Australian greyhound racing is mourning the loss of one of its greatest champions, with news emerging this morning that Fernando Bale has passed away.
Widely regarded as one of the finest sprinters the sport has ever produced, his legacy stretches far beyond his extraordinary achievements on the track.
Whelped on 12 March 2013, Fernando Bale was a so of Kelsos Fusileer and Chloe Allen – a pedigree that raised eyebrows at the time but went on to reshape the sport.
Trained by Andrea Dailly for the Wheeler family, he burst onto the scene with a level of speed and consistency rarely seen.
By his 10th start he had already claimed a Group 1, the National Derby, and he never looked back.
Across 44 starts, Fernando Bale recorded 35 wins and more than $1.29 million in prizemoney, becoming the first greyhound in Australian history to break the million-dollar barrier.
His eight Group 1 victories included the Golden Easter Egg, Maturity Classic, Peter Mosman Classic, Harrison-Dawson, National Sprint Championship, Topgun and Adelaide Cup.
His brilliance from the boxes and his ability to dominate elite fields made him the benchmark sprinter of his era.
Upon retirement he transitioned seamlessly into stud duties at Meticulous Lodge, where his influence grew even further.
His progeny has gone on to win tens of thousands of races and close to $200 million in stakes, cementing him as one of the most influential sires the sport has produced.
Even as new stars continued to emerge, his bloodline remained at the core of modern greyhound breeding.
Fernando Bale’s passing marks the end of an era. He was more than a champion – he was a once-in-a-generation athlete whose impact will echo for decades.
The racing world today remembers a greyhound who didn’t just set standards but changed them.
