EP Taylor, a dynamic businessman, breeder, and the visionary behind the Ontario Jockey Club, left an indelible mark on the racing world. The prestigious Grade 1 EP Taylor Stakes, an annual event at Woodbine Race Course since 1956, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy. Originally known as the Nettie Handicap, the race was renamed in 1981 to honour Edward Plunkett Taylor, the esteemed president of the Ontario Jockey Club and the founder of the Jockey Club of Canada.
Taylor's approach to business was unconventional yet remarkably effective. With an unparalleled economic acumen and boundless passion, he charted his course, often defying convention and inviting criticism. However, his unorthodox methods consistently yielded success, enabling him to surpass his goals and emerge victorious in his endeavours.
Brewing Beginnings
Edward Plunkett Taylor's entrepreneurial journey traces back to his childhood in Ottawa, Ontario. Born on January 29, 1901, into a family that owned the Brading Brewery since 1867, Taylor was inspired by his grandfather's success as a businessman. Determined to emulate him, he seized control of the brewery and embarked on a path of expansion. In 1928, amidst a landscape of 37 small, struggling breweries in Ottawa, Taylor implemented a strategy of mergers and acquisitions. By consolidating smaller breweries and merging with larger, thriving companies, he founded Canadian Breweries Limited. This bold move catapulted the company to unprecedented success, making it the largest beer company globally with ownership of over 20 breweries. Taylor's business model of acquisition and consolidation became his hallmark.
War and Service
During World War II, Taylor's sense of duty led him to volunteer with the Canadian government. Working in the Department of Munitions and Supply, his expertise caught the attention of Churchill, who appointed him to lead the British Supply Council in North America. In 1940, Taylor faced peril when the ship he was aboard was torpedoed, but he miraculously survived. This brush with death underscored his resilience and commitment to service.
Argus Corporation
In 1945, leveraging the foundation of Canadian Breweries Limited, Taylor founded Argus Corporation. By the 1960s and 1970s, companies under Argus Corporation's control held a significant portion of shares traded on the Canadian stock exchange. Spanning industries from grocery stores to soft drinks, agricultural machinery, wood products, and breweries, Argus Corporation's commercial interests showcased Taylor's enduring legacy of innovation and success.
Establishing Windfields Farm
In 1936, EP Taylor ventured into the world of horse breeding with the acquisition of a farm north of Toronto, which would later evolve into Windfields Farms. Expanding its reach, additional branches emerged in Ottawa and Maryland, solidifying Windfields' reputation as a premier breeding establishment.
Windfields Farm became synonymous with excellence in breeding, producing iconic champions such as Northern Dancer, whose legacy extended through his famous son Nijinsky. Nijinsky's triumph in the English Triple Crown, a feat unmatched for 35 years, remains a testament to Windfields' breeding prowess.
Secreto and Minstrel, both offspring of Northern Dancer, added to Windfields' acclaim by clinching victories in the prestigious Epsom Derby. Additionally, Chop Chop, a stallion imported by Taylor from the United States, further solidified Windfields' dominance by siring four Queen's Plate winners and reigning as Canada's top sire from 1959 to 1963.
EP Taylor's tenure as North America's leading breeder was marked by unparalleled success. From 1960 to 1969 and from 1977 to 1985, he held the coveted title, amassing an impressive array of prize-winning horses. His accolades included nine nominations as the top breeder by money won, along with prestigious honours such as being named Thoroughbred Racing Man of the Year in 1973 and receiving induction into the Canadian Hall of Fame as an honorary member.
Taylor's contributions to the breeding industry were further recognized with the prestigious Eclipse Awards in 1977 and 1983, solidifying his status as an outstanding breeder in North America. With over 320 winners produced in the 20th century alone, Windfields Farm attracted clientele ranging from sheikhs and royalty to discerning buyers seeking the finest bloodlines in the equine world.
Northern Dancer: A Racing Revolution
EP Taylor's pride and joy, "Northern Dancer," emerged as a revolutionary force in the world of horse racing. Despite defying conventional standards, this diminutive yet determined equine captured hearts and headlines alike.
In 1958, Taylor made a fateful purchase at the Saratoga sale, acquiring the yearling filly Natalma for $35,000. Though her racing career was hampered by injury, Natalma's union with Nearctic at Windfields Farm birthed Northern Dancer. Compact and sturdy, he defied the typical thoroughbred mould, resembling more a quarter horse than a traditional racer. Taylor's attempt to sell him at auction in 1962 for $25,000 proved futile, as the diminutive colt found no takers.
However, fate had grander plans for Northern Dancer. Just two years later, after a series of triumphs in Canada, he stunned the racing world by claiming victory at the Kentucky Derby, setting a new track record in the process. Despite initial scepticism from the press due to his modest stature, Northern Dancer proved his mettle on the track, becoming the first Canadian horse to conquer the Derby. While he fell short of the American Triple Crown, finishing third in the Belmont Stakes, he further endeared himself to his homeland by clinching the Queen's Plate, ascending to national hero status in Canada.
Northern Dancer's legacy extended beyond the racetrack, as he embarked on a prestigious stud career in North America and England. By 1984, his stud fee soared to $500,000, a testament to his prowess as a sire. In 1981, Taylor received a staggering offer of $40 million for Northern Dancer, to which he defiantly replied, "Over my corpse!"—a testament to the bond between horse and owner that transcended mere financial gain.
EP Taylor's Racing Renaissance and Inaugurating Woodbine Racetrack
EP Taylor's passion for horse racing burgeoned in the 1950s, leading to his pivotal role in reshaping the Canadian racing landscape. Assuming the presidency of the Ontario Jockey Club in 1953, Taylor orchestrated a transformation akin to his endeavours in the brewing industry. He streamlined the sector, concentrating resources on two key racetracks while phasing out smaller, unsustainable venues.
The crowning achievement of Taylor's vision was the establishment of Woodbine Racetrack, envisioned as a beacon of excellence in Canadian racing. Opening its gates on June 12, 1956, the track boasted grand ambitions, with seating for 40,000 spectators, three racing tracks, and two training tracks. Accommodating facilities included stables for 1,000 horses and space for 700 employees, all constructed at 13 million Canadian dollars.
Woodbine's prestige soared on June 30, 1959, when Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh graced the 100th Royal Plate at the track. Their attendance elevated the event's significance, casting a regal glow upon the burgeoning venue.
In 1971, Woodbine Racetrack catapulted onto the international stage as host of the Canadian International Championships, an event that witnessed the legendary Secretariat's final race. Taylor's negotiations with the horse's owner and aid in resolving Meadow Stud's financial crisis paved the way for the Secretariat's historic appearance. The stallion's breathtaking victory by six lengths electrified spectators worldwide, cementing Woodbine's status as an iconic destination in the racing world.
Legacy and Endurance
In 1980, EP Taylor faced the onset of health challenges, beginning with a series of strokes that would mark the twilight of his illustrious career. Despite his resilient spirit, Taylor's declining health led him to spend his final years in the Bahamas, where he peacefully passed away in 1989. His cherished creation, Northern Dancer, outlived him by a mere year, symbolizing the end of an era in the racing world.
Throughout his life, Taylor embodied the spirit of a true innovator, driven not solely by financial gain but by a deep-seated passion for creation. In a candid interview with the New York Times in 1966, he reflected, "The main motivation is not money. I'm doing something constructive. Some people like to draw or work in the garden. I like creating things." This sentiment encapsulates Taylor's enduring legacy as a visionary who thrived on bringing new ideas to life.
Taylor's indelible mark on Canadian horse racing and the global breeding community cannot be overstated. His tireless efforts propelled the development of Canadian racing to new heights, while the breeding legacy of his Windfields farm continues to reverberate across continents. The descendants of horses bred under Taylor's stewardship grace racetracks worldwide, a testament to his enduring impact on the sport he loved.