'Just Numb': Sad Passing Of The Great Fernando Bale
By Adam Dobbin - The Greyhound Recorder
Fernando Bale, regarded as the sport's greatest ever greyhound, has passed away at 12 ½ years of age. Paul Westerveld, deeply affected by the loss, shared the news with the Greyhound Recorder on Friday. Fernando, an eight-time Group 1 winner, went on to become the sport's greatest stud dog.
Westerveld explained the heartbreaking moment when he discovered the dog's condition:
"I came out to the kennels at about 7am this morning and could see that he'd had a medical episode during the night. 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, vomiting, and had lost movement in his back legs."
Fernando Bale's passing marks the end of an era in greyhound racing. His legacy as both a champion racer and influential stud will continue to shape the sport for years to come.
Author's Summary: The legendary Fernando Bale, a revered greyhound with eight Group 1 wins, has passed away at the age of 12 ½, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the sport.