Wallace's Year-book of Trotting and Pacing in ...

Wallace's Year-book of Trotting and Pacing was established by John Hankins Wallace in the late 19th century as a comprehensive effort to bring order and pedigree verification to the world of American harness racing. Following the success of his American Trotting Register, Wallace sought to provide a definitive annual record that documented the performance records and lineage of trotting and pacing horses, effectively professionalizing the sport during a period when breeding fraud was a significant concern among horsemen.

The volumes were meticulously compiled and served as the authoritative standard for owners, breeders, and track officials across the United States. Through his editorial work, Wallace established the 'standard' for the Standardbred horse, emphasizing the necessity of performance-based registration. The design was utilitarian and robust, intended for frequent reference by those navigating the complex genealogical data of the burgeoning harness racing industry, and the series remains a primary source for historical equine research.