Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein’s accomplished broodmare Meryl enjoyed a superb week, producing two winners in the space of just 48 hours.

Her Gimmethegreenlight daughter Madison County got the ball rolling at the Vaal on Thursday, making the perfect start to her racing career with a debut victory over 1200m.

Meryl was back in the winner’s enclosure at Turffontein on Saturday when her Danon Platina son Naretoi scored over 2000m, giving the mare winners by two different sires in the space of two days.

A daughter of Tiger Ridge out of the Fort Wood mare Rose Lipped Maiden, Meryl was herself a tough and talented racemare. She won 10 races from 1000m to 2400m, with her victories including the Listed Devon Air Stakes at two and the Listed Jockey Club Stakes. She was also runner-up in the Gr3 Track & Ball Oaks and Listed Port Elizabeth Gold Cup, demonstrating both her class and remarkable versatility.

There is considerable depth to Meryl’s female family. She is a half-sister to Finchatton, while her granddam Lady Blakeney is a half-sister to one of the great names associated with Mary Slack’s Wilgerbosdrift, Dynasty.

The outstanding son of Fort Wood was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and crowned South Africa’s Horse of the Year and Champion 3YO Classic Male in 2002. His nine victories included the Gr1 SA Guineas, Gr1 Cape Derby, Gr1 Durban July and Gr1 Daily News 2000, before he went on to become one of South Africa’s most influential stallions.

It is a particularly fitting family connection for Meryl, who is now making her own mark in the broodmare paddocks for Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein, with Madison County and Naretoi providing a timely double for their accomplished dam.