A HORSE-RACING family are in the running to buy the first York house valued at more than £1 million.

The family, who have not been named, are among the first to show an interest in Field House, off Tadcaster Road, which overlooks Knavesmire.

The Victorian detached property, in St George's Place, has been put on the market at £1.25 million, and property agents expect competition between buyers to be fierce.

Agent Nicholas Talbot, of Carter Jonas, said the former hotel's location had brought in lots of interest from the racing fraternity.

He said: "This is the first residential property in the city to be marketed at a price in excess of £1 million.

"It is probably one of York's most distinctive Victorian houses and offers an enviable location with generous accommodation and some marvellous features."

The 7,000sq ft building has been home to a succession of York families after it was built in 1897 to the designs of renowned architect George Fletcher.

Unusual features include a corner turret, which provides octagonal bay windows in the drawing room and master bedroom suite.

It boasts dozens of rooms across four floors, including six bedrooms, four of which are en suite, a games room, gymnasium and kitchens on the lower ground and second floors.

Outside, there is ample car parking with a double garage as well as landscaped gardens, timber decking, water features such as a Koi carp pond and a pagola.

Mr Talbot said: "It is a superb property and will be hard to beat."

Updated: 15:38 Wednesday, April 23, 2003