Chad Littles Rides again!

On-course commentator Alistair Cohen summed it up on live television when he suggested that it could be the feelgood story of 2025. There were few dry eyes to be found when Chad Little unsaddled on the Lucinda Woodruff-trained Azzurri on 22nd December, marking his first winner since July 2019.

The 40-year-old’s problems out of the saddle had been well documented, but it was testimony to his belief and dedication to ride again that was on display at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth a few days before Christmas. 

“I cannot thank all the people that have helped me to get to this point. They know who they are,” Little said at the time. “This feels bigger than my first winner, Tachinga, for Vaughan Marshall on 2 March 2000. I am so grateful.”

In acknowledging the enormity of the moment Woodruff said: “We screamed like it was a Grade 1! Full marks to Chad and it was a determined and well-balanced ride too!”

Glen and Kathi Kotzen’s Woodhill Racing Team had opened the door for Little’s return when offering him work at the yard. 

Ironically, the Kotzen team themselves experienced a winning drought, which lasted six weeks. When it finally broke, on 18th January with Circumbendibus, two winners came on the same day, one of them, Bombers In The Sky, ridden by Little.

The jockey went on to ride four winners during the Cape Summer Festival of Racing – Azzurri, Bombers In The Sky, Good For You and Malmesbury Missile. 

By Gary Lemke