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
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Mauritzfontein’s G1 winning stallion Danon Platina made a big impression at Thursday’s KZN Yearling Sale. The champion son of Deep Impact ended the 2026 KZN Sale as the Leading Sire…
Mauritzfontein’s resident stallion Danon Platina looks to have come up with a smart two-year-old in the form of Catfish. The latter made it three wins from his last four starts…
Danon Platina filly wins on debut Mauritzfontein’s resident sire Danon Platina looks to have come up with another smart sort in the form of Tudor Rose. The latter made the…
Summer Pudding and the Celtic Sea!
Success for Mauritzfontein
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Mocha Blend
Mocha Blend (Ideal World x Mocha Special by Silvano (GER)) stormed home to capture the Gr.2 Bet With The World Gold Bracelet over 2000m at Greyville. Settled midfield throughout, she was angled into the clear at the top of the straight before producing a devastating turn of foot to win going away. Last years Gr.1 Summer Cup heroine once again underlined her class with another outstanding performance.
Beautifully prepared by Frank Robinson and ridden with great confidence by Tristan Godden, Mocha Blend added another Graded success to her impressive résumé.
Trainer: Frank Robinson
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Congratulations to Frank Robinson, Tristan Godden and the entire team at home on another superb Graded victory.
📸 @chase_liebenberg
Holding Thumbs
Mauritzfontein-bred Holding Thumbs (Vercingetorix x Withbatedbreath by Fort Wood) produced a commanding front-running performance to capture the Gr.3 World Pool Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville. Taking up the running from the outset, the five-year-old gelding dictated throughout and was never headed, drawing clear to score by two lengths. It was a landmark 10th career victory for the son of Vercingetorix, who has given his connections plenty to celebrate throughout his career.
Trainer: Glen Kotzen
Jockey: Chad Little
Owners: Messrs P Bamford, D D MacLean & Gary Player Stud Farm (Pty) Ltd, Mrs J Doyle & Mr L S & Mrs Rayna Govender
Congratulations to Glen Kotzen, Chad Little and owners Messrs P Bamford, D D MacLean, Gary Player Stud Farm (Pty) Ltd, Mrs J Doyle, and Mr L S & Mrs Rayna Govender on a superb Gr.3 victory.
📸 @candieselenfernaphotography
The Cherry family continues to flourish at Mauritzfontein. 🍒
From foundation mare Carolina Cherry to her daughter’s Cherry On The Cake, Cherry On The Top, Cherry Ridge and Laurel Cherry, this remarkable family continues to produce the next generation.
🍒 Summer Pudding (Silvano x Cherry On The Cake), dam of the 2025 Gimmethegreenlight filly Molten Lava Cake.
🍒 Laurel Cherry (Ideal World x Carolina Cherry), dam of the 2025 Digital Age colt Chevy To The Levy.
🍒 Gimmethecherry (Gimmethegreenlight x Cherry On The Cake), dam of the 2025 Charles Dickens filly Miss Hevisham.
🌸 Blossom (Silvano x Cherry On The Top), dam of the 2025 Hit The Road colt Wild Cosmos.
🍒 Cherry On The Top (Tiger Ridge x Carolina Cherry), dam of the 2025 One World filly Cherry Martini.
A cherished Mauritzfontein family, continuing to thrive through each new generation.
Second calf of the season. Photo credit to Jamie Page.
Another year, another KZN BSA Yearling Sale complete.
A huge thank you to everyone who visited the Mauritzfontein draft and to all those who supported us throughout the sale.
Congratulations to our buyers - we wish you every success with your new yearlings and can’t wait to follow their racing careers.
Until next year.
Who doesn’t love a chestnut with a big white face? 🤎
Some horses just have that little bit of extra charisma - and Lot 41 - Single Malt (Danon Platina × Lady Burn) is certainly one of them.
Eye-catching, athletic and impossible to ignore.
How could you resist?
We’ve arrived.
The Mauritzfontein draft is settled in and ready for inspections at the KZN Yearling Sale.
Come and meet our yearlings in Barns C & D.
📸 @romibettisonphotography
One step closer.
Mocha Blend completed her Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallop this morning, taking another important step towards next week’s feature race.
All roads now lead to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
We can’t wait to see her back on the big stage. 🏇
📸 @candieselenfernaphotography
