Missy Fischer, the longtime owner, announced on Oct. 7, 2026, that she had sold Zak 34 to a Solo Select partnership.
Shortly after, in a partnership between PRCA world champion Shad Mayfield and the Barrilleaux family, the 2018 stallion was sold again to C&S Equine.
Born to $16 million sire Woody Be Tuff and out of Cat Digs Lucinda (by High Brow Cat), Zak 34 had a successful career, including winning the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity championship and finishing as the reserve champion at the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman in 2026, with lifetime earnings totaling $429,295.
For Fischer, the decision to let go of Zak meant entrusting his future and a part of her son Seth’s legacy to someone new.
Solo Select’s Melanie Smith pointed out that Woody Be Tuff sons are a rare find due to Center Ranch gelding almost all colts.
New owner Shad Mayfield, a PRCA calf roping and all-around World Champion, has ambitious plans to breed Zak with mares of various sizes in order to produce top-notch competitive calf horses. Mayfield expressed his admiration for Zak’s size and agility, highlighting that despite his large build, Zak moves like a smaller, nimble horse. He emphasized Zak’s athleticism and suitability for their horse program, especially after witnessing his performance at the World’s Greatest Horseman competition. Mayfield and his team had been searching for the perfect stallion to complement their program, and Zak fit the bill perfectly.
Zak is already signed up for various incentives including NRCHA Cow Horse Incentive, Riata, Royal Crown Roping, Solo Select’s Reined Cow Horse, and Rope Horse incentives, with intentions to add the Gold Buckle incentive to his list.
Despite Zak’s ongoing show career, with plans for a return to the World’s Greatest Horseman in 2027 alongside rider Dawson, previous owner Fischer finds it bittersweet to see Zak continue his journey under new ownership. While Fischer has achieved her goals with the stallion, parting ways with Zak symbolizes letting go of something deeply personal. Fischer expressed a sense of loss, stating that a part of her feels incomplete without Zak, as he holds a special place in her heart.