James Lockhart Little (November 14, 1821 – February 17, 1877) known as Josey or the captivating captain was a soldier and

steeplechase Steeplechase may refer to: * Steeplechase (horse racing), a type of horse race in which participants are required to jump over obstacles * Steeplechase (athletics), an event in athletics that derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing ...

rider whose most notable racing victory was on board

Chandler Chandler or The Chandler may refer to: * Chandler (occupation), originally head of the medieval household office responsible for candles, now a person who makes or sells candles * Ship chandler, a dealer in supplies or equipment for ships Arts ...

to win the 1848 Grand National. Lockhart was born on 14 November 1821 to Archibald Little and his wife Agnes née Oliver at Shabden Park,

Reigate Reigate ( ) is a town status in the United Kingdom, town in Surrey, England, around south of central London. The settlement is recorded in Domesday Book in 1086 as ''Cherchefelle'' and first appears with its modern name in the 1190s. The earlie ...

and enlisted in the

40th Regiment of Foot The 40th (the 2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1717 in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Under the Childers Reforms it amalgamated with the 82nd Regiment of Foot (Prince of Wales's Volunteers) ...

on 7 August 1840. In December the same year he became a

cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B, though there is also a sopr ...

in the more prestigious 1st King's Dragoon Guards before his Grand National victory in 1848 ensured for him the funds necessary to purchase his rank as

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

. In 1850 Little was almost ruined in a bank collapse and was forced to transfer to the less prestigious 81st Regiment of Foot before retiring from the service in 1851.
He died aged 55 on the 17th of February 1877 at Paris, France.

References

1821 births English jockeys Year of death missing {{England-horseracing-bio-stub