Dan Patch Days History
Harold Savage in the Dan Patch Days Parade 1953
Before Secretariat, Seattle Slew or War Emblem there was Dan Patch. The only horse in racing history to break the two-minute barrier 35 times, Dan Patch startled the world with a record-breaking one mile pace of 1:55 minutes on September 8, 1906 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Apart from his physical prowess, Dan Patch was a crowd pleaser and a hero to kids across America as popular as Lassie and Rin Tin Tin. Dan Patch lived and trained in an elaborate horse stable built on the southern banks of the Minnesota River by his owner, M.W. Savage, a prominent Minneapolis businessman.
When Dan Patch died in 1916, Savage died 32 hours later, an untimely death said to be caused by a broken heart. The local community was so fascinated with the fairy-tale story of Dan Patch and his owner that they decided to rename their city Savage. Over 100 years later, the city of Savage continues to celebrate the horses great legacy with Dan Patch Days.
Apart from his physical prowess, Dan Patch was a crowd pleaser and a hero to kids across America as popular as Lassie and Rin Tin Tin. Dan Patch lived and trained in an elaborate horse stable built on the southern banks of the Minnesota River by his owner, M.W. Savage, a prominent Minneapolis businessman.
When Dan Patch died in 1916, Savage died 32 hours later, an untimely death said to be caused by a broken heart. The local community was so fascinated with the fairy-tale story of Dan Patch and his owner that they decided to rename their city Savage. Over 100 years later, the city of Savage continues to celebrate the horses great legacy with Dan Patch Days.
Here is specific information from past years (coming soon)
.....this is a work in progress....thanks for taking the time to view it.
This page would not have been possible if it wasn't for the information gathered by the Dan Patch Historical Society. Especially for Jens Bohn, a past President of the DPHS. Pieces of history disappear, and before you even realize it, they are gone. With Jens' help and his collection of Dan Patch memorabilia, these pages are possible. Thanks Jens!
This page would not have been possible if it wasn't for the information gathered by the Dan Patch Historical Society. Especially for Jens Bohn, a past President of the DPHS. Pieces of history disappear, and before you even realize it, they are gone. With Jens' help and his collection of Dan Patch memorabilia, these pages are possible. Thanks Jens!