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
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom.” What’s your guiding force?
My faith, my family and my self-belief.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
I’ve never held a grudge in my life.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2012?
Child abuse, animal abuse and bad wine.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Food.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Most of my wealth is invested in my five children and the school fees! I was never rich and don’t expect to be.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank.” What’s your view on the banking crisis?
I think in both Italy and England, the bankers need to come back to a point where ordinary people like you and I can gain our faith in a system that should be fundamental for all of us. If you can’t keep your money in a bank, where can you?
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Frankie: We think you are a good thing on this one.”
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home.” What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
The Fortune Centre for Riding Therapy and DAFA (Direct Aid for Africa).
The judge in “Law Abiding Citizen” states: “I can pretty do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
My mobile is fundamentally important to me in this modern world but interestingly I have never turned on a computer. My life changes within one phone call and the next evening I may be on a plane to Hong Kong to ride a horse there.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My family just to ensure they do some real work, my fellow jockeys and John Gosden to ensure there is some decent conversation.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Because I’ve never been able to really eat for the whole of my adult life, it would probably be tagliolini verde and gratinati followed by ossobucco and then chocolate ice cream. It would be served with a bottle of Château Latour (not Italian, I know, but the best in the world).
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Depending on where you are, I think 10am is perfectly acceptable.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A Negroni, of course.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Ronnie Wood’s as he is one of the greatest guys in the world.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Franny Norton: one of the funniest men in the weighing room.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A burger at McDonald’s.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
My lucky number: VII.
What was the first bone that you broke?
I’ve broken every bone in my body.
Cilla Black presented “Surprise, Surprise.” Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I nearly died in a plane crash in 2000, I’ve got five children, I’ve presented Top of the Pops, I’ve ridden seven winners from seven horses and I am lucky enough to have spent some time with Her Majesty The Queen.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A photograph of Dubai where I spend three months every year, a photograph of our family home in Sardinia and a photograph of my mother.
Frankie Dettori MBE is a champion jockey and father of five.
Follow Frankie Dettori MBE on Twitter at @FrankieDettori
Follow Frankie Dettori on Instagram at @frankiedettori_
The Tout’s tips for The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
The second most prestigious race for three year olds and upwards is run at Ascot on Saturday and it is known as The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a mile and a half. It sounds harsh to say that it is the secondary race as this is a very high class field containing multiple Group One winners, a Melbourne Cup winner and the winner of last year’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe which is the premier race over a mile and a half run at Longchamps in Paris in October.
Two weeks, ago we selected Nathaniel for The Eclipse and were fortunate to nominate the first three home in the correct order and that is no reason to be sentimental but this week our preference is again for Nathaniel as the win selection available at 3/1 with Dunaden 7/1 (Melbourne Cup winner 2011) running into second place at the end of the race which will be run on testing ground.
As ever, may Lady Luck ride hard on your shoulders.
The Tout.
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
Music fit for The Queen
In recent days, Gary Barlow’s albumn Sing has topped the UK album charts with sales of 40,000 copies.
Two hundred and ten musicians, including the African Children’s Choir and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Band, helped record this special tribute to The Queen. Produced by Barlow with the assistance of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gareth Malone, Sing also features Prince Harry on the tambourine, Hayley Westenra, Alfie Boe and the Military Wives choir. Sing will be performed this evening at a special concert at Buckingham Palace in the presence of Her Majesty.
Another tribute I was alerted to came from a singer named Anton Lorien who contacted me via Twitter. He was approached in 2011 by the British Monarchist League who asked him to produce a song for a lady he describes as having: “Given her life selflessly to the people of Britain and the Commonwealth.”
Mr Lorien’s song, Like A Diamond, is available to download on iTunes but I wholeheartedly recommend that you watch the video clip available above. It contains some wonderful footage of The Queen and the clip at 3:33 where our Monarch runs to watch her racehorse is especially worth seeing.
Both Sing and Like A Diamond capture the feelings of our nation brilliantly. Be sure to sing along tonight.
For more information about Anton Lorien’s Like A Diamond, go to: http://www.antonlorien.com
For more information on Gary Barlow & The Commonwealth Band’s Sing, got to: http://www.jubileesing.com
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II governed as constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states and headed the 54-member Commonwealth of Nations. Supported by her gaffe prone husband, “Brenda,” as Private Eye nicknamed her, served steadfast through good times and bad. She liked to drive a little quickly when given control of the wheel of a Range Rover and also found washing up relaxing. This monarch like no other will never be forgotten.
The launch of Chelsea AutoLegends 2012
I was introduced to Chelsea AutoLegends some three years ago when my good friend the racing driver James Wood became involved in the organisation of it.
Held at The Royal Hospital first in 2010, this extravaganza of all things motoring has grown immensely and will include over 500 collectors’ cars, motorcycles and racing vehicles. It is expected that some 15,000 will attend the one-day event and with supporters numbering Derek Bell MBE, Phil Packer MBE, Sir Stirling Moss MBE and Jodie Kidd, it’ll be as much about socialising and enjoying a good day out as it will be about cars.
Yesterday’s press launch featured an impressive line up of vehicles. Amongst them were Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches. A particular highlight was an innovative GT2 Aston Martin racecar that had been specifically designed to run on second generation bio-ethanol fuel. Owned by Lord Drayson’s Drayson Racing Technologies LLP, this car has raced in the American Le Mans Series and the 2009 Le Mans 24 hours’ race.
Drayson, the former Minister of State for Science and Innovation, was present and spoke to invited guests about the importance of innovation in motoring. He told of a 200mph electric car that can be wirelessly charged and praised AutoLegends for: “Bringing old and new together.” It truly does just such.
Also present were representatives from Walking with the Wounded. This worthy charity, whose supporters number Prince Harry and Brian Blessed, has been chosen as the Chelsea AutoLegends 2012 charity partner and hopes to benefit from the occasion through raising both awareness and funds to aid the rehabilitation of wounded veterans.
Chelsea AutoLegends 2012 looks set to be a great day out. Be sure to put the 2nd September in your diary.
Chelsea AutoLegends will be held on Sunday 2nd September 2012 at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, SW3. Advance tickets are on sale for £15 a ticket whilst the entry fee for those bringing a car of note is £35. For more information, go to: http://www.chelseaautolegends.com
Follow Chelsea AutoLegends on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/ChelseaAutoLgds