Metung greyhound trainer Harley Whelan’s remarkable rise through the greyhound racing ranks has been recognised, with the young trainer named the Ned Bryant Silver Fox Award recipient recently at the Victorian Greyhound Awards.
Greyhound Racing Victoria initiated the Ned Bryant “Silver Fox” award, which is presented annually to a person (under 35 years of age) for showing outstanding potential in the training, breeding and promotion of greyhound racing.
Bryant was considered the Bart Cummings of greyhound training ranks and was also one of Australia’s most respected canine chiropractors.
What began as a hobby has developed into a successful breeding, rearing and racing operation, with the Whelan family continuing to produce their own greyhounds under the successful Lakeview prefix.
They are one of only handful of people in the industry that do breeding, rearing, breaking, and training, with Harley an integral part of the operation.
Over the last 12 months, the kennel had 384 starters, producing 97 winners, with 215 starts resulting in a top three finish – an impressive 25 percent winning strike rate and 56 percent place rate.
At the forefront of the kennel’s success was Lakeview Emily, who competed in 10 Group races across Australia, claiming the Shepparton Cup and placing in four group one events.
Things aren’t set to quieten down for Harley and the Whelan clan anytime soon, with a significant investment in a state-of-the-art kennel facility in Sale, which represents another major commitment to their future in greyhound racing and their belief in the sport.
