Monday January 20 2025 will remain as one of the darkest days in polo history. The day our beloved sport lost two special personalities – Rufino Laulhé, one of the most promising young players, lost his life at the very early age, only 15-years-old, in a terrible car crash; and Martín Garrahan, the voice of polo, who lost his hard-fought battle against a tough illness, at 57.
Rufino Laulhé was the son of Gastón Lauhlé, former player of the Triple Crown, and his wife Verónica. His 18-year-old-brother, Beltrán, was one of the revelations of the last Argentine Open, which he played with La Zeta Kazak, alongside no less than Nico Pieres; that was Rufino’s – nicknamed Rufo – ultimate dream, to play the most remarkable tournament with his brother sometime. In order to fulfill his dream, Rufo worked hard, participating in several tournaments around the world and earning his own name. Both Beltrán and Rufo were born in Buenos Aires, and grew up between Buenos Aires and La Pampa; they started to play at María Chavanne’s polo school, La Dolfinita. Quickly, Ali Albwardy, patron of Dubai Polo Team, and Lolo Castagnola, set their eyes on the two skilled brothers, and they recruited them to play in Dubai and La Natividad. Although he was a back, Rufo’s biggest strenghth was his ability to adapt to whatever position he was required to play. In 2024, Rufo earned considerable success – wearing the Argentina jersey, he claimed the Coronation Cup, at Guards Polo Club, in England, and he was named MVP. He repeated in Sotogrande, at Ayala Polo Club when, together with Beltrán, Argentina defeated Spain in an international test match. That day, Rufo was the most outstanding player as well as top scorer. Speaking of Sotogrande, Rufo played a remarkable high goal season with MB, in a lineup that included no less than Poroto Cambiaso and Pablo MacDonough. To close a formidable year, he was presented with the Premio Centenario, by the Argentine Olympic Committee, last December, as a reward for his formidable performances, commitment, hard work and dedication; which he learned from his father and his mentors, Ali Albwardy and Lolo Castagnola.
Sadly enough, Rufo’s dreams were broken into pieces in a terrible car crash, in a highway near Trenque Lauquen. Beltrán and Rufo played the La Natividad Cup, at La Andría Polo Club, in Santa Rosa, Province of La Pampa last weekend, and were on their way to Buenos Aires to get ready to leave for Palm Beach, where they were due to play their first US season. The unfortunate crash, ended the very young Rufo’s brilliant and promising career, unexpectedly and abruptly.
Martin Garrahan has been the voice of polo of the Triple Crown in Argentina, working for ESPN during the last 30 years. Along with Gustavo Sgalla, they were the driving force behind the cameras. Gustavo was the commentator and Martin contributed explaining plays, as well as enjoyable stories, but most of all, sharing his amazing knowledge of horses. It was a delight to listen to him talking about the different bloodlines and history of the many mares ridden by the players. Gustavo and Chochan – as Martín was known within the polo community – were a one piece, who fitted with each other to perfection.
But in addition to being and extraordinary voice, Chochan was first a polo player. He used to say he inherited the passion for the sport from his father, Alex; the remarkable Alex Garrahan, who contributed to the first ever Argentine Open title for Indios Chapaleufu, back in 1986, along with the three Heguy brothers, Horacito, Gonzalo and Marcos, on that glorious day when a then very young Marcos produced that unforgettable coast-to-coast goal to win the title over no less than La Espadaña. Following his success in two Juvenile Championships, Chochan finally landed in the Argentine Open, which he played in 1994 and 1995, with Centauros, and reached a 8-goaler status. Besides, he was one of the many players who went to Brunei in those days; in his Asian days, he met the Beh family, from Malaysia, who would become close friends as well as family to him and his dear ones. Back in Argentina, he played the Cámara de Diputados Cup, which he claimed in 2000 and 2001 – the latter with La Irenita, along with Pablo and Matías MacDonough. The title led them to the Argentine Open in the following year.
His enthusiasm for polo made him a passionate horsebreeder with his brother, Patricio (Cucho) and his father; he was summoned by ESPN to take the microphone in 1994, a task he performed during 30 years. In 2003 he established his own club, Polo One, set in General Rodríguez. Today, Polo One is one of the busiest polo clubs in Argentina, hosting several tournaments for all levels, both in Autumn and Spring.
Some years ago, Chochan was diagnosed with pacreatic cancer; but the disease didn’t know who was meddling with. Chochan, a warrior on the polo field, proved to be a warrior of life as well. He decided to present battle to a cruel disease; he never gave up, and he was determined to remain remarkably positive and enthusiastic. He put all his energy in what he loved the most, not only in his job for ESPN but also in Polo One. Nothing stopped him at all – treatments, chemotherapy, medical checks. He even had the joy and happiness to spend some of his last days with his dear family, at the sea. He fought very hard, indeed, but sadly, he went downhill and on Monday January 20, our brave warrior left.
With the departure of Rufino Laulhé, polo loses one of the most exciting and promising players, both in Argentina and worldwide; a 15-young-old kid who was destined to become a star of the sport in the near future. A remarkable future that was suddenly broken into pieces in a terrible car crash. At the same time, the sport lost an icon like Martín Garrahan, the man who captivated the spectators during each broadcast with his deep voice, his jokes, his stories and above all, his very valuable and endless knowledge about polo and horses. Both, in their own way, have left a a remarkable legacy to polo; a legacy of passion, hard work, commitment and dedication.
All of us at PoloLine wish to send our deepest condolences, all our love and prayers to the Lauhlé and Garrahan families, embracing them heartily. May God Our Lord to give them much strength, light and peace to cope with this extremely tough and sad moment.
Dearest Rufo and Chochan, thank you for everything! You will remain in our hearts forever!