“For me, a photograph of NORTHERN DANCER on the cover of Pacemaker Magazine when NIJINSKY II had just turned 3 years old in 1970 was a defining moment. His presence jumped off the page. I had just recently witnessed his son NIJINSKY demolish his rivals in his two-year-old races so naturally I was curious about his sire. As I looked into his background, it became a quest of mine to follow his career and indeed my career choices ended up being shaped by his story.
When I moved to Windfields Farm in Maryland to take up a grooming job, I had some of his top yearlings in my barn. I noticed their great balance and the same intelligence I had seen in that photograph. From being around him, I noticed he was a dominant presence in all that he did. First to be turned out in his paddock and first to be brought in everyday. He acted like every mare was for his court.
He was not an easy horse to handle by any means, but he would pose for visitors and take comfort in the thought that they were there to visit him. My sales experiences with his yearlings were unforgettable with his many million-dollar yearlings. His legendary career was amazing to witness from working close to him.
On his passing, I was tasked with his burial at his birthplace at Windfields Farm in Oshawa.
The whole farm turned out that November evening along with Charles Taylor, to pay their respects. It was a sad but a peaceful moment of gratitude for one of the greatest breed-shaping thoroughbred horses of all time. I have my career to thank him for.”
Bernard McCormack managed Windfields Farm, one of the world’s and Canada’s most iconic Thoroughbred Farms. McCormack and his wife Karen moved on to owning their own breeding business, Mapleshade Farm in Janetville, Ontario.
Their Sales Agency Division, Cara Bloodstock, was formed in 1996 and operates as a full public sales agency with a focus on selling in the Canadian and US auction markets. They have earned the honour of being the leading Canadian based thoroughbred sales agency.
The word Cara is Gaelic for friend and latin for beloved which is what our horses and horsepeople are. Karen and I are honoured to work in the spirit of friendship for the success of the horses and those that own and breed them. Living one’s dream that is what the Cara Bloodstock business brand means to us.