E.P. Taylor's legacy
We are building our own success story upon the foundation of one of this country's greatest entrepreneurial legacies.
It is here, on a portion of the renowned thoroughbred horse-breeding and racing operation founded by illustrious Canadian innovator Edward Plunket (E.P.) Taylor, where we will realize our vision. Our bold Campus Master Plan will create an unprecedented research, innovation and teaching hub that will develop graduates who will shape tomorrow's world.
As we build this centre of innovation, excellence and influence, E.P. Taylor's story of extraordinary achievements inspires and guides us.
Visionary, entrepreneur, innovator and pursuer of excellence
E.P. Taylor saw potential that others did not, personally reshaping entire industries and becoming one of Canada's most successful and influential businessmen.
His talent for innovation became apparent at a young age. During his first year of university, while making himself toast one day, he decided there was a better way to toast bread than one side at a time. He came up with the idea of a double-sided toaster and filed a patent for his invention shortly after his 18th birthday. He then established an agreement with a manufacturing company and was soon receiving royalties. The entrepreneur was on his way.
He started building his financial empire by buying small, unprofitable breweries. He consolidated them, amassed controlling interest and established Canadian Breweries, which became the world’s largest brewing company.
He loved to build – industries, businesses, communities and buildings. As immigrants flooded into Canada following World War II, Taylor envisioned them living in a new kind of neighbourhood intermingling industry, shopping, recreation and housing. With land he purchased in Toronto, Ontario he developed the unique Don Mills community, creating a pioneering blueprint for post-war suburban development.
He also saw untapped opportunities in the world of thoroughbred horse racing and breeding. He established Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario and created one of the world's most successful thoroughbred breeding businesses. He also reshaped the horse racing industry. As the president of the Ontario Jockey Club he consolidated multiple money-losing racetracks to create a world renowned racing circuit highlighted by his tour de force – Woodbine Racetrack.
On May 2, 1964 Windfields Farm achieved international acclaim when Northern Dancer, who was born in barn No. 6, won the Kentucky Derby, the first Canadian-bred thoroughbred to do so. The little horse with the white blaze became a national hero. He went on to win the Preakness Stakes, the second race in the American Triple Crown. He also finished third in the Belmont Stakes, the final race. Soon afterward, with strained foreleg tendons, he was retired to stud – and Taylor's thoroughbred breeding business took off.
Northern Dancer became one of the world's greatest thoroughbred sires. It's estimated that 70 per cent of today's thoroughbreds are his descendants, including most of the horses competing in the world's major races.
Our shared destiny
In 2013, UOIT and Durham College acquired a portion of Windfields Farm lands for future campus development. We will preserve the heart of Windfields Farm lands as parkland, including its historic barns and Northern Dancer's grave.
As we honour E.P. Taylor's legacy, we also look to the future, just as he did. We have big plans, with Windfields Farm lands at the centre: new infrastructure, collaborative student spaces and labs, and centres of excellence.
E.P. Taylor saw what others could not. Here on his land, our students will answer questions that others have yet to ask.
We believe the visionary E.P. Taylor would be proud of our ambitious quest for growth, innovation and excellence
"I like to create things.''
- E.P. Taylor
Legendary Canadian visionary and entrepreneur
Founder of Windfields Farm, Oshawa, Ontario
"The nature of the man was that he could always see what most of us couldn’t.”
- Canadian Business Hall of Fame, referencing E.P. Taylor
Photo: © Yousuf Karsh
