert Palm 2 keep on pushing to close the gap to one goal in the fifth and last chukka with only one minute to go.
With great excitement and suspense the huge crowd at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club followed the last seconds of the match. Ghantoot achieved to control the last action of the game for the final victory by 9 goals to 8 that gave them the Mc Laren Silver Cup title.


Match progression:
Ghantoot: 2-1/ 4-4/ 7-4/ 8-6/ 9-8

Hildon Cup Final

Habtoor Polo and Mahra Polo also played a thrilling match in the final of the Hildon Cup that opened the last day of the Silver Cup.The brother´s duel was won by Mohammed Al Habtoor´s team by 6 goals to 5. Habtoor Polo ended the third chukka with a 5-2 on their side but a great reaction by the Mahra boys achieved to close the gap to one goal for another exciting final.
Nacho Gonzalez had the last action of the game for Mahra but finally Habtoor Polo managed to hold on the difference to win the game and the Hildon Cup title.

Match progression:
Habtoor Polo: 2-1/ 2-2/ 5-2/ 6-5

The @Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge ‘The One to Play In’ @guardspoloclub

The Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge

‘The One to Play In’^*

Desert Palm Retreat and Polo Club   February 17 - 22 February 2014

Under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, four pro-am polo teams are preparing to play in the 9th Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge. This prestigious polo tournament will be held from the 17 - 22 February 2013 at Desert Palm Retreat and Polo Club in Dubai.  This year the final will be played on a Saturday for the first time in the tournament’s history, watched by an impressive guest list invited by Cartier to enjoy a sumptuous day of polo and hospitality.

HH Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who made her tournament debut a victorious one, last year, is returning to defend her title. This year however she will be playing with her own UAE team, which also features leading Emirati player Mohammed Al Habtoor. 

In fact, this year’s competition is a reflection of the increased interest in polo in the Middle East today. Five other patrons are “local” players, including the Cartier team’s Saeed Bin Drai, Faris Al Yabhouni, and Amr Zedan of the CNN team, Tariq and Rashid Al Bawardi, sons of the event host Ali Al Bawardi, who are playing for the home side, Desert Palm.

In a marked change from previous years, the sole European representative this year is Adriano Agosti. Once more he is playing for the Cartier team and he will be eager to repeat his 2012 victory. Of course, all the patrons will be playing alongside an equally impressive list of professionals, made up of some notable South American players, including 10-goaler David “Pelon” Stirling, who will ensure that every match is tough and competitive.

All the games are played at Ali Al Bawardy's beautiful Desert Palm estate, home to one of Dubai’s premier boutique retreats, Desert Palm by Per AQUUM. To ensure that the players’ and ponies’ style is as elegant as their play, La Martina has been reappointed as the Official Team Kit Supplier.

CARTIER INTERNATIONAL DUBAI POLO CHALLENGE TEAMS 2014

Cartier (red): Adriano Agosti (CH) 0; Saeed Bin Drai (UAE) 0; Francisco Elizalde (ARG) 7; Raul Laplacette (ARG) 6

CNN (blue): Amr Zedan (KSA) 0; Faris Al Yabhouni (UAE) 0; Facundo Fernandez Llorente (ARG) 4; David Stirling (URU) 10.

UAE Team (black):  HH Sheikha Maitha (UAE) 0; Alfredo Capella (ARG) 8; Guillermo Cuitino (ARG) 6; Mohammed Al Habtoor (UAE) 0.

Desert Palm (grey):  Tariq Albwardy (UAE) 1; Rashid Albwardy (UAE) 2; Martin Valent (ARG) 5; Facundo Castagnola (ARG) 6.

Nexus Valentine’s Polo Cup Wows Record Crowds

Strong Turnout for 5th Edition of Increasingly Popular Tournament

UAE polo fans were out in force for the 5thedition of the increasingly popular Nexus Valentine’s Polo Cup.

A record crowd witnessed a keenly contested conclusion to the tournament. Polo Addict were the eventual winners, beating Dr A 4 – 2 ½ in the final. Hell’s Angels took third place ahead of Pink Panthers.

Sponsored by Nexus Insurance Brokers, one of the region’s largest independent brokers, the Nexus Valentine’s Polo Cup is a celebration of international-class horsemanship.

“Nexus Insurance Brokers is proud to again sponsor this fantastic tournament,” said Tarun Khanna, CEO, Nexus Insurance Brokers.

“The sport on display was outstanding and the atmosphere was immense. Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thanks to everyone who turned up on the day.”

@Dubaigoldcup Mahra Polo and Habtoor Polo will play the Hildon Subsidiary Final

Habtoor Polo, patron Mohammed Al Habtoor´s team, and Mahra Polo's patron Rashid Al Habtoor´s team
will play the Hildon Subsidiary Final of the McLaren Silver Cup after winning today´s matches.

Al Habtoor´s brothers will be face to face on Saturday´s Hildon Subsidiary Final after defeating Zedan and
UAE in the semifinals. Mahra defeated Zedan 10 goals to 9 in overtime in one of the most exciting matches of the McLaren Silver Cup and Habtoor did the same with UAE by 10 to 5.5.

The first semifinal between Mahra and Zedan, held on Desert Palm Club, was a great match. In a non-stop game both teams played great and the actions were so tight that the match went to extra time. Nacho González, Mahra´s back, was the responsible to break the even score and qualify Rashid Al Habtoor´s
team to the Hildon Subsidiary final.

The second match of the day had a great performance by Mohammed Al Habtoor, Habtoor Polo´s team
patron who scored 3 goals in the victory against the UAE Polo team to win by 10 goals to 5.5.
Habtoor Polo played against an “emergency” team of UAE, who´s star, Lucas Monteverde, is injured and
unfortunately will miss the rest of the polo season