A 1942 graduate of the Braden School, he saw combat in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. At Princeton he played polo and belonged to the St. Paul’s Society and Ivy. At that time the Class of ’51 had five polo players: Fanning, Mahoney, Matter, Strang, and R.B. Tucker. Phil left Princeton in 1949.
He was an avid foxhunter and thoroughbred horse-racing enthusiast. One of his greatest accomplishments was winning the Maryland Hunt Cup aboard Ned’s Flying in 1958. He got into the breeding business through his wife, Jill, whose mother, Mrs. Miles Valentine, owned Knockmuria Farm and raced steeplechasers. When Mrs. Valentine died, her mares were left to Jill. She and Phil then expanded their own breeding operation, the Ivy Dell Stud in Unionville, Pa. Upon Jill’s death he dispersed their stock.
Phil died May 6, 2016, in West Chester, Pa. He was 92. He was predeceased by his wives, Joy (Jill) Landreth Fanning and Adele Aerosmith Fanning; and sister Grace Tomkins. He is survived by his children, James, Rebecca Splaine, and Carol Young and their families.