The 2013 SA Triple Tiara victress Cherry On The Top’s daughter Blossom runs in today’s Gr1 SA Fillies Classic at Turffontein, and, like the champion, is also trained by the legendary Ormond Ferraris.
Jessica Slack recalled the joy Cherry On The Top had brought her late grandmother, Bridget Oppenheimer. Slack also spoke of the fairytale ending to the ownership and breeding career of her late grandfather Harry Oppenheimer, and how history thirteen years later repeated itself.
Flashback to 2013 – Cherry On The Top strides clear to win the SA Fillies Classic
Harry was in his 90’s when the Oppenheimer owned-and-bred Horse Chestnut landed the SA 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. Harry died in the year 2000, the same year in which Horse Chestnut had his final start.
Three generations – Mary Slack, Bridget Oppenheimer, Jessica Slack
Bridget, was also in her 90’s when Cherry On The Top landed the SA Triple Tiara. Few will forget the moment when, sitting in her wheel chair, she instinctively raised her arms in triumph as the great filly accelerated into the lead in the SA Oaks.
Cherry On The Top was bred by Bridget’s daughter Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud and was by their resident sire Tiger Ridge.
The South African public were saddened to hear of Bridget’s death in October of that year. 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.”
Blossom is Cherry On The Top’s first foal.
The SA Fillies Classic will be run at 15h30 – Dstv 239
