Isonomy (May 1875 – April 1891) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from 1877 to 1880 he ran fourteen times and won ten races. As a three-year-old he deliberately bypassed the Classics in order that his owner could land a massive betting coup in the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket. In the following two seasons he was the dominant stayer in Britain, producing a series of performances which led many contemporary observers to regard him as one of the greatest racehorses of the 19th century. He was then retired to stud, where he became a successful stallion. Background Isonomy was a late foal, being born in May 1875, and as a result he was, in his early life, smaller and less physically developed than other colts of his generation. Even in full maturity, he was not a large horse, standing just under 15.2 hands high. He was bred at the Yardley stud near Birmingham by the Graham brothers. When the leading trainer John Porter visited the stud, he was impressed by the colt's lively and assertive character, and determined to buy him. When Isonomy was sent to the yearling sale at Doncaster, Porter was able to acquire him for 320 guineas on behalf of Fredrick Gretton, a brewer with a passion for gambling. Isonomy was ridden in most of his races by Tom Cannon. Isonomy's sire, Sterling, was a successful racehorse who became an excellent sire. Apart from Isonomy, he sired the 2000 Guineas winners Paradox, Enterprise and Enthusiast, and the Derby winner Harvester. Isonomy's dam, Isola Bella, was not a success as a racemare but was well-bred, being a half-sister to the Grand Prix de Paris winner Saint Christophe. Racing career 1877: two-year-old season As a two-year-old, Isonomy showed promise, without appearing to be top class. He made his first appearance over five furlongs at Brighton in August and finished second in a minor race. In September, he was sent to Newmarket and recorded his first win in a four-furlong Nursery (a handicap race for two-year-olds). On his final start he was narrowly beaten in a similar event at the same course, finishing second by a head when conceding eleven pounds to the winner. 1878: three-year-old season Isonomy's three-year-old campaign was a highly unorthodox one. While the other leading colts of his generation were contesting the classics, Isonomy's efforts were confined to the training