view raw text
ISONOMFS RACING CAREER French Turf Writer Discusses the Eemarkable Be cord of Great English Cup Horse. A remarkable racing career, in spite of the fact that it does not include a victory in either the Epsom Derby or the Grand Prix de Paris, was that of Isonomy, writes Viator in Le Jockey. His influence on breeding was considerable and English pedigrees tracing through his generation without the stamp of his name seem to lack something, Isonomy was foaled in 1875. He was by Sterling Isola Bella, by Stockwell. Although his owner, M. Gretton, was convinced that the colt was good enough to try for classic honors he coldly withdrew him from the Derby with the Cambridgeshire in view. Isonomy was assigned 109 pounds for this event and he won with extreme ease, winning for his stable a huge sum. This was his only race as a three-year-old. Up to that time the name of Isonomy meant little enough in turf history. It was in the following year that he really won his way into the pages of turf annals. He was the cup horse par excellence ; in fact, as a four-year-old he achieved the unique record of winning in the same season the Ascot, Goodwood, Doncaster and Brighton Cups, as well as the Ascot Gold Vase and other races. The following year 18S0 he again won the Ascot Gold Cup and the Itlanchester Cup, conceding forty-five pounds to The Abbot, which was placed in the Two Thousand Guineas. Only one crack in the history of these severe cup events surpassed the record of Isonomy. This was Beeswing, which in addition to the Ascot Gold Cup of 1842 won the Doncaster Cup in 1S37, 1S40, 1841 and 1842, and the Newcastle Cup six times in succession. Horses, in spite of the severe demands of the distance races of that epoch, lasted longer then than now. But they had less competition, at least in point of numbers. And there was in those days undoubtedly a far greater difference in quality between the crack horse of a generation and his closest rival than at present. Touchstone won the Ascot Gold Cup and the Doncaster Cup twice. He was an unusually small horse, standing little more than fourteen hands high. Other notable cup winners were Harkaway, Alice Hawthorn, Vedette, St Simon, Cyllene, Persimmon, Doncaster, Trohmanby, Glencoe, Hampton, Fandango, Lily Agnes, The Bard and Wingfields Pride. But Isonomy remains the typical cup horse. He was a bay with a streak of black down the back. This peculiarity is found in a great number of his descendants, especially among the get of Gallinule and the breeding sharps will tell you that it is a mark of quality.
