WHEN Dan Costello lost his long battle with cancer last night in the palliative care section of Redcliffe Hospital, after being admitted there last Wednesday – Queensland lost one of its favourite racing sons far too early at just 67 years of age.
Dan’s been a highly respected photographer – and racing journalist – for over a quarter of a century, albeit the last 16 years he’s dedicated to primarily the harness racing industry.
Dan had been in well-documented poor health for well over 2 years, since being first diagnosed with bladder cancer back in late 2023, to the point whereby in the last 12 months he’d been unable to attend race meetings, at the Redcliffe and Albion Park harness racing clubs, where he was, until his passing, the contracted race day photographer.
Dan’s loving wife Gitana, who has been Dan’s “rock” throughout his long bout of ill-health, along with a photographer friend of Dan and Gitana’s, Toby Coutts, have done a sterling job, filling in for Dan at race meetings, praying for the miracle that one day, Dan would be able to return to what he was obviously born to do, which was take racing photos capable of giving owners and trainers, memories that would last a lifetime. It’s understood that Gitana and Toby will continue to do the photography at those 2 harness racing clubs at least until the end of this calendar year.
Gitana, who is pictured above with Dan, told me this morning that Dan had been, “A wonderful father to his two step-children for 25 years, and a wonderful grandfather to his two grandchildren”. Anyone who knew Dan would understand that statement of Gitana’s would be taken as read.
From a personal viewpoint, I was lucky enough to talk to Dan at length only 11 days before his passing. He told me during that conversation that the best medical opinion was that he may have “10 weeks at best”. Sadly, fate never intended it so.
Let me also say that I worked closely with Dan for over a decade on Brisbane thoroughbred and harness tracks, and it was always a pleasure to be in his company. If you asked me to describe Dan Costello in a few sentences, I would say, “I’ve been on the planet for 71 years and have met a hell of a lot of people in that timeframe. Most men have a bit of, let’s say, “no good” in them.
Not so Dan Costello – he was straight up and down – with no airs or graces. Out of the racetrack of dreams, he delivered his signature quality photography end product to cumulatively thousands of owners and trainers over many years at a reasonable price. And importantly, I never heard one person, from either the ranks of fellow media, or anywhere else, ever say a bad word about him”.
At this sad time, it’s again time to reflect and pass on a sincere thanks to Gayle Garrard, and all the wonderful individuals and businesses, along with Racing Queensland, who way back in 2024 supported Gayle’s GoFundMe page for four very sick harness racing licensees – of which Dan was one. Thanks also to Kevin and Kay Seymour, who went way above and beyond the call of duty to get Dan badly needed urgent medical assistance earlier this year and pay those respective medical bills.
When Dan and I last spoke 11 days ago, he stated, “I’m running out of time Phil”, and he asked me if I’d assist Gitana in selling racing memorabilia that he’d bought over the years, so if the Letsgohorseracing website owner, John Lingard, will allow us, we will advise here, in due course, some weeks from now, what items Dan’s widow Gitana has available for sale to the general public.
Earlier this year, Dan was honoured to receive the Feehely Achievement Award from the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club for his “significant contribution to the industry”. That presentation, along with Dan speaking of the award can be viewed on this thread:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=26229740560046510
There will be a memorial service for Dan at Albion Park racecourse in due course – and the details of that service – will be placed on this website when they are known.
