Having operated previously as a remount station for the British Army during the Boer War, Mauritzfontein was bought by Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer in 1945. The couple became involved in horse racing shortly after the war, in the 1940s. Kimberley was headquarters of the De Beers Mining Company, of which Harry Oppenheimer was Chairman, and was represented by Oppenheimer in Parliament, a seat which he held from 1948 to 1957.
A dynasty through the ages
Mauritzfontein is only 15 minutes from the centre of Kimberley, so it seemed the perfect place to build their home from home and begin their breeding operations. In 1951, Mauritzfontein imported its first stallion, Janus who was by Pharis and had been a top-class racehorse in France. Janus was the sire of Tiger Fish (Durban July Handicap), Open Sea and Ellation. He also sired Baccarat and Dame de Coeur- both of whom where back to back winners of the Oaks (1962-62).
Stallions
Stakes Winners Bred
Stay up to date
Legendary Japanese sire Deep Impact's great year in 2021 continued when his son Glory Vase captured Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase and daughter Loves Only You won Sunday's G1…
Mauritzfontein's successful resident sire Ideal World had a notable mid-week double on Wednesday, with the son of Kingmambo supplying two winners at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Ideal World's first success on Wednesday…
The late, great Deep Impact, whose champion son Danon Platina stands at Mauritzfontein, enjoyed another notable posthumous success when his daughter Loves Only You captured Saturday's G1 Maker's Mark Breeders'…
Summer Pudding and the Celtic Sea!
Success for Mauritzfontein
