Spectators at Catterick in February 1990 watching the bumper can't have even started to imagine that the debutant who was soon out of touch and tailed off was to become one of racing's folk legends.  The winner of the race, Mudahim, went on to win an Irish Grand National and a Racing Post Chase.  However, long after Mudahim's retirement, the career of Quixall Crossett continues to be spotlighted by the world's media.

Quixall was bred by Ted Caine at High Crossett Farm on the edge of the North York Moors.  Raced in the colours of his daughter Karen Woodhead, he plied the jumps tracks of Britain relentlessly, but was unable to get his head in front. However, Quixall's place in the record books was written in 1998, when he passed Amrullah's record run of 74 races without a win. 

Quixall is the pride of  High Crossett.  He is looked after by Geoff Sanderson, who also runs the fan club, currently growing at a rate only experienced by boy bands.  Trainer Ted Caine hasn't given up hope that the old boy, who has developed a cult following, might one day get his head in front.

"I've put him in some of the worst races there is and he's had atrocious luck," bemoans the horse's number one fan.  "He even got brought down on the flat when I gave him a run over hurdles and then he had to be pulled up early after he was hampered. He was quite irritated when he came back, as he hadn't had a race. He's now 16 but he didn't do a lot as a young horse. He's as well as he's ever been and he's keen to race. I guarantee you he'll set off. He hasn't got an engine as such, but he enjoys jumping round. He looks after himself that's all. He'll be better when there are just three or four runners. He has it in him to win a little race and all he needs is a bit of luck."

"I've no thoughts about retiring the old horse. He's still enjoying himself and he loves going racing. Even though he gets so far behind in most of his races, he carries on at his own pace, whereas the majority of horses would just grind to a halt. He doesn't get in anyone's way and it would be a pity to retire him. I don't think the old boy would be able to cope with just standing out in a field and having nothing to do."

Quixall Crossett has managed just two seconds and five thirds in his racing career, and has run over a variety of trips and in hugely varying company in an attempt to break his duck.

In December 1998, he started at 500-1 in a field of five for the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock and finished two fences behind Suny Bay.

However, in July 2001 at Southwell, Quixall reached a milestone, in reaching 100 consecutive defeats.  Amidst amazing media interest, he was pulled up after ten fences in the Ropewalk Chambers Maiden Chase (Div 2) and wrote his name in racing history. 

How long Quixall's career will last is anyone's guess, but one thing that remains for sure is that he will be given an honourable retirement at Ted Caine's High Crossett farm. Quixall has captured the hearts of National Hunt fans everywhere and this page is a tribute to a horse that is a great trier and despite his inability to win, no-one can accuse him of not being genuine.