The KwaZulu-Natal breeding community is mourning the loss of Megan Romeyn, who passed away following a brief but courageous fight with illness and cancer. Her death leaves a quiet gap in an industry where her voice, warmth and commitment were constants for many years.

Megan dedicated her working life to the thoroughbred breeding sector in KZN, where her deep love for animals was evident in everything she did. While she had a soft spot for cats, thoroughbreds held a special place in her heart, and few people connected with horses as naturally or sincerely as she did.

For many, Megan was synonymous with Summerhill Stud. As the first point of contact for more than a decade, she became instantly recognizable to breeders, trainers and owners alike. Her energy on the telephone, combined with an encyclopedic familiarity with the farm and its horses, made her far more than a receptionist. She was a link between people and the horses they cared about.

Megan formed particularly close bonds with several Summerhill stallions, most notably Muhtafal and Visionaire, relationships that reflected her intuitive understanding of horses and her genuine affection for them.

Summerhill’s Mick Goss, speaking to SAHorseracing.COM, paid tribute to her lasting impact, saying Megan spent 15 years at the stud and was known and loved by everyone who passed through its gates — or phoned its office.

“Megan was with us for 15 years and was a wonderful person who everyone knew and loved,” Goss said. “Being at reception, she became known throughout the entire area. The phone was like a hotline. She was a horse lover at heart and an animal lover. Her greatest love was our stallion Muhtafal, as so many people have mentioned.”

He added that he was deeply saddened by her passing, echoing the sentiments of many across the industry who knew Megan not just as a voice on the line, but as a kind, passionate and unforgettable presence.

Her memory lives on in the people she touched and the horses she cared for.

Image supplied by Mick Goss