Winston at the opening ceremonies on the red carpet with Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Minister Lisa Thompson, Mayor John Tory, and Chief R. Stacey Laforme of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
Photo Credit: Ben Radvanyi
The 26-year-old Percheron-cross owned by the fair’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Katie Brown, stands over 16.3 hands and was a sight for all to see. He spent time throughout the event offering spectators the chance to visit and take pictures with him. Winston joins a long line of beloved previous Royal Ambassadors, which have included Turbo the Goat, Lil’ Ben the Miniature Horse, and rooster-duo, The Royal Duke and his son The Royal Roy.
“Given the significance of this year’s Fair, we knew we needed a larger-than-life ambassador to embody ‘A Century of Champions’,” said Charlie Johnstone, Chief Executive Officer, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. “We’re incredibly proud to have had Winston on board – a majestic draft horse who is an icon in this city’s history.”
Winston going on a shopping trip with owner and Royal Winter Fair spokesperson Katie Brown
Photo Credit: Ben Radvanyi and Alice Chen / Metroland
Winston’s story is a special one and has been part of the Royal for almost a quarter of a century. It began in 1999 when the Fair purchased him to donate to the Toronto Police Service Mounted Unit. At the time, the Toronto Sun newspaper ran a contest for the public to name him and the winning name was ‘Winter Sun’ – a mixture of the two. His barn name thereafter became “Winston”.
Winston served in the mounted unit for 17 years and was retired in 2016, making him the longest-serving mount of the Toronto Police Service. Owner Brown was fortunate to be selected to adopt him at that time and offer him a retirement home. “I had been coming to the fair since I was a little girl and for 10 years was working in Communications with the fair,” said Brown. “I became really familiar with the horses that were there and had a really big soft spot for Winston.”
“And when I came to a point where I shifted my focus from competing with horses to celebrating and retiring them, word was out that he was up for adoption,” she said. “And to be able to be approved for that honour, was just so incredible. I will never forget that day.”
Brown has taken it as a true honour to retire him. “I know how important he is to a lot of people,” she shared. “For six years, he has lived in retirement at my house, the mounted police unit loved getting updates about him and what he’s been up to. He enjoys watching sunrises.”
For the Royal, that celebrates all animals and is at its core an agricultural fair, selecting Winston as the ambassador was just right. ‘Winter Sun’ represents not only the history of draft horses working in agriculture but also how the Toronto Police Service shares the horse palace with the Royal, where Winston lived. Celebrating an animal that provided a community service for over 17 years, was a fitting tribute to the history, the city, the Fair and everyone that came to visit.
When Winston returned to the city to be unveiled as the 2022 ambassador, he had a surprise welcoming. “He was unveiled earlier this year at the Prince’s Gates and to our surprise, the Toronto Police Service welcomed him back to the city in full ceremonial dress,” said Brown. “He was so proud and he stood so tall, when he heard those hooves coming towards him. He recognized who it was, some of the officers were his former partners. It was really emotional to watch.” (Watch it here!)
During the fair, Winston really enjoyed meeting everyone and welcoming them to the centennial. “It’s like he knew what his role was,” said Brown. “There is an incredible humbleness about Winston. Having as many people come up to him and tell him how beautiful he is, and just be in awe of him, it’s an energy he was feeling. My heart is just so happy that he experienced that.”
Photo Credit: CNW Group / The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair