Dan Patch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dan Patch
Dan Patch in harness
Breed	Standardbred
Gait	Pace
Sire	Joe Patchen
Grandsire	Patchen Wilkes
Dam	Zelica
Damsire	Wilkesberry
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	April 29, 1896
Died	July 11, 1916
Country	United States
Color	Dark bay
Breeder	Daniel Messner Jr.
Owner	Daniel Messner Jr. Manley E. Sturges (1902) Marion Willis Savage (1902-1916)
Record	undefeated
Driver	John Wattles (1900) Myron McHenry (1901-1903) Harry Hersey (1904-1909)
Mile record	1:551⁄4 unofficially 1:55
Honors
Harness Racing Hall of Fame Immortal (1953)
Last updated on January 2017

Dan Patch (born April 29, 1896 – died July 11, 1916) was a very famous American Standardbred pacer. During his time, harness racing was one of the biggest sports in the country. Dan Patch was a huge celebrity. He never lost a race against other horses. He was so good that other owners stopped racing their horses against him!

Because of this, he spent the rest of his racing career doing "time trials." This meant he raced against the clock to set new speed records. He traveled all over, showing off his amazing speed. Dan Patch broke world speed records at least 14 times in the early 1900s. In 1905, he set a world record for the fastest mile by a harness horse: 1 minute, 55 and a quarter seconds (1:551⁄4). This record lasted for over 30 years! Unofficially, he went even faster in 1906, finishing a mile in 1:55.

Dan Patch was honored in the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in 1953. He was also added to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2019.

How Dan Patch Began

Dan Patch was a dark bay Standardbred stallion. He was born on April 29, 1896, in Oxford, Indiana. His breeder was Daniel Messner Jr., a successful merchant. Messner had bought Dan Patch's mother, Zelica, to be a buggy horse. She had been injured in her only race.

In 1895, Messner bred Zelica to a top racehorse named Joe Patchen. When Dan Patch was born, his legs were very crooked. People in town called him "Messner's Folly." Some even thought he should be put down. But Messner and his friends helped the colt drink his mother's first milk. Slowly, his legs grew straighter. He still had slightly crooked hocks (part of a horse's hind leg). But he grew into a smart and happy horse.

In 1897, Messner tried to name him Dan Patchen. But that name was already taken. So, the racing group gave him the name Dan Patch.

Zelica continued to be a buggy horse. Her colt, Dan Patch, ran freely beside her. At first, he didn't seem special. Messner thought he would just pull a delivery wagon. But a friend, John Wattles, saw his potential. Wattles trained Dan Patch, helping him get stronger and faster. By late 1898, Dan Patch was pulling Messner's buggy and even his sleigh in winter. People in town were amazed by the almost black colt. He loved to run fast but was gentle enough for kids to ride behind him on the sleigh.

When fully grown, Dan Patch was 16 hands tall. He weighed about 1,165 pounds. His back end was higher than his front. He had a short body and long legs. This was good for a pacer. His crooked left hind leg sometimes caused him to "cross fire." This meant his left hind leg might hit his right front leg. Wattles used a special horseshoe to help. He also designed a wider sulky (the cart a driver sits in) so Dan Patch's leg wouldn't hit the wheel.

Who Owned Dan Patch?

Daniel Messner Jr. owned a store and often traveled to buy goods. He loved harness racing and made small bets. Zelica was the first horse he ever owned.

In 1902, Messner sold Dan Patch for a record $20,000. The new owner was Manley E. Sturges from New York. Sturges had first noticed Dan Patch in 1901. He was part-owner of a club in Manhattan. Sturges made his first offer for Dan Patch in the summer of 1901. He finally bought him in February 1902. Messner said he sold the horse because of the high price and the demands of his store.

Later in 1902, Sturges sold Dan Patch to Marion Willis Savage. Savage lived in Hamilton, Minnesota (now Savage). The price was an amazing $60,000! Savage owned the International Stock Food Company. This company made feed supplements for animals. He used Dan Patch to advertise his business. Savage loved Dan Patch very much. He said he loved him like a son. When Dan Patch wasn't traveling, he lived in Minnesota. He stayed either at Savage's mansion or at his large farm. The farm had a fancy stable called the "Taj Mahal."

Dan Patch's Racing Life

Dan Patch started his racing career in 1900 when he was four years old. Back then, harness races had many "heats." A horse had to win most of the heats (usually three out of five) to win the race. Dan Patch never lost a race in his whole career. He only lost two heats. One loss happened in his second race. He was last at the start but almost caught up, losing by a nose. The other loss was in 1901. The judges thought his driver wasn't trying to win that heat.

1900: Indiana Fairs

John Wattles started training Dan Patch seriously in 1899. Before his first race in August 1900, Dan Patch ran a mile in 2 minutes and 14 seconds. This was very good for a horse not trying hard. On August 30, they entered him in the Boswell county fair. The prize was $250. Over 8,000 people came to see the local favorite. Dan Patch won easily in three heats. Wattles didn't push him too hard.

Five days later, Dan Patch raced at the Lafayette Fair. The competition was tougher. Dan Patch was stuck at the back of the field. He closed fast but just missed winning the first heat. Still, he won the next three heats. His fastest time was 2:16.

Dan Patch continued to win at other fairs in Indiana. He won in Crawfordsville and Brazil. He ended 1900 with four wins and $625 in earnings.

1901: The Grand Circuit

In 1901, Messner decided to race Dan Patch against the best horses in the country. These races were part of the Grand Circuit in the northeastern United States. He hired Myron McHenry to be Dan Patch's new trainer and driver. McHenry was known as "America's greatest reinsman."

Dan Patch in 1901 with Myron McHenry.

Dan Patch made his first start with McHenry in Windsor, Ontario, on July 10. He won easily in three heats. His fastest time was 2:071⁄2. On July 17, Dan Patch raced on the Grand Circuit in Detroit. He won easily again. He continued to win in Cleveland, Columbus, and Buffalo. In Buffalo, McHenry let Dan Patch fall behind. Then he unleashed him in the final part of the race. Dan Patch ran the last quarter mile in an amazing 30 seconds. McHenry told reporters, "Dan Patch is the best pacer I've ever drawn a rein over."

Dan Patch's next race was on August 16 in New York City. He was the favorite to win. The start of the first heat was delayed. When it finally began, Dan Patch took the lead but then slowed down. He finished fourth. People were very upset. They thought McHenry didn't try to win. The judges were also "very displeased."

In the second heat, Dan Patch showed how good he was. He won in 2:041⁄2, his fastest time yet. The next day, Dan Patch won the third and fourth heats easily.

Dan Patch continued to win races in Boston, Hartford, Cincinnati, Lexington, and Memphis. In total, he won 12 races in 1901. His hometown of Oxford held the first "Dan Patch Day" on November 14. The horse was led around town to a new song called "Dan Patch Two Step."

1902: New Owner, New Records

In 1902, people wondered how fast Dan Patch could really go. He had only raced as hard as he needed to win. In February, Dan Patch was sold to Manley Sturges. He moved to New York, and McHenry stayed as his driver.

Dan Patch was so dominant that other owners refused to race against him. Tracks also didn't want to allow betting on his races. So, Sturges had Dan Patch compete in exhibition races against the clock. On August 2, Dan Patch ran his first public time trial. He made headlines by running a mile in 2:003⁄4. This was very close to the world record of 1:591⁄4.

Interest in Dan Patch grew. He lowered his personal best to 2:001⁄2. On August 29, he almost broke the world record with a time of 1:591⁄2. Finally, on September 29, Dan Patch tied the world record of 1:591⁄4. He finished the year with many exhibitions for huge crowds.

Marion Savage bought Dan Patch in December for $60,000.

1903: "Champion Harness Horse of the World"

Savage was great at advertising. He used Dan Patch's fame to promote his company. Instead of charging a fee, Savage got a share of the ticket sales. Crowds grew to 40,000 or 50,000 people. In most exhibitions, Dan Patch raced behind galloping horses. These horses helped him set the pace and blocked the wind. They would then move aside, leaving Dan Patch to race against the clock alone.

Savage showed Dan Patch at a winter horse show in Minneapolis. He also scheduled other appearances. In July, Dan Patch ran a half-mile in 573⁄4 seconds. This tied a world record.

On August 19, Dan Patch broke the world record for a mile. He ran it in 1:59. This was the first time galloping Thoroughbreds were used to help set the pace.

Dan Patch then tried to break the record for a mile on a half-mile track. These tracks have more turns, so times are slower. On September 7, he set a world record of 2:04. But a few weeks later, another horse, Prince Alert, broke that record. Prince Alert then set a new world record on a one-mile track: 1:57. He used a large canvas sail between the horses helping him. This "wind shield" reduced wind resistance. This meant Dan Patch was no longer the fastest harness horse.

Dan Patch responded by setting many new records. He broke the record for pacing while pulling a wagon. A week later, he took back the one-mile world record from Prince Alert. He ran it in 1:561⁄4. This news made the front page of the New York Times.

On October 27, he set two world records in 45 minutes! First, he lowered the half-mile record to 56 seconds. Then, he lowered his own record for a mile pulling a wagon to 1:571⁄4.

Dan Patch made two more appearances in 1903. He lowered the record for a mile on a half-mile track to 2:031⁄4. In Macon, Georgia, he set two more records. He lowered the record for a mile pulling an old-fashioned high-wheeled sulky. He also ran two miles in 4:17, setting a new record.

1904: Traveling Star

Dan Patch before his private rail car, around 1904.

In 1904, Savage hired Harry Hersey as Dan Patch's new driver. Hersey had managed Savage's farm. Savage didn't want Dan Patch to race against other horses anymore. He wanted to use Dan Patch to promote his horse feed. Each appearance by Dan Patch became a huge event. Dan Patch traveled in his own special rail car. Half the car was for him, and the other half for his helpers and the horses used to help him pace. Savage estimated Dan Patch traveled about 10,000 miles in 1904.

Dan Patch's first show in 1904 was in August. His first few performances were not his best. But crowds still grew, with 40,000 in Des Moines and 50,000 in Milwaukee.

In September, Dan Patch became very ill. News spread across America that he was dying. Savage rushed to his side. Other veterinarians were called in. They thought it was a serious stomach issue, but one that he could survive. For days, newspapers updated on Dan Patch's slow recovery. He was finally out of danger on September 29. Savage said his company's "International Colic Cure" helped Dan Patch recover.

Dan Patch made a brief appearance in Topeka. Then he went home to Minnesota to rest. He then appeared at the Illinois State Fair. 50,000 people came to see the "national pet."

His next appearance was in Memphis. On October 24, he ran a mile without help in 2:001⁄4. This was the fastest time that year. Two days later, Dan Patch was much better. He ran a mile in a new world record of 1:56! The crowd cheered loudly.

Dan Patch finished the year with shows in St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Dallas. In Oklahoma City, he broke his own record for a mile on a half-mile track. He ran it in 2:03, even though the track was very bad. Hersey said it was "the most wonderful mile ever paced by a horse."

1905: The Black Whirlwind

In 1905, Dan Patch turned nine. Racehorses are often considered past their best at this age. But Dan Patch was still very popular. He appeared at the Minnesota State Fair for 98,000 people. Then he went to Indianapolis (55,000 people) and Allentown (over 100,000 people).

He then went to Lexington. There, he tied his own world record of 1:56. He was surrounded by dust, earning him the nickname "Black Whirlwind." Two days later, Dan Patch set his official record of 1:551⁄4. This time would remain a record for over 30 years!

Savage then wanted Dan Patch to break the record for a mile without any help from other horses. On November 11, Dan Patch ran a mile in 1:58 in Memphis. This shattered the old record for an "in the open" mile.

1906-1909: A True Celebrity

Dan Patch 1:55, an advertisement from Breeder and Sportsman (1911)

In 1906, the National Trotting Association banned the use of "wind shields." But they allowed Dan Patch's 1905 records to stand. So, his official best mile is 1:551⁄4. Unofficially, he ran a mile in 1:55 in September 1906. Savage was so upset that this unofficial time wasn't recognized. He renamed his farm the International 1:55 Stock Food Farm. The 1:55 mark was not officially broken until 1960.

Dan Patch continued to make public appearances. He posted some excellent times. But he never quite reached his top speed again. His achievements made him a huge sports celebrity. Some say he was the most famous athlete in America before Babe Ruth. His name and picture were used to sell many products. These included coffee, cigars, and sheet music. At his peak, he earned over $1 million a year for his owner. He was known as "kindhearted, generous, and a staunch Methodist who never performed on a Sunday."

Many famous people saw Dan Patch. Dwight D. Eisenhower saw him at the 1904 Kansas State Fair. Harry S. Truman wrote a fan letter to the horse when he was a boy.

Records Set by Dan Patch

Dan Patch's Later Life

The tombstone memorial of Dan Patch in Oxford, Indiana.

Dan Patch retired in 1909. He was undefeated and held nine world records. He spent his later life attending exhibitions. Even during his racing career, he was used for breeding. He had a moderately successful breeding career. But he never had a child as fast as he was. His most famous descendant is Jate Lobell, a Hall of Famer.

In July 1916, Dan Patch became ill with colic. He seemed to get better. But on July 11, Dan Patch collapsed. He thrashed his legs as if pacing. Then he died of a massive heart attack. His owner, Marion Willis Savage, was told the news. Savage died just one day later, on July 12.

Remembering Dan Patch

Banners commemorating Dan Patch on lampposts in Savage, Minnesota

Dan Patch is believed to be buried on the "Taj Mahal" property in an unmarked grave. The tombstone in Oxford, Indiana, is a memorial. Dan Patch's hometown of Oxford still honors him. They have an annual "Dan Patch Days" festival. Savage, Minnesota, also holds a "Dan Patch Days" celebration every June.

Today, the land where the "Taj Mahal" stables and racetracks once stood in Savage, Minnesota, is empty. You can still see the outline of a track from the air.

In 1953, Dan Patch was inducted into the new Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame.

The city of Savage, Minnesota, was renamed in 1904 for Dan Patch's owner, Marion Willis Savage. Dan Patch Avenue at the Minnesota State Fair grounds is named after the horse. Dan Patch Drive and Dan Patch Lane in Savage, Minnesota, are also named after him.

In 1992, the Dan Patch Historical Society was formed. They collect and share information about the horse. In 1997, they helped create a Heritage Room in the Savage Public Library. It has displays of Dan Patch items and records.

In 2004, Prior Lake High School in Savage named its new stadium after the horse.

In 2019, Dan Patch was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

At the Indiana State Museum, there is a wire sculpture of Dan Patch. The road into Oxford is called the Dan Patch Highway. There are also other tributes to the horse, including a historical marker at his birthplace.

Images for kids

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  Dan Patch in harness

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  Dan Patch in 1901 with Myron McHenry

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  Dan Patch before his private rail car, circa 1904

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  Dan Patch 1:55, an advertisement from Breeder and Sportsman (1911)

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  The tombstone memorial of Dan Patch in Oxford, Indiana.

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  Banners commemorating Dan Patch on lampposts in Savage, Minnesota