The owner of Millamolong Station died on Sunday during a polo match in Thailand.

Mr Ashton, who was born in 1941, suffered head injuries after being thrown to the ground when his horse stumbled and fell at speed.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital but his injuries were too severe to recover.

At the time of his death, Mr Ashton was regarded as the leader of the world polo movement.

He was recently appointed interim president of the Federation of International Polo and had previously served as president of the New South Wales Polo Association and the Australian Polo Council.

The current president of the Australian Polo Council, Leon Reardon, said polo presented risks like any other contact sport.

Just one or two deaths are recorded worldwide each year, Mr Reardon estimated.

“He's probably one of the people I held in the highest regard in all of my dealings, personally, socially, in sport and in business,” he said.

“This is a shock and a loss and people will certainly reflect on it.

“Maybe once we learn more details about the incident there could be something we can do to make the sport more safer but I don't know."

Orange wine identity David Cumming, who sells and markets wine produced at Millamolong Station’s vineyard, described Mr Ashton as a “gentleman from the past”.

“He was a true gentleman, a real statesman, someone who just did so much for other people in terms of the amount of time and money he donated to charity," Mr Cumming said.

“It's such a shock, they're just such a good family.”

Only last year the Ashtons threw open the doors of Millamolong Station for a Ronald McDonald House Charities fundraiser.

“He was wonderful to us, he went to great lengths to ensure it was the success it was,” said committee chairperson Joanne Lewis.

“We found him to be very kind, very thoughtful and very willing to help. He and his wife worked so together and with their whole family.”

Funeral arrangments are yet to be made public.