Habtoor Polo Team Claims Victory at the Sir Winston Churchill Cup!
Sir Winston Churchill Cup December 2025
The 8th edition of the Sir Winston Churchill Cup came alive once again, uniting four competitive teams and standout players who delivered unforgettable moments and fast-paced, thrilling polo for our spectators. — all capped off with the electrifying Party at the Polo by IFZA!
Explore the match progressions and key highlights below to relive all the action once again.
Day 1 – Saturday, 6th December
Match 1: Al Habtoor the first win
Umpiring the game was Cesar R.G.
Habtoor Polo Team: Khalaf Al Habtoor, Liam R. Karger, Juan Cruz Guevara, and Marcos Panelo
El Basha Polo Team: Hani Jabsheh, Elouan Badarello, Santos Iriarte and Tomas Willians.
Match Progression Habtoor Polo vs El Basha Polo Team:
3-0 | 4-2 | 5-4 | 6-5
Day 2 – Tuesday, 9th December
Match 2: Al Faisal Take the win.
Umpiring the game was Cesar R.G.
Al Faisal Polo Team: HH Sultan Al Faisal, Oscar Colombres, Tomas Iriarte and Pali Urquiza.
RGF Polo Team: Freddie Leyland (Sub for Romain), Nicholas Petrachi, Juan Cruz Carreno and, Felipe Llorente.
Match Progression: Al Faisal Polo Team vs RGF Polo Team
3– 3.5| 6 – 4.5 | 7 – 4.5 | 9 – 6.5
Day 3 – Thursday, 11th December – Semi Finals
Match 1: Habtoor Polo team progress to the Finals
Umpiring the game was Cesar R.G.
Match Progression: Habtoor Polo Team vs RGF Polo Team:
1 – 2.5 | 5-3.5 | 8-4.5 | 9-5.5
Habtoor Polo Team: Khalaf Al Habtoor, Liam R. Karger, Juan Cruz Guevara, and Marcos Panelo
RGF Polo Team: Freddie Leyland (Sub for Romain), Nicholas Petrachi, Juan Cruz Carreno and, Felipe Llorente.
Match 2: El Basha Polo team advance to the Finals.
Umpiring the game was Cesar R.G.
El Basha Polo Team: Hani Jabsheh, Elouan Badarello, Santos Iriarte and Tomas Willians.
Al Faisal Polo Team: HH Sultan Al Faisal, Oscar Colombres, Tomas Iriarte and Pali Urquiza.
Match Progression: Habtoor Polo Team vs RGF Polo Team
3 – 2.5 | 4 – 3.5 | 6– 6.5 | 7 – 6.5
Final Match Day 13th December 2025
Subsidiary Final: Victory goes to Al Faisal Polo Team
Umpiring the game was Cesar R.G.
Match Progression: Al Faisal Polo Team vs RGF Polo Team:
1 – 0.5 | 4 -1.5 | 6 – 1.5 | 6 – 2.5
RGF Polo Team: Romain G. Fresse, Nicholas Petrachi, Juan Cruz Carreno and, Felipe Llorente.
Al Faisal Polo Team: HH Sultan Al Faisal, Oscar Colombres, Tomas Iriate and Pali Urquiza
Al Faisal Polo Team and RGF Polo Team opened the Subsidiary Final at a measured pace, with both sides sizing each other up before igniting an intense, fast-paced battle. Standout performances from Pali Urquiza and Tomas Iriarte set the field alight, as Al Faisal applied constant pressure, showcasing confident plays and commanding control. With seamless teamwork and relentless drive, Al Faisal Polo Team powered through to a convincing 6–2.5 victory, proudly claiming the Subsidiary title.
Final: Victory goes to Habtoor Polo Team
Umpiring the game was Cesar R.G.
Match Progression: Habtoor Polo Team vs El Basha Polo Team:
2 – 3 | 2 - 4 | 7 – 5 | 7 – 7 | 7 - 8
Habtoor Polo Team: Khalaf Al Habtoor, Liam R. Karger, Juan Cruz Guevara, and Marcos Panelo
El Basha Polo Team: Hani Jabsheh, Elouan Badarello, Santos Iriate and Tomas Willians.
El Basha Polo Team came out firing, taking an early lead in the opening chukkers. But Habtoor Polo Team answered back with a thrilling comeback, leveling the score in the fourth chukker and pushing the match into a dramatic fifth chukker and golden goal. Showing exceptional cohesion and nerves of steel, Habtoor Polo delivered a powerful finish to clinch the trophy with a hard-fought 8–7 victory.
The Saturday Cup Final delivered a thrilling, action-packed day filled with excitement for all. Families enjoyed a variety of fun children’s activities, the adrenaline-charged Hunt the Gold Coin and Man of the Hour contests, and a vibrant awards ceremony. Triunfo Milhoja, owned by Hani Jabsheh, was crowned Best Playing Pony, while Marcos Panelo claimed the Most Valuable Player title. The trophies were proudly presented to all teams by Mr. Martin G. Pederson, Chairman of IFZA.
