I got out for my first hunt of 2021 last Friday morning and found a racehorse name tag. I found this in one of the paddocks which is one of the last to be developed into residential housing in Windfields Farm. The tall grass in the horse paddock made it a challenge to swing the coil, but the only time of year that I can detect here is after the snow has melted. I have included pics of the original front entrance gate to the farm and some of the horse paddocks (now gone), I’ve also included a pic of how the same entrance looks today. Also included, is an excerpt from a local newspaper article from 2009, it talks about the last nine horses left at Windfields that will be sent to auction prior to the land being developed. The mare Barney's Mistress was one of the last horses to be sold. I am holding what’s left of her leather halter in my hand. It’s sad to think that this is all that’s left of her and it would’ve been lost forever if I hadn’t been fortunate enough to find it.
I got out again on Tuesday to another site east of Toronto, which once again is only accessible in the early spring. There was a hotel located just east of here in the late-19thc, this is where the barn/stables were located. Where the hotel used to be, is now a paved 4-lane highway. It was here that I found a brass horse rosette and a flat button.
Thanks very much for looking,
Dave
‘Windfields to Disperse Standout Mares and Foals - Farm to sell nine mares and four weanlings at Keeneland November sale.’ - November 7, 2009
“Windfields Farm, the historic Canadian nursery that announced in August it would disperse its remaining horses at this year’s Keeneland November breeding stock sale, has several promising prospects that are sure to stir up some excitement during the auction Nov. 10-11 in Lexington, KY.
Founded in the Canadian Province of Ontario by the late E.P. Taylor in 1936, Windfields has produced nearly 50 champions and more than 360 stakes winners. Included in that group was Northern Dancer, the 1964 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner whose success as a sire has had an indelible effect on international breeding over the past four decades. Taylor became the first Canadian member of The Jockey Club in 1953 and was honored with Eclipse Awards as outstanding breeder in 1977 and 1983. His son, Charles P.B. Taylor, took over operations in 1980 and continued until his death in 1997. Judith Taylor Mappin, Taylor’s daughter, is serving as farm president until the operation’s closure following the sale.
"It's bittersweet to disperse at any time of course, but this is the decision that was made and we have to try and make the most of it in a very tough market," said Simon Cassidy, Windfield's director of operations. "Hopefully, the few higher end lots will make up for the mid and lower end, which as we've seen in the past year will most likely sell for significantly less than they would have two years ago."
Of the farm's nine mares and four weanlings that are cataloged, two of the biggest sale standouts are the Hennessy mare Sweet and Careless (Hip No. 318), and her weanling colt by Elusive Quality (Hip No. 319). Sweet and Careless is a half-sister to dual grade I- winning millionaire Subordination (by Mt. Livermore) and another stakes winner, Domination (by Prized).
Another attractive offering is the Dynaformer mare Barney's Mistress (Hip No. 1108). A $200,000-plus earner during her racing career, Barney’s Mistress is a daughter of the stakes-winning Hail Emperor mare Chief Mistress. Barney’s Mistress’ first foal, a Silver Deputy gelding named Deputiformer, captured the 2007 Cup and Saucer Stakes on turf at Woodbine and has earned more than $400,000. Barney’s Mistress is currently in foal to Dixie Union, who has sired 11 stakes winners this year, seven of which were graded, including grade I victor Hot Dixie Chick.”
Attachments
-
20210326_190854_resized.jpg -
20210326_190918_resized.jpg -
20210326_191044_resized.jpg -
20210326_191010_resized.jpg -
20210326_190948_resized.jpg -
Screenshot_2021-03-26 Horse Profile for Barney's Mistress Equibase.png -
WindfieldsMainEntrance.png -
tilling_a_new_future_on_thefarm.jpeg -
the_roadhome.jpeg -
windfields_farms.jpg -
20210331_153501_resized.jpg -
20210331_153127.jpg -
20210331_070600.jpg -
20210330_181628_resized.jpg -
20210330_181551_resized.jpg -
20210331_153242_resized.jpg -
20210331_153219_resized.jpg -
20210331_153410_resized.jpg -
20210331_153338_resized.jpg
Upvote
28
