Michael Grace Phipps (January 10, 1910 – March 13, 1973) was an American businessman, champion polo player, owner/breeder of racehorses, and a philanthropist.[1]
Michael Grace Phipps | |
|---|---|
 Phipps, circa 1940 | |
| Born | January 10, 1910 United States |
| Died | March 13, 1973 (aged 63) |
| Education | St. Bernard's School, St. Paul's School, Yale University |
| Board member of | Bessemer Securities Corporation, W. R. Grace and Company |
| Spouse | Muriel Fillans "Molly" Lane (1909-1968) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent | John Shaffer Phipps & Margarita Celia Grace |
| Relatives | Hubert Phipps (brother) |
| Honors | Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame (1994) Keeneland Mark of Distinction (1981) |
Biography
editMichael Phipps was the son of John Shaffer Phipps and Margarita Celia Grace, daughter of Michael P. Grace. He was a member of the Yale University intercollegiate championship team in both 1930 and 1932.[2] He participated in the 1936 and 1939 International Polo Cup. A member of the Meadowbrook Polo Club on Long Island, New York, in 1938 he was elevated to a Ten Goal ranking, the highest level achievable in polo.[3] On March 17, 1994 he was posthumously elected to the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame.[4]
Education and business career
editMichael Phipps studied at St. Bernard's School and St. Paul's School before going on to Yale University.[5] Phipps became a successful investor and would serve as a vice president of his family's Bessemer Securities Corporation and sit on the board of directors of W. R. Grace and Company, a company owned by his maternal grandfather's family.
Thoroughbred racing
editSeveral members of the Phipps family were involved in horse racing. Most notably from the same era as Michael Phipps was his brother Hubert, a cousin Ogden, as well as his uncle Henry Carnegie Phipps whose wife was a partner in the renowned Wheatley Stable. On the death of his father, Michaell Phipps purchased his stable of horses from the Estate.[6] Some of the successful Thoroughbreds owned and raced by Michael Phipps were Raja Baba and Gentleman James.
Michael Phipps served on the board of directors of Hialeah Park Race Track.[7]
References
edit- ^ Palm Beach Post - March 15, 1973
- ^ "Polo Pickings". Time magazine. 17 September 1934. Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
Mike Phipps is a stubby, hard-riding youngster who was a member of Yale's intercollegiate championship team in 1930 and 1932. ...
- ^ Christian Science Monitor - November 2, 1938
- ^ "Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ New York Times - March 15, 1973
- ^ "Michael Phipps Buys Horses of Late Father". Daily Racing Form at University of Kentucky Archives. 13 May 1958. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
- ^ Palm Beach Post - March 15, 1973