Aureus and Balanz Capital Reach Cartier Queen’s Cup Final After Dramatic Extra-Time Semi-Finals
Aureus and Balanz Capital booked their places in the 2026 Cartier Queen’s Cup Final after both teams came through dramatic extra-time semi-finals at Guards Polo Club, setting up a highly anticipated showdown on Sunday.
In front of packed grandstands, spectators witnessed two fiercely contested matches that required sudden-death seventh chukkas to determine the finalists, with Aureus overcoming La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal before Balanz Capital denied Dubai Polo Team’s bid for a seventh Queen’s Cup title.
The day’s biggest storyline came in the opening semi-final, where Aureus staged a remarkable comeback from four goals down to defeat La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal 12-11.
Aureus Fight Back to Reach Final
Aureus made a bright start, with Mark Tomlinson opening the scoring from a penalty before strong teamwork helped establish an early advantage. However, La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal responded emphatically, with goals from Felix Esain, Poroto Cambiaso, Simon Prado and Alejandro Aznar helping them build a commanding 7-3 lead by half-time.
Rather than fading, Aureus produced one of the comebacks of the tournament.
Jake Coventry, who was later named Man of the Match, and Tomlinson sparked the revival, while Teodoro Lacau converted crucial penalties to steadily reduce the deficit. With tensions rising in the closing stages, Diego Cavanagh delivered a vital equaliser with just over a minute remaining to force extra time.
The decisive moment arrived just over a minute into the sudden-death seventh chukka when Coventry calmly struck the winning goal to secure Aureus’ place in the final.
Following the match, Priya Sachdev Kapur accepted the Kerry Packer Trophy on behalf of Aureus. The team was founded by her late husband, Sunjay Kapur. Dolfina Figaza, ridden by Cambiaso, was awarded the Cartier Best Playing Pony prize.
Balanz Capital End Dubai’s Title Dream
The second semi-final delivered even more drama as Balanz Capital edged Dubai Polo Team 12-11 after extra time.
Dubai looked on course for victory midway through the contest. Led by a hat-trick from Barto Castagnola and supported by a goal from Tariq Albwardy, they established a 10-6 advantage heading into the fifth chukka.
However, Balanz Capital refused to be shaken off.
Outstanding teamwork and determination kept Claudio Porcel’s side in contention, while Jeta Castagnola’s two-goal contribution narrowed the gap and shifted momentum back towards Balanz Capital.
Goals from Ned Hine and Lorenzo Chavanne in the sixth chukka helped draw the scores level and force a seventh period of play.
With approximately one minute gone in extra time, Balanz Capital were awarded a 30-yard penalty. Chavanne, already the tournament’s leading scorer, stepped up and converted his 42nd goal of the competition to send his side into their first Cartier Queen’s Cup Final.
Porcel received the Hubert Perrodo Trophy from Nathalie Perrodo Samani and Agathe Delpont, Managing Director of Cartier UK & Ireland.
Hine was named Most Valuable Player, while Jeta Castagnola’s five-year-old mare YesNo collected the Cartier Best Playing Pony award.
Cartier Queen’s Cup Final
The 2026 Cartier Queen’s Cup Final will see Aureus face Balanz Capital at Guards Polo Club on Sunday at 3.30pm.
Both teams required extra time to reach the showpiece event, suggesting spectators could be in for another closely fought encounter as they battle for one of polo’s most prestigious trophies.
