Isinglass (horse)

Isinglass
Isinglass in training
Sire	Isonomy
Grandsire	Sterling
Dam	Dead Lock
Damsire	Wenlock
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	24 March 1890
Country	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Harry McCalmont
Owner	Harry McCalmont
Trainer	James Jewitt
Record	12: 11-1-0
Earnings	£58,655
Major wins
New Stakes (1892) Middle Park Plate (1892) 2000 Guineas (1893) Newmarket Stakes (1893) Epsom Derby (1893) St. Leger Stakes (1893) Princess of Wales's Stakes (1894) Eclipse Stakes (1894) Jockey Club Stakes (1894) Ascot Gold Cup (1895)
Awards
6th U.K. Triple Crown Champion (1893) Leading broodmare sire in Britain & Ireland (1912)
Last updated on 5 December 2009

Isinglass (1890–1911) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from 1892 until 1895 he ran twelve times and won eleven races. He was the best British two-year-old of 1892 and went on to become sixth winner of the English Triple Crown by winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster in the following year. He was undefeated in his last two seasons, setting a world record for prize money and gaining recognition from contemporary experts as one of the best horses seen in England up to that time.

Isinglass was a powerfully-built bay horse standing 16 hands high, bred by his owner Harry McCalmont. He was sired by the double Ascot Gold Cup winner Isonomy out of a mare named Deadlock. Deadlock had a varied career, having been once sold for £20 and working as a carriage-horse before being bought by McCalmont. He was trained at the stable of James Jewitt, who had trained the winner of the 1876 Grand National Steeplechase. Jewett handled the day-to-day conditioning of the horse while his racing campaign and strategy was mapped out by McCalmont's racing manager, James Octavius Machell who was described as "one of the most astute racing men to be found either in England or out of it". He was ridden in most of his races by Tommy Loates.

Before Isinglass ever raced, McCalmont had great belief in his abilities, and wagered £100 on him to win the 1893 Derby at odds of 50/1. Isinglass was undefeated in three races as two-year-old in 1892, beginning with a maiden race at Newmarket in spring. At Royal Ascot on 16 June he ran in the five furlong New Stakes, the race now known as the Norfolk Stakes, in which he was ridden by George Chaloner. Starting at odds of 100/30 he took an early lead and was never seriously challenged, winning easily by two lengths from Fealar, Ravensbury and seven others.