Toronto history “remembers” Robert Davies as a successful businessman who also owned thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses, writes toronto1.one.

The beginning of the journey

Robert Davies was born in Toronto on May 19, 1849. He was a student at Park School and Upper Canada College.

In 1870, Robert proposed to a young lady named Margaret Taylor. The couple got married later. The girl was the daughter of John Taylor, who owned paper mills in the suburbs of Toronto.

The year 1877 was marked for our hero by the establishment of the famous Dominion Brewery. In 1887, thanks to the success of his business, the entrepreneur was able to sell his shares in the company to English investors.

Entrepreneurship

In 1901, Robert’s family faced many financial problems. Then he decided to become the official owner of most of the Taylor family businesses. These included paper mills and a brick factory.

Favorite shop

It is interesting that in his childhood he was very fond of horseback riding, and for a while, he was even a jockey.

In 1865, Robert, who was sixteen at the time, participated in the Queen’s Plate.

Soon he began to train his horses.

By the time Robert was twenty-two, he was competing in numerous races. At that time he worked mainly with Floss, a horse that later became a winner of various jumps.

In 1872, Robert began training Fernow, who also won many races.

It’s fair to jump ahead a bit and note that in 2008, Davies was officially recognized as the only Toronto businessman who was a member of the Queen’s Plate and who owned, trained and bred winning horses.

Later, he bought a horse named Southern Maid. She was known for her brilliant success in various races and competitions. Later, already in Robert’s possession, she gave birth to a beautiful stallion.

A business that was a real hobby

In 1888, Davies purchased a large estate from his father-in-law, on which he built a large farm. Later, it also became part of his full-fledged business.

Moreover, Robert was not only engaged in business and administration – he also continued to devote time to his hobby, participating in races. Only then was he able to include the horses bred on his own farm in this business.

Other activities

Interestingly, he was also the head of the Canadian Horse Breeders Association. Also, while he was vice president of the Ontario Jockey Club from 1895 to 1904, he tried to get the rules that prohibited horses born outside the provincial territory from participating in the Queen’s Plate abolished.

The end of the earthly journey

Robert’s earthly journey ended in 1916. He was laid to rest in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.

It is important to note that Robert was posthumously honored for his tremendous contribution to the development of the city, its industry, business and agriculture.

Robert’s estate was purchased by Baltimore investors who then began construction of a racetrack.

It is worth noting that at the time of his death, he was one of the wealthiest residents of Toronto.

The Fate of the Brewery

As for the Dominion Brewery complex owned by Davies, it existed until 1936. Later, in the 1987s and 1990s, the facility was reconstructed. Subsequently, it turned into several premises that were leased for offices.

Photo: wikipedia