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Jock Whitney's racing career started in 1929 when he financed Jack Anthony, famed British trainer and oldtime jockey, the only man alive who has won the Grand National thrice, to start a stable of steeplechasers for him at Wantage, England. They almost won the Grand National on their first try but Easter Hero, leading a record field of 66, twisted a plate (which now hangs on the door of his stall at Langollen), limped home second. In the U. S., Jock Whitney began to build his string after his marriage to utterly horsy Mary Elizabeth ("Liz") Altemus of Philadelphia two years ago. At "Langollen" (near Upperville, Va.), capital of the Jock Whitneys' horse activities in the U. S., are two of the hardest brush and timber courses in the country. There every year is run the Langollen National Steeplechase for which the Whitneys put up the cup. Trainer for Mrs. Whitney—who "rents" her husband's horses from Langollen Stables. Inc., races them under her name—is James W. ("Big Jim") Healy. not to be confused with Tom Healey, who trains for Sonny Whitney. Sylvio Coucci is her ablest jockey. Financial adviser to Langollen Stable—and manager of most of the other racing enterprises of all the Whitneys—is Major Louie A. Beard, onetime captain of the U. S. Army polo team. Mrs. Whitney's racing string was enlarged from 41 horses in 1932, to 62 this year. Most notable purchase of the year by Jock Whitney was the Australian mare Nea Lap, sister of famed Phar Lap. Last winter she was bred to The Porter, able 18-year-old stallion which Jock Whitney bought two years ago for $27,000.
It was in the family tradition for Jock Whitney to row at Yale; he stroked the 1926 junior varsity. When his father died, he had just finished a year at Oxford. Since then—though he belongs definitely to the more conservative branch of the family, in whom the prudent Payne blood runs strong—he has begun to blossom out as befits a young man with a fortune estimated at $100,000,000. Readily accessible in his office at No. 14 Wall St., he is not suspicious or wary of people who come to sell him things, but keenly alert for interesting and constructive ways to invest his money. He lost a lot two years ago backing a musical show for his artist friend Peter Arno, but the experience did not diminish his liking for and friendship with such characters as Robert Benchley and Donald Ogden Stewart. His aunt, Mrs. Leonard K. Elmhurst, backed The New Republic and Asia. Nephew Jock owns a substantial slice of Polo. Lately he was reported investigating the possibilities of founding a new cinema company.