gallops. The reason for this was a plan by Gretton to land a massive gamble in the Cambridgeshire Handicap at the end of the season at Newmarket. By autumn, Isonomy's useful two-year-old performances had been largely forgotten, and he was allowed to start at odds of 40/1 for the big handicap on 22 October under a weight of only 99 pounds. He created a "sensation" as he took the lead just inside the final furlong and won very easily by two lengths from Touchet and La Merveille. In addition to his winning prize of £2,187, Gretton's gamble earned him a reported £40,000, more than double the combined prize money of the Triple Crown races. 1879: four-year-old season On his four-year-old debut, Isonomy carried 124 pounds in the Newmarket Handicap on 15 April and started 2/1 favourite. Among his opponents was the American horse Parole, who was not regarded as a serious threat by the British racegoers and started 100/15 fourth choice in the betting despite receiving eight pounds. Parole took the lead at half way and drew clear. Although Isonomy made steady progress he was unable to catch the leader and finished second, beaten one and a half lengths. Gretton then challenged Parole's owners to a £10,000 weight-for-age match race between the horses, but his offer was declined. In June, Isonomy was sent to Royal Ascot where, on the first day of the meeting, he defeated the 1877 Epsom Derby winner Silvio (the 4/9 favourite) in the Gold Vase over two miles. Two days later, he competed in the Gold Cup, at that time regarded as the most important and prestigious weight-for-age race of the year. The field included two of the previous season's leading Classic performers: the French-trained Insulaire, who had won the Prix du Jockey Club and finished second in both The Derby and the Grand Prix; and Jannette, who had won The Oaks and defeated the colts, including Insulaire, in the St Leger. Isonomy was held up in the early stages before moving up to contest the lead as the field entered the straight. As Isonomy accelerated only Insulaire attempted to match him, and the two pulled well clear of the rest. In the closing stages Isonomy drew away to beat the French colt easily by two lengths "in a canter". On 29 July, Isonomy ran in the Goodwood Cup, in which he was asked to concede