Lovelocks Polo Stud Pony Auction
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Over the last two years the Lovelocks Polo Stud has been involved in a number of auctions and exhibitions, with one of their home bred mares – Rafiki (who had been bred, broken and subsequently played at Lovelocks) being purchased by Adolfo Cambiaso in 2013 – she is now played in the Triple Crown.
This year on 9th November, Lovelocks Polo Stud will hold their first polo pony auction at La Indiana Polo Club in General Rodriguez, Argentina starting at 6pm with about thirty ponies up for auction. Amongst the guests will be many high goal players who are playing in this year’s Triple Crown.
Owned by the Hanburys, Lovelocks Stud decided to create their own polo breed in Argentina in 2010 with the aim ‘to create a breed that would compete with the best in the world at the highest level. In doing so the Hanbury family has incorporated genetics from the best in the world, such as Ellerston, Ellerstina, La Dolfina, Los Machitos and La Irenita among others.’
The property where Lovelocks Stud is based in Lobos was purchased by Christopher and Bridget Hanbury ten years ago, both of whom have a passion for breeding, principally race horses, in England and Ireland. Born in Ireland, Christopher Hanbury played polo whilst studying in Cirencester, then was stationed with the army in Brunei as the equerry to The Sultan in 1974. It was here he began to give polo lessons to the Sultan and Prince Jefri and Prince Mohamed, who then established the Jerudong Polo Club in 1974, where many top Argentine players have played, including the Heguys, Pieres and MacDonoughs.
Lovelocks is a family business with son Charlie Hanbury as Managing Director of the Stud, which is headed up by a team of top vets and professionals at the Equine Embryo Transfer Centre who use all the latest technology to ensure the best bloodlines – from Ellerstina to Ellerston are combined to create the very best in polo ponies.
For more information about Lovelocks Polo Stud and auction visit: www.lovelockspolostud.com.ar