John Fairfax-Blakeborough

At twenty-one he became a freelance writer, specialising in country sports and horse racing.

During the First World War he served as a Major in 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, being awarded the Military Cross.

After the war he became a racing judge at Sedgefield and remained a licensed Turf official until shortly before his death.

He was the author of 112 books on the history of horse racing, Yorkshire folklore and the Cleveland Bay.

He also wrote regularly for the Darlington & Stockton Times (for 54 years) and for &&Yorkshire Life&&.