A champion cow has gone under the hammer for a record-breaking sum in an extraordinary auction in Colombia.

Martina – a prize-winning Red Brahman – sold for a record-breaking COP 1.2 billion (GBP 226,685) at the sale in Bogota.

Details of the sale emerged on 30th June.

Footage of the auction shows Martina being groomed with a soft brush to bring out the red sheen to her hide as the price climbs higher and higher.

Martina, who is three and a half years old and weighs 875 kilogrammes (1,929 lbs), had a starting bid of COP 500 million (GBP 94,471).

The Red Brahman has so far had five calves that sold for COP 53 million (GBP 10,000) each.

Eight of her eggs, taken by follicular aspiration for in vitro fertilisation, have sold for COP 240 million (GBP 45,343).

Local media said that Martina’s total breeding sales stand at COP 765 million (GBP 144,530) so far.

The breed, originally from India, dates back around 4,000 years and was introduced to the Americas in the mid-1800s.

They are primarily used in the meat industry.

They are known to be hardy and have good heat tolerance and to resist insect-borne diseases.

They also live longer than many other breeds and can produce calves at the age of 15 or older.