0:00:07 > 0:00:09We may live in a digital age...
0:00:11 > 0:00:14..but a surprising amount of British trade is still done the
0:00:14 > 0:00:16old-fashioned way...
0:00:16 > 0:00:18INDISTINCT BIDDING
0:00:19 > 0:00:21..at traditional auctions.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Now is your time to get a bargain.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27These sales may feel like throwbacks to a bygone age...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31..but for the buyers and sellers who flock to them,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33they're still the best way to conduct business.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36At 1,600, blow your nose and bid again.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40We'll be visiting the UK's most dynamic traditional markets...
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..selling everything from pigs to cattle,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47sheep dogs to ponies...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..fish to veg,
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and discovering how they are the heartbeat of rural life.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58There'll be bargains to be had today.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- 450.- That's part of being at an auction.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Today, we're in Wales at the UK's biggest annual auction
0:01:07 > 0:01:11of Welsh Cobs, a British horse breed with international appeal.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16We'll be meeting the auctioneers in the hot seat...
0:01:16 > 0:01:181,100, OK.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23Stand this lovely filly up and appreciate everything about her gorgeousness.
0:01:23 > 0:01:29This is an annual pilgrimage for thousands of people.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32..and following the fortunes of three buyers and sellers...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34I'll walk down with him. Hello!
0:01:34 > 0:01:36How are you?
0:01:36 > 0:01:39You meet lots of people you haven't seen from all over the country and abroad.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42..as they experience all the excitement...
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- Better now.- ..and tension...
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Go behind... Behind you!
0:01:47 > 0:01:49..as the hammer falls.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05We're in Builth Wells in mid Wales,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09a little town of about 3,000 people in the beautiful Powys hills.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Next to town is the huge Royal Welsh Showground
0:02:14 > 0:02:20which once a year hosts a unique event, the Welsh Cob Autumn Sale.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23It's the biggest event of its kind anywhere in the world,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26attracting national and international buyers.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33For somebody as enthusiastic as me about horses, this is like paradise.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36This is the best holiday. I've gone to Disney World and back!
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Everywhere you look, there's quality.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Come on, then. Out we go.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43You can just feel people a bit excited at the beginning of the
0:02:43 > 0:02:44day, so, people...
0:02:44 > 0:02:45Seeing some lovely horses.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Yes, good.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52Over the next three days, more than 400 horses will be up for sale
0:02:52 > 0:02:56ranging in price from £100 to £10,000.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58I just want to come and say hello to you all.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Such a huge event needs a whole team of auctioneers to run it.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07750. 750.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Any more? He's here to sell.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10Like Nick Gorst,
0:03:10 > 0:03:15a veteran auctioneer with over 25 years' experience selling here.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19It's always one you just look forward to because the people are
0:03:19 > 0:03:22very friendly and there's a great atmosphere.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24On the right at 1,100.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Andrew Elliott is a 20-year veteran of this famous auction.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31I don't think you will see any auction,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33no matter what is being sold,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37with such a large audience of enthusiasts.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- 350, 350.- 350.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44You could call Frank Morgan the Godfather.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47He's been selling here for over 30 years.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51When it all goes right and a good horse comes in the ring
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and makes a lot of money, then it's worth it.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56It's all part of the buzz.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01There we are, tremendous future...
0:04:01 > 0:04:04And the youngest of the four is Greg Christopher.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08People there from all over the world and throughout the UK.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12It's just a huge sale.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15I'm on duty for you today, OK.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17He looks a very smart sort, you must be very pleased.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19You want your vendors to be happy.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22You want your purchasers to be happy as well.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26You want everyone to go home singing, you've done them a good job
0:04:26 > 0:04:28from both sides because you want them to come again.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31So it's most important to keep everyone as happy as they possibly can be.
0:04:34 > 0:04:40It's the opening day and the arena is packed with over 2,500 people -
0:04:40 > 0:04:41a capacity crowd that brings
0:04:41 > 0:04:44much-needed revenue to the local economy.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Brightwells, the warmest, the very,
0:04:48 > 0:04:53very warmest of welcomes to this, the 54th annual Autumn Cob Sale,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57here on the good showground at the Royal Welsh.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Here is a lovely young male to open proceedings now.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04On we go, look at him go. Got all the right attributes, hasn't he?
0:05:04 > 0:05:08The Welsh Cob will do basically any job.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10The list is endless, their strengths are endless.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13There are a very, very special breed.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18Sellers show their horses by running or riding them round the ring so
0:05:18 > 0:05:19bidders can see how they move.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23There we are, the colour and the breed, tremendous future.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25What a filly, what a filly.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29We've got one person who just wants a horse to go in the back garden and
0:05:29 > 0:05:32doesn't really mind how it's bred or what it does or what it looks like.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36You've got some people who will buy 20 or 30 horses for various clients
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and also you've got the breeders that are looking for the bloodlines
0:05:39 > 0:05:43and trying to select some horses that will bring them success
0:05:43 > 0:05:45in the show ring and future sales.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Lily, here you are, love.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54One of Britain's top Welsh Cob breeders, Julie Evans,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56is unloading her horses for the auction.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58OK, you all right?
0:05:58 > 0:06:01With many years' experience, Julie is one of the best in the
0:06:01 > 0:06:05business, so there's a lot at stake for her at this prestigious sale.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Steady. Looking forward to the sale.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11I'm feeling all right. You get a bit nervous.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14I hope people like what I'm breeding, mainly.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16I hope people like what I bring,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and that gives you a lot of satisfaction as a breeder.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Julie's farm is nearly 60 miles from the auction.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Quality breeding has always been in her blood.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Lil? You wouldn't take him up in the stable for me, would you?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Hurry up, love, because the tractor's coming.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45You're fitter than me!
0:06:45 > 0:06:51Her parents bred shire horses and she caught the bug when she was very young.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52I come from a horse family.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55I love the horses, I've always loved horses.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- All right, then.- I prefer this one.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59OK, I get the naughty one!
0:07:01 > 0:07:07I like getting the horses ready for shows and even the mucking out
0:07:07 > 0:07:11and all the horrible jobs, I don't mind.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Quiet, aren't you? Nice boy.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Julie took the family passion one step further and is now a serious
0:07:19 > 0:07:23competitor on the horse show circuit as well as an acclaimed breeder.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30These are the prizes we have won this year at the different shows.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33We have travelled quite a bit up and down the country this year.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37I think I've done about seven or eight shows, something like that, this year.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41It's quite hard work, but it's very important doing the shows.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43That's what we've done this year.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Quite pleased.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47And Julie's showing career has been stellar,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49at the very highest level.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Congratulations to number 1470.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57She's entered winners at the Royal Welsh,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00the most prestigious horse show in the country.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05I've won two gold medals, one with my stallion, Fronarth Victor,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08and the other one with his daughter, Haighmoor Glain.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Not bad for a little breeder, yeah, not bad.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15I was just so thrilled because to win the Royal Welsh with something
0:08:15 > 0:08:18you've bred yourself is just the ultimate thing to do.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22But this year it looks like Julie's going one better.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25I've had a big honour this year.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28I've been asked to judge the Royal Welsh Show next year.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Years ago when I was young, I always thought, to win the Royal Welsh was
0:08:32 > 0:08:35my ambition and then as for judging it, well...
0:08:37 > 0:08:40It's a bit of... It's a bit of a shock!
0:08:42 > 0:08:44You're putting that on now. That's good.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Being chosen to be a judge at the prestigious Royal Welsh Show puts
0:08:47 > 0:08:48Julie in the spotlight.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51All eyes will be on her and her horses at the auction...
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- You calmed down, Mrs?- ..making success even more important if she's
0:08:55 > 0:08:59to maintain her reputation and her thriving stables.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Hopefully if somebody buys them, they can go on to homes and they can be shown.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08At the end of the day, I do it because I love the horses and I like competing.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11So I don't just do it for the finance.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14She plans to sell four horses at auction,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16all from a championship-winning bloodline.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22But the horse Julie thinks will be the most impressive is Sparc.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24We've had a lot of success showing this horse this year,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26we've been really pleased with him.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30He's got a really nice temperament. He's just a sweet boy, aren't you?
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Nice boy. We hope you get a nice home, don't we?
0:09:33 > 0:09:38Successful sales will cement Julie's reputation and the good name of her stables.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42But poor results could do her good name some damage, so there's a
0:09:42 > 0:09:43lot at stake.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45The standard's very high nowadays.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49You've really got to try your hardest and breed the best you can.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57Just slowly with him.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Can I have a feel of her leg?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Is that all right? Can I give you that? Hello, sweetheart.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Knowing that the very best of the horse world are gathered at the
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Autumn Welsh Cob Sale,
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Julie is busy making sure her first two horses are in perfect condition
0:10:18 > 0:10:20for the auction.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Just got to get them prepared now,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25get them cleaned up after the journey and then
0:10:25 > 0:10:28just hang around, really, and just hope somebody comes and looks.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34Just getting them settled down now, they're just a bit nervous.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39He's been to shows before but she's never been away from home.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43I've got my two good grooms.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Everybody will be busy now getting the ponies ready.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52Auctioneer Nick will be overseeing Julie's sale and knows that in
0:10:52 > 0:10:54breeding, reputation is everything.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56At two bid, three. 300, four.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01Julie is somebody that's quite typical of one of the premier
0:11:01 > 0:11:05breeders in the Welsh Cob business.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Julie has been in it a long time.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Great show person, which you have to be, because it's as much
0:11:12 > 0:11:16this business, the show arena, as it is the sale.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Are you looking for a filly? - We'll see.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25Yeah. She's out of the same mare as Glain that won the Royal Welsh.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27This one is, yeah.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Sister to Glain, yeah.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Different dad.- Yeah, she is. Different dad.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Julie's stock is attracting a lot of attention and she wastes no time
0:11:37 > 0:11:41making sure people know all about their excellent bloodline.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44She's very much like her mother, isn't she?
0:11:44 > 0:11:49She's a lovely mover, really has got the spring, this one has.
0:11:52 > 0:11:58With her reputation at stake, Julie needs this sale to go well.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00How are the nerves?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Well, I'm not too bad at the moment.
0:12:02 > 0:12:03We'll see.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08It's Magical Lady's first time away from the farm, so Julie has helpers,
0:12:08 > 0:12:12Lily and Dav, to run the horse in the ring and make sure she isn't
0:12:12 > 0:12:14thrown by the unfamiliar environment.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20You want it running on a long lead because she's never been held tight
0:12:20 > 0:12:22and run behind her, get the whip behind her.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Dav?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Run her on a long rope, she's not used to being held tight.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35This is Mrs Julie Evans...
0:12:35 > 0:12:37It's Julie's big moment.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Auctioneer Nick is ready to start and Magical Lady is up first.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Julie's hoping to make around £1,300 with this sale
0:12:45 > 0:12:49so the horse needs to rise to the challenge and stay calm.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51I'm sure you've all had a look at this.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56I think in the auctioneer's eye, after doing it for nearly 30 years,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00you get a sort of instant feeling when you see something that's going
0:13:00 > 0:13:03to make some money and looks the right type.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I could see there is a bit of quality here.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Right, start me off, you're going to treat me well now, I hope.
0:13:09 > 0:13:113,000 surely.
0:13:11 > 0:13:122,000.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Real quality, look at the breeding, Trevallion and Brinithon.
0:13:16 > 0:13:191,000 away, surely...
0:13:19 > 0:13:23Despite Magical Lady's good breeding, her price starts off very low.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26At 500 only.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30At 600 the bottom row, at seven on the stand...
0:13:30 > 0:13:32But Nick manages to drive the price up.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35In all the excitement,
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Julie ends up intervening a little more than a breeder normally would.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44Go behind her. Behind. Back here.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Julie's managed to get her team to settle Magical Lady and her quality
0:13:51 > 0:13:54breeding is beginning to shine through.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56At 17, have 18, at 1,700.
0:13:56 > 0:14:011,800. 1,800. One way to go.
0:14:01 > 0:14:0519 I'll take. At 1,800, 1,900.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08It looks like Julie's hard work is paying off
0:14:08 > 0:14:10as the bidding keeps climbing.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Keep going, at 2,500, 2,500, 2,500, where are you?
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Six bid. At 26.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Nick is really building the bids.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Seven, 27, 27.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26You're doing a good job.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Sit down, I'm just missing a bidder.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33After we got over 2,000, she started running round the ring
0:14:33 > 0:14:37which was a good indication that she was enjoying herself!
0:14:38 > 0:14:43Sold at 2,700.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Well done.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47Thank you very much.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48Thank you.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52We've got another one yet, haven't we?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57The sale was an impressive piece of auctioneering and a great result for
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Julie, more than twice the price she'd hoped for.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Magical Lady, over the moon with that.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05We'd hoped, you hope for sort of 12,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09£1,500 for the filly, so she made a lot more than what we expected.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14At 500, bid 500. 500, 500.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15At 500.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20But there's little time for Julie to bask in the glory
0:15:20 > 0:15:23as her second Cob foal, Johnny, is up next.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Sold then at 600.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31And he fetches a solid £600 which, although less than the filly,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34is still good news for Julie.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- Thank you very much.- Thank you, Julie, all the best to you.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38Good stock as ever.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42You can make £500, £1,000 or £2,000.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47I've sold foals for as little as £200 and I've sold mares for £7,000.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50It varies, you just don't always know, you know.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54So far Julie's auction has been a rip-roaring success and a true
0:15:54 > 0:15:57testament to her reputation as a top breeder.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00And with two more horses to go,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03there's still plenty more action to come in the ring.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12The Welsh Cob Autumn Sale hasn't always been on this incredible scale.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15At 1,900, don't stop, look at the filly.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20Veteran auctioneer, Frank Morgan, remembers its humble beginnings on a
0:16:20 > 0:16:22farm in Llanarth in rural Wales.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26I think the first Llanarth sale I went to was about 1974.
0:16:26 > 0:16:33It was in a farm in West Wales and it became so popular that the
0:16:33 > 0:16:36facilities just wouldn't stand it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40So we moved the overflow here.
0:16:40 > 0:16:41At 2,000...
0:16:42 > 0:16:47The sale's been held here at the Royal Welsh Showground for over 30 years
0:16:47 > 0:16:50with Frank as a key auctioneer from the beginning.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55One change he's seen over the years is a big increase in foreign sales.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00There'll be quite a number of horses that will be sold to go abroad.
0:17:01 > 0:17:08The majority of those will go to Europe, but we have had them go to
0:17:08 > 0:17:12America, Australia and some parts of Africa.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16We've spread as far as Japan, so we're going all round the world.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23But the sheer scale of the auction presents huge challenges for auctioneers.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27With a crowd this big, how do you keep track of who's bidding?
0:17:27 > 0:17:33The more occasional buyers generally make themselves more well-known than
0:17:33 > 0:17:37the very professional buyers and the very professional buyers literally
0:17:37 > 0:17:41might just move a cheek muscle in some way.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42Yes, you've got to be tuned in.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45We've got two men in the ring just spotting bids.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48They play a good role because they're seeing part of the crowd
0:17:48 > 0:17:51where, at certain times, I'm not looking at and they also add
0:17:51 > 0:17:54to the atmosphere and the excitement when you've got a high-priced horse
0:17:54 > 0:17:55coming in the ring.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Well done, madam. 1063.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06At 520, 520...
0:18:09 > 0:18:11There's a good boy. Oh, he's good.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16One man who knows every trick in the book when it comes to bidding is
0:18:16 > 0:18:19buyer, Alan Pearce.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22He's one of the biggest Welsh Cob agents in the UK,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26buying horses on behalf of his many international clients.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I have to buy on instructions and sometimes it's something I wouldn't buy
0:18:29 > 0:18:33for myself but, as the saying goes, the customer's always right.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35I hope that the lorry will be full.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40It's built to carry 12 horses and perhaps another vehicle as well.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Alan lives in West Wales, 50 miles from the auction.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56He sources nearly 300 horses a year for his clients and transports them
0:18:56 > 0:19:02to Europe. Before they leave, Alan keeps them here in his stables.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08We can have up to 40 plus here and we have another holding that we
0:19:08 > 0:19:12will have in reserve should we need the extra stables.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Good boy. Good boy.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19What started off as a hobby has now become a very profitable business.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20PHONE RINGS
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Hello.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25With the auction looming,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Alan is inundated with calls from his customers.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30What number was it?
0:19:30 > 0:19:32271?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Do you have any idea what you want to pay for it?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39With such a huge demand on the Continent for Welsh Cobs,
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Alan makes his money by transporting the horses he buys at auction.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Is that the maximum price now?
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Because you know what the auctioneers are like, they can jump a bid.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50If they jump a bid, we have to go with it.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57That means he needs to have a good sale if he wants to get paid.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00We don't charge commission for buying the animals.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04The money purely comes from the transport.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08The more transport that we have, the more money we have.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11So it's a door-to-door service for them.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The auction is one of his busiest business times and he has three days
0:20:15 > 0:20:18to buy around 30 of the finest Welsh Cobs.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22This year he has a lot of clients expecting him to deliver,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25which could make or break his annual profits.
0:20:25 > 0:20:31This Autumn Sale we have got horses going to France, Holland, Belgium,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Germany, Denmark.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34I suppose you could be talking...
0:20:37 > 0:20:41..in 30 horses, £30,000.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47This auction is crucial for Alan to secure the Cobs he needs to keep his
0:20:47 > 0:20:48business profitable.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- Hello. She's got a nice head on her, hasn't she?- Yeah.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Back at the auction, Alan is yet to buy and with 30 horses on order
0:21:11 > 0:21:14from his European clients, he'd better get bidding.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I can't tell you what I'm going to end up with, but I've got lots of
0:21:19 > 0:21:26lot numbers to look at. I've got a list here, sent to me by a customer,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29and those are lot numbers that that customer is interested in.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33I don't anticipate they'll buy all of those, but that's one customer.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40It isn't just a case of wandering into an auction and spending someone
0:21:40 > 0:21:45else's money. Alan is in constant contact with his European customers.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46150 now.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49200 now.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52You'll have to say quickly.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- 350.- 350 now.- 350, at 350.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59You'll have to tell me something, say something! Yes or no?
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Most of the continent people haven't been to auctions because
0:22:03 > 0:22:06they don't sell their animals that way out there and then they want to
0:22:06 > 0:22:07hear it all going on, on the phone
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and you're trying to express to them,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12"Come on, quickly, do you want to bid again?"
0:22:12 > 0:22:13And they think, "What shall I do?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16"Do I have a cup of coffee and think about it?"
0:22:16 > 0:22:17And it's too late, this sale's over.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Leave it? OK.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26The auction is getting off to a slow start and for Alan, the complications
0:22:26 > 0:22:30keep coming when two clients want the same horse.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I have somebody else interested in it and they've already said they
0:22:33 > 0:22:37will pay £1,000 so you would have to pay more than £1,000.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43OK. Bye-bye.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49I'd another client from Germany interested in the same lot and I
0:22:49 > 0:22:54explained to them that we already have a bid of 1,000 for it,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57so she has to think higher than that and she doesn't want to think
0:22:57 > 0:22:58higher than that.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02I've got most probably six or seven prospective buyers, but they're
0:23:02 > 0:23:06living in the past at the moment, they're living on last year's prices
0:23:06 > 0:23:07so I'm trying to gee them up a bit.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Sold.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18It's been a frustrating morning for the big agent,
0:23:18 > 0:23:19thwarted at every turn.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24To avoid a disappointed clientele,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26he'll need to start buying, and fast.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36That's a mare, is it?
0:23:36 > 0:23:37That was a three-year-old.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40It's time for seller, Julie Evans, to go in the ring again.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43The sale isn't just important for her business,
0:23:43 > 0:23:47it's about maintaining her top reputation as a leading Cob breeder.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48I've got a good groom!
0:23:49 > 0:23:51The yearling colt is very nice.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We've had a lot of success with him this year in the show
0:23:54 > 0:23:58and the filly, I think, is one of the nicest ones I've brought here
0:23:58 > 0:24:03for a while, so I'm quite happy with how my horses look, so you've just got to go with the flow,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05haven't you? Just hope somebody wants them.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06What do you think, Dafydd?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Make 3,000 and let her go?
0:24:08 > 0:24:12After a successful first day, Julie has two more horses up for
0:24:12 > 0:24:15sale and decides to put reserves on them
0:24:15 > 0:24:17that reflect the quality she's breeding.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21For show-winning Sparc, that means a £3,000 price tag.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26You've got to hand that in now before they sell them.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Just cross us fingers now and hope for the best.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34But that might be a tall order as Julie senses something potentially
0:24:34 > 0:24:35worrying for sales.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39It's gone quiet now.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42It's gone quiet now, I'm not quite sure what the trade's like.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It's been a long auction with lots of horses sold,
0:24:49 > 0:24:51and the crowd has lost focus.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57Julia's hoping her award-winning Sparc can get the remaining bidders excited.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Auctioneer Greg understands how important a good crowd is.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04What an outstanding cob, quality written all over, there we are.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09All the breeder behind it, 3,000, 2.5, 2,000 away.
0:25:09 > 0:25:112,000, 1,500, 1,000 go.
0:25:11 > 0:25:131,000 away to go.
0:25:14 > 0:25:151,000 away, eight time, bid at eight.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17800 a bid, nine bid, nine.
0:25:17 > 0:25:201,000, bid 1,000, 1,000...
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Despite the distracted crowd, bidding gets off to a brisk start.
0:25:24 > 0:25:2515, bid 15.
0:25:25 > 0:25:2915 bid, 15, bid 15.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30But it stalls at £1,500.
0:25:30 > 0:25:341,500, what an opportunity, I can't stress it enough.
0:25:34 > 0:25:35At 1,500, I'm bid at 15.
0:25:37 > 0:25:3915, bid 16...
0:25:39 > 0:25:41In spite of auctioneer Greg's best efforts,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43the crowd is reluctant to go much higher.
0:25:43 > 0:25:4815, bid, at 1,800, a bid, last chance and away at 1,800.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52At £,1,800, it's a no sale.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Julie's experienced enough to know that sometimes,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00even the very best horses don't get the prices they deserve.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03We wanted a little bit more for him.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06We'd rather keep him a bit longer, break him in.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09There's nothing more you'd want than having a good atmosphere when you're
0:26:09 > 0:26:12selling horses or anything.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15You know, you want a responsive crowd that enjoy themselves and are
0:26:15 > 0:26:18there to spend money. And vendors will come in and they'll think
0:26:18 > 0:26:23they've had a lot of interest in their horse and it doesn't always happen.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Her horse, Seren Air is up next and she's the last chance for Julie
0:26:27 > 0:26:32to show off her hard work and make some money for her stables.
0:26:32 > 0:26:3713, bid 13, 1,400, 1,400 a bid, 14.
0:26:37 > 0:26:3915, bid 15. 16, bid
0:26:39 > 0:26:4116. 16, bid 16, bid 16.
0:26:41 > 0:26:4717. 17 bid, 17 bid, 17 bid. 18. 1,800 bid all the way now...
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Even after a promising start, the bidding once again stalls.
0:26:51 > 0:26:542,000, bid, 2,000. 2,000 I'm bid, 2,000.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59At 2,000, the last look round and away, at £2,000.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03No, OK, thank you very much.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06And Julie decides not to sell.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Have you found the trainer, Dafydd?
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Business in the auction ring can be a lottery at times,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13even for the sellers at the top of their game.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15I'm like a pack horse!
0:27:15 > 0:27:17But pros like Julie understand this.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19And after two good sales on the first day,
0:27:19 > 0:27:23she knows her reputation remains intact and she can still have
0:27:23 > 0:27:25success with the horses she's taking home.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29I'm not disappointed they're coming home. You bring them to sell, obviously,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33but sometimes the trade is good and sometimes it's not so good.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36It's not the end of the world. There will be another day for them.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39And basically, yeah,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42I'll have more time to spend with them and bring them back,
0:27:42 > 0:27:44perhaps especially Sparc, the colt,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47perhaps I'll bring him back under saddle,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49break him to ride.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51It looks like Julie will be back at the sales again
0:27:51 > 0:27:54next year with more world-class horses to show.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04Welsh cobs have been around for at least 1,000 years and they've proved
0:28:04 > 0:28:07an incredibly enduring and popular British breed.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11Back in the day, they were the nation's workhorses.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Now, they're international favourites for eventing,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16showing and riding.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20They're a very genuine breed, a great performing breed.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24They stride well, they put on a tremendous display.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26You can ride them.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28The predominant thing, I suppose, is showing.
0:28:28 > 0:28:29They're bred as show animals,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33they're very sort of extravagant in their action,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36in their sort of locomotion.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Unusual colour. Have you seen it, Jo?
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- Yeah, I like that.- Push it back.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Go on, a bit more.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Back at the auction, seller, Rob Manchip, has an emotional sale
0:28:56 > 0:28:57ahead of him.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02The auction marks the start of his plans to retire from breeding and
0:29:02 > 0:29:05significantly reduce the size of his stables.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I'm always nervous or worried.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12Until the hammer comes down and we know whether we've A, sold and
0:29:12 > 0:29:15B, how much, it's always an anxious time.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23This third-generation farmer lives in Cowbridge, around 65 miles away,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26and horses have always been a part of his life.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31I could almost ride a horse, possibly before I could even walk.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36My grandfather was called Pop Hayman and Pop Hayman loved carriage driving.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39He would drive 15-20 miles to the pub,
0:29:39 > 0:29:42have an evening out and then drive another 20 miles back home.
0:29:42 > 0:29:43Come on, girl.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52Since 1978, Rob has built up one of the most successful stud farms in the country.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Come on, quiet now.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58We've got 25 horses now and they're all Welsh Cobs.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02And they've been line bred down for two or three generations.
0:30:02 > 0:30:03This one is Mercedes.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10I owned her mother and her grandmother,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13and we've now got her children here as well,
0:30:13 > 0:30:17so she is the third of four generations on the farm.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19And been a very good mare for us, this one.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24We were turned... A lot of people know this mare worldwide
0:30:24 > 0:30:27and they think she's a perfect example of a Welsh Cob.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Rob's breeding business has been a huge success,
0:30:32 > 0:30:36but the time demands have become too much and he now wants to retire.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40I leave home every morning at 6 o'clock to go and feed
0:30:40 > 0:30:43and by the time I go to work and come back home again,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46and feed again, it's usually after 8 o'clock in the evening.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51I think I want a few less hours of working in the daytime now.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54I just want to get it back and under control,
0:30:54 > 0:30:56and spend more time at leisure with my wife.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02A quieter life means Rob needs to downsize, but it's not going to be easy.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05It's very, very difficult and it will be a sad moment
0:31:05 > 0:31:07as the hammer comes down.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11I'm now 67 going on 68.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16I've done this since I was 29 and I think it's time that I stood down
0:31:16 > 0:31:20now and let other people have a go and hopefully use the bloodlines
0:31:20 > 0:31:22that I've spent a lifetime building up,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26to start off some new studs and wish them all the success with the hard
0:31:26 > 0:31:28work I've put in for the last 35 years.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Rob will be selling four horses at the auction
0:31:32 > 0:31:34including Queen of Hearts.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38We think she's a very good example of the breed.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40We have to get her looking her really best.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43We treat the Welsh Cob sales exactly as if they were going to the
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Royal Welsh Show.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47We want to turn them out with their best presentation to
0:31:47 > 0:31:50catch the eye of the buyers and show the horses at their best potential.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- Get it on her kneecap.- Huh? - Get it on her knee.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03For Rob, this is the end of an era as he begins to step away from
0:32:03 > 0:32:04breeding and downsize his stables.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08Success at the auction will be crucial for Rob
0:32:08 > 0:32:11being able to realise his dream.
0:32:17 > 0:32:201,900, at 1,900. At 1,900.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Good, deep chest.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- Not too high.- Nice short back.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32Back at the auction, the buyers are casting their expert eye over what's on sale.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35So watch her movement, you want to watch that she's straight, OK?
0:32:35 > 0:32:37So that's her left-hand leg.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Slightly turned out, see it?
0:32:39 > 0:32:40OK.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48To get a good price, Rob's horses are going to have to look their very best.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50She settled her down nicely?
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Yeah, yeah. She's calmer now.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54You're the only one that can keep her calm.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55I know, I know!
0:32:57 > 0:33:01This one here is Annie, and that's Autumn Leaf.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06These are half sisters, hoping they'll both do well today.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08As you can see, they're half sisters
0:33:08 > 0:33:10and they're very friendly with each other.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14But again, the next couple of hours will tell.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Rob is anxious for a good auction, selling all four horses so he can
0:33:18 > 0:33:22downsize and get his retirement plan heading in the right direction.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25It's getting very tense at the stables now.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28We've had very few people in and looking and commenting,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31so it's just a tense moment now over the next half an hour,
0:33:31 > 0:33:38it really is time to be biting the fingernails and hoping we get a good result.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Right, thank you, on we go.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44With downsizing the agenda...
0:33:47 > 0:33:48..selling quickly is the priority.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56- 80.- 280, I'm bid, at 280. 280, 280, a lovely filly in the ring.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Sold at 280.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03Diana, his first, sells for £280.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06And Danny, his second, goes for the same.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09280.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12I would've liked a little bit better prices, but we're getting there.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Third up is Autumn Leaf...
0:34:15 > 0:34:16This is my favourite one, this is.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19This is his favourite, there we are, Autumn Leaf as well,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21you can see why, very smart filly. 1,000 away.
0:34:21 > 0:34:261,000 away to go, 800, 500, 300 away.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30Two bid. 200, a bid at 200, 250, 250, three.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34..who sells for more at £500.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35Last call at 500.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39575, Queen of Hearts this time...
0:34:39 > 0:34:43Last up is the four-year-old mare, Queen of Hearts.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46She's a great example of Rob's meticulous breeding.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51He needs her to sell and wants a good price to make all his efforts worthwhile.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Ready to be taken on to be broken and ride or drive.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56He puts on a reserve of £1,000.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00There we are, 1,500, 1000, away to go. 1,000 for the mare now.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03But as the bidding begins, the starting price plummets.
0:35:03 > 0:35:09300, 300 a bid, 300 a bid, 50, four, four, bid 50, 450, 500.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13500, 50, 550, 600.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Queen of Hearts keeps working the ring, though,
0:35:15 > 0:35:17and the buyers start to bite.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21850, nine, 900, nine, 950, 950 up we go, sir.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23950, 950, 950, 1,000.
0:35:24 > 0:35:31- 1,100, 1,150. 1,150. 1,150. 1,150, 1,150, 1,150.- Better now.
0:35:31 > 0:35:351,150, 1,150, 12. 12 and 12, 1,200, a bid, 50, 1,250,
0:35:35 > 0:35:3713, bid 1,300.
0:35:37 > 0:35:401,300, a bid 13, bid 13.
0:35:42 > 0:35:43Bid 13, another 50.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45On the tower and sold.
0:35:46 > 0:35:4814 in the gods.
0:35:48 > 0:35:551,400, a bid 14, a bid 1,450, 1,450, 1,450, 1,500 a bid.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00Sold at 1,500, sold at 1,500.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03- Thank you very much.- Thank you very much, thank you.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Thanks a lot, guys. Thank you.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Well done, Simon.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Her true class has shone through and she's done Rob proud.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18He hoped for £1,000 and he got £1,500.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20I'm very pleased with that, very pleased.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24So, all four sold, so empty trailers going home.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28It's always anxious and when they start off very low like she did, at 300,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30you think, "Where's it going to get to?"
0:36:30 > 0:36:33But, yeah, made the money that we wanted.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35So very pleased. When are you coming down for the weekend?
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Get the old man down as well?
0:36:37 > 0:36:39With all four horses sold,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42Rob is one step closer to his retirement dream.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45I think we're going to have to downsize a little bit more.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49I think we've still got a few more to go, will be down to under the 20
0:36:49 > 0:36:53mark now, but I want to get down to sort of 12-15.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55So, yes, we'll be sorting some more out.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I certainly will not be attempting to expand again.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Since 1978, I've had some tremendous years out of it,
0:37:04 > 0:37:08it's time to slow down, take stock and retire.
0:37:08 > 0:37:09And that is on the schedule,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11but how quickly that will come, I don't know.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13I think we'll always have a few,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16but a few less than what we've got now.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- What are you doing in there? - Got to be quick.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Big-time buyer Alan didn't have much success at the first day of the
0:37:35 > 0:37:40sales, so now he's working round the clock to fill his quota of buying 30
0:37:40 > 0:37:43horses on behalf of his European clients.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46This is sold, it's just sold now.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47You were too late.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52Alan needs to meet his targets, otherwise his business could suffer.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55But over the last few hours, his luck has improved.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57I've bought two foals for a customer in Germany.
0:37:57 > 0:38:04And I've bought a black mare for another customer in Germany.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06They're all going to Germany, actually.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09I've bought another black foal for another customer in Germany.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11With several horses already under his belt,
0:38:11 > 0:38:13it seems Alan could be on a roll.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17But keeping his clients happy and having the budget to back it up is
0:38:17 > 0:38:19just half of Alan's job.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21In an auction, anything can happen.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24And he has to know how to play the game, which for auctioneers,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27is to push the prices up to please the sellers.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29They've got a job to do, we've got a job to do.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34I suppose it's a cat and mouse game sometimes, where...
0:38:36 > 0:38:41..they will suss out what our limits of paying on certain animals are and
0:38:41 > 0:38:44they'll take us to that whether they've got a bid or not.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Look at that, there we are, standing done, yearling filly.
0:38:48 > 0:38:511,500, 1,200.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Alan has his eye on a horse that he thinks a client will like.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58With a budget of £1,000, things are looking good as bidding starts low.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Two, three, four.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03In the centre at 400.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05At 500.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08At five, bid five, bid five, 600.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11At 600, yes, 700, someone.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12700, 700, 800.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15800. 800 a bid.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18It looks like Alan might be onto a winner,
0:39:18 > 0:39:22as the bid stands at £200 under budget.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25At 800, 800, 800.
0:39:25 > 0:39:26I hope he knocks it down quickly!
0:39:26 > 0:39:28At 800 a bid, 50.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31850. Eight, 900. 900.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33But the bidding starts up again.
0:39:33 > 0:39:371,000, bid 1,000. 1,000, bid 1,000, come on now, bid 1,000.
0:39:37 > 0:39:431,050, 1,050. 1,050.
0:39:43 > 0:39:44In the blink of an eye,
0:39:44 > 0:39:49Alan has gone from £200 under budget to £50 over budget.
0:39:49 > 0:39:511,050.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Hammer's up, last chance.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Last call, 1,050.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Sold. 1,050.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03He's bought the Cob for £1,050.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06A little bit over the top for me, but I took a chance,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08I hope the client's happy.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11When it gets so close as that, we're talking £50.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17If it was £500, it's easier to make the decision, but £50,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20I think we can negotiate within that.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25The next horse, Sahara, has a top German customer of Alan's
0:40:25 > 0:40:29very interested due to its good bloodline.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37We have an estimated price of £1,000 we can go to.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39So, hopefully, he comes under that,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42we might stretch a bit more if we've got to.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43500 away.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47500, 300, 300, 300, 200.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49250.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Bidding starts low and Alan is having second thoughts.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56I don't know if the colour's correct for this lady, so I'm going to hang
0:40:56 > 0:41:00- back a minute.- 400, 400...
0:41:02 > 0:41:07But when the bidding stalls at £400, Alan takes a chance.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11400, a bid 450. 450, 450.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Auctioneer, Greg, is taking his time.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20450, 450, 450.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Come on, boys, knock it down.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24450.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25It's a victory for Alan.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30He's got the horse for £550 less than his German client's budget.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32She'll be happy.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37It was way under the price she was expecting to pay.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43By the end of the auction, Alan has managed to buy 27 horses
0:41:43 > 0:41:46and it's a huge success for his business.
0:41:46 > 0:41:47720, 720.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54He's met the needs of his continental clients,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57and now can make his profit by charging to deliver these
0:41:57 > 0:42:00world-class horses directly to their doors.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03It's been a really successful weekend and hopefully all the
0:42:03 > 0:42:05clients will be happy.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11The journey home from here, we live approximately 60 miles away.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14It's not the best of roads, so it's going to take us
0:42:14 > 0:42:16a good hour and a half.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18We have to go slower with horses
0:42:18 > 0:42:20because of the terrain we travel through.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25And when we get home, the rest of the work starts -
0:42:25 > 0:42:28taking them away from the lorry, stabling them, feeding them,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31making sure everything is OK, and settling them down for the night
0:42:31 > 0:42:34because they're strange to us and strange to the place.
0:42:45 > 0:42:51Three days, 359 horses and £381,000 later,
0:42:51 > 0:42:53the auction is finally over.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56Well, I haven't got laryngitis yet.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00Voice has held up to it perfectly well, we've had a very good trade,
0:43:00 > 0:43:06everybody seemed very happy with the quality of the stuff on offer generally.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08And it all came together very well.
0:43:10 > 0:43:15On Rob's farm, some more thinning is still needed before retirement
0:43:15 > 0:43:17can really get into full swing.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22Julie went on to sell Sparc a week after the auction to private buyers.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27And Alan has now delivered all the horses he bought at Builth.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Four to France, nine to Holland and 14 to Germany.