The Victor Futurum series, an initiative launched in 2025 to spotlight the rising stars of polo, is back for its second year with the start of the Next Generation Challenge at Guards Polo Club. This exciting series opens the door for young talent to connect and develop in a fun and supportive environment, following the introduction of age and handicap limits for Victor Ludorum tournaments from 2025.
With two home grown and two overseas players per team, the series presents a unique opportunity to build lasting friendships and develop skills. It gives young polo players the chance to showcase their talents on top-class fields, all while sharing the stage with two of polo’s biggest events — the Queen’s Cup and the Gold Cup. We received fantastic feedback from players and parents last year and we are delighted to welcome both new and experienced faces back for 2026 – and a huge thanks to the host venues for organising these games alongside their most prestigious tournaments.
The Victor Futurum series offers a friendly and dynamic format designed with young players in mind. In each tournament, all teams will play each other and will play off the stick, placing the emphasis on participation, connection, and enjoyment over intense competition. There will be a league for each tournament, with the winners decided based on points and awarded after the final game. It’s an ideal environment for players to grow, gain confidence, and experience high-quality polo in a supportive atmosphere.
Guards Next Generation Challenge Teams
The teams for the Guards Challenge have been selected from some of the most exciting young players in the country, and offer a look ahead to the future of the sport. The teams are named after the oldest surviving, continuous polo clubs in England, India, Argentina, and the USA in a nod to polo’s history and the founding of the series in our historic 150th year. Teams for Cowdray will be selected in the coming weeks.
| Cambridge | Meadowbrook | Hurlingham | Calcutta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vieri Jose Antinori (1) | Andino Donoso (1) | Myla Cambiaso (1) | Milo MacDonough (2) |
| Alejandro S. Muzzio (0) | Lucio Toccalino (1) | Alfonso Nero (0) | Indalecio Pieres (0) |
| Lolo Fontanarrosa (2) (C) | Orson Clarke (0) (C) | Ali Otamendi (0) (C) | Harry Earnshaw (0) (C) |
| Valentine McPherson (-1) | Zac Ogilvie-Thompson (0) | Harry Wood (0) | Killian Ainsley (-1) |
The play dates for the Guards Next Generation Challenge are:
- Sunday 24th May
- Sunday 31st May
- Sunday 7th June (Trophy Presentation)
