Retired greyhounds Buster and Fern proving opposites attract

By Jordan Gerrans

Retired greyhounds Buster and Fern could not be more opposite.

However, in retirement at Crestmead on Brisbane’s outskirts, they have become best mates under the watch of adopters Dan Breward and Steph Field.

When it comes to their racing careers, how they were adopted and their natures – Buster and Fern are almost polar opposites.

Buster never made it to the track whereas Fern – who raced as Hara’s Fern – won seven races and was placed on another 10 occasions from 41 attempts.

When it comes to their personality, Buster is happy to be left alone to his own devices while the sassy Fern is known for her cheek.

Buster was adopted to the household of Breward and Field through Queensland’s Greyhound Adoption Program.

On the other hand, Fern was a private adoption through leading conditioner Jemma Daley.

“We never really had any trouble of them getting along at all, especially when we introduced Fern,” Breward said.

“They get along really well now.”

Buster was the first chaser through the door at Breward and Field’s place before Fern followed soon after.

Breward has a long history with the greyhound breed with his sister volunteering in the adoption space in New South Wales.

Breward’s parents had Italian greyhounds, as well, which prompted his interest in obtaining a similar dog for his house with his partner.

While Field was slightly unsure about getting a dog for their place in the early stages, she was quickly sold after attending a GAP event.

“Dan took me and I pretty quickly fell in love,” Field said.

“There was about 40 dogs there and they were so beautifully mannered and I decided that maybe we could adopt. We ended up doing a foster to adopt for Buster.

“We spoke to the GAP staff about our requirements, where we lived and our lifestyle and they were able to match us with Buster and he was a perfect fit – they did a really good job of understanding what we were looking for.

“Greyhounds are just the best dogs.”

As GAP matched Buster to Field and Breward’s lifestyle, Daley also worked closely with the couple about their compatibility with her white brindle bitch.

The Park Ridge South-based mentor suggested the couple take Hara’s Fern for a couple of weeks to see how she settles in at their place alongside Buster.

If she did not ease into her new environment, the Group-level winning trainer was happy to take her back to her kennel.

“We quickly realised she was not going anywhere,” Field said.

Hara’s Fern posted a career-best time of 30.35 seconds around the Albion Park 520 metre circuit during her career, which came to a close in late 2021.

While Daley is now firmly entrenched as a leading trainer in the Sunshine State, she is still relatively new to the code.

The former jockey transferred over from the gallops and found fast success preparing ‘Hara’ dogs through the backing of owner Tony Glover and the late trainer Mike “Tricky” Stephenson.

As the breed of canine have been so good to Daley and her partner in racing and in life Tarquin Neal, they work tirelessly to ensure their racers land at the right home once their time on the track comes to a close.

“For Tarquin and I, it is almost the most important thing,” Daley said.

“We have been blessed with some pretty fast dogs and they have looked after us throughout our careers.

“To give them the ending they deserve, it is one of the most important things for us as a kennel.

“We like to keep the communication lines open with people who adopt our dogs, if they need any advice or any questions they have – we are always there to offer support.”

Field said they felt so supported by Daley once they took on Fern as they regularly messaged her questions they had about her and the trainer was more than keen to help.

Buster and Fern get on like a house on fire.

“Buster and Fern are quite different from each other – which I think is quite cool – as they are like humans with different personalities,” Field said.

“Buster is his own dog, he likes a big pat but equally will just sit and be on his own.

“Fern loves a cuddle and to be close to people, she is a bit sassy. Fern has quite a bold personality compared to Buster.”

From a Fernando Bale and Hara's Annie mating, Daley was always confident Hara’s Fern would make a perfect dog for Field and Breward.

“She was very chilled – the whole litter was actually,” the top trainer said.

“I first met Fern before she went to the breakers.

“She carried her chilled attitude into her race career. They always had a beautiful nature – the entire litter.

“She had already transitioned into that pet life with us but it was about finding her forever couch.”

Hara’s Fern is a littermate to Hara's Clyde and Panda who both won over $100,000 in career earnings. 

April is National Greyhound Adoption Month and Racing Queensland will highlight a number of former race dogs thriving in retirement throughout the month.

Click here to meet greyhounds available for adoption and apply to adopt online.