A genial and highly competent individual, Walter Earl was born on October 8, 1891, in Bohemia where his father had spent over 40 years training horses.
Walter was sent to England as a young man and became apprenticed to Willie Waugh at Kingsclere.
He rode his first winner in 1906 at Goodwood but soon found himself struggling with his weight and for some years rode with success over the sticks.
He switched to training in 1920, eventually succeeding Colledge Leader as trainer to Lord Derby.
In 1942, Walter trained the Derby winner Watling Street.
In 1943, he trained Herringbone to win both the 1,000 Guineas and St Leger.
In 1949, he collapsed during racing at Newmarket.
He underwent brain surgery, but remained desperately ill until dying the following year on September 28, 1950. He left £6,283.