Vote for Buster
January 4th, 2006by Jude T. Feld
Great Trainer Buster Millerick
Some of my closest contemporaries have been nominated for the Hall of Fame this year. I was lucky enough to compete against John Gosden, Bruce Headley, David Hofmans, Jerry Hollendorfer, Gary Jones, Mel and Warren Stute and the late Willard Proctor and Bob Wheeler in my 20 years as a trainer. Later on, in my career as a racing publicist, I learned to appreciate the talent and humbleness of Neil Howard and the intelligence of John Veitch, who are also among the distinguished nominees.
This piece is not about them, although a case could be made for each one to be enshrined at Saratoga. There is one man on the nomination list, who, if you asked any of the aforementioned candidates, belongs in the Hall of Fame, I am sure would get the required votes. The late great Buster Millerick.
On the wall in my office, is a resolution, from the city of Los Angeles, given to Buster on May 17, 1985. A gift to me from his wife Martha, a few years after Buster’s passing, it summarizes the great life Michael Earnest Millerick, one of the greatest horsemen the world has ever known and the idol of many. Hall of Fame trainer Laz Barrera, said many times that Buster Millerick was the biggest reason he became a trainer.
The resolution reads:
Whereas, Michael Earnest “Buster” Millerick is a special man and an extraordinary trainer of Thoroughbred race horses; and
Whereas, Buster was born in November of 1905 in the Northern California town of Petaluma; and
Whereas, Buster began as a jockey, riding at the old Tijuana track, at Reno and around all the fairs; and
Whereas, Buster started training horses in time for the very first Santa Anita meeting of 1934-35, where he saddled his first winner on January 4, 1935, a gallant sort by the name of Happy Fellow, who won a route over the slop that day; and
Whereas, since that proud beginning, Buster has demonstrated over and over again the art of conditioning a horse in preparation for a race; his record of consistency and accomplishment during the past fifty years has won him the enduring admiration and loyalty of all fans of “The Sport of Kings”; and
Whereas, Buster is respected for getting the most out of his horses, and is known for the valiant efforts made by any and all of his charges, whether they be champions or claimers; and
Whereas, amongst his innumerable winners, Buster is appreciated for his great feats with stakes winners such as Yankee Dandy, History Book, Cavamore, Niner Power and the lightning-quick Kissin’ George; and
Whereas, Buster enjoys eternal fame due to his legendary handling of the great California gelding Native Diver, whose exploits on the track brought thrilling joy to the crowds who came to see this magnificent horse run; and
Whereas, Buster continues to bring his high standards and tremendous competence to the track, as is amply exhibited in the efforts of recent Millerick runners such as Filomena Galea, Grassy Knoll, Morry’s Champ and that fine gallant veteran sprinter Mr. Prime Minister, who showed his speed best when unaided by whip; and
Whereas, Buster has been the very essence of grace, humility, good common sense, determination and the vitality that comes with an awareness of the majesty of all life; and
Whereas, Buster’s peers regard him with pride and affection, and share with all aficionados of the track, a personal sense of the man’s decency and splendor; and
Whereas, Buster is blessed with the miraculous love of his treasured wife Martha; their shared devotion is a sparkling inspiration both on the backstretch and in their home community of El Sereno:
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the City Council of Los Angeles highly commends Buster Millerick for his dignity, wondrous abilities, kindly demeanor and amazing sense of proportion in the tumultuous yet vitally significant industry of Thoroughbred horse racing, and further wishes that Buster and his loved ones enjoy the mightiest and sweetest of productive futures, full of hard-knocking winners like Buster himself.
Resolution by Arthur K. Snyder, Councilman 14th District
Martha and Michael Millerick are enjoying their well deserved heavenly reward together but they also deserve the mighty and sweet reward of a plaque at Saratoga.
Vote for Buster.
