Wallace's Year-Book of Trotting and Pacing in ...;

Wallace's Year-Book of Trotting and Pacing was established in the late 19th century by John Hankins Wallace, a pivotal figure in the standardization of American horse racing records. Developed during an era when the breeding and performance metrics of trotting horses lacked a centralized authority, these volumes served as the essential reference for pedigrees and race results. Wallace aimed to bring order to a fragmented industry, ensuring that the achievements of notable horses were documented with rigorous accuracy.

The design and compilation of the series were driven by Wallace's commitment to the integrity of the trotting stud book, an undertaking that often involved laborious verification of claims made by breeders and owners. The volumes were received by the equestrian community as the definitive record of the sport, acting as both a historical ledger and a practical tool for those involved in the racing circuit. Their existence underscores the transition of horse racing into a sophisticated industry underpinned by meticulous data collection.