The Esler Family Acquires Historic Saratoga Polo Club

Matt and Kristen Esler, Founders of Thirty Year Farm.

Nestled just outside the storied spa city of Saratoga Springs, the rolling 43 acres at 2 Bloomfield Road have long been a landmark of equestrian sport and social life. For over a century, the Saratoga Polo Club witnessed thundering hooves, the crack of mallets, and vibrant tailgate gatherings. But the last polo match echoed across its famed Whitney Field in 2019, and the grand clubhouse has since played host only to weddings and corporate events. Now, this iconic property has turned a page, sold for $3.5 million to a local family whose own story is deeply rooted in the soil and spirit of Saratoga.

The new stewards are the Eslers, whose nearby Thirty Year Farm is a rising star in the world of thoroughbred breeding. Founded by Matt and Kristen Esler on their 30th wedding anniversary—a poignant detail that inspired the farm’s name—their venture has quickly become a leading New York breeding operation. The family’s success stems from a potent mix of astute business acumen and a passion for equine excellence. Their wealth, while privately held, is evidenced by substantial enterprises like the Esler Companies, a major affiliate of window replacement giant Renewal by Andersen valued at hundreds of millions.

For the Eslers, horses are both a passion and a precision investment. They commit to premier genetics, acquiring mares with proven bloodlines—a strategy that yields impressive returns. Just this year, their farm sold two New York-bred yearlings for a combined sum exceeding $1 million at the Keeneland auctions. They are key players in an industry that fuels billions for the state’s economy, with Saratoga’s historic racetrack alone contributing hundreds of millions annually to the local community.

It is with this singular focus on thoroughbred racing that the family views their latest acquisition. They have clarified that there are no plans to resurrect polo at the site or enter the polo pony business. Instead, the purchase of the historic polo club property represents a strategic expansion of their equestrian footprint within a region they know and love.

The path to this sale was winding, marked by financial struggle for the club’s previous owners, Jim Rossi and Mike Bucci. Having purchased the club in 2004, they boosted its profile but faced persistent debt. After a foreclosure process initiated in 2018, a lifeline came from developer Carver Laraway, who guaranteed the loan. An attempt to auction the property in early 2020 was thwarted by the pandemic, leading ultimately to Rossi and Bucci turning over the deed to Laraway in April of this year. Laraway then became the seller in this latest transaction, passing the legacy on to the Eslers.

Founded in 1898 by financier and horseman William Collins Whitney, the Saratoga Polo Club is one of the oldest in the nation. While its future competitive use remains anchored to the world of thoroughbreds rather than polo, its transition to the Esler family ensures its legacy continues under the care of those dedicated to the next chapter of Saratoga's enduring equestrian story.