A lucky Australian who became an overnight millionaire after winning a $40million jackpot has decided to invest some of his cash in buying racehorses.
Cliff Little, a former disability worker, quit his job just hours after receiving the life-changing news that he had won the entire Powerball jackpot.
In the four years since, Mr Little has used the money to buy properties for his children, a red Toyota Supra sports car for himself and several racehorses.
‘When I see them come up – 1, 2, 3, 12, 20 – I said ‘ooh I’m getting more than my money back.’ The guy rang up, I said ‘who the hell are you?’, he was from Lotto and he confirmed it. I couldn’t go back to sleep,’ he told 9News.
Cliff Little, a former disability worker, resigned just hours after he received a call from Lott officials telling him he had won the entire Powerball jackpot
Due to his early retirement Mr Little now has ample time to relax in his Cairns home and enjoy one of his passions, watching horse racing on the TV.
He then decided to use some of his millions to purchase several racehorses and one of them – Cifrado – has already earned $881,000 in prize money by taking out the Spirit of Boom Classic and the BRC Sires Produce Stakes at his past two starts.
Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp purchased the colt on Mr Little’s behalf and admitted he doesn’t even know what the millionaire looks like.
‘I’ve never met him, I’ve never seen a photo of him, but I told Cliff this is the only colt I like in the sale and he virtually left it to me,’ he said.
On Saturday, Cifrado will compete in the prestigious JJ Atkins Plate in Stradbroke.
Mr Lipp said he would retire instantly if Cifrado get the $1million Group 1 at the JJ Atkins handicap day.
The two-year-old colt is also set for a lucrative stud career ahead of him thanks to his strong bloodlines.
In the four years since the life-changing win, Mr Little has bought properties for his children, a red sports car – a 2019 Toyota Supra – for himself (pictured) and several racehorses
Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp purchased one of his horses (pictured) on Mr Little’s behalf and admitted he doesn’t even know what the millionaire looks like
Mr Little said winning a race and winning the Lotto felt very different.
‘People might scoff at this but the money is great, it’s only secondary importance when you see the cups,’ he said, while proudly displaying his trophies.
‘Lotto is a game of chance, as well all know, but winning a Group One with the trainer training the horse and the jockey primed to go with it, that’s the excitement, the tactics in it and things like that.’
After winning the jackpot, Mr Little said: ‘I won’t be able to sleep tonight!.’
‘I thought I would check my ticket before bed. I was quite calm. I knew I had some of the numbers and thought I might have won division six.
‘Then I had another look and thought ‘no, you b******s are wrong!’ I had a look again. Then I went and had a shower.’
After winning the prize, Mr Little said: ‘I won’t be able to sleep tonight!’
‘Actually, when the phone rang, my cat ran over to the phone. She never does that. I was really surprised. That’s why I answered the phone.
‘It’s hard to believe only one person won it and that one person is me!
‘It’s amazing. You dream about these things but when it happens you don’t believe it.’
Mr Little’s car of choice, a red Toyota Supra sports car, is powered by a three litre turbocharged inline-six engine, which produces 335 horsepower.
The Supra 2020 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 4.1 seconds, offering exhilarating performance, on top of its sleek design.
Australians will have the chance to win their own $40million in Thursday night’s Powerball. Entries for draw 1412 will close at 7.30pm (AEST).
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