Mick The Miller

Mick The Miller is the most famous greyhound of all time. He was born in 1926 in the village of Killeigh, County Offaly, Ireland at Millbrook House, the home of parish curate, Fr Martin Brophy. When he was born Mick was the runt of the litter but Michael Greene, who worked for Fr Brophy, singled the little pup out as a future champion and insisted that he be allowed to rear him. With constant attention and regular exercise Mick The Miller developed into a racing machine. His first forays were on local coursing fields where he had some success but he showed his real talent on the track where he won 15 of his first 20 races.

In 1929 Fr Brophy decided to try Mick in English Greyhound Derby at White City, London. On his first trial-run, Mick equalled the track record. Then, in his first heat, he broke the world record, becoming the first greyhound ever to run 525 yards in under 30 seconds. Fr Brophy was inundated with offers and sold him to Albert Williams. Mick went on to win the 1929 Derby. Within a year he had changed hands again to Arundel H Kempton and won the Derby for a second time.

Over the course of his English career he won 36 of his 48 races, including the Derby (twice), the St Leger, the Cesarewitch, and the Welsh Derby. He set six new world records and two new track records. He was the first greyhound to win 19 races in a row. Several of his records went unbroken for over 40 years. He won, in total, almost £10,000 in prizemoney. But he also became the poster-dog for greyhound racing. He was a celebrity on a par with any sports person, musician or moviestar. The more famous he became, the more he attracted people to greyhound racing. Thousands thronged to watch him, providing a huge boost to the sport. It is said that he actually saved the sport of greyhound racing.

After retirement to stud his popularity continued. He starred in the film Wild Boy (based on his life-story) in 1934 which was shown in cinemas all across the UK. He was in huge demand on the celebrity circuit, opening shops, attending big races and even rubbing shoulder with royalty (such as the King and Queen) at charity events. When he died in 1939 aged 12, his owner donated his body to the British Natural History Museum in London. And Mick`s fame has continued ever since. In 1981 he was inducted into the American Hall of Fame (International Section). In 1990 English author Michael Tanner published a book, Mick The Miller - Sporting Icon Of the Depression. And in 2011 the people of Killeigh erected a monument on the village green to honour their most famous son. Mick The Miller is not just the most famous greyhound of all time but one of the most loved dogs that has ever lived.

*Read more details on Mick`s life here*

LATEST NEWS!

ADRIAN HORAN INTERVIEW

Fascinating interview with Adrian Horan, who`s father trained Mick the Miller.Thanks to Lynda Bonner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Rx9jHgDWg

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WIMBLEDON MOSAIC

In March 2024 Mick the Miller`s mosaic was unveiled outside Wimbledon Football Club. The mosaic had lain in the floor of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium since the 1930s but was in danger of being lost forever as the stadium was being dismantled in 2015 to be replaced by the new football stadium. There were attempts made by both the Mick The Miller Commemoration Committee helped by Michael Burnage and Roger Cearns (who`s grandfather commissioned the mosaic) to safely remove it for posterity but Historic England decreed that the mosaic had to incorporated back into the new development. The unveiling ceremony took place on 15th March.

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FAITHFUL IMAGES BOOK

In December 2023 a book on public art in County Offaly was launched in Tullamore. It features monuments around County Offaly and Mick the Miller`s sculpture in Killeigh is included. All photos were taken by Paul Moore and the text (inc a three page article on Mick the Miller) was written by Fergal McCabe. The book is available to purchase from Offaly Historical Society.

https://www.offalyhistory.com/shop/books/faithful-images-public-art-in-county-offaly

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100 YEARS OF WEMBLEY STADIUM

Wembley Stadium was 100 years old in 2023 and celebrated it`s birthday by producing a poster depicting the 100 greatest stars to appear there over 100 years. Mick the Miller was the only animal celebrity who made it onto the poster (bottom left).

https://www.wembleystadium.com/about/wembley-100

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HISTORICAL SOCIETY BLOG

A comprehensive blog on Mick the Miller was published on Offaly Historical Society`s website in May 2023 and also in the Tullamore Tribune newpsaper in December 2023.

https://offalyhistoryblog.wordpress.com/2023/05/31/mick-the-miller-a-sporting-legend-by-brendan-berry/

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Many thanks to Offaly County Council for covering the cost of hosting this website via their Community Activities Fund 2021, Community Support Fund 2022 and Local Enhancement Programme 2025.

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Belle Vue Stadium - Manchester

Bellu Vue Stadium is currently under threat from developers but a petition has been organised by a group of motor sports and greyhound racing fans to try and save it. Please follow them on Facebook - Save Belle Vue Stadium Action Group or Twitter - @VueSave.

The petition can also be found on www.change.org - http://tinyurl.com/yak54c2c

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Irish Game Fair

Mick The Miller was honoured at the 2017 Birr Game Fair which took place on 26th and 27th August at Birr Castle, Co Offaly. The front cover of that Summer`s Country Sports and Country Life magazine featured a painting of Mick the Miller and Master McGrath. The painting by John R Moore was commisioned by the Great Game Fairs of Ireland Committee to promote the Mick The Miller race which was held at Birr and the Master McGrath race held at Shane`s Castle, Antrim. The Great Game Fairs Committee also generously presented a print of the painting to the Mick The Miller Commemoration Committee. In 2018 the Game Fair will be held at Shane`s Castle, Co Antrim. Once again both Mick The Miller and Master McGrath races will be held and prizes relating to both greyhounds will be presented to the winners.

Rosette

This beautiful rosette was made by Peppi Greco in Florida, USA and sent to Killeigh as a present for Mick.

Documentary

Irish TV (Sky Channel 191) recently filmed in Killeigh. Here is the link (Mick the Miller piece is at 4 mins 30 secs).

http://www.irishtv.ie/offaly-matters-31

Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium

For details on the proposed redevelopment of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium click here

New Book Launch

The Mick The Miller monument was recently included in a new book IMMORTALS OF BRITISH SPORT - A Celebration Of Britain`s Sporting History Through Sculpture by Ian Hewitt and Sampson Lloyd. This is a fantastic read for anyone interested in art or sport. Mick is featured on pages 90/91. The online version of the book can be viewed at Immortals Of British Sport.

Monument Unveiling Ceremony

click here for more

Monument Visitors

See pics here

If anyone has any questions about Mick The Miller or if you have any information, memorablia or stories that you would like to offer, we would be delighted to hear from you. You may contact us at history@mickthemiller.com

If anyone would like to donate to help keep Mick`s story alive, we accept Paypal payments to donations@mickthemiller.com.