Gladys Mills Phipps

Early life

Gladys Mills was born in Newport, Rhode Island on June 19, 1883, to Ruth Livingston (1855–1920) and Ogden Mills (1856–1929). She had a twin sister, Beatrice, Countess Granard (1883–1972), and a brother, Ogden Livingston Mills (1884–1937) who served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury.

Mills Phipps was an avid ice skater and an excellent golfer; she won a number of tournaments, including a match play championship at the Newport, Rhode Island, golf course in which she beat her male counterparts. She was, however, first and foremost a lover of horses. Her father had owned racing stables in the United States and in France. Her twin, Beatrice, would inherit the French stable and become a leading owner in that country.

Horse racing

Main article: Wheatley Stable

Gladys Phipps became involved in the sport of Thoroughbred racing when a neighbor, Harry Payne Whitney gave her the pick of five of his yearlings to start a racing stable. She and her brother Ogden L. Mills established the highly successful Wheatley Stable in 1926. Both of her children became involved in thoroughbred horse racing.

Phipps Mills had her first winner on February 4, 1926, when her filly Sturdy Stella won in Miami. Her love of horses and racing would last throughout her life. After her husband's death in 1953, she would continue to manage Wheately Stable until her death in 1970. Phipps was said to be most happy during her morning hours at the racetrack, where she would watch her horses exercise, accompanied by two pet poodles.

Throughout her time as an owner, she bred, or co-bred 102 stakes winners, including Bold Ruler. In 2019, she was named to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Personal life

In 1907, Gladys Mills married Henry Carnegie Phipps (1879–1953), son of the wealthy Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, businessman, Henry Phipps. Together they had:

• Ogden Phipps (1908–2002), who was married to Ruth Pruyn (1907–1994), and later, Lillian Stokes Bostwick (1906–1987)
• Barbara Phipps (1911–1987), who married Stuart Symington Janney Jr. (1907–1988). They were the parents of Stuart S. Janney III
• Audrey Phipps (d. 1992), who was married to Philip Dana Holden (d. 1973), an investment banker
• Sonia Phipps (1919–2006), who was married to Hans Christoph Farrell, Count of Seherr-Thoss (1912–1992).

Gladys Mills Phipps died on October 19, 1970, in Roslyn, New York.

Philanthropy

Following her brother's death in 1937, Gladys Mills Phipps inherited their parents' mansion at Staatsburg, New York. In 1938, she gave the house and 192 acre to the State of New York.

References

References

1. (14 October 1920). "MRS. OGDEN MILLS DIES IN PARIS HOME; New York Social Leader Who Was Noted for Her Aristocratic Gatherings.HUSBAND AT HER BEDSIDE Mother of Countess Granard, Mrs.H.C. Phipps and Ex-Senator O.L. Mills Was Ruth Livingston.". [[The New York Times]].
2. (January 29, 1929). "Ogden Mills Dies At His Home Here. Financier Is the Victim of Pneumonia After Three Weeks Illness. He Was 72 Years Old. Active in Many Philanthropies and Long a Leader in Social Affairs. A Native of California. Interested in Racing". [[The New York Times]].
3. (3 February 1972). "Lady Granard, Daughter Of Ogden Mills, Dies at 88". [[The New York Times]].
4. (October 12, 1937). "Ogden Mills Dies Suddenly At 53. Former Secretary of Treasury Is Stricken by Heart Attack in His Home Here". [[The New York Times]].
5. (August 15, 1907). "Miss Gladys Mills Golf Winner". The New York Times.
6. (August 16, 1900). "The News Of Newport". The New York Times.
7. Whitman, Alden. (1970-10-20). "Mrs. H. C. Phipps, Leader in Horse Racing, Dies". The New York Times.
8. "Gladys Mills Phipps {{!}} National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame".
9. Chris Korman, [https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/05/01/marylands-janney-shuns-limelight-even-with-derby-favorite-orb/ Maryland's Janney shuns limelight, even with Derby favorite Orb], ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'', May 01, 2013
10. (14 July 1992). "Audrey P. Holden, 77, Active in Philanthropy". [[The New York Times]].
11. (June 21, 2006). "Sonia (Sunny) (Phipps) Countess of Seherr - Thoss". The Wickenburg Sun.
12. "Seherr-Thoss, Hans Christoph (1912-1992)". Litchfield Historical Society.
13. (October 20, 1970). "Racing World Mourns Death". [[Associated Press]].
14. Alden Whitman. (October 20, 1970). "Mrs. H.C. Phipps, Leader in Horse Racing, Dies; Wheatley Stable Owner, 87, Was Noted for Breeding of Winning Thoroughbreds". [[The New York Times]].
15. "HV/Net - Hudson Valley Network".