At just 11 years old, Singleton’s Sonny Heffernan is already carving out a name in Australian bull riding — and this weekend, he’ll make history.
On Saturday in Caboolture, the young cowboy will climb into the chutes for his 50th PBR Junior Academy ride, becoming the first competitor in the country to ever reach that milestone.
And Sonny isn’t just racking up numbers. From his 50 rides, he has covered 33 bulls — making the whistle more than two-thirds of the time — with 30 of those performances placing in the top five. They’re statistics seasoned professionals would be proud of.
The next day, Sonny will trade the arena for the airport, flying to the United States to compete in the International Mini Bull Riding Association (IMBA) World Finals in Ogden, Utah, from September 3–6. It won’t be his first international appearance. Back in 2019, at only five years old, he rode in Las Vegas and finished 11th.
Bull riding runs in the family. Sonny is the nephew of PBR NSW Origin coach and two-time national champion Cody Heffernan. Sonny has already collected standout achievements of his own, including the 2024 Peewee Australian Title and playing a key role in helping New South Wales break Queensland’s Origin winning streak earlier this year.
PBR announcer Simon Mallory said the PBR Can-Am Junior Academy which launched in 2021 has become a vital pathway for developing young talent.
“Watching riders like Sonny shine in front of sold-out crowds at the PBR Origin Series has been incredible, and the entire PBR community can’t wait to cheer him on in Caboolture for his 50th junior event and on the international stage,” Mallory said.
With 60 juniors, some as young as eight, competing in Caboolture this weekend for a shot at the Junior Grand Finals in Tamworth this October, Mallory said the future of the sport “has never looked brighter.”
“None of it would be possible without the parents who spend their weekends travelling the country to give these kids the chance to compete,” he added.
Sonny Heffernan may only be 11 years old, but his determination, talent, and record-breaking feats prove he’s already riding with the grit of a champion.
Feature image credit: PBR Australia
