Garth Patterson, a prominent jockey during the 1960s and ‘70s, was
found dead on January 25 at his home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was
66.
Patterson won more than 2,000 races during his career, which began in 1962.
Known
as “Dawg”, Patterson was one of Churchill Downs’ most successful riders
in stakes, his best year coming in 1984 when he won six. He also
captured the 1975 Kentucky Oaks (G2) aboard Sun and Snow and rode in
three Kentucky Derbys and a host of other stakes that decade before
weight problems forced him to hang up his tack and turn to training.
Patterson realized that he would rather race ride and got himself in
shape for a return to competition. He launched a comeback in 1981.
Patterson also enjoyed success at Oaklawn Park as well as tracks in
New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida. He led the
rider standings at Monmouth Park in 1964 and got to meet President
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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