Brandon Brothers Stables: James Brandon, William J. Brandon, Robert Brandon

Brandon Brothers Stables of Warwick Township was known worldwide for Clydesdale Horses. Four generations of horsemen made an impact on the industry for over 100 years. They were breeders, showmen, six-horse hitch drivers, and all-around horse lovers.

William Brandon (1847-1897) came to Warwick Township in the 1850s. He emigrated from Ireland with his parents and siblings. In 1874, he married Alison Robertson. In the 1880s, William worked as a livestock dealer, cattleman, and horse breeder. When he died, three of his sons took over the business. They created Brandon Brothers Stables.

From 1904 to 1948, James (1878-1948), William J. (1879-1962), and Robert (1883-1959) established a renowned Clydesdale breeding program. To get started, they bought purebred mares and secured Gallant Barron, one of Canada’s top Clydesdale sires. Clydesdale Horses are draft horses. The breed originated in Scotland and is known for its strength, stamina, confirmation (body shape or structure), and beauty. For many years, they provided essential horsepower for farmers and businesses.

Horse breeding is a complex business. During a speech at the Vendome Hotel in Sarnia in 1938, William A. Dryden (manager of the Royal Winter Fair) said it takes “… natural intuition to be able to select and mate farm animals so as to produce an improvement in the progeny.” Owners like the Brandons used posters and cards to advertise their stallions’ attributes and let farmers know when and where the stallions would be available for breeding.

Farmers would purchase a mare from the Brandons and return her to be bred by one of the high-quality Brandon stallions. The quality of Clydesdale Horses on local farms improved. Local farmers showed their horses at local and national levels to wide acclaim. This reflected well on the Brandons. Farmers could also sell their colts through Brandon-organized sales.

In the 1920s, demand for horses was high. As their business grew, the Brandons began to import the best stallions and mares from Scotland. They imported the stallion Carbrook Buchlyvie from Scotland in 1920. This horse solidified the Brandon’s reputation as one of the top Clydesdale breeders in the world. From 1922 to 1938, this horse ranked #1 for sire of winners at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Brandon Brothers also owned Forest Favourite, the #2-ranked horse for the same period.

Brandon Brothers Stables was home to as many as 250 horses. Tragedy struck on July 17, 1929. Around 1 a.m. James Brandon was horrified to see two of his large barns on fire. He rescued six horses and nearly lost his life trying to save Carbrook Buchlyvie when the roof caved in. Both barns were destroyed. Five prized stallions were lost, including Carbrook Buchlyvie. The fires were believed to have been deliberately set.

The depression of the 1930s was a difficult time for many farmers. Because tractors and fuel were expensive, the demand for draft horses remained strong. This was good for the Brandons. Large businesses were using teams of horses (the six-horse hitch) in promotional tours to advertise their products. The idea appealed to the Anheuser-Busch brewing company of St. Louis, Missouri. Between 1933 and 1948, August A. Busch bought ten Clydesdales from Brandon Brothers. The horses became their trademark.

After the Second World War, machinery took over and draft horses became a novelty. The urine of pregnant mares contains the hormone estrogen. It was used in the medical field before the discovery of synthetic estrogen. The Brandons renovated their barns to collect urine and their business was temporarily saved.

James Brandon died in 1948. Brandon Brothers was forced to downsize. James Brandon’s sons, John and Jim, remained active in the business. They both held positions with the Ontario Clydesdale Club. John became a lead driver for American companies using six- and eight-horse teams for advertising. He showed at the national and world levels in the 1950s and 1960s. He continued as a horse owner, dealer, and judge through the 1970s and 1980s. Along the way, John recruited his son. Don Brandon continued in business with his father, showing horses until the mid-1990s.

Community Contributions

Clydesdale Horse Association of Canada
Ontario Clydesdale Horse Association
Ontario Horse Breeders Association
Lambton-Kent Horse Breeders Association
Forest Clydesdales Breeders Association
Royal Winter Fair (Toronto)
Canadian National Exhibition (Toronto)
Western Fair (London)
Forest Agricultural Society
Bear Creek Farmers Club
Junior Farmers
Forest Boys Foal Club
Forest Plowmens’ Association
The Dominion Livestock Record Board