Royal Salute Gold Cup, Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club, Shanghai, China
The 2009 Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup held at the Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club in China was arguably the brand’s most successful tournament yet. As part of its effort to promote polo in China, Royal Salute, the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, was the title sponsor of the prestigious tournament for a third consecutive year.
Five world-class polo teams consisting of international and Chinese polo players competed at the 2009 event, which included five Chinese players with a zero handicap rating by the CPN. More than 80 thoroughbred horses participated, all of which were transported by air to China and assigned to professional polo players from 11 countries.
After intensive competition, the China Business News Polo Team emerged as the champions of the tournament. The team received the “Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup” Trophy from Royal Salute’s brand ambassador, His Grace, Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll. In keeping with the tradition of previous years, Royal Salute specially commissioned British royalty-appointed craftsman to produce the pure-silver, hand-made trophy for the winning team. Several additional awards were also presented, two of which were won by members of the Royal Salute Polo Team. Player No. 1 Liu Shilai from China was voted the “Best Local Player” while No. 3 Mark Lillyman won the “Best Goal” award for an excellent shot involving six consecutive passes.
Rachel Wyatt, General Manager of the Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club, Deputy Secretary of the China Equestrian Association and Deputy Secretary-General of the China Equestrian Industry Association, commented: “For the past two years, the Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup has set the benchmark for polo as a sport and culture in China. However, the tournament did not rest on its laurels. This year’s inclusion of a greater number of players with high standards has made the tournament even more competitive and more attractive. We are pleased that even in its third year the tournament has once again set new standards and continued to promote the growth of polo as a noble outdoor sport in China.”
Royal Salute was the first whisky to be launched in the super-premium whisky category as a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation in 1953. Today, the brand continues its heritage as the ultimate tribute to accomplishment in life. Guest-of-honour Torquhil Ian Campbell, the 13th Duke of Argyll, expressed his recognition of the tournament’s success in China: “Royal Salute has always been associated with royalty, power and prestige. The ideals of outstanding achievements, prestige and elegance embraced by Royal Salute are its best tribute to the brave and talented polo players and the spirit of polo. Throughout its three-year support of the international polo tournament, in association with Nine Dragons Hill, Royal Salute has pushed forward the development of polo in China and presented its unique charm to Chinese elites.”
The annual Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup was not only an intense and exciting sporting event, but also a grand party. It is known as a luxurious occasion, attracting the participation of the Chinese high-flyers who are seeking a new, opulent and elegant lifestyle. With its regal atmosphere, this year’s tournament was recognised as much for its celebrity international polo players as its high-class spectators. Royalty, businessmen and woman and renowned socialites attended the tournament. They included Hong Kong director Louis Tan and famous Hong Kong actress Cecilia Yip; Michael Wong and Janet Ma; famous actor Russell Wong and renowned Hong Kong fashion designer Flora Cheung Leen; Chinese pianist Zhao Yinyin; well-known actress Chen Shu and famous models, Jocelyn Luko and Anthony Sandstrom.