Mr. Arthur Cooper:

ThePrix d'Amérique, which is due to be held on Sunday week, is the biggest trotting race in the world. "Tribal" is not the right word but in recent years there have been some really good contests between a couple of very good horses, with half the crowd behind one side or the other. The crowd is very enthusiastic, wearing scarves and caps in the drivers' colours for each side. This year, the champion, who won in the past two years, was defeated in the trial races and that has opened it up. There are some very good Swedish horses coming over for the race.

The Minister has received an invitation. It is a bit like the derby meeting here. Many important dignitaries and significant politicians will be in attendance on that day. That is where the UET has its annual meeting. This year an apprentice driver is going over for the first time. Drivers have been invited to other meetings. We ran second in the race there in December. This all promotes Ireland and it is all self-funded.