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.

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.

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'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.

[4] 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.

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.

[5] 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.

After settling in third place he moved into the lead in the straight and went three lengths clear, before being eased down in the closing stages to record a three-quarter-length win over Paul's Cray.

Despite the very difficult conditions ("mud and water flying in all directions"), and conceding at least thirty pounds to his opponents, he won impressively by eight lengths.

[13] In September he attempted to become the first horse to complete the stayers' Triple Crown in the Doncaster Cup, although there was some disappointment that the undefeated Hungarian mare Kincsem was ruled out of the race by injury.

[14] In a rough race he defeated the filly Jannette, despite being badly cut by the spurs of the runner-up's jockey, Fred Archer when he moved up to challenge for the lead along the rails.

In what was described as "one of the most wonderful performances that has been recorded for many years"[16] he won the race from The Abbot, a top-class three-year-old who had recently finished third in the 2000 Guineas and to whom he was conceding 46 pounds.

[4] Isonomy found his way into contemporary literature in the 1892 short story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze" by Arthur Conan Doyle.