It was a hotly-contested final in the Julius Bär Gold Cup (Dubai Open) as Zedan Polo narrowly defeated Bin Drai Polo 9-7 keeping spectators on edge right until the very end. Joanna Andrews reports.
It marked the first time in the history of the Dubai Open that Zedan won the title. Patron Amr Zedan, Pablo Mac Donough, Martín Gándara, Facundo Fernández Llorete, and Raúl Laplacette fought hard to claim the trophy as they battled it out against the Bin Drai Polo Team, which consisted of Patron Saeed Bin Drai, Agustín Canale, Manuel Fernández Llorente in the final match.
Pablo Mac Donough, who is a two time ‘Triple Crown Champion with La Dolfina’ was named Most Valued Player in the match. Not surprising, given he scored two consecutive goals in the final minute. His horse, Irenita Pimienta from the Argentinean Polo Breeders Association, was crowned the Best Playing Pony.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Team won the Bentley Cup after narrowly beating Mahra Polo Team in the final with a final score of 7-5.
The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series (Dubai Open) is the highest handicap tournament in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and the fourth largest tournament of its kind after Argentina, US and the UK. First founded by Mohammed Al Habtoor in 2009, the tournament is the premier regional polo competition of the year, and attracts VIPs, society figures, and senior corporate executives from across the GCC. It has grown in tandem with the city of Dubai and since 2012, it is the only tournament in the UAE to be recognised and certified by the World Polo Tour (WPT).