Former Triple Tiara victor Cherry On The Top, who was named two weekends ago by legendary trainer Ormond Ferraris as one of the two best horses he had ever trained, has a foal at foot by former national champion sire Silvano and is now in foal to reigning national champion sire Captain Al.
Jessica Slack of Mauritzfontein Stud recalled the joy this filly had brought to her late grandmother, Bridget Oppenheimer, “Grandma was crazy about Cherry On The Top. She also got on really well with Ormond Ferraris.”
Slack also spoke of the fairytale ending to the ownership and breeding career of her late grandfather Harry Oppenheimer and how history later repeated itself.
Cherry On The Top (Lissl King)
Harry was in his 90s when the Oppenheimer owned-and-bred Horse Chestnut landed the Triple Crown.
The champion was defeated only once in a ten race career, which included an eight length victory in the J&B Met and a 5,5 length victory in his only start in the USA.
He is now widely regarded as the greatest thoroughbred racehorse to have ever graced the South African turf, although there are a few who still regard Sea Cottage as at least his equal.
Harry died in the year 2000, the same year in which Horse Chestnut had his final start.
Bridget, who was fondly known as “The Queen Mum Of South African racing”, was also in her 90’s when Cherry On The Top landed the Triple Tiara. Few will forget the moment when Bridget, sitting in her wheel chair, instinctively raised her arms in triumph as the great filly accelerated into the lead in the SA Oaks. Jessica and Mauritzfontein stud manager Guy Murdoch were standing beside her and were equally excited.
Cherry On The Top was bred by Bridget’s daughter Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud and was by the latter’s resident sire Tiger Ridge. To crown it all Wilgerbosdrift Stud sponsored the Triple Tiara series of races. Cherry On The Top landed a R1 million bonus for Bridget upon pulling off the Triple Tiara.
The South African public were saddened to hear of Bridget’s death in October of that year. Earlier she had accepted four awards at the Highveld Feature Season awards, including Champion Owner and the Champion Breeder Award for her Mauritzfontein Stud. Cherry On The Top was named Champion Three-year-old filly and Horse Of The Season. She was later named Equus Champion three-year-old filly.
Jessica Slack said of her respective grandparents’ fairytale last days of ownership, “It was as if they saved the best for last.”
Cherry On The Top has twice been sent down to the Cape Town region to be covered. However, she returns to foal down at the Kimberley-based Mauritzfontein Stud.
She is described as the friendliest of mares and a “farm favourite”.
Her first foal was a filly and has been named Blossom.
By David Thiselton
