Patch, the One-Eyed Horse in Kentucky Derby 2017

There’s something different about Kentucky Derby 2017 contender Patch. 

While he has top connections and successful bloodlines, that’s not necessarily what makes him stand out. Plenty of Kentucky Derby horses have those qualities. What makes Patch special is the fact that he only has one eye. From his right side you see a normal looking Thoroughbred, but when he turns his head to pose you notice something is missing on the left. 

So how did a one-eyed horse make it all the way to the Kentucky Derby? It started at the 2013 Keeneland November Sale, where Calumet Farm bought the A.P. Indy mare Windyindy in foal to 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags. The $180,000 purchase resulted in a bay colt born March 18, 2014. The colt was called “Patch,” intended to be a play off his sire’s name. Little did the connections know the name would come to resemble something else. 

Patch was sent to the Stonestreet Training Center close to Ocala, Florida to become broke before he made his way to the Todd Pletcher stable. At two-years-old, Patch developed an ulcer in his left eye, but how it happened remains unclear.

Pletcher said no one knew how the ulcer appeared. The colt's eye was swollen shut and tearing when he was brought out of the stall. No signs of an accident or injury could be found. The vet was called and the eye seemed to get better the first few days of treatment, but then it stopped responding, as reported by KentuckyDerby.com.

Patch made a visit to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga, but all the efforts made to save his eye failed. Nothing more could be done and the eye had to be removed.

In order to let Patch adjust to his new vision, Pletcher sent the colt to his father, J.J. Pletcher, at Payton Training Center, placing Patch back in the Ocala area. What his connections thought would be a struggle and a journey ended up not being a bother to Patch. The son of Union Rags took the whole ordeal in stride and rejoined his trainer at Palm Beach Downs in October.

Patch made his first start as a racehorse January 15 this year when he was entered in a six-furlong Maiden Special Weight on the dirt at Gulfstream Park. He proved he had what it took to be a racehorse and finished second after a wide rally. On February 18, Patch stretched out to a mile at Gulfstream Park and raced in third before chasing down the lead horse to break his maiden. The one-eyed colt won by 1 ¾ lengths, and it was another 8 ¼ lengths back to the third place horse.

Racing among other horses with only one eye had no effect on Patch. His connections decided to step him up in stakes company for his next outing on April 1, the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Even though it would only be his third start, his connections felt confident.

Patch stretched out once again, this time racing 1 1/8 miles against more experienced horses. He was bumped at the start, but the courageous horse was not deterred. He raced mid-pack before chasing home the Grade 2 Risen Star winner Girvin. Although Patch was second, he earned 40 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and will be in the starting gate the first Saturday in May.

Patch is now at Churchill Downs prepping for the Kentucky Derby and continues to draw attention. He may be missing an eye, but the colt doesn’t seem to be missing any personality. Despite not having a resume as extensive as the competition's, Patch has shown he will give it his all and is ready for any challenge that comes his way.

By Christine Oser