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“A League of His Own”
In 2009, Team Mexico won the Camacho Cup 16-15 on a last second goal by Memo Gracida. It was the fourth consecutive victory for Mexico in this prestigious tournament since 1976 when a 19-year-old Memo Gracida launched his record-setting international career in Houston. That victorious foursome (pictured at right) included Pablo Rincon Gallardo, Javier Rodriguez Luna, Memo Gracida Jr., and Memo Gracida Sr.
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Since then, Memo’s achievements have been nothing short of spectacular:
- 16 U.S. Open Victories
- 21 Years at 10 goals
- MVP of the U.S. Open Seven Times
- Player of the Year Four Times
- Player of the Centennial Era
- Polo Hall of Fame Inductee
- Winner of dozens of tournaments internationally, including the Argentine Open, the Australian Open, the British Open, the Camacho Cup, the Mexico Open, the Pacific Coast Open, the Queen’s Cup, the C.V. Whitney Cup, the Monty Waterbury, and the USPA Silver and Gold Cups.
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“Memo emerged from a strong polo-playing tradition.
His father and uncles were pioneers, and he was able to draw a great deal from them.”
— Guy Wildenstein
Polo is a Gracida family tradition. Memo Gracida’s father and three of his brothers won the U.S. Open in 1946. Memo’s brother Carlos, Memo’s son Julio, and his cousin Ruben – all are U.S. Open champions. But none of the Gracidas or, for that matter, anyone in the history of American polo can match Memo’s record of 16 U.S. Open crowns. Or his 21 straight years to hold polo’s highest ranking of 10 goals.
Learning to ride at two, playing tournament polo as a youngster, advancing to international competition while still a teenager – these were some of many the steps in Memo’s legendary career. His legacy features many crowning achievements, including his 1997 induction into the Polo Hall of Fame while still an active player – a first in the history of the game. Learn more about Memo’s international career at Wikipedia.
