DECEMBER 2011

Owner of the Month

MRS BRIDGET OPPENHEIMER

Affectionately known as “Mrs O”, South Africa’s First Lady of racing loves her horses and racing and follows the fortunes of those that carry her famous black and yellow silks closely.

During December the colours were carried into the winner’s enclosure five times – three on one night at Greyville when Neck Or Nothing, Red Book and Wild Type all defeated their opposition.

The colours were first registered to the late Mr Harry and Mrs Oppenheimer in 1945 and have been carried by thousands of horses over the years, many to the greatest heights in South African racing.

Mrs O has no idea how many races their horses have won but follows their fortunes closely. “At my age I have nothing else to do,” she quipped but said she has the time and watches them all.

“We don’t sell our horses, we race what we breed and, having them with a number of trainers works very well. The trainers enjoy it and are very keen.”