Life in Polo: Charles Thighe at Ghantoot
For Charles Thighe, polo has never been just a sport, it’s a way of life shaped by discipline, connection, and an endless drive to improve. Born in England and now 27, Charles’s journey began at fourteen through a school activity. What started as curiosity quickly turned into commitment, then obsession. Like so many who fall for polo, the sport became everything.
Today, Charle's is a professional polo player and academy coach at Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, one of the most established and respected polo clubs in the region. Set within a strong equestrian tradition, Ghantoot has become the perfect environment for Charle's to grow not only as a player, but as a mentor shaping the future of the sport.
Ask Charle's what keeps him motivated, and he won’t talk first about trophies or rankings. He talks about the horses. The daily work, the trust, and the relationships built over time. “You build such a relationship with them,” he says — a bond that defines polo at its highest level and separates it from any other sport.
That mindset carries into his coaching. In 2025, Charle's helped launch a new polo academy at Ghantoot, an ambitious step aimed at developing players the right way with strong fundamentals, good horses, and a deep respect for the game. The focus isn’t just performance, but progression. No matter your level, no matter where you are, improvement is always possible.
Ghantoot itself plays a key role in that vision. With quality horses, committed players, amazing fields and a tight-knit community, the club offers an environment where growth feels natural. It’s not just about facilities or prestige it’s about people. The shared passion, the support, and the belief that polo is something you build together.
For Charles Thighe, the journey is far from finished. Pushing forward, learning constantly, and raising the standard for himself, his players, and the sport remains the goal. At Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, surrounded by horses, teammates, and a community that shares his drive, that goal feels exactly where it should be.
About Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club
At the heart of it all stands Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, a venue as storied as it is prestigious. Founded in 1994 through the vision of the late President HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and today run under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ghantoot remains the only Royal polo facility in the UAE. Spanning 300 hectares of immaculate grassland, the club is home to eight world-class polo fields, stables housing over 300 elite polo ponies, and a 2,000-seat grandstand complete with VIP, media, and business facilities. Its colonial-style clubhouse, overlooking the fields, offers refined dining, a luxury pool, and a fully equipped gym — all set perfectly between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Having welcomed royalty, heads of state, and global figures over the years, Ghantoot is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive equestrian destinations in the region, hosting polo, horse racing, showjumping, dressage, and more and standing alone as Abu Dhabi’s sole polo club.