Chasing Legacy on Horseback

THE JAIPUR TROPHY: PADMANABH SINGH'S POLO LEGACY

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At just 27, Pacho is the face of Indian polo’s revival.

He’s not your typical royal—there’s no aloof grandeur here. Instead, he’s grounded, approachable, with a quiet intensity that shines when he’s in the saddle. Since taking up polo in 2015 at Guards Polo Club, he’s carried the weight of his family’s history with grace. "Polo runs deep in our family," he says, his voice soft but firm. "It connects me to my great-grandfather, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, a true legend of the game, and my grandfather, Bhawani Singh, who carried that pride forward. It’s about Jaipur, about India. It drives me to honour their legacy.” And honour it he does, leading the Jaipur Polo Team in their traditional ‘pachranga’ (five-colored) jersey, a nod to the city’s vibrant heritage, rooted in centuries-old traditions spanning the region, from Jaipur to modern-day Afghanistan.

The team itself is a blend of grit and glory. Composed of top-tier professionals and select amateurs, they embody the spirit of Jaipur’s enduring love affair with polo. Under Pacho’s captaincy, they’re not just playing for victory but for pride—representing a nation where polo’s roots run deep. The Indian Polo Day will see them face a sponsor’s team on the Queen’s Ground, with the Jaipur Trophy as the prize. The 18-goal Indian Polo Challenge Shield final, a highstakes showcase of skill, will precede it, making the day a feast of world-class polo.