Leopoldo de la Maza, Conde de la Maza, was born in Madrid in 1958. He served in the Spanish army, retiring as a major in the royal guards upon his father’s death in 2002, when he inherited his title and devoted himself to the family business breeding ‘toros bravos’ (fighting bulls). He is one of the most respected bull-breeders in Spain and spends his time between Madrid, London and his farm – Cortijo Arenales – near Seville.

Where did you grow up?
Between Madrid and the Cortijo. The Cortijo is an idyllic place for children, full of open spaces in which they can roam in safety and learn about nature. My father made sure that my six younger siblings and I learnt the work of the manual labourers. It stood me in good stead.

How did the Cortijo come about?
My grandfather bought this land in 1912. He came from a Santander family, made his money from the silver mines of Mexico and was ennobled under King Alfonso XIII. We own 3,000 hectares of land, of which 700 are dedicated to breeding fighting bulls. The house itself was built in 1923 and my father also lived and died here – though I am in no hurry to follow suit.

As a child, did you realise the importance the Cortijo would have in your life?
I always loved this place and knew I would end up here. But this is the family home and we all share it – my mother, brother, sisters and I. The farm itself is run by my mother, brother and myself. The Cortijo is our point of reference and the place we all come to be together with our respective families.

Has it changed much since it was built?
Hardly at all, except for the extra bedrooms – 12 in total – we built to accommodate our growing families. The house is steeped in family history. The furniture is mainly English and French and, along with Ushak carpets, was bought by my paternal grandfather, though my mother has since introduced some Spanish pieces. In the dining room there is a portrait of my grandmother on horseback by the artist Gonzalo Bilbao. The tack that is seen on the horse in the painting is now hanging in the television room.

Tell me about some of the bulls whose heads are mounted on the walls.
Two of the bulls you see were killed by my grandfather, who was an amateur matador. Another inaugurated the new bullring in Bilbao. The one in the hallway is just one that I particularly liked. It was killed in Las Ventas in Madrid in 2003.

Do you still have an apartment in Madrid?
Madrid is my base and headquarters. I have an apartment in the Serrano district, which is, of course, very different from here. It is big enough for a family of four, has high ceilings and is a mix of old and new. It always seems to be full of children.

MY FAVOURITE THINGS

Bulls, horses and cigars

In the corrida, I am on the side of the bull. I want my animals to be powerful, aggressive and brave, to give the bullfighter a run for his money and make possible an artful corrida.

We breed English throroughbred horses and I love riding but they also have a practical function on the farm: rounding up cattle. I also still occasionally play polo in Sotogrande and at the Memorial Conde de la Maza, in memory of my father.

For me, a Montecristo No 3 is the perfect cigar. I don’t like them too big and I might smoke two a day. The ideal accompaniment is a good whisky.

I love 19th-century paintings – especially those with military themes, landscapes, and bullfighting scenes.

There is a deep sofa in the living room where I like to sit reading the papers in front of the fire.

But you are more of a country person?
Absolutely! When I was stationed in Madrid with the royal guards from 1992 to 2001 I used to go to the farm every weekend to ride. We also breed English thoroughbreds. But I am not particularly into country pursuits, though I do occasionally shoot and still play polo.

Do you have any other homes?
I have a flat in Chelsea, in London, because these days I also run the London office of an insurance-related company. After my father died I left the army because it was difficult to see how I could reconcile my army duties with my responsibilities at the farm. The London flat is very nice but I consider it a pied-à-terre rather than a home.

So how do you divide your time between work in London and in Andalucia?
I generally spend three days a week in London, then four days split between Madrid and the farm. The AVE [high-speed train] between Madrid and Seville is wonderful and makes commuting easy. Although I have my representatives, the agents from the bullrings like me to show them the bulls personally, so I try to be there.

Do your children also have a feeling for the Cortijo?
My two daughters, aged 10 and 12, love coming here. They have total freedom. They saw their first bullfight in the small ring on our farm when they were three – and no, they were not traumatised. They also love bulls and corridas [bullfights] but they are more city girls at heart. We have yet to see whether they will want to carry on the family business.

Do you entertain very much here?
I tend to invite friends to stay for a week or two during Easter and summer and my mother, who lives here permanently, entertains a great deal. When my father was alive we gave a pre-wedding party here for the Infanta Elena [the daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía], for 700 people. Then we partied late into the night.

Which is your favourite room?
My bedroom, because I can escape from everything there. And the sitting room, with its bulls’ heads and original posters of corridas.

Can you live without luxury?
As you get older, it gets harder. But I was on the field in Kosovo for nine months and just had to get used to it. The worst part of being on military operations, staying in a tent, was the lack of a proper flushing “throne”. Most other things I can cope without.

Where do you go on holiday?
I spend my holidays at the Cortijo. I love travelling, too, but my roots are here. There is nowhere I would rather be.