SC Rewind: Remembering Delvin Miller

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls the all-time great horseman Delvin Miller.  Although he passed away close to 30 years ago,  his memory lives on in many ways.  He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest and most respected personalities the sport of harness racing has ever known.   

Above photo shows the great horseman Delvin Miller at his winter training headquarters in Florida (circa 1987). Visible in the background is his famous "DEL MILLER STABLE" sign. At the time of this picture he was close to 75 years of age and was still training and occasionally driving. [Author's collection]

When the great Delvin Miller passed away in 1996 at the age of 83, the entire world of harness racing experienced a huge loss. He was "Mr. Everything" throughout his career, and it was a long one. He was the only person in history to compete in a sport during eight decades and that was just the proverbial "tip of the iceberg" in what he accomplished. 

He bred, trained, owned and drove horses dating back to the 1920's. When he drove in his first race in 1929, the teachers and principal at Hickory High School in Pennsylvania couldn't figure out why suddenly one afternoon the absentee rate shot up dramatically without warning. The following day they found out that a goodly number of students had all headed to the local Fairgrounds to see Delvin drive in his first race.  Just what disciplinary measures were invoked is still uncertain. 

During his career Delvin literally did and saw "everything".  His life was not always easy, losing his father when he was just five years old as the Influenza epidemic of 1918 spread across the land. His bereaved mother decided to leave California and return to her family's roots in Pennsylvania. 

From here Delvin spent his days at the side of his grandfather; learning, watching and carving out a career like no one before him and likely no one who will ever follow. Still he was to see hardship and struggles. Early in his career he was driving in a race in which a serious accident occurred. Once the horses had pulled up and an assessment was made, the then very young Delvin realized that his uncle had been killed on the track.  Still he continued. 

While Delvin was an immediate friend to everyone he met, I was fortunate to get to know him and correspond with him for a number of years.  We wrote, telephoned and even visited several times at his winter training grounds in or near Orlando, Florida. In person he was everything he portrayed and more. He literally would do just about anything for you and made everyone feel special. Remember in those days people actually wrote letters, not emails!!

Our correspondence started after he wrote into TROT Magazine to comment on how he enjoyed reading the articles that I was writing about some of the Canadian horsemen that he had raced with.  He was always very caring about Canadians and he loved to race here and did so quite often.  In 1969 when Grand Circuit racing returned to Canada after a long absence,  he was among the U.S. horsemen that competed.

After Delvin's passing I contacted his widow Mary Lib,  as she was always known, to express my condolences.  I told her that when we meet people in person that we have heard a lot about we can sometimes be disappointed.  I said that my experience in meeting her husband was the exact opposite and that I held him in even higher regard once I got to meet him.  

A short time later she replied to thank me and I can still recall her words.  "While much is lost [in death],  much abides."  

On one occasion while visiting Delvin in Florida I had an interesting experience.  That winter he was stabled at the Simpson training centre which was located in a rather rural and isolated area well outside Orlando.  It was not all that easy to find.  When our visit was finished Delvin suggested I follow him back into Orlando.   He followed somewhat of a shortcut on a daily basis, which would undoubtedly save me some time.  Initially I was not enthused about poking around in an unknown area following a rather "elderly " guide.  

I soon found out that I was in for a surprise.  After travelling about a quarter mile, he was probably already almost out of sight in his Cadillac Seville.  I was never a particularly fast driver but I had to step it up that day to put it mildly.  After a few hair-raising sharp turns and in and out maneuvers I finally got into the routine.  In no time we were back into civilization and we both went our separate ways.

So much of his legacy remains.

In Florida: Delvin appears beside his Cadillac Seville which had the rather distinctive license plate "ADIOS 3" [Author's Collection] Not visible is where it was purchased:  Arnold Palmer Auto Sales.  Delvin and the legendary golfer were very close personal friends and at times business partners I believe.  

Del Miller, The Horse

Yes there once was even a horse named Del Miller.  He did not exactly live up to the accomplishments of his namesake as outlined below.

In 1948 the mating between a stallion named The Widower and a mare called Scot's Emilee resulted in the foaling of a brown colt. He was a full or half brother to a number of accomplished performers.  Surely destined for greatness, the young equine was registered as DEL MILLER.  

I know little or nothing about this horse and his career beyond what the records show of him in 1957 when he was nine years old. It appears as though this may have been his final season on the track. He was double gaited and showed the following career statistics:

Pacing Record - 2:14 2/5 taken at age seven; Lifetime Earnings (Pacing only) - $709.00

Trotting Record - 2:14 1/5 taken at age eight; Lifetime Earnings (Trotting Only) - $1,646.00

In 1957 he raced exclusively in Canada under the ownership of Herve Gendron of Coaticook, Que. He had four victories in 32 starts and earned $286.00 that year, all on the trot. Owner Gendron did most of the driving and all of his 1957 wins came at the Sherbrooke track. 

Horses the likes of Del Miller we shall surely see again. 

Men like Delvin Miller are unlikely to pass this way again. 

(from the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame)

Delvin Miller Scrapbook 

Delvin and his famous stallion Adios are pictured at his Meadowlands, Pa. farm on the occasion of the horse's 23rd birthday 

Winner's circle presentation at the 1974 International Trot.  From left, Owner of Delmonica Hanover, Delvin Miller; Roosevelt Raceway President, George Morton Levy; Delmonica Hanover; driver, John Chapman; Mary Lib Miller (wife of Delvin Miller) 

In this 1950's photo Delvin Miller (centre) appears with the great Tar Heel, one of his early great performers. L.B. Sheppard is to the left of the horse and John Simpson Sr. is on the far right. 

Quote For The Week: Although some may quibble with the order, it’s no wonder that Saratoga’s motto is “Health, history, and horses.”

Who Is It?  

Can you identify the seven drivers in this old photograph taken many years ago?  Only clue is that just one person is a Canadian but all of them are very well known.  

Who Else Is It?  

Can you identify this gentleman and also what close connection did he have to Delvin Miller?