To see the complete schedule for the 2013 Argentine Polo Season, click on this link
Coming soon
Sunday, August 11, 2013
New Argentine Polo Season dates
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 4:59 PM
Horror Continues. Two TB Stake winners from La Providencia probably doped at San isidro
Two horses from the Brasilean Owned Stud, La Providencia, that won the Argentine 1,000 guineas and 2,000 guineas, Juhayana and Koller, where suspended by San Isidros Racing Authorities.
Reason, first and preliminary reports from the Antidoping Laboratory of the San Isidro Racetrack, where positive to band treatments and prohibited substances present in the first controls.
The case and the temporary suspensions was reported and confirmed by Dr Jose Maria Nelson from the Racetrack Comission and be reported by the racetrack to the local criminal authorities due the probable presence of an prohibited drug in one of the result.
Brasilean Trainer Mr. Jose Alves, temporary suspended , as also both horses temporary suspended too.
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 3:19 PM
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Ellerstina won the Championship!
Ellerstina 12 vs. La Dolfina 10
As told was a Sunny day mild winds blowing from the southeast brought a new champion and a new King Facundo Pieres
Excellent selection of the set of horses give the match for a real team not a constellation of stars in decline as a team
With a worst couple of Argentine Referees, they where so horrible but against both teams but in the last chukka incredibly they let the game be played hard against La Dolfina ...
Also its true that in La Dolfina was the worst day in the present times, with no activity from Mc Donough and specially from Stirling, leaving all the burden to Cambiasso that also lost easy goals for his skills, in his first shows of aging or decadence in the Field 1 of Palermo .
In the match La Dolfina didn't gather to solve the problems of the game, everyone was like in their world without any show of association surprisingly I feel that this was the last time to see them together.
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 4:02 PM
Friday, December 7, 2012
Weather Forcast for the Final
The Argentine Polo Open will be played tomorrow in the Field 1.
Sunny day with temparature near 84 F /29 C
Light Breeze from the Southeast sector (a little fresh air will be good for everyone)
No rains are expected
Great day for Polo, enjoy the game!!
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 2:43 PM
Update Semifinals Weekend
Semi/finals where played the last weekend as aspected the best teams arrived lake last year for the 6th Final in a row, La Dolfina ans Ellerstina meets again!.
Saturday
La Dolfina 18 vs. Pilara Piaget 13
La Dolfina by demolition
Best players on both sides so the difference was made by their horses.
Once the match was in cruce control by La Dolfina the best horses desapeared... and played with the handbrake on too
La Dolfina won the zone with a +25 goal difference
Sunday
Ellerstina 18 vs. La Aguada 14
Both teams had ups and downs during the match
In the final chukkas Ellerstina made the best decision in the horses played than La Aguada with a lesser quality selection pool.
Gonzalo Pieres used the bombing tactic, in the same chukka played Habana ans Fina Pepa! incredible...
Caset Jr must be raised in his handicaphis playing for a 9 goals hcp.
Ellerstina won the zone with a +8 goal difference
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 2:29 PM
Monday, November 26, 2012
Matchs weekend 2
Saturday
Match Pilara Piaget 14 Magual 11, 2nd chk 4/4 4th 9/6 11/7 12/9 14/10 14/11
Pilara controlled the game after the fourth chukka and kept their horses fresh for the next game against La Dolfina.
Hurlingham 22 /13
Match La Dolfina 18 Alegria 6, chk 2/1 6/3 8/3 9/5 12/5 12/6 16/6 18/6, Cambiasso Jr. 10 goals (3 penalties)
La Dolfina controlled the game from the beginning to the end, playing in moments with the hand brake on.
Hurlingham result 18/13
Remarks La Dolfina horse superior class but too thin!, beware...
Sunday
Match field 2 Las Monjitas La Aguada vs La Aguada 12/11
0/0 0/1 1/3 2/4 4/ 6/6 9/8 11/11 11/12
It was the most exiting game of he current Argentine Open
Las Monjitas won in their best game of the season against a good team like La Aguada in a definition with golden goal after an 11/11 in the regular chukkas.
The goal was made by Alejandro Novillo Astrada after an exceptional backhander given by the leader of the winners team Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr.
To remark, in the field where Novillo Astradas brothers in both teams, 5 total.
Field 2 too sandy and irregular that make the ball bounces more than often.
Hurlingham result 15/14
Match field 1 Ellerstina 16 La Natividad 14
Due to a more responsible fitting of their horses Ellerstina won with some minor bumps over a team that poses player with a lot of finals in the Argentine Open and also the loser poses some very good horses but in the pick of their ages, like Dolfina Toro, was a the cocktail made possible to support the heavy bombing of the last chukkas given by Ellerstina squadron with Easy Go Pandora Habana, Ellerstina won the game due to their superiority when the best horses appeared in the game to the rescue.
Remarks Ellerstina horses superior class in better shape than a year before in this stage of the championship!!
Hurlingham result 23/13
Field 1 irregular sector near the clock side and also too sandy that makes the horses broke or fall, this year is the most dangerous year in this matter.
Next weekend 3 match's
Saturday
1345 field 2 La Aguada Las Monjitas vs La Natividad *Hurligham resut 15/11
1630 field 1 Ellerstina vs. La Aguada *8/12
Sunday
1345 field 2 Alegria vs. Magual *20/13
1630 field 1 La Dolfina vs. Pilara *18/17
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 7:35 AM
2012 Argentine Polo Season Update
As in the last years, I'm coming back to give my opinions upon the game and the horses in this year Argentine Polo Open.
This tournament is the 119th of this wonderful championship to proclaim the best Polo Team in the World.
I'm will tell that in the first tournament Tortugas was won by Ellerstina over La Dolfina, played in the Field 2 of Palermo, due to the problems given by a heavy rain season, that not a minor issue to his playing year. Tortugas is the start of the regular argentine high handicap polo season, but is not played by the best horses of the most important team.
In Hurlingham the final was won by L Dolfina 18 to 11 over Ellerstina in a great match for the winners, but in similar disposition as told for Tortugas, in this tournament some great polo horse are presented to play few minutes for the reason due to the lack of dry days to train them properly. The winner won this tournament for the second year in a row.
The MVP was Pablo Mac Donough, that is playing his best polo this year.
Second Chukker result La Dolfina 5 Ellerstina 1 and the Seventh 16 to 9 give a quick picture of the game.
So back to the real and most important polo championship of the world, the teams for this year present some changes from the years before, given a more difficult polo level, do to the restructure of the the Argentine Open where the Classification Tournament is more difficult year by year for the teams willing to play the Argentine Open.
Zone A
La Dolfina Adolfo Cambiaso Davids Stirling Pablo Mc Donough Juan Martin Nero HCP 40
Pilara Piaget Hilario Ulloa Francisco Bensadon Sebastian Merlos Francisco de Narvaez 35
Alegria Aguston Merlos Lucas Monteverde Juan Ignacio Merlos Frederick Mannix Jr 34
Magual Alejandro Muzzio Marcos Di Paola Facundo Sola Jaime Garcia Huidobro 30
Zone B
Ellertina CITI Facundo Pieres Gonzalo Pieres Jr Mariano Aguerre Nicolas Pieres 38
LA Aguada BMW Guillermo Caset Jr Javier Novillo Astrada Miguel N Astrada Ignacio NA 36
La Natividad Pablo Pieres Ignacio Heguy Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade Bartolome Castagnola 34
La Aguanda Las Monjitas Lucas James Cristion Laprida Jr Eduardo Novillo Astrada Alejandro Novillo 33
First games of the Argentine Open
Match La Dolfina 17 to Magual 9, 3rd chk 8/2, Cambiasso Jr. 700th goal in the Argentine Open
MAtch Pilara Piaget 13 to Alegria 12 , 4th 5/9 Man of the match Sebastian Merlos
Match LA Aguada 12 La Natividad 10, 2nf chk 1/6 6th chk 9/10 under light rain
Match Ellerstina 12 to La Aguada Las Monjitas 10, 2nd chk 3/1 5th 8/6 7th 11/8
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 6:30 AM
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Refreshment of good ideas in the equine sports
You must make your own mistakes.
Buy proven sport mares with ancestors that had not exactly been sitting still.
A
method: outcrossing followed by inbreeding. By outcross I mean the
introduction of foreign blood by means of a proven sire. Then we start
crossing them with each other, in fact I always prefer to call this line
breeding rather than inbreeding. We are now in the process of realizing
stages 4 to 5 a further outcross with a common combination.
This
is followed by the second line breeding phase. The products are sharply
selected on desirables quality, we only breed on the best of them. That
is how the bioindustry produces more milk or eggs than the
predecessors. A disadvantage with horses is that development takes much
longer.
Selection first approach: Pedigree, Conformation, and
lose schooling looking for the natural motion (body position, stride,
etc).
When looking for a convenient mating, mainly consider the
descent of both mare and sire, which must be of flawless pedigree and
noblest blood.
Beauty is no held as high as pure blood and
performance, they prefer a hardy and strong sire who is known to be fast
and has no major defects to any stallion of the far more striking
beauty, of which performance they are not sure. (1851 Jager)
Preserve
their perfections not to impose the breed, no bad habits, little
importance in conformation but great deal to pure descent because they
guarantee outstanding qualities.
Cross breeding in earlier generations are less to adapt.
In Constitution find: Hardiness, Endurance, Character and Intelligence.
He
is a very perfect animal, he is not large here and small there. There
is a balance and harmony through his frame not seen in the other horses.
The quintessence of all good qualities is a compact form.
The
importance in the Gallop: Galloping in such regular pace and easy
stride than the Prince would say his rider was able to sleeping and low.
Look for Character, that means: Courage, High spirit, Vitality and Gentleness, rather than beauty.
Quiet temper plus natural balance, gives pleasant ride.
The expression of the eyes is like a woman in love (Prince Badr)
The concept: A Family Mare.
Best horse? Black the beauty, Chesnut the speed , a small leggy Grey mare, Happiness and Prosperity – and Good Luck!!
Walk to sedate, Gallop, long and slow.
Above
all my recommendation is to devote great care to broodmare their backs
are seats of honor and their bellies are inexhaustible treasures (Ammo
1834)
Paradise on earth is found on the back of a good horse, in the story of good books or between the breasts of a woman (a Thales)
Those who forget the lessons of the past are condemned to repeat them.
Buy or Hold proven mares, no age.
Behind every great horse is an excellent mare.
Make a honest look.
Blue
blooded mares, up to 12 so in special care and number not out of hand,
near a river, out form the road use only a half of land rest or give to
local farmers, stable the mares and yearlings, all mares comes in
different sizes , sire to each individual, create your own family roots,
have a little luck.
Nicks, the statistics analysis of failures are included??? False propaganda.
Dosage index, Darley Arabian too??
See the Power, size ribs and great forelegs.
Create a quality control method with constant improvements, like new info knowledge about genetics and technological advances
Upon this all will test on a clever and important measurements of all individuals to intent to purchase.
Measurements / Class Pedigree Aptitude Conformation.
It’s
a process with unique quality individuals that are similar in size,
temperament aptitude and class. Regularly all classic horses come from
this.
Old saying: Its pedigree tell us what an animal ought to be
and its performance tell us what “appears to be” but its progeny tell
us what an animal is.
Birth date, conformation and an extraordinary second mare.
Hear
everybody around like grooms, trainers in this order, ask for
extraordinary behavior (rest, eats, jog temperament in and out the works
or the training field)
Find clues as a great heart over lameness or gallop like on a wheel chair or wildlings to fight.
Its not enough to be good one must do it in the right way.
Aging and Genetics:
Sperm divides itself 33 times a year, over 3 decades, about 660.
Changes molecular structure, reason why the gray hair appears.
Best mares produce between 5, 6 and 7 year of age.
Most production between 5 to 10 years of age, Seatle Slew (5+4/ 9)
No
great mares more than 17 to 30 in combination with the age of the sire,
examples Forego (6+11), Cigar (8+7) Seabiscuit (6+6) Ribot (11+10)
Sire of Sires Average: 7.6+8.4 or 8.6+7.4
Northern Dancer (6+3) Sadlers Wells (19+5) Storm Cat (4+6)
Bayacoa, 6+9
Paseana, 5+9
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 1:46 PM
Saturday, September 15, 2012
TB Argentine 2,000 guineas results
In the worst starting gate in decades, the winner of the race was for more than 5.30 minutes before the start in the gates, a very interesting tall leggy colt named Sol Planet won the Argentine 2,000 gns. named Polla de Potrillos.
SOL PLANET (Z .2009) S.B.ARG.
Vol. 40
Por SILVER PLANET y POTRAFRAS por POTRILLON en VERMONT SARAH (USA) por SASSAFRAS
522 kg. weigth of the winner in kilos
time 1.34.36
Stud Yamandu
Farm Plaza Vieja SA. (or Haras Las Macarenas)
Trainer Mr. Hugo Perez (from Uruguay) and a very respectful trainer and tango aficionado
second> Indy Point, at half a lenght from the winner
third> Di Giorgio, at four lengths from the second
The winners pedigree shows that he well improve with the next steps of the Argentine Triple Crown
Congratulations to all Breeders Owners, that aren't from the more known Argentine studs, showing and proving the greatest of this sport where anyone can have a chance.
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 3:13 PM
Monday, September 10, 2012
September 2012 New season starting
As every year Argentine race and polo activities starts.
This year as in the past couple of years didn't present any notable thing to talk about.
The Argentine Crown Jewels are starting to be run, as its started with the Argentine Stakes named Polla de Potrancas similar to the 1000 guineas Stk., for fillies only born in 2009.
As in the recent years in my opinion, this year was the worst band of Argentine fillies en decades.
But in this darkness, some rare thing appeared like a horse named Curioso Johan *by Johannesburg , amazingly won his madden race by several (11) lengths, over 8 furlongs/ dirt (1600 m.) in 1. 34. 14 at the Argentino Palermo Racetrack.
Next Saturday he will be running over the same track and distance, the Argentine 2000 guineas named Polla de Potrillos.
Also there is a filly by Footstepsinthesand that won impressively in the La Plata racetrack that shows potential. I will recall this one in my next reports.
Also in my next reports the Argentine Polo Teams for this year with a lot of surprises.
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 3:56 PM
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
La Dolfina Champions!
In an incredible game La Dolfina dominate Ellerstina 18-10
In amazing game with allways La Dolfina infront all the game
Better selection of horses and with a team work lead by Nero (my MVP) La Dolfina give the impresion that Ellerstina was lost in the field.
Field 1 in better condition than the games played last weekend.
Crowd was aspecting a harder resistance from the Pieres team but La Dolfina closed all road to the goal with Nero as guardian
Cambiasso Jr. played as the previous games in a new role that gives his teammates more action not depending all from him
Pablo Mac Donough in a good match worked in the midfield against the elaboration of any attack from his former team (so he was one of the clues wy Ellerstina couldnt score)
The game was for La Dolfina alltime, and the result could be worst if Cambiasso Jr was more effective (lost as least easy 4 goals)
Better conditioning shows results, in the horses of La Dolfina, shown healthier and won practically all important runs
One of the clues also was the selection of horses, in the 4th chukka when I saw both teams selection, I told that it was wrong pick for Ellerstina and they will loose the chukka for at leat 4 goals that result one of the worst chullas for Ellerstina
Ellerstina to thin, could been overtrained
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 3:24 PM
Todays the Final of the 118th Argentine Polo Open

Todays is the Day!
Lovely weather, nice temperature, a little breeze, great day for polo!
Nerves from both sides, unslept night for almost all players... Facundo Pieres in his Nespresso blog tells about his feeling and what the Final of this tournament represents in all polo players.
Not only to win it, to just play the Final give the impression about the grandeur of this day.
In La Nacion newspaper a really uncommon photo appears in the front page of the polo section (shown above), the former team Ellerstina is gathered to talk about this afternoon game.
What a difference with other sports!, remember that two of the former members of the team now are playing for La Dolfina...
Information tells that La Dolfina didn´t play their horses this week, just individual training (amazing horsemanship!)
Hoping for an imposible... a good day for the Referees, the best show on earth in polo is in their whistle and hands!!
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 4:50 AM
Sunday, December 4, 2011
ELLERSTINA TO THE FINAL! 18-14 over Estancia Grande
Ellestina again in the Final.
Nice day, mild weather sunny, but the Field 1 ( in poor condition of the season - see photo) after the weekend.
Ellerstina with a little help, referees stoped the game insistently in favor of one team
Ellerstina received that aid mainly in the first part of the game (3rd chukkas: in all action could be perfectly called to the other team at first hand in my opinion)
Ellerstina doesnt need the protection to get to the final, allways have one more action than the other team
Score progression: Ellerstina-Estancia Grande 4-2, 4-1, 1-3, 3-1, 2-2, 2-1: total 18-14
Ellerstina horse a saw them over stressed, to thin, posible over trained, remember that they have one day less to rest than La Dolfina ( also I saw them in better conditions too) for the final that will be next friday (program changed this year).
Injures during the game: Ignacio Heguy a cut in his right arm but could play and Facundo Pieres right arm a cramp continue playing with difficuties, a horse had a cut near his eye I think it was Tarantula (one of Facundo P best horses)
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 4:51 PM
LA DOLFINA TO THE FINAL 15-7 over La Aguada
Fouls: La Dolfina Dubai 13 (must improve in this section)- La Aguada: 5
Goals/Shots : La Dolfina 14/25 - La Aguada: 5/13
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 5:25 AM
Pilara Piaget 16 vs. Chapa Uno 13 - Zone A
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 4:57 AM
Monday, November 28, 2011
Some picked videos and photos



In spanish presentation (with 14 seconds espn ad starting) with videos from the 2011 Argentine Polo Open
From day 1:
From day 2:
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 7:00 AM
Great polo weekend! matchs 3 and 4
Buenos aires weather
Both days where played under a really warm weather, partially cludy with high humidity, so you can imagine how it was in the fields.
Due that it didn't rain as told by the national service, so the fields a little hard and drier but better conditions to play polo than the previous games.
Day 3 Saturday
La Aguada 7, Chapa Uno 9
The surprise of this Open came in field 2, when Chapa Uno won over the Novillos Astrada team La Aguada in an undescribable game that made La Dolfina's way to the semifinals all lot easier
This result will speed Miguel N Astrada's recovery and as told he will play next game against La Dolfina (replacing Toccalino)
La Aguada is not the same with the inclusion of Toccalino (that plays very well) but the brothers needs to play with Miguel to be the solid team that made them won the Argentine Open years ago.
They still been unlucky but the next step is La Dolfina and will be decisive to mantain their handicaps.
La Dolfina 20, Pilará 7
The crowd was waiting debut on field 1 of the Dream Team, and as the result shows it appeared in full, with a symphony of great polo and the impression that this is the real team to beat this year.
They played like they been playing with a Playstation comand, playing their game of open and run polo (a lot different from the Cambiasso's way handling the ball of years before)
La Dolfina is a real team, that any players can score, and in my opinion is playing better every new game
Its really interesting to see how the players positin as one of them is the laucher of the attack, also the horses (that are not in their pinacle in this stage !) make the diference in the field 1.
La Dolfina ans Ellerstina are teams that are well suited for the Argentine Open but mainly for the field 1 ("The Cathedral") by the quality of their players but also the quality of their horses.
MVP in my opinion was Pablo Mac Donough, an exemple of positioning and timing
La Cuartetera (one of the best polo horses of the world) played a few minutes only
Day 4 Sunday
Estancia Grande 19 vs. Alegría 17
In the best game of the day thanks to the loyalty of both teams Estancia Grande with a narrow final chukkas that also shows its potential that can harm Ellerstina's way to the semifinals beware!
Estancia Grande can make great things in the Argentine Open today and mostly in the days to come, because they know how to play the Open (becuse the experience of all their players) and they have the horses to play against anyone but the most important thing in my opinion the will to play this game, and are thirsty and have courage! (this match they where losing in the 6th chukka 11-16 and won with a strike of 8-1 in the last ones -amazing!-).
Estancia Grande played with Juan Ignacio Merlos (Goals Hcp: 8) replacing his brother Sebastian, out for one game, due to his 4th yellow card in this season.
Ellerstina 21 vs. Indios Chapaleufú II 14
The black beaty made it again!
Its the only team that could play as even to the La Dolfina' s game in the year Argentine Open.
Ignacio played as number 4 again (as in Tortugas) and played better than before in this new version of Ellerstina, against the team he used to play (his family). He also played a lot easier when he could be left free to score 6 times!
The team apperared for the first time this year in field 1 and played its best polo game of the year against an Indios Chapaleufu that couldn't stop the variety of quality shown by Ellerstina due maninly on their best horses (that also are so many!, as an exemple Facundo had Easy Go as replacement!)
MVP of the game in my opinion Ignacio Heguy
Facundo played as Cambiasso in old times been the lauchers the strategist and the scorer but could harm his horses for the next steps
The horses in their best, but a little thin, in my opinion beware of this, Dont squeeze the lemon dry, said one on the best TB trainers in history!!
Scorers of the match:
Ellerstina: Facundo Pieres, 7 goals:1 penalty, Nicolas Pieres; 5, Gonzalo Pieres Jr. 3 asn Ignacio Hegut 6 goals
Indios Ch. II : Alberto Heguy Jr. 0 goals, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 2, Julio Arellano 4 and Eduardo Heguy 8: 6 penalties
Another remark, could Nicolas play as number 4 against La Dolfina?, he poses the courage and the will to run and anticipate the players lauched in attack better than Ignacio (that shawn his best performance in years in this game in the position of number 3 player, but this must be done now!, it cant been done in the final ...
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 5:36 AM
Monday, November 21, 2011
Next weekends, you must be here!
If you have some time come to Buenos Aires, and have a great moment..., Sunny days and great polo will take away all financial sorrow (you cant do nothing to stop the decline of the markets), use this golden rule: buy gold and come to Argentina!, we have food, nice peolpe, a lovely city and in the following weeks the best polo in the world, what else do you need ?
Next games for this Zone A next Saturday,
Field 2 at 01.45 PM: La Aguada vs. Chapa Uno, its a nice match to come after eating some argentine steaks in nearby Cañitas
Field 1 at 4.45 PM: La Dolfina vs. Pilara, you must be there you love the game!!
Next games for this Zone B next Sunday,
Field 2 at 01.45 PM: Estancia Grande vs. Alegria, very nice match with great players both sides
Field 1 at 4.45 PM: Ellerstina vs. Indios Chapaleufu II, you must be there for the black synphony!
Posted by Alex Suarez Lynch at 1:08 PM