Award-Winning Champion Bucking Bull
Winner of 8 Bucking Bull of the Year awards, Chainsaw was an award-winning champion bucking bull known not only for his exemplary bucking skills but also his personality and his successful media presence. Several famous names from the Australian rodeo circuit have written about Chainsaw, covered stories about him in newspapers and television news segments, and even written songs about him. Chainsaw was also featured in the XXXX Gold Beer commercial and gained himself an extensive fan following with his rodeo career and media presence.
Celebrating Chainsaw’s 25th Death Anniversary
This year marks the 25th anniversary since the great Chainsaw was humanely put to sleep with an injection by local Yass vet Peter Gibbs.
He passed away peacefully in his paddock on the outskirts of Yass, NSW, after it appeared his tired old legs couldn’t carry him anymore. He was enjoying retirement after a monumental rodeo career. Gone at the ripe old age of 15 years.
His passing was acknowledged during a rodeo at Port Macquarie when about 180 cowboys removed their hats and held a minute’s silence – such was the respect and admiration of this great bull.
Chainsaw won 8 Bucking Bull Of The Year awards from 1983 – 1995. Only 7 cowboys would ride the infamous bull for the required 8 seconds after hundreds of attempts over an 12 year career. Two of those riders – Troy Dunn from the central coast of Queensland and Daryl Mills from Canada – would become world champion bull riders. Davey Johnston from French’s Forest, near Sydney, was the first to ride him for 8 seconds at Tamworth in 1987 for 90 points.
Chainsaw was bought by George Hempenstall out of the Homebush saleyards as a young calf in the early 1980s. Chainsaw also acquired his famous ear tag, number 327, from Hempenstall after he simply got the number from his letterbox. John Condon later bought Chainsaw off Hempenstall as George was seeking to further his rodeo career in the United States
Rodeo great Garry McPhee, from Lurg, Victoria, was Chainsaw’s stock contractor and McPhee trucked and promoted him at rodeos from way down south of Victoria all the way up to Northern Queensland and everywhere in between.
Chainsaw was not just a champion bucking bull but an incredible personality that after he threw another cowboy to the dirt, he would set off on a victory lap around the arena with his head held high, almost as if he was enjoying the attention of the thousands of cheering rodeo fans chanting his name. Then, he would calmly strut back to the gates and rest up in the yards behind the chutes along with the other bulls.
He was also a media personality with countless newspapers across the country writing articles of him including the Herald Sun and the Daily Telegraph. He was also featured on television, appearing on A Current Affair and 60 Minutes, as well as countless major television news segments, covering his great feats. He also featured in a XXXX Gold beer commercial and has had songs written about him.
World Champion Bull Rider Daryl Mills, from Canada, summed up Chainsaw perfectly in a recent interview:
“The one thing I found really unique about that bull is you could run into people from Australia that would have not have any connection to Rodeo at all, and they would know of the bull called Chainsaw. I just always thought that was so neat that people who knew nothing about Rodeo but everybody knew about this bull. His recognition goes so far.” Mills said.
Two time Australian rodeo champion Darren Brandenburg was also quick to agree of the bull’s popularity and character:
“I was at Billy Bob’s – a massive, massive bar in Fort Worth (Texas, USA) – and I got to go in the office of the guy that owned it, Billy Minick. We were sitting there having a yarn and looked up and there’s a picture of Chainsaw and it was me on him. We got yarning about it and he was that interested because he Rodeo’d a bit. That bull was well known over there (USA) every time you would go somewhere (they’d say), ‘What about this bull Chainsaw?’”, Brandenburg said.
Brandenburg, who attempted to ride the bull 13 times for no score will always remember the aura surrounding the bull:
“He (Chainsaw) was certainly an entertainer; he was renowned for his big victory laps around the arena after he’d thrown them (riders) off. He wouldn’t cut it half way he’d go right around the fence with his head up, prancing around like he’s just knocked out the freakin’ world’s champ. You could be standing there patting him (at the back of the chutes) and you could feel the energy and excitement coming off that bull. It was like standing next to bloody Muhammad Ali.” Brandenburg said.
After 25 years, there has still never been a bucking bull that has reached the heights and accolades of Chainsaw and we doubt there never will be another one in the future.
So again, it’s hats off to Chainsaw, a champion bull and Australian icon that will never be forgotten.
By Brent Langley