Big Muddy rancher
Well-known member
By Pete Denk
Windfields Farm, the legendary Canadian breeding operation that bred 48 champions including 1964 Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer, will close its doors following a dispersal of its remaining bloodstock at the 2009 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
E. P. Taylor founded Windfields in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1936. The surviving members of the Taylor family issued a press release on Thursday stating that due to the nature of ownership, their ages, and their interests, they reached the emotional decision to discontinue the Thoroughbred operation.
"What my father started has lasted far longer than anyone imagined," said Taylor's daughter, Judith Taylor Mappin, president of Windfields. "We have been so fortunate with our horses and our staff that we remained in this business we love for decades longer than expected.
"Now, with the older grandchildren beginning to face their own retirement plans, it is simply time to wind things up."
E. P. Taylor's son, Charles P.B. Taylor, took over the operation in 1980 and continued until his death in '97.
"Our horses have been so good to us. It was just tough to let go," Judith Taylor Mappin said.
E. P. Taylor became the first Canadian member of The Jockey Club in 1953. He bred Northern Dancer in his own name, and the Nearctic colt was voted champion three-year-old of 1964, going on to become one of the most influential sires in history.
Taylor received Eclipse Awards as Outstanding Breeder in 1977 and '83, and Windfields has been North America's leading breeder by purse money nine times, by stakes wins 13 times, and by wins 19 times.
Windfields has been Canada's leading racing stable 15 times, and runners bred there have won the Queen's Plate a record 21 times.
An abbreviated list of the top Windfield-bred horses includes Northern Dancer's three Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winning sons Nijinsky II, The Minstrel, and Secreto; Eclipse champions Devil's Bag and Glorious Song; European champions Storm Bird, El Gran Senor, Shareef Dancer, Awaasif, Danzatore, and Try My Best; leading Canadian sires Vice Regent and Archers Bay, and influential sires Saint Ballado and Northern Taste.
Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times
Windfields Farm, the legendary Canadian breeding operation that bred 48 champions including 1964 Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer, will close its doors following a dispersal of its remaining bloodstock at the 2009 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
E. P. Taylor founded Windfields in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1936. The surviving members of the Taylor family issued a press release on Thursday stating that due to the nature of ownership, their ages, and their interests, they reached the emotional decision to discontinue the Thoroughbred operation.
"What my father started has lasted far longer than anyone imagined," said Taylor's daughter, Judith Taylor Mappin, president of Windfields. "We have been so fortunate with our horses and our staff that we remained in this business we love for decades longer than expected.
"Now, with the older grandchildren beginning to face their own retirement plans, it is simply time to wind things up."
E. P. Taylor's son, Charles P.B. Taylor, took over the operation in 1980 and continued until his death in '97.
"Our horses have been so good to us. It was just tough to let go," Judith Taylor Mappin said.
E. P. Taylor became the first Canadian member of The Jockey Club in 1953. He bred Northern Dancer in his own name, and the Nearctic colt was voted champion three-year-old of 1964, going on to become one of the most influential sires in history.
Taylor received Eclipse Awards as Outstanding Breeder in 1977 and '83, and Windfields has been North America's leading breeder by purse money nine times, by stakes wins 13 times, and by wins 19 times.
Windfields has been Canada's leading racing stable 15 times, and runners bred there have won the Queen's Plate a record 21 times.
An abbreviated list of the top Windfield-bred horses includes Northern Dancer's three Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winning sons Nijinsky II, The Minstrel, and Secreto; Eclipse champions Devil's Bag and Glorious Song; European champions Storm Bird, El Gran Senor, Shareef Dancer, Awaasif, Danzatore, and Try My Best; leading Canadian sires Vice Regent and Archers Bay, and influential sires Saint Ballado and Northern Taste.
Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times