Racehorse TALK

Windfields Farm, the legendary Canadian breeding operation that bred 48 champions including 1964 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer, "will close its doors following a dispersal of its remaining bloodstock at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale," reported thoroughbredtimes.com. E.P.Taylor founded Windfields in Ontario in 1936, but a statement from the surviving members of the Taylor family announced that "due to the nature of ownership, their ages & their interests, they reached the emotional decision to discontinue the thoroughbred operation". E.P.Taylor bred Northern Dancer in his own name & the Nearctic colt was voted US Champion 3YO of 1964, before "going on to become one of the most influential sires in history". Taylor won US Eclipse Awards as Outstanding Breeder in 1977 & 1983, while Windfields has been North America's leading breeder by purse-money 9 times, by stakes-wins 13 times & by wins 19 times. In addition, Windfields has been Canada's leading racing stable 15 times & runners bred there have won Canada's prestigious Queen's Plate a record 21 times. Windfield-bred star gallopers include: Northern Dancer's 3 Gr1 English Derby-winning sons Nijinsky II, The Minstrel & Secreto; US Eclipse champions Devil's Bag & Glorious Song; European champions Storm Bird, El Gran Senor, Shareef Dancer, Awaasif, Danzatore & Try My Best; leading Canadian sires Vice Regent & Archers Bay; & influential sires Saint Ballado & Northern Taste.