Katherine cowboy Toby Daley takes out top gong in Open Bull

Punters flocked to Noonamah Tavern at the weekend to witness all the thrills, skills and spills of Top End rodeo. Relive all the action with our mega gallery and see the results of the night here.

The 51st annual Noonamah Tavern Rodeo delivered a night of fast-paced, high-adrenaline entertainment on Saturday, featuring the iconic ‘Five B’s’ – Barrels, Broncs, Bulls, Bikes and country music legend (James) Blundell.

175+ Photo Gallery from the Noonamah Tavern Rodeo Rd. 1 2025

VIEW GALLERY

A capacity crowd filled the arena to watch standout performances across the board, as well as some tense moments to boot.

Toby Daley impressed in the Open Bull Ride, taking out top honours, while Riley Quinn claimed victory in the Open Saddle Bronc. Grace MacDonald rounded out the evening’s major winners with a strong showing in the Open Barrel Race

Noonamah stock contractor’s Darcy McBean of TDM Bucking Bulls said he thought the night was another success, even after a ‘slow’ start to proceedings.

TDM Bucking Bulls’ Darcy McBean (right). Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

“I thought the night started off a bit slow, but it definitely picked up in the second half as everybody got behind the riders with lots of energy,” McBean said.

“It was great to see heaps of local Territory talent performing well.”

McBean said he was most impressed by fellow Katherine Cowboy Toby Daly who put together by far the best ride of the night.

“Toby really rode his bull well and stood out for me,” he said.

“He also had a crack on our new feature (bull), but it fell over half way and there’s no re-riding on the feature bull, so that was unlucky for him.

Toby Daly) right) took out first place in the Open Bull at the Noonamah Tavern Rodeo. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin.

“Jed Farrington was another who put up a really good bull ride tonight.

“He’s been coming to Noonamah for a while through juniors and novice so to place second at his first ever open is impressive.

“As for the night as a whole, the crowd worked there way into the night which was great, no one came away with any really serious injuries and all the bulls bucked well, so I’d say it was another great night of rodeo.”

RESULTS

Open Bull: 1st) Toby Daley, 2nd) Jed Farrington

Open Saddle Bronc: 1st) Riley Quinn

Open Barrel: 1st) Grace MacDonald, 2nd) Kaitlyn Simpson, 3rd) Annabelle Keith

Novice Bull: 1st) Luke Wingate

Novice Saddle Bronc: 1st) Riley Quinn, 2nd) James Brisk

Junior Bull: 1st) Darcy MacDonald, 2nd) Mikey Young, 3rd) Colt Cowdroy

Saddle Up: Noonamah Tavern set to buck wild

FRIDAY MAY23: The Noonamah Tavern Rodeo is back baby, and is set to be as full on as ever.

Round one of two on the 2025 calendar, this Saturday, May 24, more than 3000 local and interstate people are set to descend on the famous Tavern to see, smell and hear full on rodeo action at its best.

The 51st edition of the iconic Territory event will see the usual barrels, broncos and bulls take to the ring, the infamous halftime motocross show, plus the after-party headlined by 10 time Golden Guitar winner and Australian country legend James Blundell, and Lachie Cosser.

James Blundell performs at the Savannah in the Round music festival, held at Kerribee Park rodeo grounds, Mareeba. Picture: Brendan Radke

Tavern manager Bec said she is very excited for the event and is over the moon by how quickly everything filled up.

“I’m super excited for Saturday, more than usual,” she said.

“We’ve already sold out tickets, well ahead of time, and the night looks like it’s set to be epic.

“Just the interest we’ve received has been immense.”

All the action at the sold-out 50th iteration of the Noonamah Tavern and Rodeo. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Bec went on to say she was just as pleased with how quickly entries for the bulls and broncos filled up.

“The guys at TDM Bucking Bulls went live with the entries at 10am and were full come 4pm the same day,” she said.

“Completely full, dozens on the waiting list. There will be 16 professional bull riders from the Territory and interstate and 16 novice riders too.

“And the guys at NAL (Northern Australian Livestock) have told me they’ve already filled three open, one bareback, four under-16s, four under-13s and 12 barrel racers.”

“There will still be free camping down the side, the amazing halftime motocross show, the entertainment after the rodeo and the recovery show Sunday morning.”

Originally published as Katherine cowboy Toby Daley takes out top gong in Open Bull