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(1910-01-10)January 10, 1910
United States
DiedMarch 13, 1973(1973-03-13) (aged 63)
EducationSt. Bernard's School, St. Paul's School, Yale University
Board member ofBessemer Securities Corporation, W. R. Grace and Company
SpouseMuriel Fillans "Molly" Lane (1909-1968)
Children2
ParentJohn Shaffer Phipps & Margarita Celia Grace
RelativesHubert Phipps (brother)
HonorsMuseum of Polo and Hall of Fame (1994)
Keeneland Mark of Distinction (1981)

Biography

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Michael 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

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Michael 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

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Several 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

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  1. ^ Palm Beach Post - March 15, 1973
  2. ^ "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. ...
  3. ^ Christian Science Monitor - November 2, 1938
  4. ^ "Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  5. ^ New York Times - March 15, 1973
  6. ^ "Michael Phipps Buys Horses of Late Father". Daily Racing Form at University of Kentucky Archives. 13 May 1958. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  7. ^ Palm Beach Post - March 15, 1973