A Coulee City Colt Heads to the Derby
For the first time, a thoroughbred foaled in Washington State is set to compete in the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby is the classic of American sporting events, and only the finest of the races of the country are entered in this great race. It is said that no horse that is valued at less than $10,000 can get into the event. For this reason, Richard Allman of Coulee City feels a just pride that a colt of his raising has been entered for the derby, which will be run the 19th of May. It is the first time that a colt foaled in the state of Washington has ever been entered in the derby. The colt in question, Wise Guy, sired by Ager, was sold by Mr. Allman at the Spokane fair in September 1921, to J. B. McGinn who later took the colt to California, where it has been developed into a real racer. The colt is probably in Kentucky at the present time, in training for the great event.
“It is the first time that a colt foaled in the state of Washington has ever been entered in the derby.”
While Washington is now known for its diverse agriculture, horse racing in the early 20th century was a massive cultural touchstone that linked rural livestock breeders to national fame. Today, while the Derby remains a cultural juggernaut, local agricultural pride has shifted toward specialized craft produce and viticulture, yet the ambition of a local breeder getting to the big stage remains a familiar narrative of regional identity.
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