WHETHER it's the Breeders' Cup in America, the Melbourne Cup in Australia or the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France, the origins of the thoroughbred horses taking part in these world-class events can be traced as close to home as Ryedale.

David Wilkinson, of Old Byland, near Helmsley, made the discovery while researching for an MA at York University, and he has now converted his research into a book called Early Horse Racing in Yorkshire and the Origins of the Thoroughbred.

The 64-year-old author of the book, which traces the early ancestors of today's modern racehorse, admits he was "bowled over" by what he found.

Two of the most important aristocratic families involved in early racehorse breeding were the Darcys of Sedbury, near Richmond, and the Dukes of Buckingham, at Helmsley.

A horse by the name of Old Bald Peg, based at the Helmsley stud, is believed to be a particularly important mare in the breed and can be found in the pedigree of many modern racehorses.

She was one of 78 Yorkshire-based "foundation mares" listed in the General Stud Book, which were crossed with imported Arabian stallions, which gave rise to the early thoroughbred.

The horse's significance is not lost on the author, whose book is published by Old Bald Peg Publications.

"Having read around the subject, it is fascinating to think that the entire thoroughbred breed, which is the foundation of the entire racehorse industry in some 50 countries across the world, has its origins in North Yorkshire," said David, who was a doctor, before retiring in 1998 from his post as director of radiology at York District Hospital.

His book was inspired by his love of both local history - he has published histories of Osbaldwick, where he used to live, and Coxwoldshire - and horse racing.

His grandmother was born next to Newmarket racecourse and her interest in the sport spread throughout the family. But, despite being an avid fan since his first visit to the Knavesmire as a little boy, David was unaware of North Yorkshire's prominent role in laying the foundations of the horse racing industry.

He suspects many people in Ryedale are also unaware of the great heritage on their doorstep.

"I know there is a lot of interest in horses and racehorse training in the area, but I wonder if people are aware of the history, particularly the emphasis on Helmsley and how successful the trainers were in Malton in the 19th century."

This success is well documented in the book in a chapter called The Glory Years - 1832-1869. This period represented a golden age for two Malton-based trainers in particular, John Scott and William I'Anson.

Scott enjoyed a host of Classic victories, including six Derbies and 16 St Leger triumphs. His winners were often ridden by his brother, William. Scott bought and enlarged Whitewall Stables to house 100 horses and used Langton Wold for training before the Rev Charles Best ploughed it, reducing the gallops from 700 to just 250 acres.

I'Anson, who was based at Highfield Stables, also had Derby and St Leger winners. He was one of the first to use a horse van, which he first used for the 1857 Derby - a race that amazingly had 12 false starts.

The book charts the rise to prominence of racecourses in Doncaster and York but points out that, at the turn of the 18th century, Hambleton racecourse was the premier racing venue in Yorkshire and second in the country only to Newmarket.

It used to be situated above Kilburn - not far from where David now lives - on a natural plateau which rarely dried out due to its 1,000ft elevation, thus providing ideal racing conditions. But the course's popularity declined when the Gold Cup was transferred to York and Richmond and meetings became more urbanised.

Racing also used to take place in the 18th century at Langton Wold, under the patronage of the Fitzwilliams, even to the extent of having a grandstand and assembly rooms.

David's book, which includes a foreword from Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, has not only sold well in Newmarket, but sparked interest among the thoroughbred community in America, where he has sold nearly 100 copies.

He has also been asked to write more about the early breeders for a website.

David's book, priced £9.95, is available from Leefe's and White Rose Saddlery in Malton, Claridges, in Helmsley, and the National Park Visitors' Centre at Sutton Bank. The book can also be ordered online at www.oldbaldpeg.org.

Updated: 12:04 Wednesday, November 12, 2003