Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HORSE RACING
Races in BA are held at the Hipódromo Argentino, a grand building designed by French
architect Louis Fauré-Dujarric that dates from 1908 and holds up to 100,000 spectators.
Race times vary, so check the schedule for details. The most important races take place in
November, both here and at San Isidro's famous grass racetrack.
POLO
Add Argentina's history of gauchos and horses to its past British influence, and you'll un-
derstand why the best polo in the world is played right here. The country has dominated
the sport for over 70 years, boasting most of polo's top players. Forget those British
princes: the world's best player is considered to be the handsome Adolfo Cambiaso.
Matches take place in Buenos Aires from September to mid-November. They culminate
in the annual Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo (Argentine Open Polo Champion-
ship) - the world's most prestigious polo tournament - in Palermo's Campo Argentina de
Polo. For current information, contact the
Asociación Argentina de Polo
( 4777-6444;
www.aapolo.com
)
, which keeps a schedule of polo-related activities throughout the country.
For polo camps (all outside BA) where you can learn to play yourself, check out
PATO
Of gaucho origins, the polo-like game of
pato
(literally 'duck') takes its name from the
original game ball - a live duck encased in a leather bag. The unfortunate fowl has since
been replaced by a ball with leather handles, and players no longer face serious injury in
what was once a very violent sport.
For information on
pato
matches and tournaments (which usually take place 30km out-
side the city in the Campo Argentino de Pato), contact the
Federación Argentina de Pato
(
4342-5271;
www.pato.org.ar
)
. The national championships occur in December, and are more
centrally located in Palermo's polo grounds.
