Walter Miller

Walter Miller (1890–1959) was an American jockey. In 1906, he won 388 races, becoming the first jockey to win more than 300 races in a single year, a record not broken until 1952. He was inducted for his achievements into the U.S. Racing Racing Hall of Fame, the Jockey Hall of Fame, and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Early life Miller was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was an Orthodox Jew.

Racing career He rode in his first race at age 14. It was a record not broken until Willie Shoemaker exceeded it in 1952.

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 at Benning Race Track. He also won the Travers Stakes, Alabama Stakes, Champagne Stakes, Saratoga Special Stakes, and Brooklyn Handicap.

Writer Sam Elias described Miller as “a better rider than Tod Sloan.” He rode at times for James R. Keene’s stable, Newcastle Stables. Most of his career, he was managed by "Sunny Jim" Fitzimmons.

His career ended in the United States after he gained weight as a late teenager. He grew to 5’ 8.5” and 160 pounds. In 1909 and 1910, he rode primarily in Australia and Europe where weight restrictions were less stringent.

Honors Miller was inducted into the U.S. Racing 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.