HORSERACING fans are under starter's orders for a tribute to the sport at a show that has opened in the region.

The World of James Herriot museum, in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is staging an exhibition of the history of the sport of kings.

The exhibition, called From the Horse's Mouth, is being held to mark the 150th anniversary of the Kilburn White Horse.

Racing memorabilia, on show until November, includes a race card used by the future King Edward VII.

Horseracing fans will be able to trace the sport in Thirsk from 1612 - when King James I gave it his support.

Punters can then follow its route to local landowner Frederick Bell, who gave part of his lands for a racecourse in the 19th Century.

Despite that generous offer, horseracing in Thirsk was flagging towards the beginning of the 20th Century.

It took a racing visit by Fred Archer, a famous jockey of the day, to revive interest.

Royal patronage for Thirsk came with a visit by the Prince of Wales and future King Edward VII in 1895. The visit also saw a new royal pavilion built at the racecourse, which graced the site for the next 30 years.

In 1940, the famous St Leger race was run at Thirsk after it had been moved from Doncaster.

Thirsk was one of several racecourses that hosted the St Leger event during the Second World War.

The race was won by legendary jockey Gordon Richards, riding a horse owned by Aga Khan called Turkham.

Thirsk Racecourse closed in 1941 until 1946 while an Army camp was placed on the site.

Donald Sinclair, who is better known as Seigfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small, was once the official course vet - as was author Alf Wight who achieved fame writing as James Herriot.

As part of the exhibition, racehorse trainer and author Jack Berry will give a talk on May 31, from 7pm, with tickets costing £5 each.

The Herriot centre, on Kirkgate, is open each day from 10am to 5pm, with entry £5.20 with concessions.