Meet Poroto Cambiaso, Richard Mille’s latest friend of the brand
With his model good looks, ready smile and effortless wardrobe, Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso could easily be mistaken for a teenage pop star. Except that the 19-year-old Argentinian happens to be one of the best polo players in the world, and a young man on a mission to redefine the future of the so-called sport of kings. Having learned to ride aged ‘three or four’, he played his first tournament at just six and set his sights on becoming a professional at 12, stating he instinctively ‘knew’ it was his destiny.
Indeed, stardom runs in his DNA. The seventh generation of the illustrious Cambiaso dynasty, he is the son of legendary player Adolfo Cambiaso Sr who, at 50 years old, is the sport’s reigning champion, occupying the top spot on the international World Polo Tour rankings list (just ahead of his son, who is ranked third), a position he first achieved over three decades ago.
Cambiaso Sr’s accomplishments are almost too numerous to list, including claiming the coveted Triple Corona (winning the prestigious Argentine Open, Hurlingham Open and the Tortugas Open all in the same year) aged only 19, establishing a successful horse-breeding operation at just 25 (which now encompasses over 1,000 horses across his extensive farms) and co-founding the indomitable La Dolfina team, or which his son now plays.
Poroto Cambiaso is the second polo player to be named a brand partner by Richard Mille
Even with all the advantages of genetics and a stable of elite ponies at his command, Poroto is open about the challenges he initially faced following in his father’s hoofprints. ‘When I was young, there was that pressure,’ he explains. ‘I had this big name in polo. For us, riding horses is like riding bicycles for other families. But I love horses and I love to compete. Now, I think I have my own name in polo. [My dad] helps me with a lot of details outside of the field, like with the horses, and I think that makes a big difference. To be great in polo – like in any sport – you need to be a complete player, in terms of skills, dedication and knowledge.’
His commitment and discipline have certainly paid off. ‘Porotois undoubtedly one of the most exciting players of his generation,’ says veteran polo commentator Greg Keating. ‘He’s a hell of a horseman, extremely talented and has incredible co-ordination.’
At 14, Poroto became the youngest-ever player to win the Cowdray Gold Cup at the British Open Polo Championship and just a year later triumphed at the Argentine Open with his family’s La Dolfina team. In 2022, at the age of 17, Poroto became the youngest player in history to achieve a 10-goal handicap, the highest possible level in polo and a feat so fiendishly difficult, fewer than 20 players worldwide have accomplished it. In doing so, he surpassed the record previously held by his father.
In January this year, Poroto became only the second polo player to be named a brand partner by luxury watchmaker Richard Mille. ‘It’s unbelievable for me. It’s such an amazing brand,’ Poroto says, stating that his preferred model, the RM67-02, is tough enough to withstand the rigours of any polo match. ‘It’s so comfortable to wear as well,’ he adds.
Poroto Cambiaso wears the RM 67-02 Automatic Winding Extra Flat sports watch – light but tough enough to withstand the rigours of polo
For all his successes, he is refreshingly down to earth. He counts taking the trophy at the 2022 Argentine Open alongside his father as the proudest moment of his career so far. ‘I want to maintain this level of polo. That’s what I want now, and I know it gets more difficult,’ he says.
Producing top-level ponies will also remain a priority, as it has been for his father’s business, and he is keen to use cloning technology on some of his favourite horses to preserve their prize-winning qualities.
‘Like my mare, Chicharra,’ he says. ‘She is getting older now, but she has everything. She’s like a Ferrari. She’s such a good horse.’
And does he see himself topping the world rankings at the age of 50, like his father?
‘For sure. My whole family, we’re all still trying to beat him.’
POA; richardmille.com
