In 2015, Wheeler Kennels earned $2 million in stakes from just two dogs, champions Fernando Bale and Dyna Double One. It illustrates that in 2015 Paul Wheeler produced Fernando Bale, the world's highest stakes earner, winner of a staggering eight Group 1s and arguably the best canine athlete the industry has ever seen. It illustrates that Wheeler Kennels, after four decades and more, are getting better and better.

"It was obvious he was there for an entirely different reason"

When animal rights "terrorists" decided to target greyhound racing in the middle of 2014, they rightfully exposed some aspects of the industry we could do without. But terrorists are just that, they know no boundaries. For them, the end justifies the means.

Paul Wheeler and his family, backed by almost five generations of greyhound racing success based on hard work, was never going to escape what happened to the industry at the start of 2015.

"Out of the blue one day, I got a phone call from someone who explained he had been in show dogs and wanted to become involved in greyhound racing," said Paul. "He sounded genuine and asked if I could help his entry into our industry."

Paul does not normally entertain strangers turning up at the lavish greyhound complex he has established at Murringo. "But for some reason, this time I did," he said. "Anyway, the guy arrives in a suit. I start to show him around and expect him to start asking questions about switching from show dogs to greyhound racing."

The "guy" had other ideas. Wheeler says the "guy" never once asked questions about greyhounds. "All he did was check out the property," said Paul. "It was obvious he was there for an entirely different reason."

This was not the only occasion Paul and his family have felt the brunt of "terrorism". Paul was contacted some months ago by GRNSW that a request had been made to it for all manner of facts and figures in regards to the Wheeler operation, dogs bred, dogs named, dogs retained, and so on. "When I asked just who it was wanted this information I was told we could not be given such information," said Paul.

Paul was annoyed, angry, furious, you name it. He believes animal liberationists have been on a mission to "set up the industry". He believes Wheeler Kennels could be a target. "If they take us down, they take down the industry," he said.

For a multi-million dollar enterprise, run strictly to the letter of every law and every moral obligation, he felt aggrieved that anyone would question his methods and means of producing a living in a tough industry.

"By the time the impact is felt, the people making these decisions will be long gone"

Paul is adamant the current problems within the industry could be blamed not only on industry members but state governments.

"To my knowledge, every member of these authorities that have run greyhound racing has been state government appointed," he said. "Obviously these state governments should have the right people on their authorities, people who know and understand the industry and its problems. But now the industry is being the scapegoat for it all."

Wheeler himself was a member of the controlling body for 18 months back at the turn of the century. He resigned in protest. And he is angry at the way those now in charge of greyhound racing have reacted to the current situation.

"The way the industry is going at the moment is terrible," he said. "These people are bringing in rules and regulations that will change the industry irrecoverably."

And his words about these "powers that be" and their regulations are incredibly wise. "By the time the impact is felt, the people making these decisions will be long gone," he said.

He says greyhound racing, by its sheer popularity with punters, as evidenced even since the live baiting scandal came to light in February, could achieve 30 to 40 percent of TAB turnover. That is if it is allowed to flourish and not be crushed by senseless regulations.

Pebbles, and the side the terrorists don't want the public to see

Wheeler Kennels makes no bones about it, they love their dogs, every last one of them, and they are justifiably proud of their results.

Take "Pebbles" for instance. "Pebbles" is an unnamed greyhound who broke a leg as a pup. She became the only greyhound Paul and his wife Jan have allowed into their lavish new home as a house pet.

"She quickly learned to open and close the sliding door to the house and was a real part of this household," said Paul. "And she never even got to the racetrack."

Pebbles died only recently but her loss was felt by all at Murringo. Pebbles is one example of the other side of greyhound racing, the side the "terrorists" don't want the public to see.

Wheeler Kennels is a major sponsor of the Greyhound Adoption Program, mainly in South Australia. Paul is proud of the fact GRNSW a few years ago undertook a survey of his operation and showed that 90 percent of Wheeler-bred greyhounds get to the racetrack.

"We produce less than two percent of the greyhounds that race in this country, but we have easily the highest rate of winners," said Paul, not in a boast but in a simple statement of the facts. "Winnings have paid for everything on this property."

A racetrack in China, and 2000 enthusiasts in one town

While his own enterprise is thriving, Paul is ever the businessman. He travels throughout the world picking up "tips" but also on the chance he may further his business. One of those recent trips was to China, where he caught up with nine-year-old Turanza Bale, sire of Paul's legend Xylia Allen.

"I, and a few travelling companions, visited a wonderful racetrack owned privately," said Paul. "There were 2000 enthusiasts in that town to go greyhound racing. Greyhound racing is in its infancy in China and although it is against the law to gamble, these owners have private wagers on the outcome of their match races. China is also relaxing a lot of laws and there is great hope greyhound racing and gambling will become part of this. There is a horse racing experiment being set up right now. The greyhounds I saw are very well cared for."

These days, Paul and Jan are happy to surround themselves with family as much as superstars like Fernando Bale, and the future Fernandos.

Paul's mum June, a driving force and attractive face of the operation for many years when it first started way back in the 1960s, lives in nearby Young. "She and her husband Ted Webber are real garage sale fanatics," said Paul. "Mum is 83 years old and forever ringing up to tell us she has found some garage sale bargain she believes we must have."

It was his mum who instilled into Paul a lot of the principles he still uses today when planning the matings that produced a Fernando Bale, Xylia Allen or Dyna Double One. "Mum always said look for what the female lacks," said Paul.

"Winning shows a part of your character, but losing shows all of your character"

In greyhound racing winning is everything. Paul has a wonderful saying. "Winning shows a part of your character, but losing shows all of your character."

He says genetics is 35 percent of the success of a greyhound, but the rest of the successful formula is made up in whelping, rearing, education and then training.

"I never breed to get a male," said Paul.

Does Paul Wheeler have any regrets? "None whatsoever," he says, and how could he with a racing year like 2015 where he unearthed arguably the greatest greyhound the world has seen.

"But I will always remember that night coming home from either Wentworth Park or Harold Park 35 years ago," he said. "It was in the days when we would line up with hundreds of other dogs for qualifying trials. It was in drenching rain that we stood for hours to put a few young dogs around. I remember getting so soaked I had to strip off and drive home in my undies."

Not a sight any of us in greyhound racing needs to conjure.

The success of superstars like Fernando Bale will do us for now.