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 got involved in horse racing shortly after the war in the 1940’s. Kimberley was both the headquarters of the DeBeers Mining Company of which Harry Oppenheimer was Chairman, and was also represented by Harry Oppenheimer in Parliament, a seat which he he held from 1948 to 1957. Mauritzfontein is only 15 minutes from the center of Kimberley, so it seemed a perfect place to build their home from home and begin their breeding operations. 

Mauritzfontein imported their first stallion in 1951, 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.

In 1959 Mauritzfontein imported Wilwyn, who incidentally was the first horse ever to be flown into South Africa. Four years later he was crowned South Africa’s Champion Sire, as a result of his top class progeny, King Willow, Smash And Grab and Unlce Ben. He became a fantastic broodmare sire and his daughters produced, amongst others, Sentinel, Hidden Magic, Faro and Canyon Creek. Wilwyns son, Col. Pickering is also the broodmare sire of the famous Horse Chestnut.

In 1965 Free Ride stood his first season at stud. His offspring included no fewer than five SA Oaks winners and the likes of Principal Boy (Durban July), Oakland Bay (SA Derby), Bodrum (SA Classic), With Pleasure (Natal Oaks) together with Run For Roses and Medora who both won the Paddock Stakes, Gr.1.

Tough. Proven. Bred in the purple.