A businessman with a passion for racing. Burrell has worked with Frankie Dettori since the latter was 15 and was also the agent for Vinnie Jones. He drives a Toyota IQ, has climbed the Matterhorn and loves playing a round of golf in his spare time. In 2014, he invented the Gillhams Gravel Rake to solve the problem of keeping gravel drives in pristine condition.
Former Emmerdale bad boy Lyndon Ogbourne updates readers of The Steeple Times on his cycle expedition for Once Upon a Smile
Part One:
I begin this section of my travel journal, sat Bear Gryls style, next to a campfire I’ve successfully made, cooking a fish I’ve caught (with much difficulty) that I plan to serve with some bread from a boulangerie about 110km from where I’ve set up camp.
I’m exhausted but exhilarated. The journey I set out on 5 days ago has taken me through some of the most beautiful but challenging sections of country I’ve ever experienced. I’m a novice cyclist but with the help of the Cadence Performance Centre I trained for the distances I would cover. Nothing, however, could prepare me for the scorching temperatures I have experienced. They would have been fantastic sat chilling on a beach, but are an added and detrimental element to a 635-mile cycle challenge.
The structure of my cycling expedition has been loose and spontaneous and as long as I cover a minimum of 100km day, I’ll make it to the airport in time for my scheduled flight. The rest is an adventurous ‘play-it-by-ear’ set up.
Part Two: Toulon
My legs are tight and bruised and battered from a fall near Castelnaudary when I was outfoxed by a tree stump on the path. Ahead of me, though, was the greatest challenge of all, the mountainous terrain between Marseilles and Toulon. There I encountered 136km of mountain range, with 8km ascents dappled with 3km climbs just to stick the knife in.
I arrived in Toulon a broken man. The beautiful views of Marseilles were awe inspiring, but the mountains I have just covered were nearly my undoing. I write this second section sprawled like a rag doll on my bed in a rustic but somewhat dingy B&B in Toulon.
I have never challenged myself like this before and my whole being tingles with a feeling beyond pain. My mind, however, is filled with memories that I will treasure forever and, if it ever recovers, my body will grow stronger.
Tomorrow, I venture on, edging ever closer to the final leg of this mammoth challenge. Today, I saw a sign to Nice and the energy and endorphin rush it produced inside me made me feel I should cycle there tonight. Luckily common sense prevailed and I realised rest was required.
My trusty steed, the bike that has accompanied me on this challenge, has become very dear to me. It is an incredible piece of carbon fibre mastery and the only way I am here in Toulon is because of this bike. Cadence have created a piece of kit that is so advanced and beautiful that at every destination I have been stopped by people from every region to ask about it or to comment on its splendour.
It’s in part due to the training and equipment that I’ve come this far, but now it’s down to me and my weary body to complete this task. Please donate to the fantastic charity Once Upon a Smile, whom I’m raising money for, via the link below. Equally, may I suggest, if you are thinking of purchasing or training yourself up for a cycle of any distance, you could be in no better hands that those of Cadence Cycle Performance Centre.
For now I must sleep as I still have 100-miles to cover. I feel my legs may walk out on me if I don’t give them the rest the deserve. Bonne nuit and happy cycling.
Once Upon a Smile: http://www.onceuponasmile.org.uk
Cadence Performance: http://www.cadenceperformance.com
To donate, go to: http://www.justgiving.com/Lyndon-Ogbourne
An analysis of the Eclipse by our latest columnist, The Tout
The Eclipse is a Group One race named after one of the great thoroughbreds that we have ever seen in this country. It is a key event in establishing the reputation of any good horse and is run over a mile and a quarter for three year olds and upwards. The distance is perceived to be an ideal step between speed and staying power and it is generally the fist valid weight for age event in the calendar. Weight for age is the weight allowance that a three year old gets from a four year old but this year the field consists of older horses.
We have had a lot of rain this week and with more to come please bear that in mind on Saturday when making your selections. Sandown is a stiff track so you will need a performer who is proven on a softer surface and one who will stay the trip.
Frankie rides Farhh who is a progressive horse and the proven performers with a realistic chance are Nathaniel who won last year’s King George at Ascot and Monterosso the winner of the $6 million Dubai World Cup in March. The great Australian import, So You Think, who has won numerous Group One contests and over £4,000,000 in prize money including The Prince of Wales Stakes at The Royal Meeting last month now looks to be a non runner in what would have been his final race prior to retiring to Australia to take up stud duties. Nathaniel who is running for the bang in form John Gosden yard and named after his owner Nat Rothschild should win if he is match fit for his first start of the year. A longer shot may be Twice Over for Sir Henry Cecil but he appears to be running for a place. This race never disappoints and this year there is yet another very competitive field.
In summary, the finish should be as follows with Nathaniel the winner and Frankie a fast finishing second on Farhh with Twice Over staying on for third.
Good luck to all the followers of The Steeple Times!
The Tout.
Claire Rubinstein interviews Lyndon Ogbourne for “The Steeple Times”
Last week, Claire Rubinstein made Emmerdale fans envious when she interviewed the soap’s former baddest boy at Sette restaurant in Chelsea.
Over lunch, the pair chatted about Ogbourne’s career, charity, social media and forthcoming projects. Watch video footage of the interview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tncDQkCxgsY
As you’ll see, there’s a lot more to come from Mr Ogbourne.
View Lyndon Ogbourne’s show reel at: http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/lyndon-ogbourne
Support Lyndon Ogbourne’s cycle fundraiser for Once Upon A Smile at: http://www.justgiving.com/lyndon-ogbourne
Sette, 4 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PP. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7352 3435. Website: http://sette-restaurant.com
In the first of our mantelpiece series, we pitch twenty questions to Peter Burrell, a racing supremo who also co-owns Sette restaurant with Frankie Dettori MBE
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?
Mine is the world of horse racing that I have been in love with since I was 13 years old. I adore the horses and the people… Imagine being involved in a sport that has Lester, Frankie and Frankel!
“Never regret, never explain, never apologise” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Wish I could live like that as most mornings that should be my modus operandi… I am more Peter Langan.
Kerry Katona was unacceptable in 2007. Who is unacceptable in 2012?
Julian Assange, Mugabe, Assad and the current limo culture that we live in.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I don’t miss him or his wife that’s for sure but I do miss a good Partagas No. 4 after dinner.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I am potless but if I were a rich man I would trade it all for a good night’s sleep and a hole in one.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
The word “like” when used as an adjective.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Cancer and children.
Have you ever been arrested and if so, for what?
Yes: For refusing to pay an over priced taxi in Spain. When I’m drunk I will take them on.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My wife.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A really good prawn cocktail then an oxtail stew washed down with Haut Brion in the electric chair itself.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Like Churchill said: “Time is only for the middle classes.”
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Negroni.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My own because I am the centre of attention and I love making speeches.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Frankie Dettori MBE is the greatest jockey in the world and Umberto at Sette in Chelsea is the greatest restaurant manager in the world.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A sneaky cigar.
What was the first bone that you broke?
Left arm.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I have three and I like my star tattoo the best.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
Toyota Land Cruiser.
Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I am an optimist with a love for life that will never be surpassed. I wish I could tell you I had hidden a pot of gold somewhere but as someone once said to me: “Pete you don’t need money as you will never be far from it!”
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Invitations to Ascot and Johnny Gold’s 80th birthday and two horse bronzes.
Sette, 4 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PP. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7352 3435. Website: http://sette-restaurant.com
A review of Sette, Sydney Street, SW3
An invitation to lunch with Pete Burrell is not one to miss. This Chelsea restaurateur is one of the best-connected men in town and along with Marilyn Fry, who has just become chairman of The Lady Taverners, I readily headed to Sydney Street’s newest restaurant, Sette Cucina Italiana.
Burrell has recruited Umberto Scomparin from Ilia as maître d’ and on arrival we were immediately met by this most jolly of fellows. Scomparin has a knowledge of food and drink second to none and the lunch was perpetuated with his inputs of wit, wisdom and liveliness. The resulting atmosphere is part of what sets this bright and stylish restaurant apart from other local Italians.
Co-owned by Burrell and Frankie Dettori MBE, Sette takes its name from the Italian for “seven” in reference to the day when the champion jockey won all seven races at Ascot. Wall Street, Diffident, Mark of Esteem, Decorated Hero, Fatefully, Lochangel and Fujiyama Crest as well as Dettori himself all went down in the history of racing for this mighty achievement and it will forever be remembered by bookies for the vast sums they had to pay out.
Dettori, on a rare day off from racing, joined us and we commenced with a selection of starters. Amongst them were veal in a tuna sauce (£9.50) that was just perfect and burrata with vegegtables and “cuore di bue (£10.50) that was one of the best I’d tried in an age. Grilled squid with sweet chilli and salad (£11) proved equally impressive with the party.
Accompanying conversation about the exploits of Michael Winner at a recent Lady Taveners lunch and tales of Dettori’s racing career, we enjoyed a Pinot Grigio Branko (£40) that was full-bodied and somewhat floral. As Scomparin was about to embark on serving the second bottle, an unexpected friend of Mr Burrell’s arrived: Terry Venables.
It was a great pleasure to expand the table to include Mr Venables and his compatriot and we all decided to share a grilled seabass (£25), calves liver with butter and sage (£18) and a linguine with lobster (£14). We all noted the fine quality of the ingredients and the generosity of the portions.
Not being an expert on football, it was a revelation to learn about how this former England manager has also had a career as a media pundit for Al Jazeera and was the co-author of ITV’s 1978 – 1979 Hazell detective drama series along with Gordon Williams. A good time was had by all.
Later, as Sette buzzed with customers aplenty, one guest managed to spill some red wine on another. In true Scomparin style, this host par excellence dashed round the corner to Ralph Lauren and collected a new white shirt. Hospitality is in the blood of all involved at Sette and nothing is too much trouble.
Darren Yates of Morecambe, Lancashire placed £67.58 in combining all seven of Dettori’s mounts in 1996. This impoverished plumber won £550,000 that afternoon and equally Dettori and Burrell’s Magnificent Seven looks set to deservedly prosper in Sydney Street.
Sette Cucina Italiana, 4 Sydney Street, London, SW3 6PP. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7352 3435. Website: http://www.sette-restaurant.com. Follow Sette on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/SetteRestaurant
For more information on The Lady Taverners, go to: http://www.lordstaverners.org
He was labeled “Baron Von Essen” but evidence of his pedigree failed to surface. Starting in 1990, this buccaneer built up a collection of 26 luxury hotels but the £300m empire, developed with loans from bankers who plainly asked very few questions, collapsed in 2011. Since then, instead of quietly going to ground, he’s bought a Rolls-Royce from his friend Michael Winner and appeared at quite a few parties. Watch out: “The Talented Mr Davis” is plainly plotting his next move.