Sheepdogs sold for world record price

Two border collies were sold for 4,900 guineas – 5,145 – to smash the previous record of 4,100gns (4,305), which was set in 2004, also at Skipton.

One of the new record-breakers was being sold by Welshman Aled Owen,

the reigning World Sheep Dog Trials champion, and the other by Yorkshireman John Bell, one of the country's leading handlers and trainers.

Mr Bell, retired from a successful career in the horse business, puts more than 60 years of experience into training dogs for sale on his son's farm near the M62 at Howden, East Yorkshire, where they keep 80-100 sheep for the purpose.

His latest sale was Ron, a 14-month-old dog he bought aged six months from Northumberland breeder Michael Northwood. As he did with horses, he buys in most of his champions.

"You breed what you get but you can buy what you want," he commented yesterday.

Ron has gone to a Perthshire farmer who will work him with 3,000 sheep and in staged trials.

Mr Owen sold 26-month-old Llangwm Rex to Nigel Watkins of Llangadog, Carmarthenshire.