From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

* This entry was submitted by Jennifer Mason who provided copies of sources and a brief outline of her father's many accomplishments. 

Wallace N. Howard was born in Winchester, KY. He has more than 50 years of experience and accomplishments in the thoroughbred racing industry, and he was one of the first African American blood stock agents. Howard has also been a horse owner, a trainer, and a groomsman. His expertise in the racing industry has taken him to many countries. At home, he has been recognized for encouraging other African Americans to enter the horse racing industry, and for his research in recognizing African American horsemen of the past.

In 2024, Wallace N. Howard received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2nd Soul of Thoroughbred Racing hosted by Echoes of Our Ancestors. The event was held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Among his many achievements, Howard was the breeder of the horse Ash Dancer (horse profile at Equibase). He was also the agent in the purchase of the horse All Rainbows in 1974. All Rainbows later gave birth to the filly Winning Colors, a champion thoroughbred that won the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

*See Kentucky Derby Flashback | Winning Colors 1988 by Kentucky Derby on YouTube.

Barry Gordy, founder of the Mowtown record label, was one of Wallace Howard's employers. Both Howard and agent Don Alvey acquired the horse Powis Castle for Barry Gordy, and the horse ran 8th in the 1994 Kentucky Derby. Chris Antley was the jockey and Rodney Rash was the trainer. That same year, Wallace Howard's first win as a thoroughbred trainer was with the horse Manilaman, owned by Precious and Herbert Luster from Chicago, IL. Manilaman, a 3-year-old gelding, won at Arlington International Race Course, ridden by Francisco Torres. In 1995, Manilaman won the $200,000 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, IL, ridden by Randy Romero. 

Howard, in his role as an industry historian, promoter, and recruiter, served as the executive director of the Roots of Thoroughbred Racing Awards, Inc. In 1992, the organization held an awards dinner at the Marriott Inn in Lexington, KY. The awards honored many of the earliest African Americans in the thoroughbred racing industry. Wallace N. Howard also served as the director of A Hand Up Inc. The organization's goal was to bring more African Americans into the thoroughbred horse racing industry. The foundation sponsored the 2000 Derby Eve Awards Dinner and Dance Extravaganza. The event was held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Lexington, KY. 

In the year 2020, Wallace N. Howard was honored with the Key to the City and a proclamation from Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner. The recognition was for his contributions to the community. Howard had served as director of the Winchester Micro City Government at Oliver School from 1971-1973. The organization provided summer jobs for youths. Howard had also collaborated with the Winchester Bank to extend credit to African Americans. In 2024, Wallace N. Howard hosted the Isaac Murphy Hall of Fame Awards sponsored by the Leeds Center for the Arts in Winchester, KY.

Wallace N. Howard is the author and publisher of The Untold History from Slave Ship to Horse Racing, 2023.

Sources:

Riley, Clayton. "They trade horses, don't they?" Black Enterprise, November 1980, pp.42-44 & p.46 (Online at Google Books); "Awards dinner will honor Blacks in racing," The Winchester Sun, 01 August 1991, p.11; "First win as a trainer," The Winchester Sun, 22 October 1994, p.4; "Manilaman wins $200,000 Arlington Handicap," The Winchester Sun, 07 August 1995, p.8; "Gordy is a pioneer in more than music," Winchester Sun, 19 February 1998, pp.A8-A7; "Blacks in racing honored," The Winchester Sun, 08 May 2000, p.9; "Author talks impact of African Americans on horse racing in Kentucky," The Winchester Sun, 13 February 2024, p.A3; "First class of Isaac Murphy Thoroughbred Hall of Fame honored," The Winchester Sun, 22 June 2024, pp.A1-A2.

"In Honor of Wallace Howard, January 20, 2020, Proclamation."  Image of proclamation and key to the city were provided by Jennifer Mason, the daughter of Wallace Howard.

Johnson, Stu. "Understanding 'Horse Mentality' Heading Into the Belmont," WEKU (Western Kentucky University) 88.9, NPR for Central and Eastern Kentucky, 08 June 2017 (online).

Richardson, Rachel. "Echoes of Our Ancestors hosts 'Soul of Thoroughbred Racing' ahead of Derby," LEX18 (television station in Lexington, KY), 02 May 2024 (online).