The great Fernando Bale passes away
Peter Fenemor • November 25th, 2025 9:20 AM • 3 min read
The Australasian greyhound racing world was rocked last Friday with the passing of the legendary greyhound Fernando Bale.
Fernando Bale was a legend on two fronts, being a champion on the racetrack, then as a phenomenal sire.
His caregiver Paul Westerveld discovered Fernando Bale in a distressed state at 7am on Friday and immediately transported him to the Sandown Vet Clinic.
It was quickly realized that there was nothing that could be done for him and he was put to sleep at 12 and a half years of age.
Westerveld told the Australian based The Greyhound Recorder, “It’s a really numb feeling with him not being with us anymore. He was my mate.
“He was there every morning and to think he’s not here anymore is hard to get your head around.
“His legacy will last forever. I just feel privileged to have been able to have him in our lives.”
Fernando Bale was bred and owned by the late, great Paul Wheeler.
The March 2013 whelped son of Kelsos Fuslileer and Chloe Allen won eight Group 1 races in his 44-race career which yielded 35 wins and $1,299,370 in stake earnings.
However, it was at stud where Fernando Bale changed the face of Australasian greyhound racing.
The white and fawn champion became a siring phenomenon with winners freely flowing from the progeny that he sired. Fernando Bale’s progeny has won in excess of 55,000 races over all race distances, accumulating a stunning $200 million plus in stake earnings.
Fernando Bale has also had an overwhelming impact on the New Zealand racing scene, having sired in excess of 2,700 race winners on this side of the Tasman with stake earnings here approaching $10 million.
It was in August when Fernando Bale was deservedly inducted into the Australian Greyhound Hall of Fame.
Long time Sky Racing presenter Dave Calson was in total awe when watching Fernando Bale’s career unfolding. He presented the majority of his races and was on course for all of his Group 1 wins.
Carlson reflects on Fernando Bale’s amazing career. “Where do I begin? He was such a lovely greyhound, and I was privileged to spend time with him.
“It was an absolute honour to be on course presenting all of his eight Group 1 wins. To watch him and being able to comment in the manner that Fernando Bale totally destroyed quality fields the way he did is something I’ll never forget.
“To me his best win was in the Gr. 1 2015 Golden Easter Egg final. I saw him coiled up like a spring in the eight-trap from where he exploded from. Fernando Bale displayed why he was a champion in that race.
“His pace was scintillating, while he used strength and track sense to win the Golden Easter Egg by 4.25 lengths against super-hot opposition.
“Fernando Bale was an absolute champion greyhound, so exhilarating to watch. It was an honour to have commented on him and interview his connections.
“It is so sad and my heart goes out to Paul Westerveld and Jan Wheeler.”
Fernando Bale has been referred to as the Phar Lap of greyhound racing by numerous industry participants.
Fernando Bale will be preserved with the champion, likely to be placed on display at the Sandown Park Neil Brown museum.
The influence of Fernando Bale on the Australasian racing scene will be seen for many years to come.
For example, this Saturday’s Melbourne Cup final sees two sons and a daughter of Fernando Bale racing in the A$500,000 to-the-winner Group 1 515m race at Sandown Park
