Steer Brings $25,500 at Auction and Winning Bidder Brings Compassion
A television executive who bid a record $25,500 to win the grand champion steer last week at the Colorado State Fair will not experience the taste of victory.
He gave the steer back to a tearful 13-year-old Dawn Yearous, who considered the prize-winning animal more pet than project.
“We were probably going to have it butchered,” said Harry Hoth, president of a Colorado television station. “If you’re a senior in high school, you can cope with that a little better, but this was very emotional for this little girl and I’m glad we did what we did because it was worth seeing her happiness.”
Hoth paid almost double the previous record of $13,200 spent for last year’s champion steer at the fair. The grand champion at this year’s National Western Stock Show in Denver brought $9,000.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
