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Lot Essay
Sired by the legendary Joe Patchen, Dan Patch (1897-1916) was a celebrated harness racer. He ran his first race in 1900 and became a national celebrity in 1902 when he lost only two races out of 56 starts. In December of that year, he was purchased by Marion Willis Savage, who owned the International Stock Food Company and was a genius of promotion. There was Dan Patch smoking and chewing tobacco, a Dan Patch washing machine, even a dance named the Dan Patch Two Step.
Dan Patch earned millions for his owner, who charged $17,000 a year in stud fees, and as much as $21,500 for a single exhibition. Savage pledged substantial amounts of Dan Patch's winnings to the Wesley Church - enough to earn him honorary membership into the Methodist Church. Savage famously declared "Dan's a Methodist now and there'll be no racing on Sundays!" Dan Patch traveled in his own private railroad car and when he was at home, he lived in a huge barn so grand it was called the "Taj Mahal". Savage cherished his champion pacer and died July 12, 1916, the day after Dan Patch died.
Dan Patch earned millions for his owner, who charged $17,000 a year in stud fees, and as much as $21,500 for a single exhibition. Savage pledged substantial amounts of Dan Patch's winnings to the Wesley Church - enough to earn him honorary membership into the Methodist Church. Savage famously declared "Dan's a Methodist now and there'll be no racing on Sundays!" Dan Patch traveled in his own private railroad car and when he was at home, he lived in a huge barn so grand it was called the "Taj Mahal". Savage cherished his champion pacer and died July 12, 1916, the day after Dan Patch died.