First Lady. Mrs Bridget Oppenheimer has had a wonderful season
The 2013 RA Feature Season Awards proved to be a triumph for owner Bridget Oppenheimer who scooped no less than four of the awards.
The ceremony took place last Saturday evening in the Aquanaut Room at Turffontein Racecourse. The event was hosted by the Racing Association and co-sponsored by Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited.
Mrs O, as she is affectionately known, was named Champion Owner while her Mauritzfontein Stud came away with the Champion Breeder award. The horse who helped garner all those awards was Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top. She was bred at Mauritzfontein Stud and is owned by Mrs Oppenheimer.
The daughter of Tiger Ridge was unopposed in the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly category and was also named Horse Of The Season. Mrs O was at the dinner to collect all of her trophies.
Trainer Ormond Ferraris is already in Durban for the season and was unable to attend the event.
The format for the event took on a slightly new look and, in addition to the human and equine champions of the turf being honoured as they have in past years, the Racing Association included special awards to show appreciation to a variety of supporters within the industry. One of these recipients was Ferraris, who received a special award for outstanding achievement during his trainer career.
The winners:
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
Virgo’s Babe
Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Willow Magic
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
Cherry On The Top
Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Wylie Hall
Champion Older Horse
Heavy Metal
Champion Sprinter
What a Winter
Champion Middle Distance Horse
Heavy Metal
Champion Stayer
Seal
Champion Sand Specialist
Meadow Magic
Workrider of the Season : Francis Semela
Champion Apprentice of the Season (based on a points system): Nooresh Juglall
Champion Breeder of the Season (based on a points system): Mauritzfontein Stud
Champion Owner of the Season (based on a points system) : Mrs B D Oppenheimer
Champion Jockey of the Season (based on a points system) :Piere Strydom
Champion Trainer of the Season (based on a points system) : Sean Tarry
Horse of the Season : Cherry On The Top
