Bred and raced by historic Calumet Farm, Patch was a top racehorse despite having only one eye. As a two year old, Patch developed an ulcer in his left eye that did not respond to the best of medical care. The eye had to be surgically removed, but that didn’t stop Patch from becoming a confident, strategic racehorse. As one of the best three year olds of 2017, he went on the Kentucky Derby trail, earning a berth in the run for the roses with a second in the Louisiana Derby trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. In the Derby Patch drew the outermost post position, a disadvantage even for horses sighted on their left side, and during the race he had to contend with heavy traffic. The Belmont Stakes gave him a better chance to show what he could do. With John Velazquez up, Patch finished third at a mile and a half against the best of his contemporaries. At four he ran well in prestigious Grade 1 company and scored an allowance win at Belmont Park. He wound up his competitive career in 2019 with earnings of $532,450. Old Friends is grateful to Calumet Farm for enabling this exceptionally bright, personable gelding’s retirement with us.