Dan Patch
Oxford, Benton County, Indiana
Marker Inscription
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.
Erected by Indiana Historical Bureau
The Story
Foaled in 1896 near Oxford and raised on this Benton County farm, the pacer Dan Patch became the greatest star of harness racing during its golden age. Trained for the sulky, he never lost a race and in 1906 set a world record mile of 1:55 that stood for thirty-two years. His owner, Marion Savage, turned the horse's fame into a marketing empire, stamping his name on everything from stock food to toys and automobiles.
Why it matters
Dan Patch shows how a sporting celebrity could be spun into a national brand at the turn of the century, an early chapter in American mass marketing and popular fame.
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Related people
- · Dan Patch
- · Daniel A. Messner Jr.
- · Marion W. Savage
Themes & tags
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