Guillermo Gracida, Jr.
| Guillermo Gracida Jr. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
July 25, 1956 Mexico City, Mexico 
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| Residence | Wellington, Florida |
| Spouse(s) | Mimi Oliver (m. 1978) Meghan Mccalip (m. 2014) |
| Children | Michi (b. 1981) Julio (b. 1988) |
| Awards | U.S. Open Won: 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004 Argentine Open Won: 1982 Australian Open Won: 1990 British Gold Cup Won: 1983 Camacho Cup Won: 1976, 1981, 1988, 2009 Coronation Cup Won: 1985, 1986 Gold Cup of the Americas Won: 1996, 1997, 1998 Pacific Coast Open Won: 1988, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2001 Monty Waterbury Won: 1978, 1998 Queen’s Cup Won: 1986, 1997 U.S. Silver Cup Won: 1980, 1981, 1984, 1995, 2003 World Cup Won: 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1997 40-Goal FIP Won: 2005 |
| Website | MemoGracida.com |
Guillermo Gracida Jr., a.k.a. "Memo Gracida", (born July 25, 1956) is a Mexican polo player whose international career includes several record-setting achievements, including the most U.S. Open victories (16) and the most consecutive years as an American 10-goaler (21). These feats and dozens of major tournament wins led to Gracida's selection as Player of the Centennial Era in 1990 and his induction into the National Polo Hall of Fame in 1997 while still an active player.
Gracida was born in Mexico City into the first family of Mexican polo. His paternal grandfather, Gabriel Gracida Sr., was a well-known horseman, but it was father’s generation that cemented the Gracidas’ reputation on the polo fields of North America. In 1946, the Gracida family represented Mexico in the most prestigious tournament in American polo, the U.S. Open Polo Championship, at New York’s Meadowbrook Polo Club. Their 11–9 victory in the finals stands as the only instance in history of the United States Polo Association that the U.S. Open was won by four brothers.
The second oldest brother on that winning team was Memo’s father, Guillermo Gracida Sr., who had his son riding at 2 and playing tournament polo at 10. In 1976, father and son teamed with Pablo Rincon Gallardo and Javier Rodriguez to represent Mexico in the Camacho Cup, an international competition pitting Mexico against the U.S. The tournament marked Memo’s first opportunity to play international polo. Mexico won 7–4, 14–6, and 12–5.
The 1976 Camacho Cup was not only the first time Mexico won the international competition, but it marked the debut of the up-and-coming polo star in American polo. By 1977, Gracida had relocated to San Antonio to play for Stephen M. Gose, sponsor of the powerful Retama polo team, where he would win the U.S. Open in 1977, 1979, 1982, 1984. Playing for Retama, Gracida also won the USPA Silver Cup in 1980, 1981, and 1984.
Gracida also enjoyed a long and successful career playing for Les Diables Bleus, a team sponsored by fine art dealer Guy Wildenstein. Les Diables Bleus won the U.S. Open in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
Gracida’s other wins in the U.S. Open came while playing for Carter Ranch (1985), Aloha (1987), Hanaleia Bay (1992), Gehache (1993), Aspen (1994), Outback Steakhouse (1995, 1996), and Isla Carroll (1997, 2004).
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