Miller, jump rider, retires

Blythe Miller, the only woman to win the American Steeplechase jockeys title, announced her retirement from riding on Friday.

A 34-year-old Pennsylvanian, Miller landed titles in 1994 and 1995. A daughter of trainer Bruce Miller, she hangs up her tack as the all-time leading jump jockey in earnings in America since official records were kept, with $5,177,363, and seventh in career wins over jumps, with 188.

Miller has not ridden since suffering back-to-back concussions in spills separated by only a week at Saratoga last summer. Among the best horses she rode were five-time steeplechase champion Lonesome Glory, two-time champ Flat Top, and 2000 champ All Gong, as well as Grade 1 winners It's a Giggle, Campanile, Victorian Hill, and Uptown Swell. She also rode Lonesome Glory to steeplechase victories in England at Cheltenham and Sandown Park.

"I'm still adjusting to retirement," she said. "I will miss it, but I was going to miss it no matter how I went out. I'm fortunate with the career that I did have, and I'm glad to walk away fine."