SAINTE MESME AND DUBAI ARE THE FINALISTS OF THE AYALA POLO CLUB HIGH HANDICAP GOLD CUP
SAN ROQUE, Wednesday, August 26, 2026 – Sainte Mesme and Dubai will face each other on Saturday for the title of the Ayala Polo Club Gold Cup of High Handicap. In the semifinals of the category, held this Wednesday in Los Pinos, they defeated, respectively, La Dolfina Marqués de Riscal and Brunei Polo Team, to secure a place in the last match of the 55th ATL International Polo Tournament.
Sainte Mesme, who won the Gold Cup in 2020, but in the Medium Handicap, built on a good difference obtained in the first half, in which they were leading 7-3 at the end of the third chukker. The associated play of its 4 players was key to such purposes. Already in the second half, and although their opponent had managed to shorten the difference to only 1 goal in the following quarter, Sainte Mesme knew how to hold the advantage and even increase it when they had the opportunity. It will be the first Ayala Polo Club Gold Cup final of High Handicap for them. Among his players, only Carlos María Ulloa has this title in his record: he won it in 2022 with Dubai.
In the second semi-final, Dubai and Brunei Polo Team played a match that grew noticeably in intensity as the chukkers succeeded. Finalists of the Terralpa Silver Cup just two weeks ago, Dubai dominated the first half and converted virtually every time they were presented with the chance. Brunei had a good second half, but Dubai struck when Brunei got just 1 goal behind. In the final chukker, the winner brought out his best polo shirt and had in Gonzalo Ferrari the figure of the match, although his 3 teammates had fundamental contributions when it was necessary to close the victory. In this way, Dubai returns to the final of this tournament after 3 years. On that occasion, they won the title, also with Bartolomé Castagnola in their ranks.
This Thursday there will be activity in the Low Handicap, with the semifinals. There, Vamos Korea and Savoir Polo Team will compete for the first available ticket for the final, while Santa Quiteria and Great Oaks will face each other in the second.