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 veteran sire Ideal World was the toast of Turffontein racecourse on Saturday. His four-year-old daughter Mocha Blend defied her starting price of 100-1 to win Saturday’s G1 Betway Summer…
Mauritzfontein’s resident sire Danon Platina enjoyed a good day at the Vaal on Tuesday. Not only did his daughter Manyeleti make an impressive winning debut, but another Danon Platina daughter…
Fresh off coming up with a pair of winners on Friday, Mauritzfontein’s inform stallion Danon Platina came up with a feature race winner at Hollywoodbets Durbanville the following day. Danon…
Summer Pudding and the Celtic Sea!
Success for Mauritzfontein
