Carlos Gracida: Polo player acclaimed as one of the world's finest who taught the game to the Princes Harry and William

Gracida in action at the Royal Berkshire Club in 1992 (Rex Features)

Carlos Gracida was one of the world's finest polo players, and had been at the top of his sport since the 1980s. Dashing and charismatic, and with unrivalled anticipation and ability to read the game, he achieved more tournament wins than any player in the history of the game and was the only player to win polo's Grand Slam – the US Open, British Open and Argentine Open in a calendar year – a feat he accomplished three times, in 1988, 1989 and 1994.

Also a highly sought-after coach, he taught Prince Harry and Prince William to play the game, as well as royals from other countries and celebrities like Sylvester Stallone. He was killed in Florida, where he lived, when his horse fell on top of him during a match.

A handicap system operates in polo, with players rated from –2 goals to 10 goals. A novice would be a –2 goaler, while at the other end of the scale there are currently about a dozen 10-goalers in the world, all bar one of them Argentinian. Gracida became a 10-goaler in 1985 and remained at that level for nearly 20 years.

He was born in Mexico City into a polo dynasty: his father Guillermo was a nine-goaler for much of his career, and was still a five-goaler at the age of 65, so it was natural that Carlos, and his brother Guillermo, known as Memo, should become involved with horses at an early age. Carlos began learning to use the mallet while being led around on horseback, and he was playing in his first tournament at the age of 10.

By the time he was 18 Gracida held a 3-goal rating, and a few years later he played in his first high-goal tournament, competing in and eventually winning the USPA Rolex Gold Cup and the International Open at Palm Beach. A few years later he reached 10-goal status, going on to play for Kerry Packer's legendary team Ellerstina and compete in – and win – all the major tournaments, including the US Open (which he won nine times in all), the Argentine Open, the Queen's and Gold Cups in England, the Mexican Open, the Melbourne Cup in Australia and the Deauville Gold Cup in France.

He was the only foreigner to have won five Argentine Opens, as well as Argentina's Triple Crown with Ellerstina in 1994 – a golden year for Gracida, when he won nearly every possible tournament in the game. His most famous horse was Chesney, who won the Best Playing Pony award many times, including in 1988, 1989 and 1991 at the British Open Gold Cup. His personal favorite was Nony Nony, seven times a Gold Cup winner in England.

Gracida was lowered to 9 goals for 2003 but the following year he came roaring back and won back his 10-goal rating for 2006. He was still ranked a nine-goaler in England when he died. He was extremely popular on the English polo scene, and was reported to be the Queen's favourite player. Celebrities lined up to be taught by him, and apart from the Princes Harry and William, he gave lessons to King Constantine II of Greece, Prince Talal of Jordan and Sylvester Stallone.

"My experience with the Royal Family was really something very special because they are true princes," he said of Harry and William. "I remember ... a training session in which Prince William arrived four or five minutes late for a class and said sorry more than anyone I've ever met in my life. They are fantastic people."

Recalling the day William introduced him to Kate Middleton, he said: "Prince William told Kate, 'This person is the best polo player ever, he's a legend and he's the best and my father thinks the same.'"

Gracida was inducted into polo's Hall of Fame in 2012. His brother Memo was inducted in 1997 and there was a healthy rivalry between them. He told Polo+10 magazine: "Being the younger brother, as a kid I always wanted to beat him, even in practice games, but as we have gotten older that has calmed down and we have a really great relationship."

Getting polo on to the television was a big ambition for Gracida. "TV is key to developing the sport," he said, "and for it to work well the rules of polo should be simplified to ensure a faster, more flowing, open game that can be broadcast in an exciting way. What could be more thrilling than watching a fast, well-filmed 40-minute match featuring the best international high goal players?"

In 2011 Carlos launched Gracida Polo in association with a New York investment group) as a lifestyle brand focusing on luxury products, property development and athlete management.

Gracida lived in Wellington, Florida with his two teenage sons, Carlitos and Mariano, who are both polo players, until 2012, when he moved to West Palm Beach. He was playing in Wellington, for Santa Clara Polo Club in the International Polo Club's Freebooters Classic, when his horse was accidentally struck in the head with a mallet. The horse spun round and collided heads with Gracida and then rolled on top of him. Gracida was taken to hopsital but died there.

CHRIS MAUME

Carlos Gracida, polo player and coach: born Mexico City 5 September 1960; two sons; died Wellington, Florida 25 February 2014.