One of the biggest dates in the international polo calendar takes place just a few minutes from Manilva this weekend, as Sainte Mesme and Dubai meet in the final of the Ayala Polo Club Gold Cup in Sotogrande.
The High Handicap final will be played at Los Pinos on Saturday, 29 August, starting at 5 pm. It brings the 55th Sotogrande International Polo Tournament to a climax after more than a month of competition featuring some of the sport’s leading players.
Sainte Mesme booked their place in the final by defeating La Dolfina Marqués de Riscal in Wednesday’s semi-final. They built an early advantage and held on despite a fightback from their opponents. It will be Sainte Mesme’s first appearance in the High Handicap Gold Cup final, although Carlos María Ulloa previously lifted the trophy with Dubai in 2022.
Dubai secured the other final place after overcoming Brunei Polo Team, with Gonzalo Ferrari producing a standout performance as Dubai pulled clear in the closing stages. The team, which also includes Bartolomé Castagnola, Pedro Chavanne and Tariq Albwardy, returns to the Gold Cup final for the first time in three years.
Admission to Saturday’s final is free, making it an easy opportunity for Manilva residents and visitors to experience some of the highest-level polo played in Europe.
The entertainment will continue after the polo, with the Last Chukker hosting Paradise, a Coldplay tribute concert, from 8.30 pm, bringing the summer tournament to a close with live music.
The Gold Cup is the final stage of Sotogrande’s prestigious summer tournament, following the Bronze and Silver Cups, and this year has featured 22 teams competing across high, medium and low handicap categories.
