Rod Millman
Brian Roderick Millman was born on May 25, 1957 and was raised in a family with a racing background. His father Brian was a permit holder in Devon where Rod first took part in pony and show jumping events as a boy.
Brian Roderick Millman was born on May 25, 1957 and was raised in a family with a racing background. His father Brian was a permit holder in Devon where Rod first took part in pony and show jumping events as a boy.
On leaving school Rod began his racing career as an apprentice with Reg Akehurst at Lambourn. He was apprenticed from 1972 to 1976 and rode five winners on the Flat.
On leaving school Rod began his racing career as an apprentice with Reg Akehurst at Lambourn. He was apprenticed from 1972 to 1976 and rode five winners on the Flat.
He then went to Monty Stephens (the biggest private trainer in the country at the time) but rising weight decreed that his future would lie over jumps. In 1977 he joined Kingsbridge-based trainer David Barron as his conditional jockey.
He then went to Monty Stephens (the biggest private trainer in the country at the time) but rising weight decreed that his future would lie over jumps. In 1977 he joined Kingsbridge-based trainer David Barron as his conditional jockey.
From there he spent time with Michael Chapman, Ron Atkins, Doug Marks, and Martin Pipe, where he stayed until 1981 and then went freelance, joining the Flat stable of Gerald Cottrell at Kentisbeare as a work rider. He hung up his boots on a winning note after riding his 60th winner on Snowy Pearl at Newton Abbot on May 5, 1989.
From there he spent time with Michael Chapman, Ron Atkins, Doug Marks, and Martin Pipe, where he stayed until 1981 and then went freelance, joining the Flat stable of Gerald Cottrell at Kentisbeare as a work rider. He hung up his boots on a winning note after riding his 60th winner on Snowy Pearl at Newton Abbot on May 5, 1989.
Rod took out a dual-purpose trainer’s licence on November 1, 1989 and did not have long to wait long for his first winner. His eighth runner, 20/1 shot Royal Dartmouth, landed the Haseley Handicap at Warwick. Royal Dartmouth won for him again two weeks later.
Rod took out a dual-purpose trainer’s licence on November 1, 1989 and did not have long to wait long for his first winner. His eighth runner, 20/1 shot Royal Dartmouth, landed the Haseley Handicap at Warwick. Royal Dartmouth won for him again two weeks later.
Rod married Louise in 1985 and their two sons James and Patrick grew up among horses, with James following in his father’ s footsteps by becoming a jockey.
Rod married Louise in 1985 and their two sons James and Patrick grew up among horses, with James following in his father’ s footsteps by becoming a jockey.
Whitbarrow gave Rod his first Pattern race success when winning the 2001 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. However, probably his best horse to date – certainly the most well-known – is Sergeant Cecil, who famously landed the Northumberland Plate-Ebor-Cesarewitch treble in 2005. In 2006 Sergeant Cecil won the Lonsdale Cup, Doncaster Cup and Prix du Cadran on successive starts and then finished third in the Prix Royal-Oak (French St Leger). He also won the 2007 Yorkshire Cup.
Whitbarrow gave Rod his first Pattern race success when winning the 2001 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. However, probably his best horse to date – certainly the most well-known – is Sergeant Cecil, who famously landed the Northumberland Plate-Ebor-Cesarewitch treble in 2005. In 2006 Sergeant Cecil won the Lonsdale Cup, Doncaster Cup and Prix du Cadran on successive starts and then finished third in the Prix Royal-Oak (French St Leger). He also won the 2007 Yorkshire Cup.