Casablanca

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Casablanca Wins WPL Palm Beach Open In Thriller; Barto Castagnola MVP

28. March 2023

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 27, 2023—Casablanca captured its second World Polo League tournament of the season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

In front of a good crowd, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomacho Pieres, 6, Barto Castagnola, 10, Jesse Bray, 7) held on for a 14-13 victory over Dead End (Evan White, Jr., 1, Pedro Falabella, 7, Magoo Laprida, 8/Gringo Colombres, 7, Facu Llosa, 7), 14-13.

Dead End made it all the way to the championship final of the eight-team tournament in its 26-goal WPL debut.

For the second time in two tournaments, Argentine 10-goaler Barto Castagnola was Most Valuable Player. The playmaker scored a team-high six goals and had some clutch plays in the final minutes to clinch the game.

Three horses earned Best Playing Pony honors. Chalo Nina Loly, owned and played by Castagnola, was the Argentino BPP. American thoroughbred Girl Power, owned and played by Ganzi in the second and sixth chukkers, was the American Polo Horse Association BPP. Incari Uvita, owned and played by Falabella in the sixth chukker, was the World Polo League BPP.

Casablanca also won the season-opening All-Star Challenge with a stunning 14-9 victory over 2021 champion Richard Mille (Gilberto Sayao, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 9, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7).

Unlike its first tournament win, Casablanca survived a rollercoaster ride in the last two chukkers with Dead End overcoming a four-goal deficit to tie the game twice (12-12 and 13-13) before succumbing to Casablanca‘s tenacity.

Pieres scored the game-winner off a broken play with 4:15 left in the sixth chukker. Both teams had scoring opportunities from the field and penalty line in the final minutes before Castagnola came up with a loose ball in the final seconds.

„It was an amazing game,“ said Ganzi, who also won the Madelon Bourdieu Memorial 6-goal tournament with Limehouse Properties teammates Eliza Limehouse, Marc Ganzi and MVP Miki Novillo Astrada earlier in the day. „It was a fun, open game. We scored a bunch of goals and everyone played their hearts out.“

Dead End lost the services of LaPrida with 1:25 in the third chukker to a pulled groin muscle. He was replaced by Gringo Colombres who kept Dead End in the game.

„My hats off to Dead End, they were an amazing team,“ Ganzi said. „Evan White played a fantastic tournament and it‘s fun to play against him. I wish the best for Magoo and a quick recovery. He‘s one of the nicest guys in polo.“

In addition to Castagnola‘s six goals, Ganzi and Pieres each had three goals and Bray added one for Casablanca. The team was also awarded a penalty one in the third chukker.

Llosa led Dead End with a game-high eight goals and Laprida added one. Dead End received three goals on handicap and one penalty one in the fifth chukker.

Casablanca led all statistics: 20-17 shots on goal; 7-6 knock-ins; 11-10 throw-ins, 13-12 fouls; and 3-2 penalties scored with Casablanca converting 30, 40 and 60-yard penalites.

The third World Polo League tournament featured eight teams including two making their WPL debut, Globalport and Dead End.

Casablanca now adds its name again to this year‘s WPL champions.

Casablanca won the season-opening All-Star Challenge. Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomacho Pieres, 6, Barto Castagnola, 10, Jesse Bray, 7) defeated 2021 champion Richard Mille (Gilberto Sayao, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 9, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7), 14-9. Barto Castagnola was MVP.

Audi (Marc Ganzi, 1, Jeta Castagnola, 10, Nic Roldan, 8, Freddie Mannix, 7) defended its title and finished undefeated (5-0) in the Founders Cup with a thrilling 14-13 overtime victory over Richard Mille (Patricio Mayor, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 9, Lucas James, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10). Jeta Castagnola was MVP.

In last year‘s Palm Beach Open Catamount (Scott Devon, 1, Toro Ruiz, 7, Polito Pieres, 10, Nacho Novillo Astrada, 8) knocked off Richard Mille (Santos Bollini, 2, Grant Ganzi, 3, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Juan Martin Nero, 10), 9-7 to win its first-ever WPL tournament title in a battle of unbeaten teams. Polito Pieres was MVP.

The world-class league will run through April 16. The remaining WPL events are the Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Triple Crown of Polo and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club celebrating its 16th anniversary, and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 102-acre polo facility in Wellington with 212 stalls in nine self-contained barns, two tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and short work arena. The club has 13 well-manicured fields including nine world-class fields at GCPC and four at Santa Rita.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, WCT Finals, Polo School Women‘s Weekly League play and 26-goal WPL tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

Remaining season highlights for 2023 are the John T. Oxley Memorial, $100,000 World Cup Tournament and special events including Great Futures Celebrity Polo, WCT Finals, WPL Polo Pride and Sunset Chukkers & Cocktails.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

Grand Champions Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program.

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. The stand-alone USPA-sanctioned polo club, is thriving. It is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. November. The Polo School has nurtured several junior, men and women polo players now playing in the pro and amateur ranks since its inception.

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 27, 2023—Casablanca captured its second World Polo League tournament of the season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club. In front of a good crowd, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi,…

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Casablanca, Richard Mille Meet Sunday In WPL All-Star Challenge Final At Grand Champions

24. February 2023

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 23, 2023—Casablanca will play Richard Mille Sunday in the championship final of the All-Star Challenge in what promises to be one for the World Polo League history books.

In a heart-stopping semifinal, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomacho Pieres, 6, Barto Castagnola, 10, Jesse Bray, 7) escaped with a thrilling 11-10 victory over Dazos La Fe (David Farache, 0/Louis Devaleix, 1, Robi Bilbao, 2, Nico Pieres, 9, Francisco Elizalde, 9) Tuesday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Casablanca will face 2021 champion Richard Mille (Gilberto Sayao, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 9, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7), 15-11 winners over Brookshire (Scott Wood, 0, Pipe Vercellino, 7, Polito Pieres, 10, Jero Del Carril, 8), in the opening semifinal.

„When I saw the teams come out I thought Richard Mille would be the toughest,“ Ganzi said. „It‘s going to be tough. It‘s not going to be easy at all. I‘m really happy we made the final. It‘s always the best way to start out the season to come out and play well especially in knockout tournaments it‘s tough.“

Tuesday‘s game came down to the final minutes when Bilbao scored after a long run to trail Casablanca, 11-10, with 2 minutes left on the clock.

„Oddly enough, I told people in the tent and they looked at me like I was a little crazy, but I wasn‘t that worried,“ Ganzi said. „I was worried when we gave up two goals fast, we were a little careless with the ball. But when we started playing better and we got more organized I was like, ‚we got this.‘

„I knew it was going to be a really, really tough game but I did think we had the potential to make the final. I always believed in the team and believed we could do it.“

With 1:30 left, Casablanca lost their challenge on a foul called against them setting up Elizalde‘s penalty three which probably would have sent the game into overtime but instead sailed wide. Elizalde stole the ball but was quickly swarmed by Casablanca‘s suffocating defense in the final 30 seconds. „I thought we defended our tails off,“ Ganzi said.

Working well together as a team, Casablanca kept the game close. After Dazos La Fe led for most of the first two chukkers, Castagnola‘s goal with a minute left tied the game at 5-5 going into the third chukker.

Dazos La Fe gave up a goal when 1-goaler Devaleix replaced 0-goaler David Farache in the lineup giving Casablanca a brief 5-4 lead. Dazos La Fe picked up two more goals from Elizalde to lead 6-5 until Castagnola converted his second penalty of the game to tie 6-6 at halftime.

The close battle continued in the second half with Casablanca outscoring Dazos La Fe, 2-1 to lead 8-7 after four, and shut out Dazos La Fe, 2-0, to take a 10-7 lead going into the final chukker.

Dazos La Fe clawed its way back with back-to-back goals to trail, 10-9. Castagnola added another penalty conversion for an 11-9 lead with 3:25 left. A minute later Bilbao‘s goal cut the lead to 11-10 before the final two heart-stopping minutes.

When Ganzi, Brand Ambassador of Casablanca, put his team together there were a few raised eyebrows, but Ganzi had played with all three players and saw the chemistry on paper.

„I knew Tomacho would shine with the opportunity and he played lights out today,“ Ganzi said. „He has always been an amazing rider and understands the game so well. I always enjoyed playing with Jesse back in the day and when I saw he was available I wanted him to play with us. Obviously, my first selection was Barto. I always want to play with him. To me, he is one of the best players in the world.“

The final game statistics illustrated just how close the game was and how well-balanced the teams were. Casablanca outshot Dazos La Fe, 19-17 and led in throw-ins, 15-10. Dazos La Fe led in knock-ins, 8-7. Each team committed 10 fouls and each team scored off four penalty shots, all 30-yarders.

Castagnola scored a game-high 10 goals including four penalty conversions. Ganzi scored one. For Dazos La Fe, Pieres led scoring with four goals, Elizalde had three and Bilbao added two.

In last year‘s All-Star Challenge final, Audi and White Birch renewed their 30-year rivalry. In an explosive game, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) defeated White Birch (Chris Brant, 0, Lerin Zubiaurre, 7, Mariano Aguerre, 7, Santi Toccalino, 8), 17-12. Jeta Castagnola scored a game-high nine goals and was named MVP.

In addition to the All-Star Challenge, the remaining WPL events are the Founders Cup, Palm Beach Open, Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Triple Crown of Polo and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting various tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, WCT Finals, Polo School Ladies Weekly League and 26-goal WPL tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

Grand Champions tournaments attract a large international field of players from all corners of the world including Argentina, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, England, Germany, Uruguay, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Venezuela, Chile, and England.

Season highlights for 2023 are the Sterling Cup, $50,000 National 12-Goal Tournament, Sieber Memorial, John T. Oxley Memorial Cup and $100,000 World Cup Tournament, a unique 0-40-goal, winner-take-all single-elimination tournament and special events including WPL Polo Pride and Sunset Chukkers & Cocktails.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. The stand-alone USPA-sanctioned polo club, is thriving. It is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. The Polo School has nurtured several junior, men and women polo players now playing in the pro and amateur ranks since its inception.

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

2023 World Polo League All-Star Challenge Schedule

Sunday 2/26
4 p.m. All-Star Challenge Final
Casablanca vs Richard Mille
GCPC Field 2

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 23, 2023—Casablanca will play Richard Mille Sunday in the championship final of the All-Star Challenge in what promises to be one for the World Polo League history…

North America, Polo News

Casablanca and Richard Mille Advance to Final in Palm Beach Open

29. March 2021

By Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, March 26, 2021— In a thrilling day of semifinal play, Casablanca is set to meet Richard Mille in the final of the World Polo League Palm Beach Open this Sunday at 4 pm.

Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola and Juan Martin Nero) met Pampa Norte (Waqqas Al Siddiq, Santiago Loza, Magoo Laprida, and Pedro Falabella) yesterday in the first semifinal game.

Pampa Norte was strong out of the gate, outscoring Casablanca in the first chukker and continuing to push hard in the second. Both of Casablanca’s goals in the first period were from the penalty line, while Pampa Norte’s Pedro Falabella knocked in two from the field. In the second period Juan Martin Nero took the ball through the posts, and with just over two minutes on the clock, Barto Castagnola made a spectacular 120-yard drive to put Casablanca in the lead. A Penalty 2 from Magoo Laprida ended the chukker in a 4-all tie.

Although Casablanca was missing shots in the third period and scored only on a Penalty 3, the team was growing visibly stronger with each chukker. Juancito Bollini, Casablanca’s number two, said “We didn’t do so well in the first half and I couldn’t find my rhythm, but by the end we were like a well-oiled machine.”

The second half began tied up at 5-all, and after three minutes of hard back and forth Juancito Bollini picked up a pass from Juan Martin Nero for an easy finish and the first goal of the second half. Nero himself followed up by taking the ball from the throw-in and running away with it to escort it through the uprights with 3:37 on the clock. Pampa Norte wasn’t able to score in the fourth, and managed only one goal in the fifth chukker, while Casablanca’s Nero contributed another two goals and Barto Castagnola converted a penalty to end the period up by 10-6.

In the final chukker the team in light blue was firing on all cylinders. Nero and Castagnola had scored another goal apiece when Magoo Laprida put the ball through with 1:05 left to play. The clock was ticking down to the buzzer when, with 13 seconds remaining in the game, Grant Ganzi scored a final goal to end the match 13-7 for Casablanca. Says Juan Martin Nero, “Today was a very tough game. I think we didn’t play well in the beginning but Juancito was amazing in the last three chukkers. It was fun to play against Pampa Norte and we’re so happy to be going to the final.” Nero scored five goals in the match, and Barto Castagnola scored six. Pedro Falabella and Magoo Laprida scored three goals each for Pampa Norte.

In the afternoon action, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo Mac Donough, and Paco de Narvaez) took on Tamera (Ale Poma, Santi Torres, Diego Cavanaugh, and Jejo Taranco).

The match was a pitched battle from the start, with Richard Mille gaining a brief early advantage. Jeta Castagnola drew first blood while it took Tamera more than five minutes to get on the board with a goal from Jejo Taranco. Marc Ganzi converted a penalty and Richard Mille ended the period with a narrow 2-1 lead. They started the second chukker by winning a penalty challenge in the first twenty seconds of play, with the goal awarded to Paco de Narvaez. Seconds later, Pable MacDonough took the ball out of the throw-in to score, and the lead expanded to 4-1. With 2:35 on the clock, Diego Cavanaugh put the ball for a second Tamera goal on the board with an answer from MacDonough to end the chukker at 5-3 with Richard Mille in the lead.

Tamera showed their mettle in the third chukker, outscoring Richard Mille by three to one from the field and gaining on the team in black, pulling within one goal until a Penalty 4 from Jeta Castagnola improved the margin once again. The half ended with Richard Mille in the lead by 7-5.

Jejo Taranco started the second half with an important goal for Tamera, narrowing the margin to one again at 7-6 until Marc Ganzi went to the penalty line for 8-6. Ale Poma made a fabulous run to goal and put Tamera within one again and the period ended 8-7. Richard Mille began their drive to victory in fifth chukker with three goals, although Tamera continued to keep the pressure on and fight hard.

The final chukker began with Richard Mille leading by 11-9. A penalty conversion by Diego Cavanaugh cut the lead to one yet again, but two more goals from the field by Richard Mille extended their lead to four goals at 13-9. Jejo Taranco converted one more penalty, but Paco de Narvaez knocked in a final goal to end the match 14-11, sending Richard Mille to the final on Sunday. Pablo MacDonough noted that Richard Mille was prepared for a tough game, saying “Tamera has been playing well through the tournament, and they’re strong. Fortunately, when they were getting close, we responded and managed to score one or two goals and keep the gap. This gave us an advantage at the end of the game.”