James is the son of of ex-jockey Rod Millman (who made his own debut at Warwick on October 9, 1972, finishing last of four on Camusette).
James, who had ridden work on the gallops since aged 15, made his debut at Lingfield on Tuesday, November 18, 2003, when partnering Paso Boble in the Bet Direct Amateurs Handicap (the last event on an 8-race card). His second and final ride of 2003 came at Wolverhampton in December on the same horse.
James first rode as a professional jockey in 2005 and, that year, rode six winners, the first of which was Polar Dawn (16/1) on Friday, 8 July at Chepstow.
He then spent two years at Clive Cox's Lambourn, riding out his 7 lb claim.
His relatively short career in the saddle peaked in 2011 with 27 winners but - with increasing weight, plus the effects of a crippling recession which saw many of the yard's winning horses sold - a slightly disillusioned James pulled up stumps.
He'd ridden 137 winners, but undoubtedly had expected more from the sport.
James signed off with a winner, Ishi at Lingfield, December, 2012. He said afterwards: “It was the perfect way to end my career, even more so as Ishi was the third of our homebreds out of Chorus, who I’d learnt to ride on when I was fifteen and all three had now won."
He has a fascination with motor racing and has competed in the 750 Formula Vee Championship.