Projects > The Centaurs > Synopsis

In the scorching summer of 1911, William Ashton galloped twenty miles across the outback to get help for his wife, Victoria, who was having serious complications with her childbirth. On delivery of their fourth son, the doctor congratulated the proud father for now being able to field his very own polo team.

Tragically Victoria did not survive and William never recovered from her sudden loss. Without the moderating influence of a mother, Robert, Geoffrey, James and Phil grew into wild unruly young men. However, what they lacked in manners they more than made up for with their good looks and rough-diamond charm.

The Ashton brothers learned to ride before they could walk and their father bought them each a polo mallet, to ensure they would not get bored while they rounded up sheep. They grew up to be the best players in the state and when they won the 1930 polo tournament in Sydney, it was the first time any of them had ever played on a grass pitch.

Their father would have been proud to see them raise the winner's cup, but he died of a heart attack and was buried next to his beloved wife. It was the news that he had lost the farm that killed the old man, a property that stretched over two hundred thousand acres. Four generations of Ashtons had built it up from nothing then the 'Great Depression' destroyed all that work, all that effort, all that investment - in just one month.

The Ashtons were forced to sell their farm and were left with twenty-seven sheep ponies, worth only shillings in the local market. With little choice they decided to take the biggest gamble of their lives. They rented an old ship and sailed to England, where they hoped to receive a good price for them as polo ponies.The small vessel set off in January 1931, with all their animals, supplies and the small crew crammed onto the tiny deck. After several terrible storms, horses being swept overboard and even shark attacks, they completed the fourteen thousand mile journey from Sydney to Portsmouth in just forty-eight days.

British society believed the Ashtons were eccentric millionaires, although the brothers hardly had enough money to pay for board and lodgings. Within a fortnight, they entered the Hurlingham Polo Tournament, their irresistible charm and tanned good looks made them an immediate social success, especially with the ladies. The rich and titled competed to offer them hospitality and the Ashtons were content to keep up the façade and live off their hosts' generosity.

In a true test of their speed, strength and stamina, they won the most prestigious polo competition in the world. It caused jealousy and resentment amongst the British cavalry officers, who had been unbeaten for so long. Petty arguments turned into a full-scale fight both on and off the field.

Having outstayed their welcome, the Ashtons sailed across the Atlantic to America. They were warmly welcomed and shown around New York. Despite several riotous nights the Ashtons were still able to outdrink and outplay the best in America. The sheep ponies that had only been worth a few shillings were sold in an auction for over $177,000. The brothers returned to Australia as wealthy heroes, with four wives - two British and two American.