Royal Salute, the world-leading luxury Scotch and partner of the Desert Palm UAE Nations Cup in Dubai, added the royal touch to an outstanding week of international class polo from January 25-30. In addition to supporting the tournament with the ‘Royal Salute Polo Day,’ brand ambassador, His Grace, the Duke of Argyll, hosted glittering social occasions for Dubai’s VIPS and business elite.

 

The tournament final, at Desert Palm by Per AQUUM, was won for the second year in a row by the UAE team which beat the USA 8 - 6. The semi finals were played between Nigeria and Pakistan with Pakistan gaining third place after defeating Nigeria 9 - 2.

 

Following the prize-giving ceremony His Grace the Duke of Argyll opened the Royal Salute private after-party, where VIP guests were able to mingle with the players in a glamorous pool-side occasion with live music. The evening included an auction of the helmet worn by polo star Adolfo Cambiaso in the 2009 Desert Palm Nations Cup, the £25,000 proceeds of which were offered to Riding for the Disabled in Dubai.

 

The Desert Palm UAE Nations Cup is a yearly event to celebrate polo in the UAE and highlight the Middle East’s leading polo estate, Desert Palm, as a principle destination in the global polo calendar. It is held at Desert Palm by Per AQUUM a boutique retreat which offers just 26 suites and private pool villas, two award winning restaurants, LIME spa, bar and four championship sized polo fields.

 

His Grace the Duke of Argyll, said, “It was an honour to witness an excellent week of polo and meet so many friends of Royal Salute in such a beautiful setting in Dubai. Through its increasingly global support of polo, Royal Salute is proving itself as the crowning partner of the king of sports and the sport of kings.”

 

The king of whisky - Royal Salute is increasingly involved in some of the world’s most luxurious polo events – the game of kings - hosting both The Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Polo in India and China’s leading international polo tournament - The Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup. Both were attended by The Duke of Argyll, as well as a myriad of dignitaries, local businessmen and celebrities.

 

This event is organised each year by equus passport and the 2010 UAE Nations Cup partners were luxury brands Desert Palm Retreat (host), Royal Salute, Jaeger-leCoultre, Land Rover, Crestview and EFG Group with Equestrio, Akuma Polo and Quintessentially as support partners.