Dan Patch
(1896-1916)

animal and horse

Died aged c. 20

Dan Patch (April 29, 1896 – July 11, 1916) was a noted American Standardbred pacer. At a time when harness racing was one of the largest sports in the nation, Dan Patch was a major celebrity. He was undefeated in open competition, and was so dominant on the racetrack that other owners eventually refused to enter their horses against him. Instead, he ended his racing career performing time trials, and traveled extensively on exhibition, earning millions of dollars in purses, attendance gate receipts, and product endorsements. Dan Patch broke world speed records at least 14 times in the early 1900s. In 1905, he set a world's record for the fastest mile by a harness horse (1:551⁄4 – 1 minute, 55+1⁄4 seconds) that stood unmatched for over 30 years. Unofficially, Dan Patch broke this record in 1906 with a clocking of 1:55. He died on July 11, 1916. His owner, Marion Willis Savage, died just one day later. Dan Patch was inducted into the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in 1953 and the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2019.

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Commemorated on 1 plaque

Dan Patch Standard-bred colt (sire Joe Patchen, dam Zelica) foaled 1896 Oxford, Benton County; raised by Daniel A. Messner, Jr. on this farm. A natural pacer, trained for harness racing, a very popular sport in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Dan Patch began his racing career at county fairs in 1900; he became famous in Grand Circuit racing and never lost a race. In 1902, sold to M. E. Sturgis, New York, then to Marion W. Savage, owner of International Stock Food Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, who used horse's racing fame to market his stock food and many other products from toys to automobiles. Dan Patch's 1906 world record 1:55 mile held for thirty-two years. Was retired from racing 1909 for stud. Took part in exhibitions; died 1916. Erected 1999 Indiana Historical Bureau, descendants of Daniel A. Messner, Jr., Oxford Lions Club, Oxford Citizens and Town Board, Benton County Indiana Historical Society, Inc.

203 South Michigan Road, near intersection of SR 352 & SR 55 at east edge, Oxford, IN, United States where they was