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 fillies Will To Win (Tankard Gr.1) and SA Oaks winner, Tsessebe.
Stallions
Roll of honour
2019
Danon Platina arrives at Mauritzfontein from Japan.
Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein Equus Champion Breeders.
CELTIC SEA Equus Champion 3 Year Old Filly.
2018
NOTHER RUSSIA. Equus Champion Older Filly/Mare.
2017
HERMOSO MUNDO. Equus Champion Stayer.
2016
Fort Wood, Champion Broodmare Sire in South Africa.
Smart Call, Cape Champion Horse Of The Year, Cape Champion Older Filly and Cape Champion Middle Distance Horse.
Marinaresco, Cape Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding.
Smart Call. Equus Champion Older Filly. Equus Champion Middle Distance Horse.
Stay up to date
Ideal World is making his mark as a successful stallion in South Africa. He is by Kingmambo, a champion three-year-old in Europe who won five races from 1200m to 1600m.…
Mauritzfontein’s increasingly successful resident stallion Ideal World had another day to remember on Good Friday when his progeny won a pair of feature races at Fairview. Ideal World’s five-year-old daughter…
Mauritzfontein’s handsome Ideal World recently produced his third Gr1 winner in South Africa when Samurai Warrior won the SA Derby. It reinforced his reputation as a serious sire of classic…
