THE annual sell-out lunch in aid of the many Sir Peter O’Sullevan charities will take place at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Thursday, November 28th, and one of the highlights will be the auction of eight outstanding lots by Nick Nugent.

Hospitality at the five English classics in 2025, a one-off collage of Desert Orchid, a stallion’s head sculpture, the original painting of the fund-raising Peter O’Sullevan Christmas card, and a Michelin-star restaurant lunch with Sir Mark Prescott and John Francome, are some of the six lots sandwiched between the two star items in the sale.

Each year the lunch honours a figure from the sport, and this year the 28th recipient is John Francome. Johnny Jonas has painted every one of the award winners, and his latest masterpiece captures Francome brilliantly. Readers of this column are being granted an exclusive look at the work.

Huge interest is anticipated in the final lot on offer at the lunch. It is a VIP visit for four to the Closutton yard of the reigning Irish and British champion trainer, Willie Mullins. Dinner and accommodation in the nearby Lord Bagenal Hotel will be followed by a morning on the gallops with Willie, and afterwards you will get to share breakfast with him. This rare opportunity to get behind the scene of the most successful National Hunt yard of recent times is expected to come with a hefty price tag.

Tickets are not available for the lunch, which has been sold out for a year, but anyone interested in one of the eight lots on offer can get more information, and leave a bid if they wish, by contacting Nigel Payne at NigelEarthSummit@outlook.com or by telephone on +44 7768 025265