The 2025 British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup kicked off this Tuesday, the 24th of June. The much-anticipated first game saw the reigning champions Dubai take on King Power MB Polo, playing for the Carlos Gracida Memorial Cup, on a bustling Lawns 1.
In the green shirts for Dubai, Camilo Castagnola (10) rode out at 1, with Alfie Hyde (3) at 2 in substitution for Rashid Albwardy (3), Hazel Jackson (2) at 3, and Antonio Heguy (7) at Back. For King Power MB Polo (King Power), Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei (0) wore the number 1 shirt, with Ricardo Garros (5) at 2, 9-goaler Pablo Mac Donough at 3, and Tomas Beresford (7) at Back.
An incredibly close game was witnessed with world-class play by both sides; however, despite King Power MB Polo’s early lead and fifth chukka comeback, the mighty Dubai side came away victorious 10–9.
The first chukka saw a strong start by King Power with an opening 30-yard penalty conversion by Beresford, followed by another in the 6th minute after a spot hit, and despite a couple of opportunities for Dubai, the first chukka finished 2–0. The second chukka told a similar story with King Power continuing their pursuit of victory, opening with a breakaway goal by Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei. Dubai responded with a cut shot to goal by the 10-goaler Castagnola, to get Dubai on the scoreboard. This volley continued with further goals from Mac Donough and Heguy to leave the scores at 4–2. The third saw a change in tide for Dubai, with a coast-to-coast goal by Heguy. A few costly fouls by King Power then led to three successfully converted penalties by Castagnola, in addition to strong defensive teamwork by Dubai to prevent any goal advancements for King Power, leaving Dubai leading 6–4 going into half-time.
Following a half-time break, both teams came back with determination, with Beresford opening the scoring with an accurately taken 30-yard penalty, but the unstoppable Castagnola responded with another field goal, keeping Dubai leading 7–5. The fifth chukka saw a dramatic turnaround by King Power with a goal by Garros under pressure from Castagnola. This momentum continued with another breakaway goal by Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei, with the hat-trick of goals completed by a cut shot across the goal, finished by Mac Donough to let King Power retake the lead 8–7. With all to play for in the final chukka, fierce play was seen by all, with an opening goal out of the line-out by Heguy to immediately equalise the scores. However, Beresford responded with another 30-yard penalty conversion to take King Power back into the lead, but Heguy wasn’t letting them get away, scoring another equaliser. In the final two minutes, a second yellow card for Jackson meant Dubai had to play with only three players, but this wasn’t stopping them, with Castagnola scoring a standout final goal off the post to secure victory 10–9 in the final moments.
A delighted Camilo Castagnola stepped down on behalf of Dubai to receive the Carlos Gracida Memorial Cup from The Hon. Mrs. Lila Pearson. The Cowdray Vikings Best Playing Pony Rug was presented to Wickford Santa Monica (AKA Pumpkin), played by Camilo Castagnola, owned by Dubai Polo Team, and bred by Lach MacKinnon. Pumpkin is cared for by Castagnola’s expert team of grooms, led by Head Piloto Tomi Cataldi.
