Oklahoma – July 8, 2026
In a devastating development for the professional bull riding community, Ransom, the reigning 2026 YETI PBR World Champion Bull, was killed today after attempting to attack an individual during a routine practice session at the Flinn family facility in Oklahoma.The news was first shared directly by the bull’s longtime handler, Eli Flinn, via a post on his verified X account @EliFlinnPBR. https://www.pbr.com/athletes/bulls/profile/17584394/Ransom
In the statement, Flinn described the sudden and tragic incident, noting that Ransom had charged aggressively toward a person who was attempting to practice on the bull. For the safety of all involved, the decision was made to euthanize the animal on site.
Flinn, who has handled Ransom throughout his career for Flinn Cattle Co. / D&H Cattle Co. (in partnership with the Page family), expressed profound grief in the post, calling the loss “heartbreaking” for the entire team and the sport.
Background on the Champion Bull
Ransom (J39), a powerful rank bull bred and raised by the Flinn family in Oklahoma, had an extraordinary 2026 season. He was officially crowned the 2026 YETI PBR World Champion Bull and YETI “Built for the Wild” Bull of the Finals after a razor-thin victory, edging Pegasus by just 0.01 points in one of the closest title races in PBR history.
The brown bull with distinctive horns delivered consistent high scores throughout the season, including multiple outs above 47 points. He was owned by D&H Cattle Co. / Flinn and handled exclusively by Eli Flinn. Earlier in his career, Ransom had also been recognized as a top performer in the PBR Classic division.Eli Flinn, a respected bull handler and stock contractor from Oklahoma, has been instrumental in Ransom’s development and success. His X bio identifies him as the handler for the 2026 PBR World Champion Bull, operating under Flinn Cattle Co. / Red Tank Ranch, where the family raises high-quality rank bucking bulls.
Statement from Handler Eli Flinn (@EliFlinnPBR)
In today’s post on X, Flinn wrote (paraphrased from the reported content):
“It is with deep sadness that I have to share this news. During practice today, Ransom charged at someone who was working with him. We had no choice but to put him down for everyone’s safety. This hurts more than I can put into words. Ransom was a true champion — big power, big heart, and he gave us everything. Rest in peace, big guy. Thank you to everyone who believed in him.”
The PBR organization and broader bucking bull community have not yet issued an official statement but are expected to comment soon on the loss of one of the sport’s most dominant bulls of 2026.This marks a sudden and somber end to Ransom’s championship reign, which captivated fans just weeks after his May 2026 title win at the PBR World Finals in Fort Worth.
