In a very tight and hard fought match, Talandracas earned a narrow 12-11 win over La Dolfina Great Oaks and were victorious at The Queen’s Cup, following the championship game that took place on Sunday June 16, at Guards Polo Club, set in Windsor Great Park, England. The Queen’s Cup, one of the most significant competitions within the international calendar, is the premier tournament of the club founded by His Late Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1955. The 2024 Queen’s Cup saw nineteen teams up to 22 goals, partake.
Talandracas, the Carmignac’s family French team, not only remained unbeaten but they also won their second Queen’s Cup. They lifted the coveted trophy for the first time in 2011; back then, Edouard Carmignac was presented with the trophy by Prince Harry, the current Duke of Sussex. Today, it was Edouard’s son, Hughes, who was awarded with the cup by His Majesty King Charles III. In addition, two defending champions were within Talandracas’ lineup – Polito Pieres and Alejandro Muzzio, who were victorious last year with another French organisation, Murus Sanctus. And, on a personal side, this has been the third time Polito claims The Queen’s Cup – he was a champion in 2021 with UAE.
With regards to the final, it was a very close contest, that had some extra drama; La Dolfina Great Oaks managed to lead the scores thoroghout four chukkas, however with Talandracas on their tail. By the end of the fourth chukka, La Dolfina Great Oaks had a slight 9-8 advantage, but Talandracas bounced back and outscored their contenders 3-2 – with only one chukka left, the scoreboard read a 11-all; it was anyone’s game. In a very intense last episode, and when almost everybody thought an extra chukka would come, Polito Pieres picked the ball and ran to the goalposts to have the deal said and done with only seconds remaning in regulation time and secured the win and the title for the French-based organisation.
Previously, in the morning, La Dolfina Scone defeated Cibao La Pampa 10-7 and claimed the Subsidiary Cartier Trophy.
THE QUEEN’S CUP – FINAL – SUNDAY JUNE 16
TALANDRACAS 12-11 LA DOLFINA GREAT OAKS
Talandracas: Hugues Carmignac 0, Rosendo Torreguitar 5 (3 goals), Pablo Pieres 10 (8), Alejandro Muzzio 7 (1). Total 22.
La Dolfina Great Oaks: Dillon Bacon 2, Kian Hall 3, Diego Cavanagh 8 (5 goals), Poroto Cambiaso 9 (6). Total: 22.
Umpires: Howard Smith & Jason Dixon.
Third man: Peter Wright.
Score Talandracas: 3-4, 4-6, 5-7, 8-9, 11-11, 12-11.
MVP: Alejandro Muzzio.
BPP: JM Fanta, ridden by Polito Pieres.
Venue: The Queen’s Ground, Guards Polo Club.
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