Paradox (horse)

Paradox
Paradox in the centre of The Birdcage at Newmarket on 2000 Guineas Day by Lowes Cato Dickinson.
Sire	Sterling
Grandsire	Oxford
Dam	Casuistry
Damsire	The Miner
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1882
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Graham brothers
Owner	Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster William Broderick Cloete
Trainer	John Porter Richard Marsh
Record	8:6-1-1
Major wins
Dewhurst Plate (1884) 2,000 Guineas (1885) Grand Prix de Paris (1885) Sussex Stakes (1885) Champion Stakes (1885)

Paradox (1882–1890) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career that lasted from October 1884 until October 1885 he ran eight times and won six races. Despite running only twice in 1884, he proved himself to be one of the best two-year-olds of his generation by winning the Dewhurst Plate. In the following year he won five of his six races including the 2,000 Guineas, the Grand Prix de Paris, the Sussex Stakes and the Champion Stakes. His only defeat came when he was narrowly beaten by Melton in the Epsom Derby.

The final phase of the colt's racing career was marked by controversy and recrimination following his withdrawal from the Cambridgeshire Handicap in the autumn of 1885 and he was retired from racing in 1886. Paradox had little opportunity to establish himself at stud, dying in 1890 at the age of eight.

Paradox was a strongly-built bay horse bred by the Graham brothers at the Yardley Stud near Birmingham. He was sired by the 2,000 Guineas runner-up Sterling out of Casuistry, an undistinguished racehorse who had been sold cheaply at the end of her racing career by Lord Rosebery. Casuistry became an important broodmare, being the direct female ancestor of notable thoroughbreds such as Humorist, Royal Palace and Spend a Buck. As a yearling Paradox was bought for 700 guineas by the trainer John Porter on behalf of his associate, Captain Bowling. Porter trained the colt at his stable at Kingsclere.