Late Dan Costello commemorated at Redcliffe

Dan Costello was a regular face at the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club for years, and it is only fitting that the late photographer will now be commemorated at the venue he loved to call home.

The club recently renamed their photography room the “Dan Costello Room” in recognition of the vital contribution the hugely popular figure made to harness racing.

Dan passed away in mid-August following an incredibly brave three-year battle with cancer.

He had been a mainstay with the camera in hand for nearly two decades, capturing every moment on the track at both Albion Park and Redcliffe.

The harness racing stalwart also held many different titles within the industry, including as the President of BOTRA, as well as serving on the RHRC committee.

The club’s committee even rewarded his contribution with the RHRC Feehely Achievement Award at the Queensland Harness Awards in March.

With Dan being on the committee at the time, RHRC President Mark McNee remembered with a smile how they kept the award a secret from the club stalwart as a surprise.

McNee said that while the Dan Costello Room was a small one, it was a fitting recognition of the huge impact he had on the harness racing industry.

“Even before Dan was on the committee, he was a big asset to harness racing, being the club photographer for so long here, and as well at Albion Park,” McNee said.

“I first met him from probably buying photos off him many, many years ago, and then we formed a friendship, and then he came on board on the committee and he was a valued committee member.

“I spoke to his wife Gitana and asked for her permission – we certainly wouldn’t have done it without her okay, and now we’ve renamed the room.

“I hope in five, 10, 15 years’ time, and long after I’ve gone from the committee, that it’s still named the Dan Costello Room.

“I’m hoping he’d be stoked and looking down on us with a smile, and be really happy that we were able to honour him.”

Understandably, the last few months have not been easy for Dan’s wife Gitana as she mourns his passing.

She was on hand for the unveiling of the sign and to share memories with McNee about her late husband’s dedication to showcasing the sport at “The Triangle.”

“He worked very hard, and especially at Redcliffe – when he came over here from Albion Park, the photography was non-existent,” Gitana said.

“He made sure that he built a good reputation with every participant in the industry to make sure the owners, the drivers and the trainers are recognised in whatever they do.

“We started to do the milestones, especially to recognise the people in Redcliffe, because the big guys were always recognised everywhere.

“But he was for the battlers – he wanted to recognise everyone in the industry because he thought everybody was important.

“Dan spoke of his colleagues and industry participants always with respect, he loved being part of the team.

“This sign is a wonderful reminder of the mark he left here, but I know his true legacy lives on in the friendships he made and the help he gave to others.”

Dan’s many accolades included being awarded the ‘Best Published Action or Still Photograph’ at the 2020 Joseph Coulter Media Awards, after shooting the inaugural standalone Kilcoy grass meeting in December 2019.

A humble man, Gitana believed Dan would be feeling honoured by having the room named after him.

“He would be feeling so overwhelmed with emotions – he’d probably crack a few jokes because he was always joking ‘you have to die to be recognised’,” Gitana said.

“But he would be really amazed and would be weighted with pride, having something that’s named after him.

“Seeing this sign erected in Dan’s honour means more to our family than me and words can describe.

“To Dan, this wasn’t just a place where he worked; it was a place where he felt valued, where he took immense pride in his work, and where he built genuine connections.

“When people pass by this sign, I hope it reminds them not just his hard work and dedication, but of his kindness, his sense of humour, his knowledge, and the spirit he brought to the harness racing industry.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for remembering him, for honouring him, and for ensuring that his presence continued to be part of the place he loved so much.”

Toby Coutts, a long-time associate of Dan’s, has now taken over the photography of harness race meetings.

Coutts first met Dan while snapping pictures at the thoroughbred and greyhound tracks, but it was around four years ago when the senior photographer brought Coutts on board in the harness racing caper.

“Dan taught me a lot about the harness world – I didn’t know much about it before entering it, he actually taught me a lot about it,” Coutts said.

“I like to say I taught him a bit about the photos, and we sort of worked off each other very well…it was a good working relationship, and it was very sad to see his passing.

“Dan was a man of the people- everywhere you go, he would say ‘good to see you mate’ and Dan would just want everyone to be his mate, and it was a great thing to see around here.

“He loved this place – it was basically his second home, besides Albion Park and his actual home, Redcliffe had a special place in his heart.

“He loved the people, loved the atmosphere, and it was just something about that sort of country atmosphere out here – I think he really loved it.”

Coutts will continue to work out of the room on the Peninsula that now carries the name of the late photography stalwart.

He is hoping to carry on the legacy left behind by Dan through recognising the participants that contribute to the industry in Queensland.

“Dan being quite a humble man, I don’t think he would think all the fuss was about him,” Coutts said.

“But it’s a very nice thing that Redcliffe have done for the family, for Gitana – but I think Dan would just go, ‘oh, come on, boys, don’t worry about it’ (laughs).

“I’d love to carry on what Dan has started – I’d like to expand further and keep it going

“Knowing what Dan has taught me and about the harness industry, I’d love to keep it going and see where I can go.

First diagnosed with cancer in the bladder in late 2023, Dan was moved into palliative care in early 2025 after the cancer had spread, and was told not to expect to make it to Christmas.

With the support of well-known owners Kevin and Kay Seymour, specialist treatment on the tumours in his body began to shrink, giving him a new positive outlook on his future.

While the treatment was ultimately not enough in the end, Gitana was still keen to recognise the support of the Seymours and the wider industry which helped make Dan’s final months enjoyable and memorable.

“I wanted to thank Kay and Kevin Seymour who donated a large amount for medical treatments for Dan – that kept him an extra year, and that gave us so much,” Gitana said.

“All those ordinary moments, what people don’t even recognise, is how important one more celebration, one more breakfast, one more walk on the beach is – just the ordinary things that they gave us that just meant everything for us to get prepared for this.

“At Albion Park, there was Greg Mitchell and Jim, and at Redcliffe, Mark McNee – they meant so much for us because they supported us all along and accommodated Dan’s needs with the business, so we were able to carry on.

“(RQ EGM – Racing) David Brick – he gave us all the time while he was in charge of this area, he was always a good friend and always there to support Dan and have a good chat with him.

“People everywhere in offices in Albion Park and here in Redcliffe as well, they were so supportive after his passing to make sure everything works well.

“Obviously Toby our photographer is so important for us because he carried on the majority of the work while Dan was going through the last three years, and now he has taken over and he will carry on with the business.

“I know it’s a big shoes to fill, but I think he has just moved his way into it, and he will be a great photographer for the industry.”

 

by Andrew Smith for Racing Queensland