On Saturday, Feb. 7, a Hood County teen’s life was forever changed after his beloved steer White Castle was sold for $550,000 to the Azle-based company Trico Electric at the Fort Worth Stock Show Junior Stock Show Sale of Champions.
Caiman Cody, a 13-year-old from Tolar, was awarded the grand championship title on Friday after spending the past year caring for the white European crossbreed steer.
Wearing his bright purple Tolar Rattlers shirt, Cody walked White Castle into the auction ring to raucous applause before the bidding began.
Caiman Cody of Tolar leads White Castle into the arena for the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Junior Sale of Champions on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. White Castle was bought by Mike Bridges and Gary Menzies of Trico Electric Fort Worth for a record-breaking $550,000.
(None/amccoy@star-telegram.com)
The bidding started at $25,000 and blew past last year’s purchase of $375,000 in less than three minutes before settling at that record-breaking $550,000.
After the auction, the visibly shocked Cody family spoke to reporters alongside the buyers from Trico Electric in a closed-off media room as the auctioneer bellowed outside.
“I’m just so thankful for these two nice men who donated so much money,” Caiman said.
Caiman’s mom Kasey said that the prize money will transform their family’s farming operation.
Caiman Cody of Tolar raises his hat to celebrate the recording-breaking sale of White Castle during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Junior Sale of Champions on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. White Castle was bought by Mike Bridges and Gary Menzies of Trico Electric Fort Worth for $550,000.
(Amanda McCoy/amccoy@star-telegram.com)
“My husband is a fourth-generation cattlemen…not only will we be able to grow our operation, we’ll be able to help more families,” Kasey said. “This is what we do, we live and breathe it every single day. To see that pay off in this scope is incredible.”
What’s next for young Caiman, who now has such a large sum of money before he can drive a car?
“Well, I want to go to college one day, and I’d also like to be on the Texas Junior Ambassador board so I can help educate more kids about agriculture and help teach people,” Caiman said. “I love teaching people about stuff they don’t know.”
Caiman isn’t quite sure where he wants to go to school — he’s only in eighth grade, after all — but he knows that he wants to stay in agriculture.
Casey and Bret Cody hug after their son, Caiman Cody received a record-breaking price for his junior grand champion steer at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Junior Sale of Champions on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. White Castle was bought by Mike Bridges and Gary Menzies of Trico Electric Fort Worth for $550,000.
(None/amccoy@star-telegram.com)
Trico Electric, the buyer, has been in the Stock Show Syndicate for over 10 years — but its vice president, Gary Menzies, didn’t expect to make such a big purchase this weekend.
“I just woke up yesterday and I said, you know what, I’m going to buy that one,” Menzies told reporters with a laugh.
Trico Electric didn’t even join the bidding until about halfway through the process. The company spent a pretty penny on two steers last year, and decided to go all-in on Caiman and his beloved steer.
The grand champion steer isn’t always from north Texas, but there was a special excitement in the air knowing that the star of the show was close to home.
“Fort Worth’s a great place, and they always support local charities,” Menzies told the Star-Telegram. “We just love being a part of it.”
The auction is one of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo’s most popular events. As early as 8 a.m., well-dressed men and women filter into Wyatt Arena. The auction floor was a sea of white cowboy hats and silk neckties.
Although buyers purchase these animals for far more than the market value of the meat, the real meaning of the day is to invest in future Texas farmers.
“It’s worth it to do it for the kids, and I’m glad to see the kids benefit,” Menzies said.
In the immediate future, White Castle will be sent to the Fort Worth ISD agricultural science center, where he will be used in instruction and judging practice before eventually being processed.