Failed racehorse proves a safe bet

23 July 2001

Quixall Crossett, a 16-year-old bay gelding has become an unlikely hero after failing to win his 100th successive race.

The horse, named after a Manchester United striker Albert Quixall, was pulled up by his jockey Nick Kent before the 10th fence about halfway through the three-mile race at Southwell, Notts, where he started as the 66-1 outsider.

Owned and trained by Yorkshire pig farmer Ted Caine, Quixall has been racing since the age of five and has won more than £8,000 in place money, including two second places and five thirds.

In spite of being hailed as Britain’s most outstanding racing disaster, Quixall has his own fan club and astrologer, as well as his own website www.quixall-crossett.co.uk

Ted Caine has said that there are now plans for just one more race before Quixall’s retirement.