Unanimously the greatest greyhound of all-time, Fernando Bale has passed away after a long and fruitful life aged 12.
FERNANDO Bale, the sport’s greatest ever greyhound, has passed away at 12 ½ years of age, leaving behind an indelible mark on the greyhound industry.
A shattered Paul Westerveld told the Greyhound Recorder on Friday that the eight-time Group 1 winner, which would go on to become the sport’s greatest ever stud dog, had been put to rest.
“I came out to the kennels at about 7 am Friday and could see that he’d had a medical episode during the night,” Westerveld said.
“I rang Alastair at Sandown Vet Clinic straight away and got him up there, and we quickly realised there was nothing we could really do.
“He was pretty distressed and vomiting, and had lost movement in his back legs. It was the hardest call I’ve ever had to make, but it was the right one for him.”
Fernando Bale’s passing will be felt far and wide, his influence considered unrivalled.
But none more so than by the Wheeler family, with industry great the late Paul Wheeler, who had bred the son of Kelsos Fusileer and Chloe Allen back in 2013.
“It’s a really numb feeling with him not being with us anymore,” Westerveld said.
“He was my mate. He was there every morning, and to think that he’s not here anymore is hard to get your head around.
“He’s done so much for me, but also the industry. To think what he’s been able to achieve.
“Seven straight Sire of the Year titles and going as strong as ever, it’s just remarkable.
“His legacy will last forever. I feel privileged to have had him in our lives.”
While a champion on the track, with eight Group 1 triumphs to his name, it’s been off the track that Fernando Bale truly entrenched himself as the sport’s greatest of all time.
At stud, his offspring have won almost 55,000 races with an eye-watering $205 million in prize money.
“It’s his record in Group races that we’re most proud of,” Westerveld said.
“There isn’t a record that he doesn’t have, and you can see now his sons that are making their mark at stud.
“His influence across the board is second to none.”
Fernando Bale, which fittingly was inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame in August, will be preserved, and when the time is right, will either be on display at the MCG or Sandown Park Museums.
“We’ve had that planned for a while now,” Westerveld said.
“This way, he’ll be remembered and celebrated forever.
“Just as he should be.”
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