Windfields Farm
Windfields Farm was a Canadian Thoroughbred breeding operation founded by E. P. Taylor and associated with some of the most influential racehorses and bloodlines in modern horse racing.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Windfields Farm was a Canadian Thoroughbred horse-breeding and racing operation established by businessman E. P. Taylor in Ontario. Its principal farm was located in Oshawa, northeast of Toronto, and at its height covered approximately six square kilometres, or 1,500 acres. The operation became one of the most important breeding establishments in Canadian racing and developed an international reputation through the quality of its horses and the influence of its bloodlines. Taylor's first stable and breeding activities were based on property along Bayview Avenue north of Toronto. In 1950, he acquired Parkwood Stable in Oshawa from Colonel Sam McLaughlin, a figure associated with the McLaughlin Motor Car Company. Taylor initially operated the acquired property as the National Stud Farm. In 1969, the business was renamed Windfields Farm Limited, Oshawa Division, establishing the name by which it became internationally recognized. The farm's most important legacy is its connection with Northern Dancer, who was born at the Ontario property in 1961. Northern Dancer won the 1964 Kentucky Derby in a record-setting time, the Preakness Stakes, and the Queen's Plate before beginning a stud career that transformed international Thoroughbred breeding. He initially stood at stud in Ontario and was later moved to Windfields Farm's Maryland operation in 1969. His descendants became central to breeding programs across North America, Europe, and other racing jurisdictions. Windfields also bred other major racehorses, including Nijinsky, a son of Northern Dancer who won the English Triple Crown, and The Minstrel, another Northern Dancer son who won the 1977 Epsom Derby. These successes strengthened the farm's position not merely as a Canadian racing institution but as an internationally significant source of bloodstock. The operation expanded beyond Ontario through a second farm in Chesapeake City, Maryland. That Maryland property was sold in 1988. The farm's later history was shaped by changes in family leadership, demographic pressure, and the eventual sale of its land. E. P. Taylor suffered a stroke in 1980, after which his son Charles assumed management. Taylor died in 1989, and Charles died in 1997. Management subsequently passed to Charles's widow, Noreen Taylor, and Taylor's daughter Judith Taylor Mappin. As the Oshawa area grew, portions of the original estate were sold for institutional, residential, and commercial development. Land on the southeastern part of the property was acquired for facilities associated with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, now Ontario Tech University, and Durham College. Other farmland became housing land. By 2008, the once-large breeding establishment had been reduced to a small private farm. The formal breeding operation ended in November 2009, when broodmares and weanlings were sent to auction at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Winter Mixed Sale. Windfields Farm therefore survives primarily as a historical and cultural legacy rather than as an operating commercial breeding business. The former property remains associated with heritage preservation, public memory, and the history of Canadian horse racing. The burial site of Northern Dancer and other Windfields horses became the subject of conservation concerns after the farm was sold. In 2018, Northern Dancer's grave was recognized as an official heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act. The former Windfields Estate on Bayview Avenue, once the home of E. P. Taylor, has also been preserved and now houses the Canadian Film Centre. Much of the surrounding land has continued to change through university construction, residential development, and planned retail uses, while the remaining core and heritage features provide tangible reminders of the farm's role in Thoroughbred history.
History
Windfields Farm grew from E. P. Taylor's early Thoroughbred activities in the Toronto area. Taylor maintained a stable and breeding operation on Bayview Avenue before acquiring Parkwood Stable in Oshawa in 1950. The property had previously been associated with Colonel Sam McLaughlin. Taylor renamed the operation the National Stud Farm, creating the foundation for what would become Canada's best-known modern Thoroughbred breeding establishment. The operation was renamed Windfields Farm Limited, Oshawa Division, in 1969. By then, the farm had developed into a major breeding and racing enterprise. Its physical estate eventually covered roughly 1,500 acres and included extensive paddocks, stables, and breeding facilities. Population growth around Oshawa gradually placed pressure on the agricultural use of the land, but the farm continued to operate on a substantial scale for many years. Windfields Farm's historical importance rests principally on the horses bred there. Northern Dancer was born at the Ontario farm in 1961. He became a leading racehorse through victories in the 1964 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Queen's Plate, then became an exceptionally influential sire. After standing initially in Ontario, Northern Dancer was transferred to the Windfields operation in Maryland in 1969. His descendants reshaped international Thoroughbred breeding. The Ontario farm also bred Nijinsky, a son of Northern Dancer who won the English Triple Crown, and The Minstrel, another Northern Dancer son who won the 1977 Epsom Derby. These horses connected the Oshawa operation to the highest levels of British, North American, and international racing. Windfields' reputation consequently extended beyond its role as a Canadian farm: it became a source of globally important bloodstock. Taylor's health and the deaths of successive family leaders marked the beginning of the operation's decline. Taylor suffered a stroke in 1980 and his son Charles took over management. E. P. Taylor died in 1989, while Charles died in 1997. After Charles's death, Noreen Taylor and Judith Taylor Mappin assumed responsibility for the business. The Maryland farm had already been sold in 1988. During the following years, the Oshawa property was progressively reduced. Portions of the southeastern area were sold to support institutional development by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, now Ontario Tech University, and Durham College. Farmland on the east side of Simcoe Street was converted to housing. By 2008, the former 600-horse operation had been reduced to a small private farm. In November 2009, breeding operations ceased and the remaining broodmares and weanlings were auctioned. After closure, attention shifted from commercial breeding to conservation and public remembrance. Concerns arose over access to and maintenance of the burial site of Northern Dancer and other horses. Oshawa became involved in 2012, and later heritage planning produced a program for honouring the farm's legacy. In 2018, Northern Dancer's grave received official heritage recognition under Ontario law. At the same time, former paddock lands were being developed for housing and retail purposes. The former Windfields Estate at 2489 Bayview Avenue in North York has been preserved as a heritage property and now houses the Canadian Film Centre. The surviving grave sites, estate, institutional lands, and developing neighbourhood collectively represent the fragmented physical remains of Windfields Farm. Although the breeding business is defunct, its name continues to signify the Northern Dancer legacy and the international influence of Canadian Thoroughbred breeding.
- 2018
Northern Dancer's grave receives heritage designation
[1]The grave was recognized as an official heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act.
- 2009
Breeding operations end
[1]The remaining Ontario breeding operation was wound up and its broodmares and weanlings were sent to auction.
- 1988
Maryland farm is sold
[1]Windfields Farm's Maryland site in Chesapeake City was sold.
- 1980
Charles Taylor assumes management
[1]After E. P. Taylor suffered a stroke, his son Charles took over management of Windfields Farm.
- 1977
The Minstrel wins the Epsom Derby
[1]The Minstrel, bred by E. P. Taylor at Windfields, won the Epsom Derby and further enhanced the farm's international reputation.
- 1969
The operation adopts the Windfields Farm name
[1]The National Stud Farm was renamed Windfields Farm Limited, Oshawa Division. Northern Dancer was also moved to the Maryland farm for stud duties.
- 1964
Northern Dancer wins major North American races
[1]Northern Dancer won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Queen's Plate, establishing his racing and breeding significance.
- 1961
Northern Dancer is born
[1]Northern Dancer, later one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history, was born at Windfields Farm in Ontario.
- 1950
Taylor acquires Parkwood Stable in Oshawa
[1]E. P. Taylor purchased Parkwood Stable from Colonel Sam McLaughlin and established the National Stud Farm at the Oshawa property.
Products and positioning
A prestige Thoroughbred breeding institution built around elite racehorse production, international bloodline influence, and the legacy of Canadian horse racing.
Racehorse breeding · 1950
Thoroughbred racehorses
Windfields Farm bred and developed Thoroughbred racehorses for competition in Canada, the United States, Britain, and other racing jurisdictions. Its most prominent graduates included Northern Dancer, Nijinsky, and The Minstrel. The farm's racing output functioned both as a competitive program and as the foundation for a valuable international breeding legacy.
Equine breeding · 1950
Breeding stock
The farm maintained broodmares, stallions, foals, and weanlings as part of its breeding program. Its breeding stock was selected and managed to produce commercially valuable and competitively successful bloodlines. The remaining broodmares and weanlings were auctioned when the Ontario breeding operation was closed in 2009.
Thoroughbred bloodline · 1969
Northern Dancer bloodline
Northern Dancer's lineage became the farm's most important enduring asset. After his racing career, he stood at stud first in Ontario and later at the Maryland operation. His descendants influenced breeding programs around the world, making Windfields Farm a lasting reference point in international Thoroughbred genetics.
Brand decisions
2009
Wind up the Ontario breeding operationStrategyBackground
Progressive land sales and the reduction of the once-large estate had left the former major breeding operation substantially diminished.
Action taken
Breeding operations were terminated, and remaining broodmares and weanlings were sent to auction.
Aftermath
Windfields Farm ceased to operate as a commercial breeding business and entered a post-closure phase focused on heritage and remembrance.
1988
Sell the Maryland farmStrategyBackground
The Windfields organization operated properties in Ontario and Maryland as part of its North American breeding strategy.
Action taken
The Maryland farm in Chesapeake City was sold.
Aftermath
Windfields' remaining principal identity and land base became increasingly concentrated in Ontario.
1969
Rename the National Stud Farm as Windfields FarmStrategyBackground
Taylor's Oshawa breeding operation had developed beyond its original National Stud Farm identity and was being positioned as a major branded breeding enterprise.
Action taken
The business adopted the name Windfields Farm Limited, Oshawa Division.
Aftermath
The Windfields name became associated with the farm's internationally recognized racehorses and bloodlines.
Recent events
- 2018
Northern Dancer grave designated a heritage site[1]
Other
Northern Dancer's burial site was formally recognized as an official heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act, supporting preservation and landscaping efforts.
- 2018
Former Windfields paddock lands begin residential development[1]
Other
Development began on approximately 115 acres of former paddock and open-field land north of the farm's core, with residential and planned retail uses changing the surrounding landscape.
- 2012
Oshawa joins efforts to preserve the Windfields legacy[1]
Other
The City of Oshawa became involved in efforts to ensure that the former farm's history and heritage features received appropriate recognition.
- 2009
Windfields Farm breeding operation wound up[1]
Other
The farm's remaining breeding operations ended, and its broodmares and weanlings were sent to auction at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Winter Mixed Sale.
Sources1 sources
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