Walter Miller (jockey)
Encyclopedia
Walter Miller was an American jockey.
Miller was Jewish, and was born in Brooklyn, New York.
He rode in his first race at age 14. At the age of 16, he won 388 races (a record not broken until Willie Shoemaker
did it in 1952; 28 per cent of his mounts were victorious), and between the years 1905 and 1908 he won 1,094 races. He led the U.S. in victories in both 1906 and 1907.
In 1906, he won the Preakness
on Whimsical
. He also won the Travers Stakes
, Alabama Stakes
, Champagne Stakes, Saratoga Special Stakes
, and Brooklyn Handicap
.
He was the National Riding Champion in 1906 and 1907.
In his career, more than half the time his horse finished "in the money". He set a record by riding eight consecutive winners, over a two-day period. His career ended in the United States after he gained weight as a late teenager. He then rode in Europe, with success.
He was inducted into the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame
in 1955, into the Jockey Hall of Fame in 1957, and into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
in 1983.
Miller was Jewish, and was born in Brooklyn, New York.
He rode in his first race at age 14. At the age of 16, he won 388 races (a record not broken until Willie Shoemaker
Willie Shoemaker
William Lee Shoemaker was an American jockey.Referred to as "Bill", "Willie," and "The Shoe", William Lee Shoemaker was born in the town of Fabens, Texas. At 2.5 pounds , Shoemaker was so small at birth that he was not expected to survive the night...
did it in 1952; 28 per cent of his mounts were victorious), and between the years 1905 and 1908 he won 1,094 races. He led the U.S. in victories in both 1906 and 1907.
In 1906, he won the Preakness
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
on Whimsical
Whimsical (horse)
Whimsical was an American thoroughbred filly racehorse. She was sired by the great stakes winner Orlando, out of the mare, Kismet, who was sired by United States Racing Hall of Fame stallion, Hindoo....
. He also won the Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
, Alabama Stakes
Alabama Stakes
The Alabama Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old fillies. Inaugurated in 1872, the Grade I race is run over a distance of one and one-quarter miles on the dirt track at Saratoga Race Course. Held in mid August, it currently offers a purse of $500,000...
, Champagne Stakes, Saratoga Special Stakes
Saratoga Special Stakes
The Saratoga Special Stakes is an American grade II thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is for two-year-olds willing to race six and a half furlongs on the dirt....
, and Brooklyn Handicap
Brooklyn Handicap
The Brooklyn Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, on Long Island. It currently is a Grade II event open to three-year-olds and up willing to race one and one-half miles on dirt....
.
He was the National Riding Champion in 1906 and 1907.
In his career, more than half the time his horse finished "in the money". He set a record by riding eight consecutive winners, over a two-day period. His career ended in the United States after he gained weight as a late teenager. He then rode in Europe, with success.
He was inducted into the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
in 1955, into the Jockey Hall of Fame in 1957, and into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 1983.