Once the Argentine Open is finished, there are a great deal of expectation about what’s coming up for the next year. And the first shocking news that the Uruguay-born player, David “Pelon” Stirling, decided to retire of the Triple Crown. The announcement came through his wife Jose Vercellino’s social media. Pelon will be definelty missed next year, indeed.
A legend of polo in his own right, Pelon bids farewell to the most important polo competition in the world (at least for the moment), after playing no less than fifteen finals on a row. He won all the tournments of the Triple Crown – Argentine Open (10), Hurlingham Open (8) and Tortugas Open (6), in addition of three consecutive Triple Crown with La Dolfina (2013, 2014 and 2015).
Pelón played his first Triple Crown in 2009, with Indios Chapaleufu, alongside Eduardo, Pepe and Nachi Heguy. Adolfo Cambiaso set his sights on him, due to his remarkable performance with the legendary Heguy brothers.
In 2010, he landed in the Cañuelas-based team, to fill in for Mariano Aguerre, reaching his first final with La Dolfina. And history was in the making when one year later, in 2011, Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martín Nero completed what would be a historical lineup. Pelon would stay with La Dolfina for the remaining of his career and reached 10-goaler status, which he maintained until today, when he was lowered to 9.
Before Pelon’s arrival to the Cambiaso headquarters, Carlos Gracida was the non Argentinian player who won more titles than any other, a total of five. But Uruguay’s pride broke the record – he claimed ten.
The Triple Crown sees the retirement of a remarkable player, definetly one of the best in history. A player who, without doubts, left his own mark within the sport. His legacy will remain forever. Thank you for the magic, Pelon!