Walter Miller
Walter Miller
Walter Miller
1890 - 1959
1890 - 1959
At the age of 16, Walter Miller was rated the greatest jockey in America. However, by the time he was 20, his career was almost finished.
At the age of 16, Walter Miller was rated the greatest jockey in America. However, by the time he was 20, his career was almost finished.
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1890, he began riding in races when aged 14 at the long gone Benning track in Washington D.C. He was an immediate sensation. By the autumn of 1904, Miller was in great demand and signed a contract to ride in California for the stable of millionaire W. A. Stanton, whose trainers included the up-and-coming James ‘Sunny Jim’ Fitzsimmons.
Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1890, he began riding in races when aged 14 at the long gone Benning track in Washington D.C. He was an immediate sensation. By the autumn of 1904, Miller was in great demand and signed a contract to ride in California for the stable of millionaire W. A. Stanton, whose trainers included the up-and-coming James ‘Sunny Jim’ Fitzsimmons.
His strength, athleticism and keen observation enabled him to get his mounts away quickly and keep them in hand throughout the race, added to which his power in a finish led him to win numerous races that other jockeys would have lost.
His strength, athleticism and keen observation enabled him to get his mounts away quickly and keep them in hand throughout the race, added to which his power in a finish led him to win numerous races that other jockeys would have lost.
Miller returned to the eastern tracks in the spring of 1905 and won on 178 of his 888 mounts that year. The following year he won an astonishing 388 races from 1,384 mounts. No other rider had ever won 300 in a single year. Miller’s wins that year included the Preakness Stakes on Whimsical. He also won the Alabama, Champagne, Edgemere Handicap, Excelsior Handicap, and the Travers Stakes, among others.
Miller returned to the eastern tracks in the spring of 1905 and won on 178 of his 888 mounts that year. The following year he won an astonishing 388 races from 1,384 mounts. No other rider had ever won 300 in a single year. Miller’s wins that year included the Preakness Stakes on Whimsical. He also won the Alabama, Champagne, Edgemere Handicap, Excelsior Handicap, and the Travers Stakes, among others.
In 1907 Miller was again the nation’s leading jockey with 334 wins from 1,194 mounts. Among the many highlights were 11 victories aboard James R. Keane’s undefeated two-year-old champion colt Colin.
In 1907 Miller was again the nation’s leading jockey with 334 wins from 1,194 mounts. Among the many highlights were 11 victories aboard James R. Keane’s undefeated two-year-old champion colt Colin.
Although not attaining the phenomenal scores of the previous two tears, in 1908 Miller won on 194 of his 870 mounts, but by then increasing weight was beginning to take its toll, as did several suspensions for rough riding.
Although not attaining the phenomenal scores of the previous two tears, in 1908 Miller won on 194 of his 870 mounts, but by then increasing weight was beginning to take its toll, as did several suspensions for rough riding.
By the end of the year his career in America was over. Standing tall for a jockey at 5ft 8ins, he struggled to make the weight, and in 1909 his licence was suspended because of an “unresolved incident” at a California track. Between 1905 and 1908 Miller had won a remarkable 1,094 races from 4,336 mounts.
By the end of the year his career in America was over. Standing tall for a jockey at 5ft 8ins, he struggled to make the weight, and in 1909 his licence was suspended because of an “unresolved incident” at a California track. Between 1905 and 1908 Miller had won a remarkable 1,094 races from 4,336 mounts.
Looking to extend his time in the saddle, Miller moved to Europe and rode with mixed success in Austria, England and Germany, notably winning the Berlin Grand Prix.
Looking to extend his time in the saddle, Miller moved to Europe and rode with mixed success in Austria, England and Germany, notably winning the Berlin Grand Prix.
Miller held a British jockey’s licence for just one season, in 1909. He had his first ride in England when finishing sixth of 11 runners on Traitress in the Innkeepers’ Selling Handicap at Pontefract on July 8; his second two days later aboard Diavolo at Haydock, again finishing sixth. However, he had few opportunities and failed to ride a winner.
Miller held a British jockey’s licence for just one season, in 1909. He had his first ride in England when finishing sixth of 11 runners on Traitress in the Innkeepers’ Selling Handicap at Pontefract on July 8; his second two days later aboard Diavolo at Haydock, again finishing sixth. However, he had few opportunities and failed to ride a winner.
He returned to America in 1912 but never rode again. Details of his post-racing career are scant. He reportedly played professional baseball in California in 1918 and also had a try-out with New York Giants. For a time he owned a haberdashery business in New York City.
He returned to America in 1912 but never rode again. Details of his post-racing career are scant. He reportedly played professional baseball in California in 1918 and also had a try-out with New York Giants. For a time he owned a haberdashery business in New York City.
In 1945 he suffered an illness and fell on hard times. He later suffered a mental breakdown and was placed in a New York sanitorium, where he remained in obscurity until his death in 1959.
In 1945 he suffered an illness and fell on hard times. He later suffered a mental breakdown and was placed in a New York sanitorium, where he remained in obscurity until his death in 1959.
Four years before his death Miller had been one of a dozen jockey inducted into the National Museum if Racing’s first Hall of Fame at Saratoga.
Four years before his death Miller had been one of a dozen jockey inducted into the National Museum if Racing’s first Hall of Fame at Saratoga.
Miller’s record score of 388, set in 1906, was not surpassed until 1952 when Tony DeSpirito set a new standard with 390 wins.
Miller’s record score of 388, set in 1906, was not surpassed until 1952 when Tony DeSpirito set a new standard with 390 wins.
Based on an article from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame 2022 official guide.
Based on an article from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame 2022 official guide.
Walter Miller's first ride in England: Traitress at Pontefract. July 8 1909
Walter Miller's first ride in England: Traitress at Pontefract. July 8 1909
Walter's second ride in England: Diavolo at Haydock Park
Walter's second ride in England: Diavolo at Haydock Park