Will polo's 'David Beckham' and his ultra

Release time：2024-05-21 21:14:07 Source：International Insights news portal

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare to launch two new Netflix series as part of their $100 million (£80 million) deal with the streaming giant, close friends of the couple will surely have a starring role.

While Meghan's series is likely to focus on cooking and lifestyle, Harry will showcase his love of polo in another programme as part of the deal - and as the Duke keeps such glamorous and good looking company on the polo field, viewers may find it difficult to switch off.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, who played polo since he was a child and joined the Los Padres polo team in Santa Barbara in 2022, revealed the series will focus on the sport from the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.

Although further details about how the series will look like have been kept under wraps, fans will no doubt hope they'll get a closer look into the glamorous lives of top polo players and their partners.

In particular, Harry's close friend Ignacio 'Nacho' Figueras, an Argentine polo player with whom he shares a close relationship, and Nacho's wife, Delfina Blaquier. 

Argentinian Nacho Figueras (left) has been dubbed the 'David Beckham of polo' - pictured with Prince Harry at the Lisle Nixon Memorial Final in 2022

Sentebale Ambassador Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier attend the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup 2022 in Aspen, Colorado

Nacho, 47, dubbed 'the David Beckham of Polo' is known to be close to both Harry and Meghan and appeared in the couple's first Netflix series, the bombshell six-part documentary which sent shockwaves through the royal family.

Harry's teammates have also become firm friends to both the Duke of Sussex and Meghan with Argentine socialite and businesswoman Delfina, 42, even calling  Duchess of Sussex a 'sister' and 'fellow polo-wife' in an Instagram post in 2022.

Argentinian-born Ignacio Figueras may be one of the top polo players in the world, but he has earned a few other credentials to his name, from fashion model to philanthropist and is a close friend of the British Royals. 

Over the years, Harry and Nacho have played together in numerous polo matches, both competitive and charity games, and the Argentine has become a strong supporter of and contributor to the Duke's charity, Sentebale.

In 2023, the pair played in the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup to raise money for people living with HIV and AIDS.

The charity match takes place annually and raises significant amounts, raising over $13.8 million since 2010 to support Sentebale's work with children and young people affected by poverty, inequality and HIV/AIDS in southern Africa.

The Duke, who is a Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale, played on the Royal Salute Sentebale Team, against the Singapore Polo Club Team captained by Nacho - the charity's ambassador.

Described by Tatler as 'the David Beckham of Polo' Nacho holds a six-goal handicap and an estimated net worth of $30 million, has been modelling for Ralph Lauren since 2000.

Delfina Blaquier and Nacho Figueras arrive at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 

Zara and Mike Tindall with Delfina Blaquier and Nacho Figueras on January 12, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia

But modelling was never the goal for the athlete, who began his career just to earn some extra cash and bring more attention to his beloved sport. It all took off when he was approached by photographer Bruce Weber at a party in The Hamptons hosted by Calvin Klein's ex-wife Kelly, who encouraged him to get his start in modelling.

Known as one of the most recognisable players in the world, he has actively spoken out to defend Harry and Meghan over the years.

The father-of-four attended the Sussex wedding and is an ambassador for Sentebale, an organisation founded by the prince which is dedicated to helping children and young people who or whose families suffer with HIV and Aids in Lesotho.

He appeared on Ellen's show in September 2019 to announce that he would 'defend his friends' with his life.

During the interview he also described Meghan as 'incredible', and revealed how she 'gave up everything for the man she loves'.

He also a selection of six fragrances, including one named 'Windsor', which hinted at a 'brotherhood of kindred spirits' with the Duke.

While that avenue of his career has introduced his objectively handsome face into everyday homes via glossy fashion magazines and television commercials, the game of polo has always been his true passion.

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he started playing the game at the ripe age of nine years old after his father introduced him to the sport. He became a professional polo player by the time he was just 17. After a stint in Europe, he ended up at the White Birch Polo Team based in Bridgehampton, New York.

But Nacho's love for both polo and investing in charity work is what ultimately led him to his most famous relationship.

He and Prince Harry share some common interests, one of them being, of course, polo. The pair have been playing alongside each other in charity matches for the past decade, ultimately moving them to becoming close friends.

Nacho Figueras attends the Ignacio Figueras Fragrance Collection Launch Celebration at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC in 2019

Both Prince Harry and Nacho regularly play in charity matches to raise funds for Sentebale, an organisation co-founded by Prince Harry that supports children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa.

Along with forming a special friendship with Prince Harry, the game of polo also brought him to his wife Delfina Blaquier, the daughter of an Argentinian polo player.

The pair first met, fittingly, at a polo match in Buenos Aires in 1997. They started dating in early 1998 and welcomed their first son in 2000, and wed in December 2005.

The couple now has four children together: Hilario; Aurora; Artemo; and Alba.

Delfina, who is also the daughter of an Argentinian polo player, grew up in Buenos Aires. Until the age of 18, she was an athlete, representing her country at various competitions in high jump.

She went to university and graduated with a degree in landscape design before becoming a professional model and photographer.

While her family spends a lot of time on the road, they are based outside Buenos Aires, where they own a 30-acre ranch housing some 40 world-class polo horses in 38,750-square-foot stables designed by Argentinian architect Juan Ignacio Ramos.

Their family home is just a five-minute walk from the stables.

Writing on her blog, Delfina revealed that her children are homeschooled as a result of their nomadic lifestyle, as the family travels around the world for Nacho's career.

On top of supporting her husband's career and looking after her children, Delfina has a busy creative career. In 2018, she cofounded fashion brand Àcheval Pampa, with the label making its debut at Paris Fashion Week AW18.

Their husbands have spent the week travelling to Tokyo and Singapore with one another - but Meghan Markle and Delfina Blaquier (pictured together) appear to be just as good friends as Prince Harry and Nacho Figueras

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex laughing with Delfina during the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor in 2018

In 2022, Delfina posted a gushing post about Meghan on Instagram and said she 'couldn't wait to see her again' 

The designs are inspired by her Argentinian heritage and achieves elevated gaucho style, an equestrian fashion of South American cowboys.

She also dedicates a lot of time to We Are Figueras, her fashion and lifestyle blog she created to share her family's travels.

On the blog, she writes: 'As the children grow older, I felt I needed to work on something for me, I consider myself a creative type of person and had all this ideas of doing something fun.

'Creating a blog was a lot of fun, and A lot of work. I thought that is was a great idea to put my point of view and share with you things I like doing, seeing, watching, getting or even visiting.

'There is so much out there, and I thought it was a good idea to do it every where I was.'

The polo couple has been friends with Prince Harry for years, and were among the few attending perhaps one of the most exclusive events of the decade: the 2018 wedding of the royal to Meghan. 

Meghan and Delfina have forged a strong friendship after attending polo matches together and Delfina has even previously referred to the Duchess of Sussex as a 'sister' when gushing over the 'fellow polo-wife' in an Instagram post in 2022. 

She also praised the mother-of-two as being 'stronger than she knows' in an interview with Hello! magazine in the same year.

Following a glamorous polo meet in Aspen, Colorado, Delfina said: '[Meghan] is so wonderful and strong. Stronger than she knows. I love being around my friends, and I will always support her.'

In an earlier interview with the publication, Delfina also revealed that the pair referred to themselves as the 'P Wives' which stands for 'Polo Wives'.

Last summer Delfina took to her social media account to share an affectionate message about the Duchess of Sussex, saying it had been 'so special' to spend time with her.

Posting a snap of the pair standing while watching their husbands compete at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Delfina wrote: 'M - looking forward to many more of these times with you and H.

'Getting to spend time together over these two months was so special. I wish everyone knew you the way you are.'

She continued: 'My sister, my now fellow “pwife” (polo wife) -genius of you to come up with this. Can’t wait to see you again soon, to share thrill, hikes, and just more chill time.'

Delfina added: 'You also have my respect. Keep walking, steady and strong. Listen to your heart, that will guide you well, because you have a big one and it’s a beautiful one. I love you my darling.'

And some other supporting stars... 

Grant Ganzi 

Grant Ganzi (pictured with Mathieu Deslandes, left and Dan Carter, right) is a venture capitalist and keen fundraiser from Wellington, Florida

Grant, a keen polo player, took part in the charity match alongside the Duke of Sussex and  Nacho Figueras

Venture capitalist and polo player Grant Ganzi is based in Wellington, Florida and dedicates much of his time to charity work and fundraising.

Grant is the son of American businessman Marc Ganzi, who is the CEO of investment firm DigitalBridge.

The enormous firm has acquired several luxury hotel chains including Raffles and Fairmont Hotels in Canada - as well as top flight French football team Paris Saint-Germain.

It seems Grant followed in his father's footsteps when he developed an interest in polo as Marc has been playing for several years.

In 2013 he himself took part in the Sentebale Polo Cup and played on Harry's team.

Marc is owner of the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington where the Ganzi family lives.

Despite brushing shoulders with the royals from time to time, Grant appears to dedicate much of his time to philanthropy and charity work.

He recently ran a Man and Woman of the Year fundraising event in aid of the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Society.

Steve Cox

Steve Cox, (pictured far left) is an experienced polo player who joined Prince Harry's team for the charity match

Steve (right) is from Oklahoma and is a member of the Tulsa polo club 

Steve Cox, from Oklahoma, is a keen polo player and a member of the Tulsa Polo Club.

Not an awful lot is known about Steve, but he knows the Duke of Sussex well enough to join his charity polo team so must brush shoulders with high profile people.

Last year he competed in the OKC Polo Club's Governor's Cup for Tulsa Polo Club.

Ashley Van Metre

NASCAR star Kurt Busch and his wife (pictured in 2018) are getting a divorce after being married for six years

(L-R) Ashley van Metre Busch, Prince Harry, Meghan and Enda Kenny pose with the Sentebale Polo 2018 trophy

Ashley, Harry, Meghan, Enda Kenny, Nacho and Miguel Mendoza pose with the Sentebale Polo 2018 trophy after the Sentebale Polo held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club

Ashley Van Metre is a female polo player who has gone head-to-head against Prince Harry in charity matched in the past.

The model has been playing polo since the age of five and has played the sport all around the world including in England, Argentina and New York.

She was also named the U.S. Polo Association's female global brand ambassador in 2017.

Away from polo Ashley launched a swimwear line, Beachy Chic, in 2018 and has expressed an ambition to branch out into other areas of fashion.

Ashley has previously said she wants to use her platform to empower women, and told Wellington Magazine: 'My goal is to be a female face for polo as a sport and show women that they can do anything they put their minds to.'

Ashley of Team US Polo Assn during the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup between Team US Polo Assn and Team Sentebale St Regis, at Roma Polo Club on May 24, 2019

The polo player turned model and businesswoman posts stunning shots of her collection on Instagram

Ashley, 32, filed for legal separation from the 43-year-old athlete (pictured together last year) because their marriage was 'irretrievably broken'

Ashley was married to NASCAR champion Kurt Busch, 43, - although in 2022 she filed for divorce from her husband of six years.

The couple's wedding in St Barths in 2011 featured on the front cover of Southern Bride magazine, which described their big day as a 'tropical paradise'.

They held their wedding reception at Palm Beach in Florida the following week, where Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler played for guests.

But it seems that after six years together the couple were in a very different place as Ashley claimed the marriage was 'irretrievably broken' after it had hit the rocks.

According to TMZ, she claimed Busch had cut her off financially by blocking access to their joint bank account and credit cards.

Ashley said the 2017 Daytona 500 winner demanded she leave the family home by the first week of June. She also admitted she had signed a prenup.

In response, Busch released a statement saying he was 'heartbroken' and wanted to resolve the matters in private.

Related articles