FORT WORTH, Texas -- The years of training and good genes were put to the test at the Fort Worth Stock Show on Saturday, and the payday was big.

Boots shuffled into the stands early Saturday morning to catch a glimpse of the champion.

The coach and the champ spent countless hours in Brownfield, Texas, getting ready for this day.

Mallory Newson said she spent an hour and a half with Warrior every day after she was finished with her activities at school.

Newson said she previously went through this with Warrior, the stock show's grand champion steer, but the stakes were never this high before.

"I've heard talk of $200,000, so we'll see," she said before the bidding began.

When Warrior was in the ring, the competition began. With a silent nod or hand movement, bids were placed. The crowd got louder as the number ballooned to $185,000. Newson said it was "a lot of money."

Texas oilman Bob Simpson had the winning bid.

"It's sort of a sentimental favorite of mine, having coming from agriculture, so, I know what these kids do," he said. "I just love to support it."

He has bought the last four grand champions.

Newson said she plans to use her $185,000 for college.

Warrior will head to the Fort Worth Zoo.