Recognized as the greatest jockey of the early twentieth century, Walter Miller rode his first race in 1904 at the age of 14 and his last in 1909. During a fouryear period, he had 1,094 winners. In his career, more than half his mounts finished in the money.

In an era when most jockeys seldom went to the post 500 times a year, Miller had 178 winners in 888 mounts in 1905; 388 firsts in 1,384 races in 1906 (and 300 seconds, 199 thirds); 334 wins
in 1,194 races in 1907; and 194 winners in 870 mounts in 1908. He won the National Riding Championship in 1906
and 1907.

Miller enjoyed his greatest success under the colors of the James R. Keene and Newcastle Stables. He accomplished his extraordinary riding record in the days of six and seven race cards and abbreviated racing seasons. Among the horses he rode were Colin,
Ballot, and Peter Pan. His first manager is said to have been his mother. She was replaced by the legendary “Sunny Jim”
Fitzsimmons, who advised Miller through most of his American riding
career.

Miller was the first jockey to eclipse 300 winners in one year. His 388 firstplace finishes in 1906 stood alone as the most single season wins for 44 years until 1950, when Joe Culomex and Willie Shoemaker tied his mark, and 1952 when Shoemaker broke the
record.

Miller holds the unique record of riding eight consecutive winners—the last five on April 3, 1906, and the first three the next day, at Bennings Track. While quite a few modern-day jockeys
have won five winners in a day, in most instances they rode six or seven mounts. Miller rode five winners in five mounts three times.

By 1910, Miller had grown too big for American riding, and he opted to race in Europe, where he continued to enjoy success. Miller was elected to the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1955 and the Jockey Hall of Fame in 1957.