GOAT: Fernando Closes In On Half Billion Barrier

$325 million – and counting.

It's the eyewatering figure amassed by the first and second progeny of the awe-inspiring Fernando Bale which has him unquestionably perched as the greatest greyhound of all time.

Last week, the nine-time group 1 winner turned 12 years of age and remarkably his influence over the sport, both locally and abroad, only continues to accelerate.

His legacy will be endless, the indelible mark he's leaving on the sport without peer.

While his exploits on the racetrack were unrivalled, as a stud dog he's taken that standing to a whole other level with his progeny alone recently eclipsing 50,000 race wins, shattering every group race record there is along the way.

By the end of this year it's projected that prizemoney earned by his direct offspring will have surpassed a staggering $200 million.

But giving rise to his dominance, sons and daughters of his offspring are already responsible for a further $140 million in earnings.

It's projected that by the end of next year that figure will exceed half a billion dollars.

Yes you heard right, half a billion dollars.

Across the weekend his exploits were again on full display, as they are most weeks.

Good Odds Cobber, a son of Fernando Bale, won the Temora Cup while Deadly Avenger, a son of Tommy Shelby (by Fernando Bale) won the Perth Cup.

In Saturday night's Country Classic semi-finals at Dubbo, five of the eight finalists were either sired by Fernando Bale or a son of his while two remaining finalists were out of Fernando Bales bitches. 

It's anticipated that later in the year Fernando Bale will be formally ushered into the Australian Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame, his omission until now simply a matter of timing.

But it begs the question that if a simple induction is enough?

If there's ever a greyhound among the greats that reside within the Hall of Fame that deserves to be immortalised it's him.

His all round contribution and influence is quite simply on another level so it should be recognised that way.

The other anomaly that requires attention is a race being named after the all-time great that is befitting of his standing.

Perhaps the Group 1 National Championships – a race he won – is worthy of consideration given its national framework.

This December will mark a decade since Fernando Bale graced a racetrack – the time has surely come.

Now at the ripe old age of 12, Fernando Bale is certainly at the back end of his innings.

Not that you'd know it looking at him, living the life of luxury as the mainstay of Paul and Michelle Westerveld's Meticulous Lodge.

His legacy will endure for generations, much the same as that of his breeder the late, great Paul Wheeler.

It's just time to formally recognise that.