Contact

  • Thursday, 29 Aug, 2019,
  • by Gerard Guthrie

Orson follows Meticulous stud tradition

Champion sprinter Orson Allen is continuing a proud tradition as he embarks on his stud career with Paul and Michelle Westerveld at Meticulous Lodge.

Orson Allen, which was last week crowned Greyhound Clubs Australia (GCA) Australian Greyhound of the Year for 2018/19, was retired after being injured during the running the Victorian Final of the National Sprint Championship on August 8.

He immediately joined Meticulous Lodge’s all-star stud roster, where he will follow two champion Wheeler-line sires that have dominated the Australian breeding landscape in recent years in GCA’s Sire of the Year Fernando Bale and Barcia Bale, which was retired from active stud duties earlier this year.

“The Wheelers breed great dogs in both ability and temperament and ‘Orson’ ticks every box,” said Paul Westerveld, Meticulous Lodge stud master.

“We were super excited when we found out he would be coming to Meticulous Lodge. We loved his breeding and loved him as a race dog.

“He arrived on the Friday after the (Victorian) National Sprint Final. He travelled really well and has taken to his new kennel environment, settling in between Fabregas and Fernando.

“He has learnt how to go on the walker and loves it. As soon as he comes into the kennel the first thing he does is run straight onto it.”

“Paul couldn’t drive down fast enough to pick him up the day we got the call he was retiring!” added Michelle Westerveld.

Fabregas, Orson Allen and Fernando Bale enjoy time on the walker at Meticulous Lodge.

Orson Allen is bred in the purple, being a son of US sire KC And All and Desalle Bale, a Group-winning daughter of Go Wild Teddy and phenomenal producer Princess Bale, making her a litter sister to Barcia Bale.

Orson Allen lived up to his regal bloodlines on the track, winning 31 of his 61 starts, highlighted by Group 1 victories in the Perth Cup and Harrison-Dawson, while he was runner-up in both the Temlee and Maturity Classic at Group 1 level.

His other feature victories came in the Group 2 Cranbourne and Horsham Cups, Group 3 Sandown Shootout and Listed Australian Sprint.

“His breeding is impeccable,” Paul offered.

“KC And All has been a sensation in Australia and his mother was a great race bitch. Being a sister to Barcia Bale tops off his royal breeding.

“He has a wonderful temperament, great kennel manners and travels beautifully. His confirmation is outstanding and he’s a super-happy easy-going dog.

“It’s hard to say which females will suit him at this stage but the fact that he is by such a successful imported sire opens up his pedigree to many options.”

Orson Allen will commence stud duties at an enticing $3300 service fee, with Meticulous Lodge’s phone lines already running hot.

“The interest has been amazing,” said Michelle.

“We already have a waiting list and I guess time will tell if he will be a leading stud dog.

“His fertility is brilliant. We have started collecting him and will be focusing on females on season as a priority and slowly working through the waitlist as we can.”

Gerard GuthrieGerard Guthrie

Gerard Guthrie

One of Australia’s leading greyhound racing journalists since 2000 with the Greyhound Recorder and now with Greyhound Racing Victoria. Part-owner 2013 Group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner Sheikha. (The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of GRV)

Up Next

The Joe Pearl Winter Cup

The Geelong Winter Cup will now be run as the Joe Pearl Winter Cup, named in memory