By Andrea Branchini
Meritaten, f, 3, War Front–Queen Nefertiti (Ire) (GSP), by Galileo (Ire). Sam Houston Race, 1-29, 1m (off turf), 1:41.38. B-Claiborne Farm (KY).
A winner of a maiden in Texas has a curious name.
MERITATEN is a daughter of QUEEN NEFERTITI, in very ancient history–and also in the Jockey Club Register three millennia later.
The original Nefertiti (1370-1330 BC) was an Egyptian queen and the Great Royal Wife of Akhenaten, the Pharaoh who started a religious revolution by worshipping one god only, the sun (named Aten). Meritaten was the first of their six daughters and her name means “She who is beloved of Aten.” As naming strategies go, I would call this a “parallel thread”, which mimics an original link or connection.
An Italian native, Andrea Branchini now lives in Lexington, Ky. where he works in the equine transport industry.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
