It has been described as the most complete country house in England - a Victorian time capsule retaining many of its original fixtures, furniture and fittings. However, English Heritage curators had a shock when they opened the post and discovered the latest object being returned to Brodsworth Hall - a pair of mummified horse hooves!

The strange objects belonged to the famous 19th century racehorse, Rataplan, owned by Charles Thellusson, whose son built Brodsworth Hall, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, in the mid 1860s.

They were donated to English Heritage by Jessie Hall, 82, from Dinnington, whose great grandfather, Edward Hornshaw, was the stud-groom at Sandbeck, near Rotherham, to which Rataplan retired at the end of 1855. 

Edward was immensely proud to look after such an equine superstar and his son, Thomas, made a drawing of his father's charge in a sketchbook.   When the horse died, Edward kept the hooves as a keepsake, which have since been handed down through the family.  Now they have returned home, albeit at a slow trot, along with the seal used to stamp the stud papers of the foals Rataplan sired.  The sketchbook has also been loaned to English Heritage for the season.

Jessie Hall said:  "The hooves have been family heirlooms for over a century, but some of the younger members of the family don't want a pair of mummified feet on their mantelpiece. So we decided to donate them to English Heritage for other people to enjoy."

The hooves and other items are being temporarily displayed in the Billiard Room at Brodsworth, near a portrait of Rataplan by Harry Halls. The horse had a very successful racing career, winning 42 races between 1852 and 1871, including the Doncaster Cup in 1855.  His prize winnings proved a fillip for the strained finances of Charles Thellusson, which explains why the horse was raced so hard, with a total of 71 starts.  In the first half of 1854 alone the horse brought in winnings worth £3,238.00.

Caroline Carr Whitworth,  English Heritage Curator, explained:  "It does seem slightly bizarre to keep mummified horse hooves.  But it was a way of remembering a much loved and prized racehorse and was something of a fashion during the Victorian period. Rataplan figures prominently in the story of the Thellussons' sporting passions.  Not only do we have the Doncaster Cup on show at the Hall, but we also have a fabulous painting of the horse hanging in the Billiard Room.  Now we have these truly remarkable mementos and discovered more about Rataplan and where he ended his career."

For further information about Brodsworth Hall & Gardens please telephone 01302 722598 or visit the website at www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth