Combining a mix of society's last word and both wit and wisdom, The Steeple Times covers food, drink and fine dining as well as luxury, travel, the arts, individuals of influence and current affairs in the United Kingdom, America and elsewhere. We are best described as being akin to "a cross between The Huffington Post and Private Eye".
The magazine's following is affluent, engaged and international. With 41% of readers coming from the UK and 38% from America, The Steeple Times also has strong presence within Canadian, Italian, German and Australian territories.
November 21, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Well-equipped 0.5-mile harness racing track in Yorkshire for sale for £1.5 million; it was the scene of an “ear biting incident” by a traveler in 2009 A dream property for harness racing enthusiasts has been put up for sale in Yorkshire. Its star feature is a 0.5-mile all-weather racetrack and it also comes with … Continue reading “Harnessing a Horse Track”
April 27, 2017
by Jon Vine
Racing enthusiast Jon Vine takes a look at the five most famous horses to ever run at Royal Ascot Royal Ascot is approaching and as excitement begins to build, we take a look at a five of the greatest superstars to have previously graced the meeting. Brown Jack Between the years of 1929 … Continue reading “Five of the Best – Royal Ascot’s Finest”
April 23, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
New Jersey mansion, complete with 58 rooms, for sale for equivalent sum to what it cost to build in 1909; the £37 million house’s original owner was a man whose extravagance knew absolutely no bounds George Crocker (1856 – 1909) makes F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby seem like an amateur. Born in Sacramento and … Continue reading “Living Large”
March 12, 2017
by Jon Vine
Jon Vine offers tips for this week’s Cheltenham Festival The horse racing world was plunged into a wave of disappointment when Colin Tizzard confirmed Thistlecrack had suffered a minor tendon tear and would be forced to miss the rest of the season. The Gold Cup favourite had been wowing fans throughout his first season … Continue reading “The Superstars Set To Clash”
March 6, 2017
by Jon Vine
New contributor Jon Vine previews next week’s Cheltenham Festival There is no sound in sport that evokes more tension and excitement than the hooves of twenty equine athletes thundering around the final bend at Prestbury Park. Simply remembering all the great names who have bolted up the Cheltenham straight to claim Festival glory makes … Continue reading “The Excitement Builds”
January 22, 2017
by Matthew Steeples
Berkshire country house named “Gays” for sale Not connected with the LGBT community in any way, but in fact named after a man named John Gays, “Gays” at Holyport, near Maidenhead in Berkshire dates to around 1456 and is currently for sale for £5.95 million ($7.36 million, €6.88 million or درهم27.05 million). … Continue reading “A Happy House”
December 21, 2016
by The Tout
The Tout’s tips for The King George 2016 Sometimes the leftovers taste better second time around on Boxing Day and this year there is a real treat in store at Kempton Park while we sit in the armchair getting over the festivities. If you’re not scheduled to go already, you will have to watch … Continue reading “A Boxing Day Treat”
October 17, 2016
by Matthew Steeples
An image of quite possibly the best tailgate bar ever (and two images of the consequential behaviour) On Monday, Guest of a Guest featured what could quite possibly be the finest tailgate drinking setup ever. In a series of slides about the 96th Far Hills Running Race Meeting in New Jersey on Saturday, … Continue reading “Picture of the Week – Tailgating Par Excellence”
November 27, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
South Kensington communal garden offered for sale for the staggering sum of £175,000
August 10, 2015
July 14, 2015
by General
The daughter of the contentious author Count Nikolai Tolstoy, divorcée Alexandra Tolstoy is a woman who ridiculously claims to struggle to live on £10,000 per week.
July 9, 2015
by General
Devoted to her dogs and the widow of a tycoon named Frank V. Brach (1890 – 1970), Helen Brach inherited a significant portion of a $23 million estate (the equivalent of $135 million or £87.8 million today) in 1971.
June 24, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
Vivien Leigh’s retreat and final resting place for sale for £3.25 million
June 19, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
A controversial, twice-married, former parish priest turned multi-millionaire businessman, Derbyshire born Robert Parker left the Anglican church in 1984 and set up a chain of care homes.
June 17, 2015
by General
The second son of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
June 16, 2015
by Matthew Steeples
A £25,000 top hat suitable for a gent who wants to stand out at Royal Ascot
June 4, 2015
June 3, 2015
by steepleadmin
Trainer Victoria Haigh reports on recent events in French racing and on the prospects for Treve
May 28, 2015
by steepleadmin
New contributor trainer Victoria Haigh reports from Longchamp
April 5, 2015
by General
The Steeple Times asks the actress and ‘Poldark’ and ‘Doc Martin’ star Emma Spurgin Hussey: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
October 10, 2014
by General
Based in San Francisco and the co-founder of the Tal-y-Tara tea and polo shop
September 8, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks former actor, singer, PR and former ‘Coronation Street’ star Adam Rickitt: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
September 5, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
Frankie Dettori puts his Voysey designed country house up for sale Champion jockey Frankie Dettori is best known for his “flying dismounts” and for having won seven out of seven races at Ascot in 1996. He currently lives at Stetchworth on the Cambridgeshire-Suffolk border near Newmarket but is now selling his home there.
September 2, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks professional polo player Peter Webb: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks co-founder of Ochun, a members’ club for single people, Christina Knudsen: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
by Matthew Steeples
This “famed show jumper” began riding at the age of three and competed at the 2010 World Championships aged just 19. He was fourth in the 2011 Pan Arab Games team event with Valentino Balia and hosted the British Polo Day in Abu Dhabi in March 2014. Sheikh Shakhboot aims to represent his nation at the … Continue reading “His Highness Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan”
August 21, 2014
by General
The daughter of John Betjeman, Candida Lycett Green was English through and through. An author, conservationist and horsewoman, Lycett Green was a bohemian member of the Private Eye set whom lived by the Reverend Sydney Smith’s “take the short view of human life, never further than dinner or tea”. She began her marriage to the … Continue reading “Candida Lycett Green (1942 – 2014; nicknamed “Wibz”)”
August 20, 2014
by steepleadmin
The Tout’s tips for the York Ebor meeting During the reconstruction of Ascot, The Royal Meeting was held at York and what a great success it was. This meeting is one of the summer highlights and The Knavesmire, as the course is known, never disappoints unless there is heavy rainfall and the River Ouse bursts … Continue reading “Ascot hits Yorkshire”
June 20, 2014
June 4, 2014
by Matthew Steeples
This “wheelie bin cleaner” from Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire staked £2 on Scoop6 in May 2014 and won £1.3 million. Craig Brazier is a man who likes a punt but declared he wouldn’t be giving up his day job as he enjoys it. Passionate about racing, this betting addict truly was a man who found Lady … Continue reading “Craig Brazier”
August 30, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The daughter of the billionaire publishing magnate and politician Michael Bloomberg and his Yorkshire born wife, this passionate equestrian divides her time between New York and Florida. A New York University graduate and generous philanthropist, Bloomberg has written three “young adult” novels: The A Circuit, My Favorite Mistake and Off Course. She featured in Jamie … Continue reading “Georgina Bloomberg”
August 19, 2013
by The Tout
The Tout’s tips for the York Ebor Festival The summer moves on apace and we reach the great northern three day Ebor summer festival on the Knavesmire at York (Roman name ‘Eboracum’).
July 31, 2013
by The Tout
The Tout’s tips for Wednesday’s racing at Goodwood We’ve arrived at the mid summer festival to beat all others at Goodwood but without the heatwave and some of the ingredients that give Goodwood the pseudonym “Glorious”.
June 18, 2013
by The Tout
The Tout’s tips for Royal Ascot Finally for all fans of horse racing the greatest week of the year has arrived and even the ladies look forward to it with anticipation as their outfits come together in time for the greatest parade of horse flesh that any punter can see at any single meeting. … Continue reading “Royal Ascot 2013”
June 17, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Frankie Dettori signs with Your Golf Travel Champion jockey Frankie Dettori is back in the saddle and back in business. As well as performing his trademark flying dismount after winning at Goodwood on Friday on Stormy Paradise, the Italian has signed a five-figure sponsorship deal to become an ambassador for the world’s largest golf … Continue reading “Dettori drives forward”
May 31, 2013
by The Tout
The Tout’s tips for the Oaks and the Derby Frederico Tesio, a pre-eminent Italian breeder, who owned and bred Ribot one of the all time greats maintained that there is only one important piece of wood in the world and that piece of wood is the winning post at Epsom on the downs just … Continue reading “Epsom: The Oaks and the Derby”
April 25, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
This delightful London based lifestyle blogger has British and American passports and loves both food and Ferraris.
March 26, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks Welsh National winning racehorse trainer Michael Scudamore: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Grandad Scu, a tough man when he was riding and an absolute gentleman. He is the person that dad, Tom and I look up to the most. … Continue reading “Michael Scudamore: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
March 12, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
Three out of four for our man, The Tout The first day of Cheltenham has been kind to our mysterious friend, The Tout. His predictions of Hurricane Fly to win the Champion Hurdle, Quevega in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle and Simonsig in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase all paid off … Continue reading “Trebled by The Tout”
March 11, 2013
by The Tout
The Tout’s tips for the Cheltenham Festival 2013 Finally, after a long and harsh winter we have arrived at the greatest show on earth for National Hunt fans. The Tout feels his blood pressure rise and a keen sense of anticipation as this week looms and now that it is upon us we are … Continue reading “The theatre of dreams and the home to real men and horses”
March 5, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks architectural antiques expert Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? Design, travel and friends. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? The best revenge is to have a fabulous life. … Continue reading “Jim Ruig: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
February 27, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks “Made in Chelsea’s” Jane Felstead: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force? My conscience. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? Revenge is a dish best served cold.
February 18, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The sale of the home of a circus heir and the revival of Billy Smart’s Circus Billy Smart, Sr. (1894 – 1966), a travelling showman and father of 10 children (he was himself one of 23), bought a circus in 1946 and quickly became known as an extraordinary entertainer. One of his son’s, Billy … Continue reading “A Smart move”
February 4, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks the Bond Street couturier and Huntsman co-owner Roubi L’Roubi: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force? “Achieve the ideal”, striving for perfection in my craft. Indeed, I am reminded of this every day, because I am lucky enough to work with the team at … Continue reading “Roubi L’Roubi: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
January 31, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
She’s been named the “most fascinating person in the public eye” by Tatler and a “21st century role model” by The Telegraph. This superb TV presenter and journalist is also a retired amateur jockey, has beaten thyroid cancer and is in a civil partnership with Alice Arnold, the BBC Radio 4 continuity announcer.
January 3, 2013
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times backs Frankie Dettori to win Celebrity Big Brother 2013 Though Frankie Dettori split from Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin in October and was banned from racing for six months in December 2012, he began his comeback last night by entering the Celebrity Big Brother house.
December 8, 2012
by steepleadmin
Thomas James explores the winter holiday destinations of the jetset The season is upon us and I like to think the thing that is most cherished of all this time of year is creating memories with those we love. Moreover, “my tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best,” once stated Winston … Continue reading “Wintering with the elite”
December 4, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Jilly Cooper’s state of the nation style summary strikes chords with Matthew Steeples Best-selling bonkbuster author Jilly Cooper might be best known for novels such as Riders and Jump! but in the 1980s and 90s she was equally lauded as “one of the Conservative Party’s most ardent supporters.” Cooper, born in 1937, showed … Continue reading “The Woman Who’ll Make Politicians Jealous”
November 30, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The Tout gives his take on this weekend’s racing at Newbury Winter has officially arrived and traditionally The Hennessy is the first of the major National Hunt events for the purists who love this sport. Sadly the race is a handicap and generally The Tout despises a contest such as this because those greedy … Continue reading “Striking Gold at The Hennessey”
November 18, 2012
by Thomas "T.J." James
Thomas James on the playground of the rich and famous that is The Hamptons One of the most popular guest features on the blog that preceded The Steeple Times was this article by Thomas James. The summer may well have passed along with Sandy and her might but as the article continues to … Continue reading “The Hamptons: where the upper classes of New York holiday”
November 16, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks the journalist and equestrian expert Victoria Spicer: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force? Sat nav, usually. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? I’m stealing my motto from someone else – “Don’t … Continue reading “Victoria Spicer: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
November 15, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This mouthpiece was born in Rettendon, Essex in 1958 and vents bile on all manner of subjects. Articles such as: “Why don’t more women moan like me?” and “Liz Jones’ baby craving drove her to steal husband’s sperm in ultimate deception” are frankly illustrative of why she’s so unpopular. After she got banned from the … Continue reading “Liz Jones”
November 12, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Matthew Steeples examines the truth behind Liz Jones giving up on her “rural idyll” The Mail’s Liz Jones is a waspish woman who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Those who’ve paid even a moment’s attention to her bleating, will be familiar with lines such as: “Last week, my brand … Continue reading “The battleaxe in the Beemer”
November 1, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
This Swiss born son of a printer has spent over £85 million buying up properties in the Henley-on-Thames area of Oxfordshire. Schwarzenbach also owns 123,000 acres in Australia, 26,000 acres in Scotland and has his own polo team, the Black Bears. This financier’s foreign exchange dealership, Interexchange, is the biggest in Switzerland and betting against … Continue reading “Urs Schwarzenbach”
October 25, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The Queen’s life in 3 minutes and 24 seconds This week we must thank Dan Large for having alerted us to an amazing YouTube video showing Her Majesty The Queen’s life in 3 minutes and 24 seconds. Created by “an old retired guy who likes to play with computers” named “HerBunk” and using … Continue reading “Video of the Week: The Queen morphs”
October 23, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
The Steeple Times asks the chef, author and BBC America “Chef Race: U.K. vs. U.S.” contestant Phoebe Lapine: “What’s on your mantelpiece?” The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force? Food. Friends. Fun. “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours? “Be the … Continue reading “Phoebe Lapine: “What’s on your mantelpiece?””
October 16, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Richard Hughes achieves a “Magnificent Seven” On the 28th September 1996, Frankie Dettori, at odds of 20,095-1 rode seven winners on seven horses in the seven races of the day at Ascot. His achievement cost the betting industry some £40 million and became known as the “Magnificent Seven.” Dettori even named his Chelsea restaurant, … Continue reading “Another Magnificent Seven”
October 4, 2012
by Matthew Steeples
Nicky Haslam adds another string to his bow Nicky Haslam is a man of many parts. He’s best known as an interior designer and author but over the years, in chameleon like fashion, he’s variously styled himself as Liam Gallagher, bought a house in Transylvania on the net and once told Vanity Fair he’d … Continue reading “Video of the Week: Total Control”
