It’s no wonder that Facundo Pieres is one of the world’s best polo players when you consider the pedigree he comes from. Born in 1986, Facundo grew up in a family of polo players with his father having a claim to fame as the polo legend Gonzalo Pieres Sn. Facundo Pieres isn’t too shabby at ping-pong either but was defeated by his sometimes controversial cousin, Augustin “Tincho” Pestarino during the Pestarino-Pieres 2008 cup final.
Facundo’s career took off after he and his team, the Ellerstina Jr. Team, claimed victory at the Copa Potrillos tournament of 1997. Since then he has competed in a string of high-profile matches in countries all over the world including Argentina, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He has also achieved a trail of victories to his credit including the Hurlingham Open, Tortugas Open, and the Jock. At the tender age of 19, he achieved a 10-goal handicap, the highest possible accolade in the field of polo, and still holds the title of being the youngest player to do so to date.
Facundo Pieres has all the trappings of a successful jet-setting lifestyle but manages to do it with an air of modesty and is most often seen in a pair of jeans and sporting a baseball cap. If ever asked about how it feels to be the world’s top polo player he will quietly tell you that he’s not and that his skills do not even compare to Adolfo Cambiaso.
Facundo lives and breathes polo and has been doing so since he was very young. As a child, he followed his father around while he competed in the US and European circuits. It was at one of these events that Facundo first realized that he too was destined to become a world-class polo player. Underneath his mild-mannered façade is a serious competitive streak, and he believes that polo players don’t reach their peak until at least the age of 30. This, he says, is the age where all the experience and talent combine, and you learn to play with your head. So have we yet to see Facundo at his best?
A typical day in the life of Facundo Pieres involves him heading out at around 9 a.m. to check on the horses at the stables. At 11 am he heads off to practice until lunchtime, which he usually enjoys with friends. After lunch, Facundo enjoys a quiet nap before heading out to the tennis court for a couple of rounds of tennis. If he’s not in the mood for tennis he will enjoy a round of golf at The Wanderers Club. Why golf and tennis? Well, Facundo has stated in interviews that a career in polo lends itself well to any sport where he gets to use his arms.
He enjoys a drink at the Soho Beach House and his favorite restaurant is Mr. Chow, or if he’s in the mood for Argentine cuisine he heads to Novecento. His favorite haunt when desiring a night of live music is the Hard Rock Café.
As the new poster boy of polo Facundo will be busy working with Royal Salute, the world’s most desired brand of blended Scotch whiskies, as their newly appointed brand ambassador. Royal Salute believes that Facundo was a “natural fit” for their brand due to his dedication and commitment to the sport. They also consider his humanistic leadership skills to be the same ones that motivate Royal Salute to consistently be at the top of their game.
On September 8th, 2013 Facundo returned to the U.S. to captain the Royal Salute Polo Team to victory, while playing alongside high goal patron Peter Brant, Steve Lefkowitz, and his brother-in-law, Mariano Aguerre. The prize is a superb hand-crafted crystal trophy donated by Waterford Crystal, together with gifts of bespoke whiskey tumblers for each of the players.
