Jeta Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne Lift the Queen’s Cup with Balanz Capital
On Sunday, June 14, Balanz Capital captured one of the most important trophies in international polo, defeating Aureus 17-7 in the final of the Cartier Queen’s Cup at Guards Polo Club.
The victory marked the culmination of an outstanding campaign throughout the British high-goal season and reinforced the growing influence of two of the sport’s brightest young talents: Camilo “Jeta” Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne.
Played at Windsor Great Park, the Queen’s Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in world polo and a defining event of the English season. Winning the trophy places an organisation among the elite of the sport, making Balanz Capital’s achievement even more significant.
A Partnership Defining the Season
Few combinations have been as successful in 2026 as Jeta Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne.
Earlier this year, the pair celebrated consecutive victories in the United States, winning both the U.S. Open Polo Championship and the USPA Gold Cup. Their arrival in England raised expectations, and they quickly proved why they are considered one of the most exciting partnerships in modern polo.
While still at different stages of their careers, both players share a similar understanding of the game. They move naturally across the field, adapting between attack and defence while maintaining an exceptional rhythm throughout each match.
Their chemistry has become one of the defining stories of the season.
A Final That Changed in an Instant
Both finalists faced difficult paths to reach the championship match.
Balanz Capital secured its place after a dramatic 12-11 victory over Dubai Polo Team in a semi-final that featured a memorable duel between Jeta Castagnola and his brother Bartolomé “Barto” Castagnola Jr.
Aureus also arrived full of confidence after eliminating La Dolfina-Marqués de Riscal and proving itself as one of the strongest organisations of the tournament.
For the opening stages of the final, the contest remained competitive. Aureus matched Balanz Capital's intensity and showed why it had reached the last day of the competition.
The turning point came during the third chukka.
Balanz Capital accelerated the pace, creating space across the field and breaking through the defensive structure of Aureus. Within a short period, the team established a commanding advantage that ultimately decided the outcome of the match.
Jeta and Chavanne Lead the Way
The final score reflected the influence of the team’s two leading players.
Jeta Castagnola controlled the game from deeper positions, dictating the rhythm and creating opportunities whenever space appeared. Lorenzo Chavanne consistently found dangerous positions in attack, continuing the exceptional form that made him the tournament’s leading scorer.
Together, they accounted for the vast majority of Balanz Capital’s goals and once again demonstrated why they have become one of the most effective duos in world polo.
Their ability to read each other’s movements, combine at speed and make decisive plays under pressure separated them from the field throughout the tournament.
It was a performance that reflected not only talent, but also trust, preparation and understanding.
A Historic Achievement for Balanz Capital
The victory carried additional significance for the organisation.
For Claudio Porcel, patron of Balanz Capital, the Queen’s Cup represented a historic milestone and one of the most important achievements of his career in the sport.
Alongside Ned Hine, who played a crucial role throughout the campaign, the organisation built a balanced team capable of competing against the strongest line-ups of the British season.
Winning at Guards Polo Club is an achievement few players and organisations experience. Doing so in such convincing fashion made the result even more memorable.
More Than a Trophy
The Queen’s Cup is often viewed as the gateway to the remainder of the British high-goal season.
For Balanz Capital, the title confirms the strength of a project that has already achieved success across multiple international circuits in 2026. For Jeta Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne, it is another chapter in a remarkable year that continues to establish them among the leading figures of the sport.
The British Open Gold Cup still lies ahead, but the Queen’s Cup has already delivered one clear message.
The partnership between Castagnola and Chavanne is one of the defining stories of modern polo, and its influence continues to grow with every tournament.
