In the run up to Europe’s greatest trotting race on Sunday, January 27th – Dan Carlin looks at the career of an intriguing Irishman who rubbed shoulders with the aristocracy of Europe from the early days of the century to the early 1960s.

CHARLIE Mills (1888-1972) won this most sought after prize on the continent (the Prix d’Amerique) once as driver and trained the winner four times, amidst a life full of drama and high living where the one constant was perfect preparation of the equine stars in his famous stables.