Thoroughbreds shine at Lycetts International Polo Day

Glorious sunshine and top-class equine talent came together at Guards Polo Club for the 2025 Lycetts Thoroughbred in Sport Polo Day – a standout fixture celebrating the versatility of the thoroughbred to successful transition into polo, having bred to race.

Now a key date in the UK polo calendar, the event brought together players, owners and supporters from across the racing and polo worlds to champion retraining, performance and second-career potential.

Held on Monday 30 June, this year’s event featured three age-specific classes, showcasing thoroughbreds aged three, four, and five or six.

The horses were judged on conformation, turnout and polo schooling ability, with prizes awarded in each class as part of our continued support for the initiative.

The three-year-old class was won by Eireann Bologna, ridden by Juan Cruz Benoit, while the four-year-old class was also claimed by Benoit, this time aboard Eireann Modena.

In the five/six-year-old class, Twilight Minstrel, ridden by Tommy Beresford, took top honours. Twilight Minstrel went on to be named overall champion of the competition for 2025.

The afternoon continued with an exhibition chukka, giving spectators the chance to witness the speed, agility and game-readiness of the retrained thoroughbreds in a competitive match-play setting.

Guests enjoyed refreshments throughout the day, before the event concluded with a barbecue supper at the clubhouse.

We’re proud to support this event and to help shine a light on the incredible second-career opportunities available to thoroughbreds once their time on the track comes to an end.

The 2025 Lycetts Thoroughbred in Sport Polo Day was a fitting showcase for the talent, temperament and future potential of these remarkable horses.