Simply Abu Dhabi II

RUB SHOULDERS WITH ROYALTY AT THE GHANTOON RACING & POLO CLUB The thing about staying at the Emirates Palace Hotel is that is you truly feel like you’re being treated like royalty and the feeling extends to the facilities and attractions located nearby. So it’s hardly surprising to discover that many royal figures have frequented the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club. Being so close to this world renowned Club there was no way we were going to pass up on the opportunity to mix with the glamorous set and experience a Polo match first hand. Exclusive days out don’t get much better than this and it is a must for all fans of the sport of Polo, like us. One of our favourite things about Abu Dhabi is the open-mindedness and the fact that you get the chance to mix with all cultures and religions. And with celebrated attractions such as The Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club luring key figure heads such as his Excellency Natsagin Bagabandi, President of Mongoilia, the Price of Bahrain, the Sultan of Brunei and Prince Charles, it’s easy to feel like royalty, whoever you are, as you spend the day in this elating club in blissful surroundings. First class facilities Inspired by the progressive vision of the late President HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and run under the patronage of his son HH Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nayhan, this is the only Polo Club in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and as such, we could sense the prestige in the air. The Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club hosts major regional polo tournaments, such as the Tridex Cup and HH the President’s Polo Trophy. There are also regular Chukka tournaments and major international events from mid October to April. The internationally recognised Polo team participates in events and tournaments around the world and has won prestigious medium and high goal tournaments in Spain, Belgium and France. Basically, the Polo club is a place where there is always something thrilling going on and plenty of people around who want to be a part of it. Now it was our turn. The Sport of Kings Set in 300 hectares of flourishing grasslands, with seven grass polo fields built to international standards, the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club is the ideal entertainment and conference venue with a 2000 seater grandstand equipped with VIP entrance, media facilities and business centre. Boasting three floodlit Polo fields, Ghantoot prides itself on being the best polo club in the Middle East and throughout the day we came to appreciate just why. Due to the exclusivity of the club and its stunning location in Abu Dhabi we were immediately struck by the realisation that we were privileged enough to be experiencing something very special. Celebrities, visiting kings and the Royal Family are amongst many prominent personalities who have enjoyed the facilities and discovered more about this internationally popular sport and now we were lucky enough to have the chance to follow in their famous footsteps. With stables for over 200 top class polo ponies, it is the first and only Polo breeding centre in the Middle East and the club also breeds Arabian and beautiful thoroughbred horses which horse lovers will be in awe of. We certainly were as we looked around the six fully equipped stables, five paddocks and the impressive outdoor training ring. By this time we had worked up an appetite so headed off to the Clubhouse for a spot of lunch and an exhilarating afternoon of Polo spectating. From the colonial style clubhouse we were treated to marvelous views of the Polo field whilst we sampled a delicious freshly prepared Italian style meal. We couldn’t wait to relax and enjoy the World-class Polo facilities we had heard so much about. You could feel the excitement in the air and we definitely experienced a huge adrenalin rush as we watched a thrilling Polo race unfold. Anyone 105 SIMPLY ABU DHABI wishing to host a spectacular private function to make an impact couldn’t fail to be impressed by the facilities at the grand colonial style club house. We certainly felt like kings as we sat back to watch a Polo match. Not that we were sitting back for long – despite the relaxing environment we were soon on the edge of our seats! Hanging out in one of the VIP lounges at the exclusive Ghantoot Racing and Polo club had to be amongst the highlights of our visit to Abu Dhabi. Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club also offers a variety of sporting facilities including tennis and volleyball courts, a fully equipped gym, a swimming pool and sauna. Whether you’re hosting a product launch, a conference, a concert or looking for a stunning setting to entertain family and friends in prestigious style, the Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club ticks all the right boxes. A&J would like to express our warm thanks and sincere gratitude to the lovely Carrie McNeill who is responsible for all marketing for Ghantoot. Her humble, yet classy approach and guidance not only to the club but Abu Dhabi in general, was above and beyond exceptional. We enjoyed a wonderful day at the club and thank Carrie and her team for their unparalleled hospitality. We would also like to thank Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nayhan because without his passion and commitment to the sport and his devotion to the club, our incredible day out would not have been possible and believe us when we say we wouldn’t have missed it for the world! For further information please visit www.grpcpolo.com or www.simplyabudhabi.com