World polo once again surrendered to the overwhelming force and calibre of a team that seems to have no ceiling. On the Hurlingham Club’s iconic Ground 1, the Lewis Lacey ground, La Natividad-La Dolfina reaffirmed its absolute supremacy by securing back-to-back Hurlingham Open titles after defeating La Hache 18-14 in a high-quality final. With this triumph, the Cañuelas-based foursome not only hoisted the historic Ayrshire Cup, but also extended its unbeaten run and clinched the first jewel of the Argentine Triple Crown.
The championship match showcased the maturity of a squad boasting a perfect 40-goal handicap, capable of overcoming any match scenario through stifling defensive pressure, elegant collective play, and fluid ball movement. Although La Hache (34 goals), spearheaded by Hilario Ulloa and Tomás Panelo, took the fight to them early on and managed to disrupt their opponent's transition out of defence, the champion’s individual and team brilliance shifted the momentum decisively starting in the third chukker.
Speaking after the game, both Adolfo Cambiaso and Barto Castagnola noted that the team has grown significantly compared to 2025 in terms of play, system, and collective cohesion, making them even more formidable to their rivals. The winner's tactical framework functioned seamlessly, with all four players taking centre stage at different stages, both in playmaking and scoring. Barto Castagnola, named MVP of the final, delivered yet another decisive performance on the big stage, true to form. Meanwhile, Poroto Cambiaso and Camilo Castagnola, the tournament’s two leading goal-scorers, proved unstoppable in attack whenever they went forward.
With this new triumph, Adolfo Cambiaso, the tournament's all-time leading winner, extended his individual record to an astonishing 17 Hurlingham titles, cementing a remarkable longevity. His son and nephews, meanwhile, lifted the trophy for the fourth time.
Three horses were recognized with awards. The Hurlingham Club presented the Daniel Kearney Cup to Negra Milonga, played by Barto Castagnola. The Argentine Polo Association (AAP) selected Luca Gyulia, also played by Barto Castagnola, as the Best Playing Pony of the Final. Lastly, the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Association (AACCP) awarded the Best Argentine Bred blanket to Dolfina Copas, played by Poroto Cambiaso.
The world’s finest polo action now shifts immediately to the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires. This Tuesday, October 6, marks the start of the 86th Tortugas Country Club Open, the second leg of the prestigious trilogy, which this year features 10 teams. Tortugas introduces a new format compared to 2025: the 10 competing sides will be split into two zones of five, and the winner of each bracket advancing straight to the final. Joining the eight teams that played at Hurlingham are two qualifiers: La Irenita and La Zeta Kazak.
The freshly crowned Hurlingham champions headline Zone A alongside 2025 Tortugas and Argentine Opens finalists Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, accompanied by La Ensenada, Don Ercole, and La Zeta Kazak. Zone B features Hurlingham finalists La Hache, Las Monjitas, Híper Polo Club, La Aguada, and La Irenita. Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, semi-finalists at Hurlingham and eager to contend for Triple Crown silverware, will look to strike. The two qualifying sides also have reason to dream and certainly will not be content with merely making up the numbers. The presence of seasoned legends Pablo Mac Donough and Polito Pieres in La Irenita, coupled with talent like Lorenzo Chavanne and Nicolás Pieres in La Zeta Kazak, ensures those ambitions are well-founded.
All talk will be cast aside this Tuesday as the ball gets rolling at Tortugas, setting the stage for the grand final on Saturday, November 7.
