Gladys Mills Phipps, the mistress of Wheatley Stable, passed away on October 19, 1970, marking the close of a significant chapter in American Thoroughbred racing. Since its founding in 1926, Wheatley Stable’s yellow and purple colors had been worn by 11 champions and 102 stakes winners, including notable horses such as Dice, Dark Secret, Snark, Bold Lad, Successor, Queen Empress, Castle Forbes, and the champion Bold. After Mrs. Phipps’ death, her son Ogden carried forward the family’s racing legacy, with Buck Passer as his top horse. Ogden’s son, Ogden Mills Phipps, later took over, continuing the champion tradition with the family’s distinctive black jacket and scarlet cap.
The Wheatley Stable’s famous silks seemed to fade until Mrs. Phipps’ granddaughter Cynthia revived them, bringing renewed energy to the legacy. A devoted animal lover, Cynthia was deeply involved in the New York City Animal Medical Center and shared a love for sportsmanship and compassion. Memories from friends like Del Hancock and Virginia Guest Valentine highlight Cynthia’s dedication to animal welfare and her spirited nature. She also embraced breeding and racing, competing against many top stakes winners and finding her champion in a silver-gray filly named Christmas Past.
Christmas Past’s pedigree was a blend of prestigious bloodlines, including Bold Ruler and French champion Gray Dawn II. Named in homage to Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” she was trained by Angel Pena Jr., marking his first major horse. Although not initially fast as a two-year-old, Christmas Past found success in longer races as a three-year-old, winning major stakes like the Poinsettia Stakes, Bonnie Miss Stakes, and Mother Goose Stakes. Despite health challenges like bleeding, she performed admirably, even winning the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and the Monmouth Oaks.
After a rest, Christmas Past returned to win the Gazelle Handicap but later finished fourth, sparking a rivalry with Bloomdance for the three-year-old filly championship. Christmas Past dominated the Ruffian Handicap to clinch the division and later competed against males in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, finishing third in a tragic race marked by the deaths of two horses. She went on to capture the Gulfstream Park Handicap, becoming only the second female to win the prestigious race in 35 years despite an injury.
Her racing career ended soon after, and she transitioned to broodmare duties at Claiborne Farm. Unfortunately, her breeding career was marred by multiple lost foals and limited success among survivors. Despite this, Christmas Past was cherished for her strong-willed but gentle personality and remained a beloved figure until her death at 29 in 2008, shortly after Cynthia Phipps’ passing.
Christmas Past’s revival of the Wheatley Stable silks brought a historic legacy back into the spotlight, enriching American Thoroughbred racing with her classic performances and enduring spirit.
Fan Take: Christmas Past’s remarkable story exemplifies the resilience and heart that define great racehorses, making her legacy a beacon of inspiration for racing fans. Her impact on the sport reminds us how deeply tradition, passion, and perseverance shape the future of horse racing.
