By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Dan Costello’s brilliant eye for the ultimate harness racing shot is just one of the many attributes and qualities that the Newport-based photographer brings to the newly elected Redcliffe Harness Racing Club Board.
The Sydney-born and Marist Brothers (Paramatta)-educated 64-year-old was the only new committee member elected at the Board’s AGM on Tuesday (December 12). For the next 12 months he will work alongside Bernie Ring (President), Mark McNee (Vice President), Reg Vidler (Treasurer), Doug Spice, and Daryl Kerr.
It might be Costello’s first time on the RHRC Board, but he’s no stranger to harness racing administration and politics.
“I’ve actually worked with Bernie before. I think the first time was about five years ago when I was on the Advisory Panel for Racing Queensland when I was President of BOTRA (Breeders, Owners, Trainers, Reinspersons Association). Then I handed the reins over to Daren Garrard.
“I’m really excited about being voted onto the Redcliffe Board. I believe I have the experience and knowledge to implement some good changes for a Club, which I felt has quite often seen as the “lesser light” in Queensland. I’ve been the photographer at Redcliffe for five years and 14 at Albion Park.
“I enjoy working at them both, and now that I’m on the Redcliffe committee my goal is for it to become an even more prosperous Brisbane city track,” Costello said.
It’s not Costello’s first appointment to a racing club committee. He was one of the youngest racing committee members, serving on the Clarence River Jockey Club before he came to Queensland in late 1998.
“While I was on the committee we had several races elevated to Group status, and back then it was the largest country race carnival in Australia. We had up to 100 bookies at that Carnival at the time. It was just huge.
“I used to do a radio broadcast for 2GF in Grafton and we used to do the Saturday morning show which was mainly sports with Steve Hawkins. I also did the ‘late mail’ and ‘mounting yard mail’ from the racetrack.
“I think people here see me just as the person who takes photos on race-day, but that’s just of a multitude of jobs I’ve had throughout Australia that over the years. Horses have always been close to the family. Dad (Bernie) was a bookmaker, and I worked a few trotters in my early 20s at my home track of Fairfield,” Costello said.
Soon after the turn of the century, Costello started taking photographs for media outlets throughout Queensland, Australia, and New Zealand. His talented were soon recognised by Magic Millions, Australian Bloodstock, New Zealand Bloodstock.
“I also took greyhound photos and my first job at Albion Park was for both the dogs and harness about 14 years ago. At that time, I also started to do one story a week for ‘Trot Guide’ before they elevated that to a whole page for Queensland – on harness racing. That would comprise four to eight stories depending on demand. I am very particular about what photos go out to people. I like to edit them. I have someone working for me and I always look at what he’s putting out before they leave us.
“I take a lot of pride in every photo and it’s just the professionalism I like to bring to the track. If the photo is no good, it is deleted. Only my best are forwarded on,” Costello said.
Costello said he didn’t hesitate putting his hand up when asked to provide some new blood on the RHRC Board.
“I feel I could make an impact and am quite excited about being voted on. I have a few ideas which I’d like to see implemented. I was approached, and after a little bit of thought I decided to put my name forward, and I’m glad I did,” Costello said.
Costello does a racing radio spot each week. He also got engaged in 2002 to Gitana and finally got married in Brisbane this year.
“When I started to do the photography work, Gitana took up graphic design, so we could work hand-in-hand, and some of our completed works already hang in race clubs, board rooms, private homes, and prominent owners and trainers bars. Gitana has been requested to do works to take a photo with their favourite scene or memory.
“She does so much work. Every time a driver or a trainer from Queensland reaches a milestone, they look forward to seeing what Gitana has produced for them. Anything from first to 50th, 1,000 winners. We get lots of requests and I’m just so grateful and proud of her work,” Costello said.
