Dan Patch

Dan Patch was a brown horse by Joe Patchen out of Zelica, and the outstanding pacer of his day. He was foaled in 1896 and died on July 11, 1916. He repeatedly broke the record for the fastest mile by a harness horse, finally lowering it to 1:55¼ in a time trial in 1905 (the last year in which pacers and trotters were allowed to follow the pacemakers in time trials). This record stood until 1938. His fastest race mile was 1:58.

Dan Patch was a sports superstar with extensive endorsements (including washing machines and cigars). Much of his career was spent barnstorming. He retired undefeated in 1909 as the holder of nine world records.

For links to other harness horse information and biographies, see also:

• Harness racing