WHAT do Kevin Darley, Kieren Fallon and Jamie Spencer all have in common?

Apart from being known as top jockeys, they all have their racing boots made by the same North Yorkshire man.

When the riders line up for Wednesday's Ebor handicap it's odds-on that Philip Wood will have had a hand in the making of their footwear.

He is one of only five makers of racing boots in the world, and has now been welcomed as the newest member of one of York's oldest guilds.

Philip has joined the Company of Cordwainers of the City of York, the medieval trade of the shoemakers and leatherworkers.

First established in the 14th century, and revived in 1977, the company is open to Yorkshire men or women connected with the footwear or leather trades.

Philip, who hand-crafts his boots in the traditional way on bench lasts at his company Classic Boots, also makes equestrian footwear for the horseriding and eventing trade.

A pair of one of his handmade individually tailored boots will set a jockey back by about £140.

He said he was delighted to be accepted into the Cordwainers' fold. "It takes seven to eight hours to make a pair of boots and they average at about £140," he said.

"We make boots for most of the top jockeys. When we are out on the course we tend to look for the boots that aren't ours rather than those which are!

"It is always nice to know that the boys are happy with what we produce and many have different weights of boots," said Philip, who works in Richmond.

Peter Stanhope, master of the York Cordwainers, said: "At a time when most high street shoes seem to be imported from factories in the Far East and China it is good to know that we still have specialist shoe and bootmakers here in Yorkshire who enjoy a worldwide reputation in their own niche markets.

"We are delighted to have Philip Wood as a valued member of our company and hope that he will enjoy taking part in our guild events for many years to come."

Updated: 12:41 Saturday, August 13, 2005