The Lord of Park Place
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
An Argentine groom, who prefers to remain anonymous, recounts his time working in the stables of Park Place as being like something out of a reality show: cameras everywhere and strict controls. Taking photos that could reveal any detail of the private operation was strictly forbidden. And for good reason: this is the inner sanctum of one of the United Kingdom's wealthiest individuals—the master of the Park Place empire, Russian polo aficionado and financial expert Andrey Borodin, whose fortune is estimated by Forbes at over one billion dollars.
Borodin is an astute financial mind. Born in Moscow in 1967, he specialized in Economics and Finance at a university in the city and, by the age of 27, was already an advisor to the Mayor of Moscow.
Andrey Fridrikhovich Borodin is a key figure in the modern history of Russian banking. He held the prestigious positions of shareholder and President of the Bank of Moscow, which was the country's fifth-largest bank in 2011, prior to its merger with VTB Bank in 2016. Borodin's strategic leadership was instrumental to its growth, and he owned a 20% stake in the institution. In a major business move, he sold his share in 2011 for a staggering $1 billion, which significantly contributed to his current net worth.
However, the bank experienced significant turbulence that same year, announcing it required a $14 billion bailout from the Russian state. It subsequently merged with VTB Bank in 2016.
Following a criminal case against him for alleged embezzlement at the Bank of Moscow, Borodin sought political asylum in the UK in 2013, arguing that the charges were politically motivated.
Despite the controversies, Borodin's financial standing remains robust—exceptionally so. Not just anyone can enter the bidding for a property worth approximately $200 million. The estate, known as Park Place, was the most expensive home sale in UK history at the time of its purchase in 2012. It is here that he lives with his wife, former Russian supermodel Tatiana, and their daughter.
The impressive 18th-century property is situated near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire and comprises a nearly 200-acre estate. The sale was initially a state secret, conducted through a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, but media outlets eventually revealed Borodin as the buyer behind the monumental transaction.
Park Place's storied past includes ownership by Frederick, Prince of Wales, and Greek shipping magnate John Latsis, who Forbes ranked as the 101st richest person in the world with an estimated $6.4 billion fortune. According to local legend, the estate is haunted by Mary Blandy, a well-bred young woman who poisoned her father with arsenic in 1751 in the mistaken belief it was a love potion.
The architectural jewel, which also serves as the headquarters for his polo team, features a helipad, a spa complex, a golf course, stables with polo grounds, and a boathouse. The annual upkeep of the estate is estimated at $190,000.
Henley-on-Thames is a serene and picturesque English town, renowned for its historical beauty, tranquil atmosphere, and as a haven for the world's billionaires seeking a luxurious yet peaceful life.
A passionate horseman, Borodin is a modest amateur player but the owner of a top-tier organization, the Park Place Polo Team. The team has won several of the world's most important tournaments, including the Cartier Queen's Cup in 2022 and the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2023. Borodin has made a significant impact in the U.S., acquiring one of the most important equestrian establishments in Wellington, Florida—the equestrian capital of the Sunshine State.
Always curious about his movements, the British press reported that during the peak of the Coronavirus epidemic, the financier donated over $1 million to the Royal Berkshire Hospital to support its response to the pandemic.
But beyond the impressive polo ponies imported from Argentina and his exclusive private jet, the banker’s most prized possession neither gallops nor flies. It is the refuge that offers him the ultimate privacy and exclusivity: the Amaryllis.
This is a true five-star hotel on the water, offering luxurious accommodation for 12 guests in six cabins, attended by a crew of 23. Unlike most vessels, the guest cabins feature spacious walk-in wardrobes, akin to the full-beam master suite.
Built by the German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen in 2011, the yacht is a masterpiece of opulent accommodation at sea. The grand vessel boasts elegant interiors inspired by Belle Époque, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco styles.
The five-deck superyacht, valued at $100 million, features not one but two gyms, a large Jacuzzi pool, a glass elevator, and even a self-playing piano. The rooms are adorned with unique artisan furniture by Silver Lining. The splendid vessel also includes an impressive beach club adjacent to a dedicated gym, a spa with a sauna, steam room, plunge pool, and a massage suite.
The Amaryllis has become a familiar sight during the polo seasons in Palm Beach, Florida. And with its presence has come controversy: U.S. press has reported that Borodin paid $200,000 to the Washington lobbying firm BGR Group to help him secure an American visa. Borodin denies all embezzlement allegations, maintaining they are part of a continued political "persecution" by Russia.
And so, from the manicured lawns of his English estate to the sun-drenched fields of Florida and the gleaming decks of his superyacht, Andrey Borodin remains a figure of immense wealth, fervent passion, and complex history—a modern-day lord navigating his own carefully crafted world, always with the ghost of a past never far behind.
