The legend of Mick the Miller : sporting icon of the Depression

Imagine Rin-Tin-Tin and Lassie rolled into one, plus a dash of Botham and Beckham and you get an idea of Mick the Miller's status as a public idol during the grim Depression years of the 1920s and 1930s when two millon were unemployed and the country yearned for something to brighten its daily routine.Bred by a gambling-mad priest, Mick emerged from the backwoods of Ireland to sweep all before him.

As a youngster he survived a killer disease to win Derbies and break records at will; as a veteran he fought back from injury to bow out before 70,000 adoring fans with victory in the St Leger over a distance considered inappropriate for an ageing greyhound.

In retirement he capitalized upon his intelligence and became a role model for Red Rum and Desert Orchid by earning a living on the celebrity circuit, even meeting the King and Queen.

But Mick went one better, starring in his own feature film - in which he stole scenes from the "real" actors.