Polo Community Mourns Death Of Jesus “Chuy” Baez

He grew up around horses and started working with them when he was 8 years old. He played polo for 25 years and groomed for two of the nation’s top polo clubs until his death.

Baez grew up with Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Memo Gracida in Mexico City. He first met Gracida playing foot polo in Mexico. The two came to the United States in 1977 and  worked together for two decades. 

Gracida said Baez will be remembered for his humble spirit, exceptional horsemanship skills, excellent teammates and most importantly “as a wonderful human who will not be forgotten.”

During his playing career, Baez reached seven goals working and playing with Gracida. Baez won several tournaments around the world including the Coronation Cup, Warwickshire Cup and British Open.

Baez worked with polo’s top organization and patrons including Guy Wildenstein, Alex Ebeid, Anthony Embiricos and Marc Ganzi, whom he groomed for at both Grand Champions, Aspen Valley Polo Club and several road trips.

“Our entire organization grieves for the loss of someone I called a dear and close friend,” Marc Ganzi said. “Chuy was beloved by all in and outside of our organization, his infectious smile and easy going spirit always put you at ease and made you feel welcome.

“Our family feels grateful to have spent the last 13 years with Chuy in a professional capacity, as he helped us and the Audi organization achieve and accomplish many of our goals; goals that Chuy shared with me as well.  Our success on the field could not have been possible without him – I will miss him dearly.  He was a true lover of horses and always had a unique connection to them.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Baez family, especially his children; we feel for their loss, as Chuy was family to us as well.”

1986 The Warwickshire Cup Winners, Falcons, (from left to right) Chuy Baez, Martin Brown, Carlos Gracida, Alex Ebeid. Photo courtesy of Memo Gracida

 

Baez is survived by his daughter Caroline and son Sebastian; father, Jose; brothers Juan, Pancho, Jose, Ramon, Raul and Oscar, who passed away recently; and sisters Aracell, Ana and Maria, now deceased.

“He was a fun-loving, great man with a beautiful soul who you cold never catch without a smile on his face,” his family wrote on his Facebook page. “He worked his entire life and devoted his entire life to polo and his family and was just a short time away from retirement.”