Brennan Clinches First Career NFR Saddle Bronc Victory

Damian Brennan vaulted to the top spot in the fourth round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Photo by Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

Damian Brennan’s fourth ride turned out to be his first win in saddle bronc at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas during Monday’s fourth round at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Brennan, who rode TNT Pro Rodeo’s Cancun Moon, tied Sage Newman’s 89-point ride from Sunday to claim the $30,706 prize in the fourth round.

Brennan finished No. 13 in the world and is making his first trip to the NFR. The Injune, Queensland, Australia native only stared riding on the circuit in 2021. He went from finishing No. 46 in 2021 to just missing an NFR qualification in 2022 with a 16th-place finish. His qualification this year represented nearly $40,000 more in earnings over the 2022 season.

He was also the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year in the event in 2022.

Brennan finished in the money in the second round with a sixth-place finish.

Tanner Butner finished second in the fourth round, giving him an in-the-money finish in three of the four rounds. Butner had an 88-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Gucci Equine's Foul Motion. Butner also won the second round with an 87-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Exotic Warrior.

Brody Cress, another rider with in-the-money finishes in at least two of the first three rounds, was third with an 86.5-point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s American Hat's Positive Times. Cress’ best finish was second place behind Butner in the second round.

Defending champion Zeke Thurston, who tied for the win in the first round, finished tied for fourth with an 86-point ride on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Bugsy. He has also finished in the money in three of the four rounds.

He was tied with third-round winner Sage Newman, who has finished in the money in three of the first four rounds. His 86-poind ride came on Calgary Stampede’s Birch Bubbles.

Chase Brooks was sixth but finished in the money for the third time in four rounds. His 84.5-point ride came on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s, Second Thoughts.

NFR Saddle Bronc Round 4 Results:

1. Damian Brennan, 89 points, Cancun Moon (TNT Pro Rodeo), $30,706
2. Tanner Butner, 88 points, Gucci Equine's Foul Motion (Beutler & Son Rodeo), $24,268
3. Brody Cress, 86.5 points, American Hat's Positive Times (Andrews Rodeo), $18,325
4/5. Zeke Thurston, 86 points, Bugsy (Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo), $10,401
4/5. Sage Newman, 86 points, Birch Bubbles (Calgary Stampede), $10,401
6. Chase Brooks, 84.5 points, Second Thoughts (Big Stone Rodeo Inc.), $4,953