TODAY is a milestone for the North-East's record-breaking racehorse, Quixall Crossett.

The Middlesbrough-trained horse, which has notched up no less than 98 consecutive losses in its career, is 16 today.

He is well on course to take his tally to 100 races lost, and make him the only thoroughbred ever to have done so.

Despite his lack of success on the course, the bay gelding has a legion of adoring fans, and even has his own website and newsletter, called the High Crossett Herald.

On race days, he receives a hero's welcome from punters and racing fans, while at home he receives fan mail from across the world.

He has recovered from a tendon injury and, last week, after a 15-month absence, continued his losing streak at Wetherby.

He arrived past the post fourth of four horses, and netted £311 for his efforts.

Quixall Crossett is trained by Ted Caine, a permit holder, who also bred the horse at his farm at Fangdale Beck, near Middlesbrough.

He is owned by Ted's daughter, Karen Woodhead, and runs in her colours, purple and white, the colour of her hair ribbons as a child.

His losing run can be traced back almost 11 years, to his course debut, at Doncaster, in 1990.

He has raced at prices of up to 500-1, and has managed to finish second twice, and has been third five times.

A national newspaper said: "So come on racecourses, why not stage a race our hero can win?

"The prospect of watching him collect first prize, even if there was nobody there to pick up second, would attract hundreds of his fans.

"It would be marvellous if he could break his duck on his 100th run. Over to you, race planners."

Quixall Crossett loves racing, and his fans love watching him run. They hope that his racing career will be long.

Good luck, they add - if that is the right expression - for the 100th.