UTZ BesTex Smokestack will be greatly missed after his passing due to surgery complications.
According to an official announcement by the UB Bucking Co, R62 Smokestack, a beloved PBR bull, has sadly passed away due to complications during surgery.
This bull was one who had built for himself a solid reputation both on and off the dirt. During his PBR career, he had 66 outs across 61 events in 4 seasons. Of those outs, he held a 57% buck-off percentage, only allowing 29 rides during his PBR career, as well as an impressive buck-off streak of 8 consecutive buck-offs. Smokestack was consistently earning himself high scores, his highest scoring career ride, a 45.75, made at the Shootout PBR Teams Event in 2024. This bull was a beast of an athlete with an average overall score of 44.10 throughout his PBR career, as well as placing in the top 10 PBR bulls for 3 consecutive seasons. Of the rides he allowed, Smokestack was known for producing 90+ point rides to big names like Dalton Kasel, Daylon Swearingen, and John Crimber. This impressive athlete was a great bull that produced amazing and memorable rides throughout his career, often appearing in Championship rounds.
However, along with being a great athlete and challenge on the dirt, he was known better by those who cared for and raised him: the members of the UB Bucking Co. Smokestack had a big personality that matched his athleticism; one of a much more gentle nature than you might expect from a top-10 PBR bull. A great athlete, yes, but he was also a great companion and teammate to all who worked with him and will be greatly missed.
In their official post on Instagram, UB Bucking Co. stated that he will be remembered as much more than a competitor, but also as “a friendly face in bull housing, a teammate for riders’ milestones, a media superstar, and, being the gentle giant that he was, proof even a bull could meet you with a soft and steady nature.” (@ubcotx)
This tragic turn of events will be mourned by many within the bull riding community, as he was well known by fellow athletes and fans alike. Our prayers go out to everyone at the UB Bucking Co, as well as Blake Sharp, who kept Smokestack under his care as the official PBR Stock Contractor of the Year since UTZ BesTex Smokestack’s first season in 2023.
“Smoke, we hope you’re in a field, basking in the sun, being smothered with cuddles. Rest easy, bud.” -UB Bucking Co.