Bentley unveils the new ‘Bentayga' at British Polo Day UAE

Dubai, UAE, April 5, 2016:   British Polo Day - presented by RJI Capital, an international merchant banking firm with headquarters in London - returned to its birthplace in the UAE this March for the first of its 2016 events. Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai played host to some 400 guests and VIPs including Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HH Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum, Mr Mohammed Al Habtoor, Ms Pooya Ahmadi, Mr Hossam Alsaady, Mr Amr Zedan, Dr & Mrs Hitesh and Minal Bodani, Hossam Alsaady, Mr Amr Zedan, Dr & Mrs Steven and Gillie Lamprell, Princess Alexandra Cantacuzene and Marc De Panafieu came together to celebrate the best of UAE and British tradition.

Taking in the very best the Arabian Peninsula has to offer, guests embarked on an exciting itinerary which included an authentic dinner at Byblos Sur Mer with traditional Royal Salute 21 year old Quaich experience, cricket match which saw Eton play Harrow at the Emirates Palace and traditional Majilis by kind invitation of HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan. Making their way through the cityscape to the modern oasis that is the Shangri-La Dubai, guests enjoyed an evening with Jaeger-LeCoultre to celebrate the 85th Anniversary of an icon - the Reverso timepiece - at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, a Taylor Morris Volleyball tournament at Cove Beach Club and a vintage Global Partnership Family Offices Desert Safari which took guests through the rolling sand dunes whilst also taking part in activities such as falconry. Rounding off the action-packed itinerary that had something for all the senses, Harrods also hosted an exclusive fragrance dinner presented by renowned perfumer Roja Dove allowing special guests a sneak peek into the new Black Tier Fragrance launching this summer.

Saturday 19th March, marked the 6th edition of British Polo Day Abu Dhabi sponsored by Hackett. It took place at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, the private royal polo ground of HH Sheikh Falah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. The glamorous black-tie evening kicked off with two rather unusual takes on the traditional game of polo - with the Bentley Cavalry team beating the Etihad British Army Guards 4-1 in a game of camel polo for The Thesiger Trophy. The Hackett Rest of World Team won decisively 4-1 against the Intercontinental UAE team in a light-hearted game of Brompton bicycle polo, a sport played in the Olympics over 100 years ago.

The highlight exhibition polo match of the evening - The British Polo Day Plate -saw the home team RJI Capital Ghantoot Polo Team play the visiting Royal Salute British Exiles.

Following an official prize-giving ceremony, Hackett gifted the VIP guests gift cards.
Attendees enjoyed after a delicious three-course dinner followed by a live charity auction raising a total of $46,000 for Women And Health Alliance International (WAHA) launched by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al-Nahyan and Ending Domestic Violence, a UK based charity under the patronage of Baroness Scotland of Asthal, dedicated to finding effective ways to end domestic violence worldwide. Guests bid fiercely for lots including a stay on ultra-exclusive Velaa Private Island, a safari of a lifetime to Kenya with The Safari Collection, a special cigar dinner at Franco’s in London and a luxurious retreat to Royal Mansour Marrakech. 

On Friday 25th March - the eve of the world-famous Dubai World Cup - British Polo Day Dubai brought a touch of quintessential British equine heritage to the Emirate under the patronage of Mohammed Al Habtoor, the Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Al Habtoor Group at The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. 

Once again, the opening match saw Execu-Jet Guards beat British Silverware Cavalry 1-0 in the camel polo. Swapping camels for pedals, Hackett Rest of World beat Taylor Morris UAE 3-0 in Brompton bicycle polo. These preceded the two highly-anticipated polo matches between RJI Capital Oxbridge and Shangri-La Dubai Gulf Polo and - following which - Royal Salute British Exiles versus home side: Bentley Habtoor Polo.

As is fitting for such a glamorous Dubai setting, the day’s polo drew to a close with an official prize-giving ceremony and after-party.

Commenting on British Polo Day UAE Tom Hudson, Co-Founder of British Polo Day, commented: “This is now our 7th year in the UAE and we are very grateful for all the support we have received from our hosts and all our partners. Polo in the UAE is going from strength to strength and we are proud to have been part of that journey.”

Marc de Panafieu, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s brand director Middle East, India, Turkey & Greece said: 'The Reverso was originally designed for polo players to wear during the game so Jaeger-LeCoultre has an organic relationship with the game of polo. It is a pleasure to be here in Dubai once again with our friends from British Polo Day for one of the most important polo events of the season in the UAE'.

MATCH REPORTS AND PRIZEGIVING RESULTS

Abu Dhabi

Ghantoot Polo vs British Exiles: The British Polo Day Plate

Abdhullah Ben Desmail led the RJI Capital Ghantoot Polo Team to victory, assisted by teammates Felipe Llorente and Lucas Diaz winning 6-3. The British Exiles put up a strong fight, with Jack Richardson and Jamie Morrison playing excellently together, setting teammate Stuart Wrigley up to score two of their three goals.

Abdullah Ben Desmail collected the bespoke-commissioned British Silverware British Polo Day Plate presented by HH Sheikh Mohammed Nahyan bin Muburak Al Nahyan and Ron Wahid for the RJI Capital Ghantoot Polo Team.

Dubai

RJI Capital Oxbridge vs Shangri-La Dubai Gulf Polo: The RJI Capital Plate

There was outstanding play by ten year-old Lucasito Monteverde, playing alongside his father, and twelve year-old Saif Al Ghurair. with the Oxbridge team narrowly winning 3-2. Max Kirchhoff of the winning team proudly completed a triple-crown today playing in all camel, bike and equine polo.

Royal Salute British Exiles vs Bentley Habtoor Polo: The British Polo Day Cup

The Habtoor team came out victorious 6-2 with Marcos Panelo and Guillermo Cutino scoring all goals and brothers Mohammed Al Habtoor and Habtoor Al Habtoor providing some strong support.

The sprightly ‘Poderoso’, ridden by Guillermo Cutino, was named Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ‘Best Playing Pony’ by Marc de Panafieu, the talented Saif Al Ghurair picked up the Holland & Holland ‘Shot of The Day’ presented by Steven Lamprell and lucky guest Tracie Williams won the Harrods ‘Luck of The Draw’ presented by none other than the Harrods Green Man.

Jack Richardson collected the bespoke-commissioned British Silverware RJI Capital Plate presented by James Houghton and Gerhard Hecker for the RJI Capital Oxbridge Polo Team.

Giselle Houghton and Mr Ghazi Al Madani presented the British Polo Day Cup to Habtoor Al Habtoor for the Bentley Habtoor Polo Team.

*British Polo Day Abu Dhabi took place on Saturday 19th March at Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club

*British Polo Day Dubai took place on Friday 25th March at The Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club

The event is partnered with RJI Capital, Royal Salute, Harrods, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hackett London, Bentley, Justerini & Brooks, Charles Russell Speechlys, British Silverware, Shangri-La Dubai, Global Partnership Family Offices, Holland & Holland, True Luxury Travel, Charles McDowell Properties, Brompton, Clinova, Taylor Morris Eyewear, Billionaire.com, D.R Harris & Co, Etihad, Execu-Jet, Woman and Health Alliance International and Ending Domestic Violence.