While Sotogrande plays its Gold Cup, there is another great summer tournament under way on the Normandy coast. The 76th Coupe d’Or de Polo de Deauville runs from 18 to 31 August, as the centrepiece of the Barrière Deauville Polo Cup, which opened on 10 August at the Deauville International Polo Club.
A tournament with history
The Coupe d’Or was created in 1950 under François André, the founder of the Barrière group, and it began with teams of 14 to 16 goals competing for the title. The polo club itself goes back further still. It was founded in 1907 by Robert de Rothschild, Captain Joubert and the Duc de Gramont, so Deauville has been associated with polo for well over a century.
The Barrière Deauville Polo Cup
The Barrière Deauville Polo Cup is made up of four major tournaments, so there is polo for players at several levels throughout the month. The Coupe d’Or is the main event and is played at 14 to 16 goals, with the lower tournaments catering for other handicap bands, including a Bronze Cup for lower-rated players.
- The Coupe d’Or runs from 18 to 31 August.
- The wider Barrière Deauville Polo Cup opened on 10 August.
- The tournament was created in 1950, and this is the 76th edition.
Why Deauville matters
Deauville is the heart of French polo’s summer calendar. The seaside resort has a long association with horses, from racing at its famous racecourse to the polo that is played alongside it, and the combination attracts crowds from Paris and beyond. For British and Argentine players, it offers a chance to compete in an elegant setting just across the Channel, and it fits neatly between the English season and the European autumn.
We will report on the final when it is played.
Elsewhere this week
The Sotogrande Gold Cup continues at Ayala Polo Club, with Amanara looking to add to their Silver Cup. The Argentine season is also not far off, with the Triple Crown scheduled to begin in September. We will bring you a full guide to the teams in a couple of weeks.
Sources: Explore Calvados, Coupe d’Or, Festival en France, Coupe d’Or de Polo de Deauville
