 The earliest written mention of 'running-horses' is a record of Hugh, from the French House of Capet, gifting some as a present to King Athelstan of England in the 9th/10th century.During Athelstan's reign a ban was placed on the export of English horses, such was supposed to be their superiority to continental ones.Continental ones were still permitted for import, and many were brought to England by William the Conqueror.