QUEEN’S CUP 2025
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CONTENTS
FOREWORD 6
by Laurent Feniou, Managing Director, Cartier UK
THE BIG PICTURE 8
CARTIER AT THE V&A, London 10
Highlighting Cartier’s craftmanship in more than 350 pieces
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP TEAMS 2025 19
ACTION REPLAY 27
Round up of this year’s league matches
THE ROAD TO THE FINAL 64
A ROYAL GARDEN INSPIRES
A FRAGRANCE 66
Truefitt & Hill’s latest range recalls the beauty of Highgrove
PURSUIT OF GLORY 71
Behind-the-scenes at this year’s tournament
HONOURS BOARD 77
Queen’s Cup Results 1960 - 2024
The Cartier Queen’s Cup Programme is published by Publications UK. T: +44 (0)20 8238 5023 | E: info@publicationsuk.co.uk | www.publicationsuk.co.uk
EDITOR Diana Butler
MANAGING DIRECTOR, PUBLICATIONS UK Stewart Lee
PROGRAMME DESIGN David Hicks
ADVERTISING Erik Norat, Maziar Movassagh
PRODUCTION Angela Brown
ON THE COVER: HM The King and Laurent Feniou, Managing Director Cartier UK, make a presentation to Talandracas’s Pablo Pieres after the 2024 final. Image: © Sam Churchill Thank you to all the photographers who have supplied images to this year’s programme: Sam Churchill, Images of Polo, Pablo Ramirez, Mike Roberts
Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication, and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and the promoters will not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication without permission is strictly forbidden. © Publications UK Limited 2025. Guards Polo Club and the publishers make no recommendation in respect of any of the advertisers, and no recommendation may be implied by way of the presence of their advertisements.
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FOREWORD
Ibelieve this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament has been one of the most competitive I have seen in recent years. Nineteen teams have delivered some outstanding sport that Cartier is proud to be associated with. The focus and dedication of each team, not just the players that we see on the field of play, but the entire crew behind-the-scenes, is truly remarkable. Their devotion to polo perfectly aligns with Cartier’s own principles of dedication, passion and commitment.
Cartier’s legacy is explored further in this programme with a preview of the Cartier exhibition currently at the V&A Museum in London. Featuring more than 350 objects, this exhibition charts the evolution of the Maison’s legacy of art, design and craftmanship for more than 100 years. This is an incredible opportunity to explore how the Maison became an unparalleled force in the jewellery and watch world with an impressive collection of precious jewels and showstopping objects, historic gemstones, iconic watches and clocks, as well as previously unseen archival drawings.
Legacy is a word that is always pertinent to use with regard to Cartier’s relationship with polo. Today is the 13th Cartier Queen’s Cup Final and the 41st year of our sponsorship of the sport here at Guards Polo Club. There is legacy too within the teams, a second generation of players emulating their parents in a bid to win the Cartier Queen’s Cup. This history within the game helps to create a platform on which the sport can grow. Cartier is proud to have played a large part in building that foundation, the results of which we will see this afternoon.
May the best team win.
Laurent
Feniou
Managing
Director, Cartier UK
HM King Charles III, with Laurent Feniou, Managing Director, Cartier UK, presents the 2024 Cartier Queen’s Cup to Talandracas' Hugues Carmignac. IMAGE © SAM CHURCHILL
PLAYING A WINNING TUNE
A highlight of the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final is the addition of a military band. The musicians, resplendent in their striking uniforms, lead the teams onto the field before the start of the Final and entertain the spectators during the half-time break. Pictured here is the Band of the Welsh Guards on The Queen’s Ground during the 2024 Cartier Queen’s Cup Final.
Photograph by SAM CHURCHILL
TCARTIER SHINES AT THE V&A
More than 350 stunning pieces make up this remarkable exhibition, highlighting more than a century of Cartier’s pioneering achievements and outstanding craftsmanship
he renowned Victorian and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London, known affectionately by all as the V&A, is currently staging the UK’s first major exhibition in almost 30 years dedicated to Cartier’s stunning jewels and watches. This incredible show reveals how the Cartier Maison became an unparalleled force in the jewellery and watch world.
Featuring more than 350 objects, the exhibition charts the evolution of Cartier’s
legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century. It was at that point that the three grandsons of the founder, Louis-François, set out to create the first globally recognised jewellery house, establishing branches in Paris, London and New York. With an enviable client list of royalty and aristocracy, Cartier became known as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers”. The Maison later broadened its appeal thanks to the devotion of leading
creatives from the worlds of cinema, music and fashion.
“Cartier is one of the most famous jewellery houses in the world,” said exhibition curators Helen Molesworth and Rachel Garrahan.
“This exhibition explores how Louis, Pierre and Jacques Cartier, together with their father Alfred, adopted a strategy of original design, exceptional craftmanship and international expansion that transformed the Parisian family jeweller into a household name.
“I wanted our collaboration to be a dreamscape... with Cartier’s pieces suspended in light, time and sound, allowing history to breathe and the future to linger”
ASIF KHAN MBE
“With its world-class jewellery collection, the V&A is the perfect stage to celebrate the pioneering achievements of Cartier and its transformative ability to remain at the centre of culture and creativity for more than a century. We are excited to be able to share with visitors some of Cartier’s most famous creations as well as revealing previously unseen objects and archive material that further enriches our understanding of a jewellery house that continues to influence the way we adorn ourselves today.”
The exhibition includes precious jewels and showstopping objects, historic gemstones,
iconic watches and clocks from the V&A and Cartier Collection. In addition there are previously unseen drawings from the V&A and Cartier archives, together with works lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, major UK and international museums, and private collections.
The exhibition design is led by British architect and artist Asif Khan MBE, continuing a tradition of landmark collaborations where artists have shaped Cartier’s scenography. “I wanted our collaboration to be a dreamscape where art and science converge, with Cartier’s pieces
“The V&A is the perfect stage to celebrate the pioneering achievements of Cartier and its transformative ability to remain at the centre of culture and creativity for more than a century”
HELEN MOLESWORTH & RACHEL GARRAHAN, EXHIBITION CURATORS, V&A
suspended in light, time and sound, allowing history to breathe and the future to linger,” explained Asif.
Highlights include the Williamson Diamond brooch commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, featuring the rare 23.6 carat pink Williamson diamond; the Scroll Tiara commissioned in 1902 and worn to the coronation of Elizabeth II, and by Rihanna on the cover of W magazine in 2016; a rose clip brooch (1938) worn by Princess Margaret at
her sister’s coronation; Grace Kelly’s engagement ring (1956), from the Monaco Princely Palace Collection, that she wore in her final film High Society (1956); an amethyst and sapphire brooch made by Cartier London (c.1933) and worn by Jacques Cartier’s wife Nelly; Mexican film star María Félix’s exceptional snake necklace (1968); the majestic Manchester Tiara from the V&A Collection, made in 1903 for the Dowager Duchess of Manchester; a collection of
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panther jewels, one of the House’s most enduring and instantly recognisable symbols, including a bracelet of pavé diamonds flecked with onyx (1978); and a selection of Cartier timepieces that embody its unique and pioneering approach to watchmaking, including the Crash wristwatch, designed by Cartier London (1967).
Divided into three main sections, the exhibition explores the creativity of Cartier and the emergence of its signature style, the
legacy of its technical ingenuity and craftsmanship, as well as its sophisticated approach to image-making and maintaining its legacy and relevance in a changing world. The exhibition will cast a light on the history of Cartier London and will culminate in a spectacular display of tiaras.
The exhibition is on now and runs until Sunday 16 November 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets please go to https://www.vam.ac.uk
QUEEN’S CUP 2025 TEAMS
There have been 44 outstanding games, played by 19 of the world's best polo teams, all battling to reach today’s final. It has been one of the closest tournaments in recent history, with eight league matches going into extra time - the ultimate golden goal. It is not that surprising though considering the depth of talent of these players and their remarkable ponies. We pay homage to all the teams in the following pages and Cartier will pay tribute to the ponies this afternoon with its own Best Playing Pony prize.
FERNE PARK
Jonathan Rothermere (0)/
Vere Harmsworth (0)
Cristian Laprida (7)
David Stirling (9)
DUBAI
Camilo Castagnola (10)
Rashid Albwardy (3)
Hazel Jackson (2)
Antonio Heguy (7)
GENROSALEOCLINOVA
Raja Karim (0)
Juan Gris Zavaleta (7)
Manuel Elizalde (6)
Alejandro Muzzio (8)
Joaquin Pittaluga (7)
GROUP ONE
JEHANGIRI POLO
Muhammed Jehangiri (0)
Diego Cavanagh (8)
Gonzalo Pieres (8)
James Harper (6)
LA DOLFINA/SCONE
David Paradice (0)
Paco de Narvaez (7)
Marcos Araya (6)
Adolfo Cambiaso (9)
SIGNET/ THAI POLO
Louis Hine (5)
Ned Hine (5)
Alfredo Bigatti (7)
Tommy Severn (5)
UAE POLO TEAM
HH Sheikha Maitha bint
Mohammed Al Maktoum (0)
Lucas Monteverde Jnr (7)
Santos Merlos (6)
Juan Martin Nero (9)
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AUREUS
Sunjay Kapur (0)
Mark Tomlinson (5)
Tomas Panelo (9)
Benjamin Panelo (8)
CALATAGAN LL
Marty Romualdez (0)
Simon Prado (6)
Santiago Laborde (6)
Facundo Pieres (10)
GROUP TWO
3 3 3 3
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (1)
Ricardo Garros (5)
Pablo MacDonough (9)
Tommy Beresford (7)
LA MAGDELEINE
Alexandre Garese (0)
Facundo Fernandez Llorente (7)
Martin Podesta (7)
Jeronimo del Carril (8)
KAZAK
Sebastien Aguettant (0)
Nicolas Pieres (8)
Francisco Elizalde (8)
Chris Mackenzie (6)
SUJAN INDIAN TIGERS
Jaisal Singh (1)
Oliver Cudmore (5)
Juan Britos (8)
Juan Martin Zubia (8)
WHITE CRANE
Alexie Calvert-Ansari (0)
Matthew Perry (6)
Lorenzo Chavanne (6)
Pablo Pieres (10)
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GASTON POLO TEAM
Jean-Paul Luksic (0)
Gonzalo Ferrari (7)
Guillermo Caset (8)
Cruz Heguy (7)
DESERT PALM
Tariq Albwardy (0) / Mia
Cambiaso (2)
Javier Guerrero (6) /Kian Hall (4)
Beltran Laulhé (7)
Bartolome Castagnola Jnr (9)
LEAGUE
THREE
OJO CALIENTE
Ana Escobedo (0)
Felix Esain (6)
Facundo Sola (8)
Alfredo Capella (8)
LA DOLFINA/ MARQUES DE RISCAL
Alejandro Aznar (0)
Carlos Ulloa (7)
Rufino Merlos (5)
Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr (10)
PARK PLACE
Andrey Borodin (0)
Rufino Bensadon (7)
Hilario Ulloa (9)
Rosendo Torreguitar (6)
Action Replay
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2025
In the following pages we recall the wonderful drama that makes up the league stages of the 2025 Cartier Queen’s Cup. With scores published for each game, readers can track how the finalists began their journey to today’s key game.
Photographs by PABLO RAMIREZ
CARTIER
Cousin v cousin: Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr of La Dolfina Marque de Riscal v Bartolome Castagnola of Desert Palm.
Cartier Queen’s Cup
The 2025 Cartier Queen’s Cup competition, featuring 19 teams, opened with three games on the opening day. First up were seasoned campaigners Dubai against new 22-goal contenders Jehangiri Polo. This battle took place under a bright sun on The Castle Ground at Flemish Farm, with Dubai running out the winners 15-8. Rashid Albwardy’s team, featuring 10-goaler Jeta Castagnola, were, not surprisingly, in the driving seat from the first chukka – leading 9-4 at half-time – but Jehangiri stayed focused and kept battling.
Next up at Coworth Park were the UAE Polo Team against the competitive Signet/ Thai Polo squad. Ashley Glennie was having her first high-goal experience, subbing for Sheikh Maitha and delivered a strong performance. Meanwhile Alfredo Bigatti was
a new name in the Signet/Thai Polo squad, stepping in for an injured Teo Lacau. The first half was tight with UAE securing a one-goal advantage (5-4) at half-time. However they increased the gap in the second half to win the game 10-7.
The high-goal action moved to The Queen’s Ground for the final game of the day – La Dolfina/Scone v Ferne Park. This was a big scoring match with some great running chukkas. People may well have turned out to watch Adolfo Cambiaso, fresh from his US Open success, but the stars of this game were Ferne Park. David Stirling, Cristian Laprida and Joaquin Pittaluga teamed up impressively to deliver a goal spree for the green shirts, ensuring Vere Harmsworth’s team ran out the winners 17-12.
TUESDAY 20 MAY 2025
La Dolfina Scone v Ferne Park
UAE's Juan Martin Nero v Ned Hinae of Signet Thai Polo
Jeta Castagnola for Dubai
2
Three more competitive games that went down to the wire, including two matches that were pushed into extra time. First up was a tight affair between Sujan Indian Tigers and La Magdeleine. Facundo Fernandez Llorente and Jeronimo del Carril delivered some great teamwork for La Magdeleine but it was Jaisal Singh’s Tigers who secured a narrow advantage at half-time (4-2). Jaisal himself added a couple to his team’s tally, including a key goal to put his team ahead (7-6) in the sixth chukka. This was almost immediately followed by a big hit from team-mate Juan Martin Zubia to Juan Britos, who fired through the winner.
Next up was Aureus v King Power at Noel Farm. Aureus were fresh from their Prince of Wales victory at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club but allowed King Power to have a 3-1 lead after the first chukka. Aureus got back in contention in the second, levelling the score (4-4). In fact this levelling became a hallmark of this match, with the scores even after the second, fourth and sixth chukkas. The result
was a frenetic game between two evenly matched teams. Not surprisingly, it went to a sudden death, seventh chukka. Here it was King Power’s patron, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha who found the gold,
firing through the winner.
A sudden death scenario concluded the final game of the day too. This time it was Simon Prado who delivered the golden goal for Marty Romualdez’s Calatagan LL, beating Sebastien Aguettant’s Kazak 12-11. Both teams were making their Cartier Queen’s Cup debuts and so wanted to win this all-important first outing. Kazak pulled away in the third and fourth chukkas, maintaining a three-goal lead. Chris Mackenzie continued Kazak’s good work in the fifth, scoring a fabulous, angled goal from around 120 yards out. Calatagan LL delivered some strong play in this same chukka and put themselves back level (10-10) after seven minutes. With both teams scoring in the sixth, the extra time scenario was inevitable.
Sujan Indian Tigers
Simon Prado for Calatagan LL
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha of King Power
Facundo Fernandez Llorente of La Magdeleine
Email: paula@brinsopcourt.com
Cartier Queen’s Cup
Ana Escobedo made her Cartier Queen’s Cup debut a winning one. Her team, Ojo Caliente, delivered a sparkling performance on the Lawns at Cowdray Park, to win their first game 14-11. The scores were pretty even at the start with Jean Paul Luksic’s Gaston keeping themselves in contention throughout the first three chukkas. The damage was done early into the second half. Facundo Sola, a regular member of Ana’s team across all tournaments, turned up the heat. He scored three goals in almost as many minutes in the fourth to give Ojo Caliente an 11-7 lead going into the fifth. Gaston kept on fighting, with Gonzalo Ferrari even firing one through on the bell but they couldn’t get back on terms and Ana’s team won the day.
The action moved back to Guards Polo Club, and the Club’s Princes’ Ground, for the battle between Desert Palm and Park Place. Mia Cambiaso, sporting her family’s distinctive Argentine flag helmet, was in the number one shirt for Desert Palm. This team secured a narrow, one goal lead after the first two chukkas (6-5) but Park Place were always in the mix and did not let Desert Palm relax for a moment. Horse races between the ninegoalers Barto Castagnola and Hilario Ulloa, were a regular occurrence in their bid to gain supremacy on the field. With the scores tied at the end of the fifth (10-10) spectators were hoping that this match would head into extra time like two of the previous day’s games. Desert Palm had other ideas though. Kian Hall found the flags first followed by Castagnola, who successfully converted his cousin Mia’s hard work to
make it 12-10 in the sixth chukka. Mia herself then scored a lovely goal to confirm Desert Palm’s victory and highlighted her own ability, which had shone throughout this match. With both her father and grandfather watching from the sidelines it was the perfect time to bring her A game to the tournament.
Cruz Heguy for Gaston
Ana Escobedo, Ojo Caliente
Jean Paul Luksic of Gaston and Felix Esain of Ojo Caliente
Mia Cambiaso of Desert Palm v Hilario Ulloa of Park Place
Cartier Queen’s Cup
Day 4
Three more games, starting with Dubai v GenrosaLeo-Clinova. Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai squad already had a win under their belt – a confident victory on the opening day – and today was pretty much a repeat performance. Dubai claimed this game, the first high-goal game to be played on the Club’s recently developed Ground 6, with 15 goals on their scorecard again. Jeta Castagnola is one of only four 10-goalers in this year’s tournament and he delivered another masterclass in making space and shooting straight. He was also brilliantly backed up by Hazel Jackson, herself a 10-goal player in the ladies’ game, and Antonio Heguy. Dubai’s opposition, Raja Karim’s GenrosaLeo-Clinova squad, who received one goal on handicap, were just beginning their Cartier Queen’s Cup adventure today but it did not have the happy ending the team was hoping for. Karim was the first to score in this match, giving GenrosaLeoClinova a 2-0 start in the opening minutes, but Dubai soon overtook them and never looked to be in any serious trouble.
Next up was a very different affair. Ferne Park were hunting for a second win after an impressive victory on the opening day, while Signet/Thai Polo were looking for that all-important first win after an earlier defeat by UAE Polo Team. The result was a wonderfully competitive match on the Castle Ground. Signet/Thai Polo had a two-goal advantage (8-6) at half-time and were looking strong. Ferne Park rallied in the fourth with Vere Harmsworth and David Stirling delivering two good goals to level the score. This match was now a battle to the wire, with both sides trading shots. Tommy Severn put Signet/Ferne
Tommy Severn for Signet Thai Polo
La Dolfina Scone's Paco de Narvaez v Diego Cavanagh of Jehangiri Polo
Ferne Park v Signet Thai Polo on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm
Park ahead early in the fifth only for Joachim Pittaluga to cancel out any advantage. A penalty and a goal off the stick of Stirling gave Ferne Park a two-goal advantage (11-9) going into the sixth. The flowing game of earlier was now replaced with a more stop/start affair as both teams hunted for goals. Ferne Park was more successful, firing through two to only one in reply off the stick of Ned Hine. On the final whistle it was Fern Park ahead, giving them that crucial second win.
The final game of the day was similar to the opening match of the day. La Dolfina Scone proved too strong for Jehangiri Polo on The Princes’ Ground. The stand-out players for David Paradice’s La Dolfina Scone squad were Marcos Araya and Paco de Narvaez. They were everywhere and made the most of any space. Muhammed Jehangiri’s team struggled to match this A-star performance and sadly sent too many of their own opportunities wide of the mark. La Dolfina Scone were 9-2 ahead at half-time and went on to win this game 13-5.
Signet Thai Polo v Ferne Park
GenroseLeo-Clinova's Raja Karim v Antonio Heguy of Dubai
Cartier Queen’s Cup
The first of today’s three games was an impressive 12-9 win for King Power, continuing their unbeaten run in this year’s tournament. Both King Power and La Magdeleine were tied, neck and neck, in the first half of this game. King Power then accelerated away in the second half to give themselves an impressive five-goal lead. Some great play from Pablo MacDonough and Ricardo Garros delivered results while England international Tommy Beresford fired through three goals. La Magdeleine stayed focused and started to close the gap in the sixth chukka, scoring two goals back-to-back off the sticks of Facundo Fernandez Llorente and Min Podesta. Jeronimo del Carril, who had spent much of this match battling Beresford, also found the flags at the end of the chukka but it was too late. King Power’s remarkable fourth chukka goal-fest had been enough.
Next up was an equally tight affair between Sunjay Kapur’s Aureus and Alexie Calvert-Ansari’s White Crane. Aureus were looking for their first win after losing by a goal to King Power earlier in the week. For White Crane this was their first outing in this year’s competition, and they were leading 5-4 at half-time. Fortunes switched in the second half with Aureus pulling away. A penalty plus a field goal from Benjamin Panelo gave Aureus a 7-6 lead after the fourth. He continued his assault on goal, joined by his brother Tomy, giving Aureus a comfortable 10-7 lead at the end of the fifth. Pablo Pieres and Matt Perry worked hard to get White Crane back into this game in the sixth but time was against them. To confirm Aureus’s superiority in the match,
Kapur delivered a fine run down the field to score just before the final bell.
The final game of the day saw Kazak and Sujan Indian Tigers battling for both league status and the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup. This was another closely fought game. Jaisal Singh’s Tigers won the battle 9-8 but Kazak were in contention every step of the way. In fact Sujan Indian Tigers were only ahead at the end of the sixth chukka. In every other chukka break Kazak were either ahead by one goal or the teams were level. Kazak, in their first Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament, had lost by the narrowest of margins in their opening match and they will be disappointed that the same happened here on The Duke’s Ground at Guards Polo Club. Jo Peck, Media Director for the Royal Windsor Horse Show, presented the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup to a delighted Jaisal Singh.
Nico Pieres for Kazak v Juan Britos for Sujan Indian Tigers
Tomas Panelo of Aureus v Polito Pieres of White Crane
Jo Peck with Sujan Indian Tigers winners of the Royal Windsor Horse Show Cup 2025
La Magdeleine v King Power
Aureus v White Crane
Cartier Queen’s Cup
It was all about family in the first of two Cartier Queen’s Cup matches on this day. Mia Cambiaso, the eldest daughter of the polo legend, Adolfo Cambiaso Senior, was in action for Desert Palm, alongside her cousin, Barto Castagnola. Opposing this duo was Mia’s brother, the 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso Junior, known to all as Poroto. Not surprisingly there was much hype about this game, but it did not really live up to the pre-match chatter. These teams were so perfectly balanced that they often cancelled each other out.
La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal, playing in their first Cartier Queen’s Cup game of 2025, had a narrow, 5-3 lead at half-time. Castagnola eradicated that advantage early in the fourth thanks to a pair of penalties. This was followed by a goal from Mia, giving Desert Palm the lead for the first time since the first chukka. Plenty of battles across the next two chukkas saw some short bursts of flowing play and some good goals, including a lovely, angled shot off the stick of Rufino Merlos, but Desert Palm held on to their advantage. The sixth chukka saw Poroto fire up a big pas to Carlos Ulloa who sent the ball through the goal, only for Castagnola to convert a penalty in the final 60 seconds to win the game.
The second match, played on The Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club, was a stop/start affair. Finishing on the same 10-8 score as the morning’s game, Park Place had to battle hard against Gaston Polo Team to win. There were some flashes of excellence from both sides, but the match was marred by too many umpires’ whistles. Park Place were able to pull away in the fifth, giving themselves a three-goal advantage. Gaston closed the gap to 9-8 in the
sixth only for Park Place to be awarded a Penalty One with only three minutes left on the clock. This goal confirmed Park Place as the winners. Matias Maldonado, subbing for Park Place patron Andrey Borodin, delivered a strong performance. In fact he was the first player to score in this game. The 16-year-old is a member of the Hurlingham Polo Association’s Performance Pathway Scheme, supporting players aged 15-21 who want to pursue a professional career in polo. Maldonado’s performance in this game was a brilliant advert for the scheme, and he played with confidence and a maturity well beyond his years.
Gaston Polo Team's JeanPaul Luksic in a ride-off against Matias Maldonado who was subbing for Park Place's Andre Borodin
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2025
Sibling rivalry - Adolfo Cambiaso Jnr of La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal v Mia Cambiaso of Desert Palm
Cartier Queen’s Cup
Golden goals in extra time decided the winners of these Cartier Queen’s Cup games. Incredibly, not only did both matches go to seven chukkas but they also finished on the same scoreline – 10-9. The first winners of the day were Sheikha Maitha’s UAE Polo Team, registering their second win in this year’s tournament. This squad was unexpectedly trailing Jehangiri Polo, looking for their first win, 6-2 at the start of the third. This was a fantastic start for Muhammed Jehangiri who is competing in his first high-goal polo season. Not only was his team ahead but he also scored two fabulous field goals in the fourth chukka.
UAE Polo Team, who were on the back foot for the first half of this match, came back strongly in the fourth chukka. Lucas Monteverde Junior, Juan Martin Nero and Santos Merlos delivered some great passing polo and tight teamwork to get themselves level (8-8) after seven minutes. With Monteverde converting a penalty in the fifth, the UAE Polo Team took the lead for the first time. The sixth was a more stop/start affair as both teams tried desperately to find the flags. When Gonzalo Pieres Jnr successfully converted a penalty for Jehangiri, making the scores level, it was time for a sudden-death extra chukka. A brilliant backhand from Merlos was picked up by Nero who fired through the winner for UAE Polo Team.
successful. Meanwhile, GenrosaLeo-Clinova’s Muzzio’s shot at goal hit the post. So extra time was needed here to separate these two competitive teams. Ferne Park had the most of possession in the seventh, but Pittaluga uncharacteristically put a safety-60 wide. Then, with four minutes of this extra chukka left to play, Muzzio delivered an impressive, angled shot to score and win the game for GenrosaLeo-Clinova. Day 7
Pittaluga on a flying lap for Ferne Park
History repeated itself in the afternoon, GenrosaLeo-Clinova (who had a goal on handicap) were looking for their first win, while Ferne Park were hoping to make it three out of three. Some impressive play from Alejandro Muzzio, Cartier’s Most Valuable Player in last year’s final, put GenrosaLeo-
Clinova ahead 2-1 after the first period of play and helped keep them ahead until the sixth chukka. David Stirling and Joaquin Pittaluga battled hard to keep Ferne Park in contention, but they were trailing 9-3 after four chukkas. Fortunes changed in the fifth for Ferne Park thanks to their captain, Pittaluga, firing through five goals, a mixture of penalties and field goals. Ferne Park patron Vere Harmsworth was instrumental in setting up one of these field goals. Suddenly it was anyone’s game, with the scores reading 9-8 to GenrosaLeo-Clinova going into the sixth chukka. Ferne Park’s Cristian Laprida made the most of being on his own early into the sixth chukka by racing up the field to level the scores. Unfortunately for him another clever escape later in this chukka was not so
Alejandro Muzzio for GenrosaLeo Clinova
Joaquin
CARTIER QUEEN’S
Santos Merlos for UAE Polo v James Harper of Jehangiri
Juan Martin Zubia and Jaisal Singh celebrate their third win CARTIER
8
The UK summer weather disappeared on day eight, replaced by rain and cold winds. This change in temperature did not seem to deter any of our teams though, with two thrilling games. First up was Jaisal Singh’s Sujan Indian Tigers looking to maintain their unbeaten status and win their third match. They achieved this but only after an intense battle against Alexie Calvert Ansari’s White Crane squad. Spectators who braved the rain were treated to a fast-running game with few interruptions from the umpires. In fact all but one of Sujan Indian Tiger’s goals were field goals, a remarkable stat considering how tough this match was. The Tigers’ main goal scorer, Juan Martin Zubia, teamed up brilliantly with Juan Britos. This duo was strongly supported by their patron, Singh. He not only scored goals but delivered some superb passes to his professionals. One of these was an accurate pass to Ollie Cudmore, who fired through the Tigers’ 14th goal. White Crane’s Polito Pieres and Lorenzo Chavanne stayed focused, knowing that fortunes can change in a moment at this level. Both of these players did find the flags in the final moments of the match but time was against them.
It was a similar story in the afternoon’s match. King Power won the day to maintain their unbeaten status but again had to fight every step of the way. Calatagan LL were trailing in the first half but got themselves back in contention in the final chukkas. Facundo Pieres converted a couple of penalties to level the score (8-8). Team-mate Santiago Laborde then delivered a fabulous run to goal to give Calatagan LL the lead. However neither team could relax for a moment. Pablo Macdonough, who was everywhere for King Power, delivered
an angled shot to level the scores early in the sixth. Tommy Beresford followed this up with a goal and Macdonough went on to win the next line out, taking the ball down the field to score. King Power now had a two-goal lead and there were only minutes left to play. Beresford found himself with some space so
he added another to his team’s tally. With time ticking down, Ricardo Garros fired through another on the bell. This last-minute flurry ensured King Power won this crucial match by four goals.
Calatagan LL v King Power
Victorious King Power team
Cartier Queen’s Cup
T9
wo dramatic matches on day nine, one of which went to extra time and a golden goal. Both games also had much in common – the winners were trailing for much of the match but found their gameplan when it mattered most. La Dolfina Marques de Riscal, looking for their first win, were down by three goals, 8-5 at half-time. Park Place were dominant, closing down Poroto Cambiaso and his team-mates and ensuring that Park Place had a cushion at all times. Unfortunately, Marques de Riscal’s patron Alejandro Aznar had a heavy fall in the fourth and had to be subbed by Sammy Luff. Not surprisingly there was a delay to restart this chukka, which probably unsettled both teams. Park Place also had a change of personnel with Andrey Borodin retiring hurt too. His place was taken once again by Matias Maldonado. Park Place continued with their three-goal advantage into the fifth (10-7). Then La Dolfina Marques de Riscal started to apply some pressure on the scoreline. Rufino Merlos produced some lovely play to score, followed up by Cambiaso slotting though a 30-yard penalty. So, with just a one goal difference, the sixth chukka loomed with all to play for. Cambiaso took a penalty 5b, following it up with a big shot to level the scores with just five minutes left to play. Hilario Ulloa, whose younger brother, Carlos, was on the opposing side, almost immediately converted a Park Place penalty to restore their lead. Then, incredibly, the next four goals were all off the sticks of La Dolfina Marques de Riscal players. A quartet of goals from Cambiaso, Carlos Ulloa and Merlos, to nothing in reply from Park Place, ensured fortunes had very much changed and La Dolfina Marques de Riscal could register their first win!
A golden goal off the stick of Felix Esain, who had a standout game for Ojo Caliente, won them this fierce battle against Desert Palm. These teams were heading up League Three and so this was always going to be a competitive match; it did not disappoint. Desert Palm were in control of the game until the sixth chukka, with Barto Castagnola regularly making the most of any space he found. Meanwhile, Ojo Caliente struggled to find the form that had won them their opening game. However, Ana Escobedo’s team’s fortunes changed dramatically in the sixth, although it didn’t start that well. Facundo Sola put a penalty four wide, only for Desert Palm to fire through a lovely field goal to extend their lead. Esain then produced a great shot to close the gap a little, following it up with a fabulous run to goal to level the scores, almost on the first bell. Thirty seconds of frenetic play followed but with no more goals the umpires called for extra time. Both teams had chances in this seventh chukka before some great teamwork between Alfredo Capella, Sola and, ultimately, Esain, delivered that crucial golden goal.
Ojo Caliente's Alfredo Capella on winning the match
Mia Cambiaso for Desert Palm
Poroto Cambiaso for La Dolfina Marques de Riscal v Hilario Ulloa of Park Place
Rufino Merlos for La Dolfina Marques de Riscal
Rufino Bensadon for Park Place
Alfredo Capella, Ana Escobedo and Facundo Sola celebrate winning a league game in extra time against Desert Palm
10
With only a few days of league matches remaining in this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup competition, the pressure was mounting for every team. Squads were running out of opportunities to earn those all-important quarter-final places. First up on day 10 was a stop-start match between La Dolfina/Scone and GenrosaLeo-Clinova. David Paradice’s La Dolfina/Scone team has had mixed fortunes in this year’s competition, registering both a win and a loss. With a likely tough final match against the UAE Polo Team scheduled for next week, it was important for the red shirts to win. This they did but it took them a while to pull away from Raja Karim’s GenrosaLeoClinova. La Dolfina/Scone were narrowly ahead 7-5 at half-time but secured a four-goal advantage at the close of the fourth (11-7). They were still ahead at the final whistle, but this was a tough game to watch. Endless penalties marred any flashes of flowing polo and the umpires were kept busy from the first whistle.
Next up was an impressive team performance from the UAE Polo Team. They comprehensively beat Dubai 14-8 to maintain their unbeaten status. Juan Martin Nero was the standout player for UAE, successfully negotiating traffic and firing through goals from a distance. He was brilliantly backed up by the next generation of players, Lucas Monteverde Junior and Santos Merlos. With Ashley Glennie standing in for Sheikha Maitha once again, the UAE Polo Team dominated this match from the start. Incredibly they were four-nil up at the end of the first chukka and never looked back. This team didn’t even have to score in sixth but still won 14-8. What was remarkable about this match was that their
opposition was Rashid Albwardy’s Dubai team, who came into this game unbeaten. However, they struggled to replicate that earlier form and had no answer to Nero’s brilliance on the Princes’ Ground.
The final match of the day was key as both Signet/Thai Polo and Jehangiri were looking for their first win with only one game left to play. However, Louis Hine signalled Signet/ Thai Polo’s intent from the first minute of the match by taking the ball straight to goal. This team kept the pressure on in the second, keeping Jehangiri off the scoreboard until late into the chukka. Muhammed Jehangiri’s team had been forced to have a change of personnel in this game as Diego Cavanagh was unwell. This may have unsettled the team, even though the sub, Nico Pieres, would be playing alongside his older brother Gonzalito, whose
play he would know well. That said, Jehangiri closed the gap to 6-3 at half-time. However, Louis Hine continued to have a strong game, finding the flags twice in the fourth to push Signet/Thai Polo further ahead. Jehangiri had a chance in the fifth when Signet/Thai Polo’s Tommy Severn was sent off for two minutes after receiving two yellow cards. Was this the moment that Jehangiri would gain the upper hand? Gonzalito converted two penalties but some great team-work between the Hine brothers ensured they finished the fifth with a four-goal advantage (11-7). Gonzalito started the sixth with a penalty but the rest of the chukka was owned by Signet/Thai Polo. Severn fired through an incredible shot from distance to take the score to 12-8. The Hine brothers then each added a goal to ensure Signet/Thai Polo won this match 14-8.
Lucas Monteverde Jnr of the UAE Polo Team and Camilo Castagnola of Dubai
Alfredo Bigatti going to goal for Signet Thai Polo
GenrosaLeo-Clinova's Alejandro Muzzio v Paco de Narvaez of La Dolfina Scone
Tommy Severn of Signet Thai Polo v Jehangiri's James Harper
Gonzalito and Nico Pieres
Lorenzo Chavanne going to goal for White Crane
CARTIER
Cartier Queen’s Cup Day
Three more games on this day, with teams already looking ahead to the following weekend’s knockout quarter-finals. First on show was a good game at Les Lions between Sunjay Kapur’s Aureus and Marty Romualdez’s Calatagan LL. Both teams have notched up one win and one loss and so there was a lot at stake. Creating a two-win cushion going into their final match would be invaluable. Calatagan LL looked like they might have this in the bag as they led going into every chukka. However the Panelo brothers, Tomy and Benjamin, had other ideas. Some great team-work between them in the sixth chukka brought Aureus level. Then with just under a minute left to play Tomas Panelo fired through a penalty to win the game 12-11.
Next up was a more clear-cut affair between La Magdeleine and White Crane on The Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club. Both teams were looking for their first win. White Crane dominated this game with the 17-year-old Lorenzo Chavanne delivering some impressive play. With the 10-goaler Pablo Pieres in support, Alexie CalvertAnsari’s team were unstoppable. They had built up a three-goal lead after the first chukka and just kept pushing. La Magdeleine tried to get themselves back on terms but struggled to convert some good polo into goals.
The high-goal show moved to Noel Farm to close the day’s action. This was a slow game between the unbeaten King Power team, with Henry Lunn subbing for patron Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, in action against Sebastien Aguettant’s Kazak team, who were hunting down their first win in
this, their first season. These teams were all square, 4-4, at half time and again (6-6) after the fifth. It was Kazak that pulled away in the sixth to win this match 8-6. Fran Elizalde, who had an outstanding game for Kazak, scored the only goals in this final chukka to ensure it was his side that ruled the day.
Mark Tomlinson for Aureus v Marty Romualdez for Calatagan LL
King Power's Ricardo Garros v Kazak's Fran Elizalde
Cartier Queen’s Cup
I12
f anyone were in any doubt as to why Adolfo Cambiaso Junior, known as Poroto, has a 10-goal handicap then this Cartier Queen’s Cup match against Ojo Caliente would have educated them. This teenage player – he is still only 19 – was everywhere for La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal, making space, keeping his cool and making goals look effortless. He even found time for a bit of tennis in the second when scoring the equaliser (5-5). Ana Escobedo’s Ojo Caliente had come into this game unbeaten and were leading 4-1 after the first chukka. But they struggled in the later stages of this match to peg back their much younger opposition, who had an average age of 21.5! La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal had been forced to change their line-up for this match as their patron Alejandro Azar was still recovering from his heavy fall the previous week. Aznar’s place was taken by his son Luis. As he plays off a higher handicap than his father, the six-goaler Lucas Criado Junior joined the team in place of Carlos Ulloa. With the scores tied once more (9-9) going into the fifth, La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal began to pull away. Goals from Criado and Cambiaso gave them a comfortable, 13-9 lead going into the final chukka. Ojo Caliente stayed focused but struggled to get on terms. Rufino Merlos added to La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal’s tally early into the sixth and some great team-work from
Cambiaso and Criado delivered another goal to ensure La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal won
Next up was a trophy match on the Princes’ Ground. Jean-Paul Luksic’s Gaston Polo Team were looking for their first victory in this tournament and not only headed home with a win, but also the Richard Watt Cup. They narrowly beat Desert Palm 10-9, although they had been comfortably ahead for much of the game. They were leading 7-3 at the start of the fourth. Desert Palm had a change of line-up today as their patron, Tariq Albwardy, was available to
play for the first time. This meant that the six-goaler Javier Guerrero could be part of the team too, while Mia Cambiaso and Kian Hall had to stand down. Maybe it was the change of personnel, but Desert Palm struggled to recreate their previous success in the early chukkas. Plenty of strong attacking and defensive play from Gaston’s Guillermo “Sapo” Caset and Cruz Heguy also made life difficult for Desert Palm. Albwardy’s team started getting into gear in the fifth with some great teamwork from Barto Castagnola and Guerrero. That said it was Gaston’s patron, Luksic who finished the chukka with a fabulous field goal, picking up a superb pass from Caset, to put his team into double figures (10-6) heading into the sixth. Beltran Laulhe led the Desert Palm fight back early in the final chukka with a lovely goal, followed by Castagnola converting a penalty with 20-odd seconds left on the clock. Time was against Desert Palm though and it was Jean-Paul Luksic who received the Richard Watt Cup, named in memory of a former Chairman of Guards Polo Club, from General Sir Redmond Watt.
John-Paul Luksic and General Sir Redmond Watt
Tariq Albwardy of Desert Palm with General Sir Redmond Watt
La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal v Ojo Caliente on the Castle Ground at Guards Polo Club
Gaston Polo Team v Desert Palm
Poroto Cambiaso keeping the ball clear of Felix Esain
General Sir Redmond Watt with the Gaston Polo Team, winners of the Richard Watt Cup
Cup
Six Group One teams played their final league games this day, with all to play for. The first match featured Signet/Thai Polo and GenrosaLeo-Clinova (receiving one goal on handicap). This was a must win scenario for both teams as they had both registered one win and two losses. Signet/ Thai Polo took honours in this contest, leading from the first chukka (2-1) and pulling away substantially in the second half. Even Tommy Severn’s stint in the sin bin for a second yellow card did not stop them advancing. The orange shirts successfully built up a convincing, six-goal lead at the end of the fifth and maintained this advantage to win the game 13-7.
The remaining two games were both played at the same time to avoid any chance of match fixing. Dubai faced a competitive Ferne Park team who made them work hard for their 12-11 win. Ferne Park were 3-0 up early into the second, but Dubai soon got into their groove and were ahead by two at half-time (7-5). Dubai maintained this advantage in the second half, not least thanks to some strong play from Camilo Castagnola. Dubai’s patron, Rashid Albwardy, also had a strong game, making life difficult for Ferne Park at every opportunity. That said, Ferne Park never stopped believing and the final minutes of the sixth chukka were frenetic and hard fought. The final goal of the game came off the stick of Joaquin Pittaluga but it was too late for Ferne Park to change the final outcome.
The second 14.30 game on this day was between La Dolfina/Scone and UAE Polo Team. The latter were unbeaten coming into this match and winning today would mean they finished top of Group One. La Dolfina/
Scone had started their 2025 campaign with a loss to Ferne Park but have gone from strength to strength since that opening day. So this game was equally important. Sheikha Maitha’s UAE Polo Team were in control of this match from the first chukka. They had a narrow, two-goal lead at the end of the fourth and had successfully finished ahead of La Dolfina/Scone in all the previous chukkas. It was all change in the fifth though. La Dolfina/ Scone turned the tables on their opponents, firing through goal after goal. Suddenly the UAE Polo Team had no reply to this onslaught and La Dolfina/Scone were, in a blink of an eye, 12-9 ahead. With three more goals from David Paradice’s team to only one in reply from UAE, La Dolfina/Scone won this match 15-10.
Cartier Queen’s
Juan Martin Nero for UAE Polo Team
Joaquin Pittaluga for Ferne Park
Adolfo Cambiaso Snr
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2025
Louis Hine for Signet/Thai Polo
Facundo Pieres for Calatagan LL
Cartier
The last three-match day of the 2025 Cartier Queen’s Cup competition delivered some outstanding sport. The polo – and the weather – got better as the day progressed, with the final match going into a sudden-death seventh chukka. First up was a confident win for Marty Romualdez’s Calatagan LL. They put up an impressive performance, leading from the first chukka, to beat Alexandre Garese’s La Magdeleine. Facundo Pieres reminded everyone on the Duke’s Ground at Guards Polo Club why he is a 10-goal player. He produced some fabulous goals in this match, including a stunning shot that was at least 120 yards from the flags. La Magdeleine’s Jeronimo del Carril worked hard to close the gap in the sixth chukka, but the damage had been done early into this game.
The drama then moved to the Princes’ Ground for Kazak v White Crane. Both teams were looking for their second win and this was their last chance. Played in testing, rainy conditions, Kazak took a narrow, 2-1 lead after the first chukka and stayed in control for the rest of the match. Although Sebastien Aguettant’s team could not relax for a moment as Alexie Calvert-Ansari’s White Crane squad, featuring Polito Pieres, continued to push and fight for possession until the final bell. Fran Elizalde was equally possessive for Kazak, working hard to ensure that it was his team that came out on top.
Last up was an epic battle between Sujan Indian Tigers and Aureus in late afternoon sunshine at Shiplake. The Tigers’ patron Jaisal Singh was unavailable for
this game and so his place was taken by the one-goal player Nicholas Van Oppen. Sunjay Kapur’s Aureus, who were hunting down their third win, started this match strongly. Some great teamwork from the Panelo brothers, Tomy and Benjamin, plus a goal from Kapur, put them 5-1 ahead after the first. They were still five goals ahead (10-5) at half-time. Juan Martin Zubia turned this game around in the fourth for Sujan Indian Tigers, closing the gap to just two goals (10-8). The Tigers stayed focused and had reduced the deficit to just one, 11-10, going into the sixth chukka. Tomy Panelo, who had a standout game for Aureus, produced some lovely play to extend the gap back to two goals, only for Zubia to convert a 30-yard penalty. With Juan Britos then flying to goal for the equaliser with a minute left to play, this was now anyone’s game. The bell rang with the scores reading 12-12 and the sixth extra time of the tournament was required to split these two talented teams. The tension was palpable as players rode out for this seventh chukka. It looked as if this game would finish quickly as Benjamin Panelo fired a ball up to his brother who scored. But the whistle had gone before the goal went over the line and so it was disallowed.
Some strong play from both teams followed but failed to find to find the flags until Benjamin Panelo once again cleared a ball free to pass up to brother Tomy, who scored the winner.
A fitting end to one of the best games of the tournament.
Kazak's Nico Pieres v White Crane's Polito Pieres
Tomy and Benjamin Panelo celebrate winning for Aureus
Cartier Queen’s Cup
The final league matches of the 2025 edition of the Cartier Queen’s Cup saw both games going into extra time. First up was La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal in action against Jean Paul Luksic’s Gaston Polo Team. Spectators and viewers of the livestream could have been forgiven for a déjà vu moment as La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal delivered an almost carbon copy of their previous game. They were trailing 9-7 at the end of the fifth chukka but went on to win this match 11-10 in overtime! Once again Poroto Cambiaso switched up a gear in the sixth chukka, effortlessly taking the ball through traffic and firing through goals. Gonzalo Ferrari and Sapo Caset worked tirelessly to keep Gaston Polo Team ahead –the distinctive blue helmet of Caset appearing everywhere at speed - but it proved impossible to stop La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal’s number four. The seventh chukka, the seventh overtime of the tournament, was fast and furious. Gaston won a penalty from almost on the boards but despite a huge hit from Cruz Heguy, it went wide. Cambiaso had the next opportunity and fired through a field goal, tap tap tapping the ball on his way to the flags!
The final league match of the tournament, Park Place versus Ojo Caliente, made equally gripping viewing. It was fast, furious and fabulous to watch. These teams were so evenly matched that there was never more than a goal between them. It was 8-8 at the start of the sixth, but as both Hilario Ulloa and Facundo Sola converted a penalty each, the game headed into extra
time. The eighth overtime of the competition. This was a frenetic, yet wonderful extra chukka, with teams racing up and down The Queen’s Ground. A couple of minutes in and it was still anyone’s game – it was more a question of which team could avoid a penalty. Suddenly the action was all down at the Clubhouse end, the location of the Ojo Caliente goal. After a tight melee which seemed to involve every player on the field, Rufino Bensadon scored the winner for Park Place. This not only won them the match but earned Park Place a ticket into a three-way penalty shootout to decide the final qualifying team for the quarter-finals. Ulloa, Barto Castagnola (Desert Palm) and Sola lined up to take the penalties on The Queen’s Ground
immediately after the Park Place/Ojo Caliente game was completed. Park Place won this contest too, thanks to Ulloa’s sharp shooting. He was the only player to successfully convert all four shots. His skill guaranteed Park Place a ticket into the next stage of the tournament, the knock-out quarter-finals.
Ojo Caliente v Park Place in front of the scoreboard
Rufino Bensadon celebrates Park Place's victory on the final day of the league matches.
Cartier Queen’s Cup
Quarter Finals Day 1
After more than three frenetic weeks, the 19 teams who have been battling for Cartier glory have reduced down to just four. These remarkable squads would go on to face their penultimate battle on four days later in their bid to win through to today’s Cartier Queen’s Cup Final.
The first semi-final will feature the winners from Saturday’s quarter-finals – Park Place and Dubai. Park Place had a dominant game over La Dolfina/Scone, beating David Paradice’s team 18-9. Andrey Borodin’s Park Place, again featuring Matias Maldonado in place of the injured patron, led from the first chukka. An impressive opening period gave them a commanding 5-1 lead and the blue shirts never looked back. Hilario Ulloa, no doubt inspired by his faultless penalty taking in the penalty shootout the previous week, was in dominant form for Park Place, scoring most of his team’s goals.
The weather deteriorated massively for the second quarter-final, with heavy rain showers making play difficult. It did not seem to affect Dubai, even though they had a change of lineup. Alfie Hyde replaced patron Rashid Albwardy who was injured. Dubai led 2-0 after the first chukka and never relinquished this lead. They had managed to secure for themselves a comforting, six-goal lead (8-2) at the start of the sixth chukka and went to win this crucial match 9-4. This result was surprising because when these two teams met in the league stages it had been a very different affair. UAE Polo Team had won that encounter 14-8. Dubai, a six-times winner of the Queen’s Cup, had clearly taken note of their opponent’s gameplan and effectively shut down UAE’s attack in this quarter-final
Antonio Heguy goes to goal for Dubai in the rain
Dubai v UAE Polo Team
contest. The 10-goaler Jeta Castagnola led this Dubai team from the front, seemed undaunted by the weather conditions and was brilliantly supported by every one of his Dubai team-mates.
Andrey Borodin congratulates Hilario Ullo of Park Place
The winning Park Place team
Rufino Bensadon for Park Place
Hazel Jackson for Dubai
Dubai winners of the Platinum Jubilee Trophy
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Cartier Queen’s Cup
Quarter Finals Day 2
The remaining two quarter-final games took place on Sunday. The second La Dolfina team in the tournament, La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal took to the field at Noel Farm, against Sujan Indian Tigers. The first two chukkas delivered some lovely running play with both teams finding the flags. La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal was again fielding Luis Aznar in place of their injured patron, Alejandro Aznar, and this young team continued to impress. Juan Martin Zubia was strong for Sujan Indian Tigers, converting penalties and delivering some big shots up field but La Dolfina/ Marques de Riscal’s captain, Poroto Cambiaso, worked hard to make sure his team stayed ahead. Ollie Cudmore helped Sujan Indian Tigers stay in the game in the second half with some great goals, while Zubia kept battling too, despite needing two visits to the ambulance in this match. However Poroto was in winning mode, staying ultra calm while successfully negotiating traffic. He scored 10 of his team’s 16 goals, delivering a masterclass of how to play polo under pressure.
Scoreboard
The last game of the day was a tight affair between Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha’s King Power, winners of the tournament in 2015, and a new team to the Queen’s Cup, Sunjay Kapur’s Aureus. King Power started strongly with opening goals from Pablo MacDonough and Tommy Beresford. Aureus replied in the second thanks to some strong play from Tomas Panelo. He kept up the pressure in the third, firing through three further goals to none in reply from King Power. Aureus were now in the lead (5-3) and looking strong. Kapur’s team signalled their intent further when Mark Tomlinson fired through a goal from the first throw-in of the fourth chukka.
Tomy’s brother Benjamin joined in the Aureus goalscoring and Kapur’s team had successfully maintains their two-goal advantage going into the sixth chukka. King Power started fighting back in this final chukka. MacDonough found the flags within a minute, followed by a goal off the stick of Beresford to level the score. With the clock ticking down, Beresford successfully converted a penalty two, pushing King Power back into the lead by one goal (10-9). Then, with less than 30 seconds left on the clock Ricardo Garros delivered a powerful hit to goal, shooting King Power through to Wednesday’s semi-finals.
King Power winners of The Gerard Leigh Cup
Luis Aznar and Poroto Cambiaso congratulate each other after quarter-final win
Poroto Cambiaso for La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal
Juan Britos for Sujan Indian Tigers keeps ball clear of Poroto Cambiaso
La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal's Rufino Merlos
The Panelo brothers, Benjamin and Tomy, for Aureus
Pablo MacDonough for King Power v Aureus's Mark Tomlinson
THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
Cartier Queen’s Cup Quarter-Finals
Saturday 7 June 2025
THE PLATINUM JUBILEE TROPHY
Match A, 12pm, Les Lions
PARK PLACE 18 LA DOLFINA/SCONE 9
Sunday 8 June 2025
Match B, 3pm DUBAI 9 UAE POLO TEAM 4
THE GERARD LEIGH CUP
Match C, 12pm, Noel Farm
LA DOLFINA/MARQUES DE RISCAL 16
SUJAN INDIAN TIGERS 10
Cartier
Queen’s
Match E, 12pm THE KERRY PACKER TROPHY
PARK PLACE 15 DUBAI 13
Match D, 3pm KING POWER 11 AUREUS 9
Cup Semi-Finals
Wednesday 11 June 2025
Match F, 4pm THE HUBERT PERRODO TROPHY
LA DOLFINA/MARQUES DE RISCAL 11 KING POWER 7
Cartier Queen’s Cup Final
Sunday 15 June 2025
LA DOLFINA/MARQUES DE RISCAL V PARK PLACE
The winner of this game will receive the Cartier Queen’s Cup. The 45th game of this tournament.
Image © Images of Polo
ROYAL GARDEN INSPIRES A FRAGRANCE
Truefitt & Hill, the Club’s official soap and hand cream supplier, has created a new range, inspired by the King’s stunning garden at Highgrove.
Those lucky enough to receive the ultimate polo ticket, an invite to the Royal Box overlooking the Queen’s Ground, will have
an opportunity to sample Truefitt & Hill’s latest range of soaps this summer, part of the company’s male grooming collection, Highgrove. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful gardens at Highgrove, this range embodies the elegance of the British countryside, paying homage to the captivating Gloucestershire estate.
This new range not only captures the sumptuous scent, which instantly evokes the charm of these world-famous gardens, but accentuates the essence of cedar at its very heart. In addition, delicate top notes of cypress and lemon gently combine with a hint of lavender, a twist of papyrus and a trace of vetiver to complete the palette of this enduring fragrance.
The collection’s packaging is equally memorable. It features a watercolour by HM King Charles III entitled The Cedar Tree, Highgrove and is used with kind permission of The King’s Foundation. This special design is further enhanced by the iconic Highgrove
Launching this summer, Truefitt & Hill's new scent, Highgrove Splash
The stunning garden at Highgrove, the inspiration for Truefitt & Hill's latest collection
logo, and complemented by a soothing palette of soft greens, paying homage to the natural beauty of the gardens, created and cherished by our Monarch.
Commenting on this unique royal collaboration, Joanna Broughton, Managing Director of Truefitt & Hill, said: “We are thrilled to have been invited to partner with Highgrove, a symbol of timeless elegance and environmental stewardship. This collaboration represents a fusion of heritage, craftsmanship and sustainability,
offering our patrons an unparalleled grooming experience.”
Truefitt & Hill is no stranger to royal patronage. During its unique history, Truefitt & Hill has had the honour of serving the British Monarchs over nine consecutive reigns.
Glancing at the company’s appointments books is like reading entries from a Who’s Who of distinguished society, while names of those who shaped the history of the world are often recorded as patrons. Truefitt & Hill is honoured to include among its clientele
almost all male members of the British Royal Family since George III, as well as numerous Royals of other European Courts, famous politicians such as William Gladstone, the 1st Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill. Famous stars of stage and screen have also come to Truefitt & Hill for the best grooming experience, including Laurence Olivier, Danny Kaye, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Stewart Granger, Fred Astaire and Cary Grant.
• Book your visit to Highgrove Gardens, online at https://www.highgrovegardens.com
Highgrove Luxury Triple Soap, with essences of cedar, cypress and lemon, and a hint of lavender
Highgrove's Luxury Shaving Soap is housed in a hand-turned, polished wooden bowl
& HILL AT HIGHGROVE
Highgrove's Luxury Pre-Shave Oil, provides unparalleled protection, moisturisation and conditioning for your skin
–– CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP 2025 ––
THE PURSUIT OF GLORY
Everyone’s attention is on the action on the field but our photographers, Pablo Ramirez and his son Patricio, also capture those moments off the field that highlight the wider polo family. Grooms, team managers, personal trainers and vets are all invaluable members of each team. They may be behind the scenes but they are no less dedicated to their team's success
Photographs by PABLO RAMIREZ, PATRICIO RAMIREZ
Hazel Jackson of the Dubai Polo Team
UAE Polo Team's Juan Martin Nero
A winning day for Sujan Indian Tigers
Gaston Polo Team warming up
Cruz Heguy talks tactics in the Gaston team tent
Facundo Pieres watching one of his brothers in action
King Power's Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha shows off some football skills
La Dolfina pony lines
Juan Gris Zavaleta in the GenrosaLeo-Clinova tent Santiago Laborde getting some physio in the Calatagna LL team tent
Super sub Matias Maldonado getting ready to play for Park Place
Kazak grooms
England team captain and King Power's number four Tommy Beresford
Nico Pieres arriving to sub for Diego Cavanagh of the Jehangiri Polo Team
Antonio Heguy plans sorts his mallets before a Dubai game
Park Place's Rufino Bensadon
Ferne Park's Vere Harmsworth
Scone's Adolfo Cambiaso Snr looking for the ideal polo mallet
Signet/Thai Polo's Louis Hine is spoilt for choice when it comes to stick selection
Gonzalo Pieres Snr, winner of the Queen's Cup five times, with his son Nico and Pandy Irastorza, the Kazak Polo Team manager
Cruz Heguy warming up before a match
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QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 1960-2024
HONOURS BOARD
All the games in this year’s competition have delivered some epic moments from players and ponies. No doubt every final from the past 64 years brought its own drama and passion to the Club’s number one field. Being named on this Queen’s Cup honours board is a coveted accolade that most players can only ever dream about. The players listed here are the best of their year and we salute them all
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 1960 – 1981
1960 Centaurs Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, G Gracida, E de Rothschild
1961 Silver Leys A Boyd Gibbons, H Pitman, Maharajah Prem Singh, G Singh
1962 Sao Silvestre W Sionsen, J Adua, JJ Diaz Alberdi, A Mihanovich
1963 Cowdray Park Lt Col A Harper, P Withers, S Hill, B Bethell
1964 Centaurs Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, D Goodman, E de Rothschild
1965 Pimms Earl Brecknock, Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, D Gonzalez
1966 Pimms Earl Brecknock, Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, C Garros
1967 Woolmers Park Dr J Marin Moreno, E Sorilla, J Lucas, C Garros
1968 Woolmers Park Dr J Marin Moreno, J Lucas, E de Rothschild, H Valenzuella
1969 Pimms Earl Brecknock, A Soldati, D Gonzalez, B Bethell
1970 Cowdray Park Lt Col A Harper, J Hipwood, H Hipwood, Hon M Vestey
1971 Stowell Park Lord Vestey, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes
1972 Cowdray Park W Linfoot, H Hipwood, Dr W Linfoot, Hon M Hare
1973 Stowell Park Lord Vestey, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes
1974 San Flamingo R Driver, H Hipwood, J Hipwood, W Ylvisaker
1975 Foxcote Lt Col A Harper, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, S Mackenzie
1976 San Flamingo C Driver, H Hipwood, A Herrera, J Horswell
1977 Foxcote P Palumbo, Hon M Vestey, E Moore, D Devrient
1978 Stowell Park JN Williams, Lord Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes
1979 Los Locos Mrs C Tomlinson, S Tomlinson, H Crotto, D Gemmell
1980 Stowell Park Hon M Vestey, E Moore, H Barrantes, P Elliott
1981 Cowdray Park Hon C Pearson, C Juraeguiz, P Withers, S Harper
1972 Stowell Park v Cowdray Park.
Photo © Mike Roberts
HRH Prince Charles and the Les Diables Bleus team. Photo © Mike Roberts
The Marquis of Milford Haven in the pony lines after the NCP Broncos won in 1988. Photo © Mike Roberts
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 1982 - 2003
1982 Boehm Team Lord Patrick Beresford, H Hipwood, S Mackenzie, Hon M Vestey
1983 Cowdray Park Hon C Pearson, C Forsyth, P Withers, Churchward
1984 Foxcote Lord Vestey, Lord Charles Beresford, S Novaes, P Elliott
1985 Centaurs D Yeoman, A Kent, O Rinehart, D Jamison
1986 Les Diables Bleus G Wildenstein, R Vial, G Gracida, HRH Prince of Wales
1987 Southfield J Yeoman, A Kent, O Rinehart, M Bown
1988 NCP Broncos The Marquess of Milford Haven, C Forsyth, G Donoso, M Glue
1989 Hilditch & Key A Hine, J Hipwood, R Walton, G Weston
1990 Santa Fe Bill Bond Elliott, A Hine, C Forsyth, H Crotto
1991 Ellerston White A Pieres, G Pieres, A Archibald, K Packer
1992 Ellerston White H Brett, B Heguy, A Heguy, A Archibald
1993 Black Bears U Schwarzenbach, S Merlos, P Merlos, J Dixon
1994 Black Bears U Scharzenbach, S Merlos, P Merlos, T Southwell
1995 Labegorce H Perrodo, M Brown, P Heguy, M Fernandez-Araujo
1996 Ellerston White J Daniels, J Novillo Astrada, G Pieres, K Packer
1997 Isla Carroll M Pannell, M Gracida, P Merlos, J Goodman
1998 Ellerston White J Beim, A Cambiaso, G Pieres, J Fisher
1999 Ellerston White J Beim, A Cambiaso, G Pieres, T Wade
2000 Geebung D Allen, A Cambiaso, B Heguy, R Stowe
2001 No match played due to foot and mouth outbreak in UK
2002 Emerging F Pictet, H Guerrero, M Fernandez Araujo, L Tomlinson
2003 Dubai A Albwardy, L Castagnola, A Cambiaso, M Lodder
2015
2022
King Power Foxes
Dubai
Great Oaks LL
La Indiana
RH Polo
CARTIER QUEEN’S CUP RESULTS 2004 - 2024
Polo Team
2004 Labegorce H Perrodo, F Mannix jnr, C Gracida, L Tomlinson
2005 Dubai A Albwardy, P Diaz Alberdi, A Cambiaso, R Pemble
2006 Dubai T Albwardy, P Diaz Alberdi, A Cambiaso, G Meyrick
2007 Loro Piana D Stirling, A Marchini, J M Nero, M Espain
2008 Ellerston M Routledge, G Pieres jnr, F Pieres, J Packer
2009 Apes Hill C Hanbury, M Tomlinson, JG Zavaleta, L Tomlinson
2010 Dubai F Vizmara, R Albwardy, A Cambiaso, P MacDonough
2011 Talandracas F Sola, L Monteverde, M Fernandez Araujo, E Carmignac
2012 Dubai R Albwardy, A White, A Cambiaso, I Heguy
2013 Zacara F Pieres, L Lea, R Andrada, M Perry
2014 Zacara F Pieres, L Lea, G Deltour, M Perry
2015 King Power Foxes A Srivaddhanaprabha, H Lewis, G Pieres jnr, F Pieres
2016 Dubai K Hall, R Albwardy, A Cambiaso, JM Nero
2017 RH Polo B Soleimani, T Beresford, A Cambiaso, R de Andrade
2018 La Indiana M Bickford, A White, N Roldan, F Pieres
2019 Scone Polo D Paradice, J Beim, N Pieres, J Harper
2020 Les Lions/Great Oaks C Castagnola, D Bacon, B Catagnola jnr, S Laborde
2021 UAE Polo Team HH Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, T Panelo, P Pieres, T Beresford
2022 Great Oaks LL D Bacon, J Beim, J M Nero, C Heguy
2023 Murus Sanctus C Ricard, F Fernandez Llorente, P Pieres, A Muzzio
2024 Talandracas H Carmignac, R Torreguitar, P Pieres, A Muzzio
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