FACUNDO PIERES SIGNS WITH ROYAL SALUTE AFTER WORLD CLASS VICTORY AT THE 119^TH CAMPEONATO ARGENTINO ABIERTO DE POLO

Facundo Pieres, son of legendary polo player Gonzalo Pieres Sr. has signed with Royal Salute, after leading the Ellerstina team to victory in the 119^th Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo in Buenos Aires last week. Partnering with the renowned Scotch whisky as Ambassador for the World Polo programme globally, Facundo raised a glass at the Royal Salute stand in Palermo, shortly after Ellerstina claimed the trophy.

After celebrating the first year as Official Whisky of the 119^th Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo, Royal Salute made the announcement to a small group of patrons, players and VIPs after Ellerstina claimed victory on Saturday, narrowly defeating La Dolfina, 12 goals to 10.

After signing with Facundo, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers Christian Porta said: “The Pieres family is legendary in the sport of polo. What we have seen today and throughout Facundo’s professional career is a passion, dedication and vision for this prestigious game that is truly inspiring.  Facundo will offer a unique insight into the ‘Sport of Kings’ and we look forward to further strengthening the Royal Salute World Polo programme with his support.”

Facundo Pieres, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador, commented: “Royal Salute has shown their full support and commitment to polo in the past years; I am honoured to represent the Royal Salute World Polo programme globally and to be part of this fantastic journey. Polo is my life and has been in my family for decades and I hope to share this passion with the world. I am excited to be signing on the day of Ellerstina’s victory at the world’s most important game, the Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo.”

Undoubtedly one of the best and most respected competitors within the world of polo, Facundo is a 10-goal Argentinean player with proven international success which Royal Salute is proud to celebrate. 

Royal Salute, since 1953, had proudly celebrated outstanding achievements in all walks of life and today, Facundo will be continuing this legacy by being integral in bringing this purpose to life both on and off the field, sharing his experience and passion with the world.

Royal Salute’s commitment to international polo continues with sponsorships of some of the world’s most prestigious polo events across America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Royal Salute will now be supporting no fewer than 18 polo events in the coming year, including flagship events, such as the Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup in Rajasthan, which is taking place later this month.

The extension of its polo patronage follows a successful year for Royal Salute. The brand reported an all-time record high of +20% volume growth*, a significant milestone for the prestige Scotch whisky category, with particularly strong growth noted in Asia and Global Travel Retail.

Royal Salute’s association with polo – known as ‘the sport of kings’ – has firmly established the brand’s position in the luxury arena, helping it to become one of the fastest-growing strategic brands by volume in Pernod Ricard’s portfolio.

Notes

* Pernod Ricard Financial Results for year ending 30.06.2012 

Facundo Pieres biography

Facundo was born into a family of polo players and is the second son of polo legend Gonzalo Pieres(Sr)  and Cecilia Rodríguez Piola. He plays with his two brothers Gonzalo Pieres and Nicolas Pieres, who are also professional polo players in the Ellerstina team. He also has two sisters, Tatiana and Cecilia Pieres.

Growing up surrounded by the best horses and with a professional vision of polo, he became the youngest polo player to reach 10-goals at 19 in 2005. This allowed him to be recognised as the polo player with greatest projection and the most visible face for his generation.

His career started in 1997, when he won the Copa Potrillos with the Ellerstina Jr. team, which was a subsidiary team for the Ellerstina Club founded by his father and Australian media tycoon, Kerry Packer. Since then, he has played in Argentina, the United Kingdom and the United States. He has won the Hurlingham Open, Tortugas Open and Jockey Club Open (all in Argentina) amongst other international tournaments.

Facundo started playing in the Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo (Argentine Open) in 2003 being at the finals in 4 occasions, and winning it in 2008, 2010 and 2012. This year, Ellerstina has also won the Tortugas Country Club Open for the tenth time, seven of them consecutively. 

Royal Salute

Royal Salute is the world’s leading luxury Scotch whisky, and begins where others end as only whiskies matured for at least 21 years are ever selected for Royal Salute blends. In 2012, Royal Salute became the first-ever brand to be officially associated with the Royal Gun Salutes at the Tower of London, as part of a long term partnership with the independent charity Historic Royal Palaces. 

Royal Salute is a leading international supporter of polo, ‘the king of sports and the sport of kings’. Royal Salute World Polo is truly international with a presence in every major region globally:

• Argentina Campeonado Abierto de Polo, Palermo, Buenos Aires
• Australia Sydney Gold Cup, Sydney and Portsea Polo, Victoria
• Brazil Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, São Paulo and Copa Ouro São José Polo,  São Paulo
• China Royal Salute China Open, Beijing
• India Royal Salute Maharaja of Jodhpur Golden Jubilee Cup, Jodphur
• Italy Polo Gold Cup, Cortina d’ Ampezzo
• South Korea Royal Salute Polo Cup, Jeju
• Spain Snow Polo, Baqueira, Lérida and Sotogrande, Cádiz
• UAE Royal Salute Nations Cup, Dubai
• USA Foundation Polo Challenge, Santa Barbara and Royal Salute Jubilee Cup, Greenwich, New York
• UK The Sentebale Polo Cup, Coworth Park,  Kent & Curwen Polo Club, London

And Beaufort Polo Cup, Tetbury

Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.

In July 2010 Chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.