British Polo Day Closes The Summer In Style with RJI Capital in The French Riviera
Press Release
Flying the British flag in Europe, British Polo Day and RJI Capital brought together the prominent and powerful to enjoy the final days of summer with a luxurious experience taking them from St Tropez to Monte Carlo.
On Friday 23rd September, guests gathered for an intimate drinks party in the enchanting gardens of the Hanbury’s St Tropez home. Overlooking Pampelonne beach, as the sun set on the magnificent Lorenzo Quinn ‘Hand of God’ sculpture, guests were lead through the stunning settings to be greeted by sparkling glasses of Nyetimber; a product of England at the forefront of the sparkling wine industry. As the cool evening set in, Royal Salute scotch whisky proved to be the nightcap of choice as guests eased into the weekend’s itinerary.
The RJI Capital Team ahead of the match
The inaugural British Polo Day The Riviera, hosted by RJI Capital, took place on Saturday 24th September at Polo Club St Tropez. VIP guests included: Ron Wahid, Chairman and CEO of title partner RJI Capital; Keith Bristow, Senior Advisor to the Chairman at Arcanum and the first Director-General of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA); Bernard Squarcini, President of Arcanum France (SAS) and former chief of the Central Directorate of Interior Intelligence of France; Randle Siddeley, The Lord Kenilworth; and Petra Nemcova, philanthropist and founder of The Happy Hearts Fund. The Harrods Green Man welcomed elegant guests through the Harrods floral arch whereupon they congregated at the Nyetimber reception. Bringing the attention to the pitch, a game of Brompton Bicycle commenced; the Taylor Morris British Exiles team took on the Yachting Partners International (YPI) Rest of The World team who proved to be well matched as the final score was a 1-1 draw.
As the delicious three course meal was served alongside perfectly matched wines as provided by Justerini & Brooks, the dynamic energy of the 200 guests was buzzing. European entrepreneurs, business leaders and government officials all sat together, highlighting that the importance of British brands remains strong throughout Europe. Closing the meal, Peter Prentice had all standing on their chairs to experience the Royal Salute Quaich for a toast to a union of great minds.
The Opening Ceremony commenced with Bentley Motors displaying their impressive new Bentayga and Continental GT Speed Convertible leading the polo teams onto the pitch. An enthralling match was played between RJI Capital The Riviera and the Bentley British Schools St Tropez Polo Club teams. Axel Douque of RJI Capital The Riviera played gallantly and in the process of a fall managed to save a goal. By the third chukka it appeared as though the Bentley British Schools St Tropez Polo Club team were going to storm ahead with a win, but in the fourth chukka Mariano Rigal rallied and scored a hatrick to tighten the race. In the tense final minutes Justin Gaunt – Polo Manager of St Tropez Polo Club – sealed the deal for his team with a last minute score, securing victory on home turf with a final score of 6 – 5 1/2 to the Bentley British Schools St Tropez Polo Club team.
Chairman and CEO of RJI Capital, Ron Wahid, and his wife Magdalena Wahid, present the RJI Capital Plate
As the sun lowered in the sky, deserving players satisfied their thirst with much needed bottles of ORS hydration salts before heading over to join guests for a bite of afternoon tea and enjoy cold glasses of Mirabeau Rosé as everyone headed onto the pitch for the Prize Giving Ceremony. Ron Wahid and his wife Magdalena Wahid presented the RJI Capital Plate to Justin Gaunt, captain of the Bentley British Schools St Tropez Polo Club Team, worthy winners after the excellent game. Peter Prentice presented the most valuable player prize to Axel Douque of RJI Capital The Riviera, who earned his bottle of Royal Salute 21 Year Old Scotch Whisky with his amazing performance after just two years in the sport. The beautiful Poligia, ridden by Mariano Rigal, was presented with Best Playing Pony by Karol Gueremy and Julianne von Heimendahl of Luxaviation. No one left empty handed with all players receiving gifts from Taylor Morris Eyewear, Floris and DR Harris.
The RJI Capital Team during the prize-giving ceremony
Sunday brought a day of rest with most guests heading to Bagatelle Beach Club on Pampelonne Beach for a relaxed lunch and a chance to relax in the sun before the drive, sail or short helicopter flight over to Monaco. On Monday 26th revitalised guests awoke to clear blue skies in Monte Carlo, lunch was set at the charming Le Cabanon where guests enjoyed a heavenly lunch under the filtered shade of mulberry trees overlooking the cliffs of Cap d’ail.
Contented guests headed back to The Fairmont Hotel to freshen up before a late afternoon walk to Monaco Yacht Club for the grande finale; the Yachting Partners International (YPI) closing party on the 72 metre Superyacht AXIOMA. Guests arrived via swift tenders to the impressive yacht where they were welcomed onboard by Royal Salute scotch whisky cocktails and breathtaking views of Monaco. As ‘magic hour’ descended on the yacht, guests toasted to the phenomenal success of a truly magic four days in the French Riviera. An inspiring and invigorating itinerary for all involved, this fantastic display of British heritage and culture was an experience few will forget.
With RJI Capital being the main hosts of the Riviera experience, our partners for this event are as follows:
Harrods, Royal Salute, Bentley Motors, Charles Russell Speechley’s, Yachting Partners International, Luxaviation, British Silverware, Justerini & Brooks, Charles McDowell Properties, Clinova, Randle Siddeley, Nyetimber, True Luxury Travel, Emsworth Consulting, Hotel Byblos Saint Tropez, Fairmont Monte Carlo, Chase, Taylor Morris, D.R. Harris, Floris, Cassabo, Brompton Bicycles, Barnard & Westwood Stationary
About RJI Capital
RJI Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Magellan Investment Holdings, Limited, an investment holding company with investments in energy and natural resources, aerospace and defence, real estate, and technology. RJI Capital is a strategic advisory and merchant banking firm with a premium track record in new market entry and international transactions, having closed deals totaling billions in value. RJI’s industry-leading services and expertise are delivered from its offices in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Paris, and Washington, D.C. RJI Capital’s sister company, Arcanum, is a global intelligence company that provides services to sovereign governments, large multinational corporations and financial institutions, to help address some of their most pressing challenges and complex strategic issues.