Jockey Little has been suspended after two NHA inquiries

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 25 September 2019, jockey Chad Little was charged with the following contraventions of the Rules:

# A contravention of Rules 77.1.1 and 77.2.3 in that he presented himself to take part in a race at the Vaal Racecourse on 11 July 2019 when a urine sample provided by him contained methamphetamine, which is a banned substance.

Little pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty as charged.

After careful consideration of the evidence, Little was suspended from riding in races for a period of five (5) years.

Little was afforded the right of appeal against the severity of the penalty imposed.

# Contraventions of Rules 77.1.1 and 72.1.17 in that he presented himself to take part in a race at the Vaal Racecourse on 23 July 2019, when it was evident that a sample may have contained a banned substance and that he misled the Stipendiary Board Stewards by providing and presenting a substance as urine which, upon analysis, was found to be ‘Red Bull’ and not urine.

Little pleaded guilty to both charges and was found guilty of both charges.

In determining a suitable penalty, the Inquiry Board took into account the evidence, the mitigating factors and Little’s disciplinary record and imposed the penalties of a suspension from riding in races for a period of five (5) years (Rule 77.1.1) and a suspension from riding in races for a period of three (3) years (Rule 72.1.17). These penalties are to run concurrently.

Little was afforded the right of appeal against the severity of the penalties imposed. - NHA