Park Place finally achieved a long-time dream – to win the Queen’s Cup. After four attempts, the 2025 edition of Guards Polo Club’s premier tournament was their fifth time lucky. It was also the first for Andrey Borodin, Rufino Bensadon and Hilario Ulloa.
But there was one player who has also claimed the coveted title, and it’s Rosendo Torreguitar, the young gun based in Sotogrande. “Rocho” won the Queen’s Cup in 2024 with Talandracas, alongside Hughes Carmignac, Polito Pieres and Alejandro Muzzio, so that means that he was able to defend his title this year.
Why do you think Park Place are the Queen’s Cup champions?
To be honest, it was anyone’s game at the end. No one was able to widen the gap, until Hilario came up to produce what would be the winning goal. Then, he saved a foul on the boards; we lost some valuable minutes and we weren’s sure about what could happen. When we were told it would be a midfield penalty, it was a relief; there were just a few second left, so we remained concentrated to win.
How do you describe your team mates in one word?
Hilario (NR: Hilario Ulloa) is awesome, he’s talented, he has the guts, the skills, he is everywhere, and gives the best in every play. Rufo (NR: Rufino Bensadon) goes always forward, he is very fast and plays very good. Andrey (NR: Andrey Borodin), is always there, and he even managed to score a goal today. We are a team, and we were on the same side, shoulder to shoulder, in order to achieve this goal. We all contributed to win this title
It seems that Guards suits you very well, since you already won the Queen’s Cup last year…
Yes, it seems so! (laughs). Really, I feel very comfortable to play on these grounds.
What’s the importance of having won the Queen’s Cup, with the Gold Cup in sight?
It’s fantastic. We won this one, we have a whole week to rest and celebrate as well. I think we will start on Tuesday or Wednesday, against UAE, a remarkable organisation and a very good team. So, after the rest and the celebrations, we need to be concentrated, play good polo in order to have a good debut. The first match is always a bit complicated after you won a title.
It’s quite a long time one organisation is unable to win the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup in the same year. Last time it was Zacara, in 2013. Do you aim to follow that path?
I hope so; I think we have everything to do it – horses, team, ofganisation. We have horses that we haven’t played yet and we are keeping them for the Gold Cup. We will try, and I am very much looking forward to make it.