Fernando Bale

Dog · Australia · Career: 44 starts: 35 wins · Prize money: $1,299,370

Fernando Bale, by the American sire Kelsos Fusileer out of Chloe Allen, was bred and raced by the Wheeler family and trained by Andrea Dailly at Anakie. He won the Group 1 National Derby at just his tenth start in February 2015, and by year's end had annexed the Golden Easter Egg, Harrison-Dawson, Peter Mosman Classic, Maturity Classic, National Sprint Championship and Adelaide Cup — eight Group 1 victories in all, four of them at Wentworth Park. When he won the Adelaide Cup at Angle Park in October 2015 he became the first greyhound in history to earn $1 million in prize money, retiring that December with $1,299,370 from 35 wins in 44 starts.

His speed was generational: his 29.12 over 515 metres at Angle Park in 2015 was regarded at the time as a world record, and he recorded the fastest start split (4.90) ever clocked at Sandown. Named AGRA Australian Greyhound of the Year for 2014/15 and Victorian Greyhound of the Year in 2015/16, he was inducted into the GRV Hall of Fame in 2018/19 — the quickest post-retirement induction in the sport's history.

Major wins

• National Derby (G1) — 2015: Won at just his tenth career start
• Golden Easter Egg (G1) — 2015: Named AGRA Run of the Year
• Adelaide Cup (G1) — 2015: Became the sport's first millionaire
• Topgun (G1) — 2015: Final Group 1 of his career

Highlights

• First greyhound in history to earn $1 million in prize money
• Eight Group 1 wins, including four at Wentworth Park
• 29.12 at Angle Park in 2015 — regarded as a world record at the time
• AGRA Australian Greyhound of the Year 2014/15

Legacy

Fernando Bale's second career eclipsed even his first. Retired to stud at Meticulous Lodge in December 2015, he was named GCA Australian Sire of the Year a record seven years in succession, siring Group 1 winners across sprint, middle and staying trips — including Tornado Tears, Sennachie and Good Odds Cobber. His progeny passed $200 million in stakes and over 50,000 wins before he was retired from stud duties in July 2025. He passed away in November 2025 and was inducted into the Australian Greyhound Hall of Fame the same year. He is widely called the greatest greyhound of all time.

Related tracks

• Angle Park Greyhounds — Angle Park, Adelaide · track records
• Wentworth Park — Glebe, Sydney · track records
• Sandown Greyhound Club — Springvale, Melbourne · track records

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