4 HARNESSED FOR THE FIGHT OF THEIR LIFE

Dan, Greg, Jack, and Dudley are men entrenched in our industry. Trainers, drivers, owners, breeders, and photographer, you name it these guys have been amongst it. We, Embracing Pacing, seek your support for these gentlemen to assist them and their families through their difficult journeys.

Your generosity will be distributed, by Embracing Pacing, equally to the four men - Dan, Greg, Jack and Dudley. Embracing Pacing – supporting and promoting our sport Harness Racing.

DAN COSTELLO Hi I’m Dan Costello and have been a race photographer & journalist across the 3 codes of racing for over 25 years. I switched to the harness racing family full time 14 years ago. Immediately after the Inter Dominion Series, December 2023, and just before Christmas I was diagnosed with aggressive bladder cancer. After surgery and many scans and biopsies I received the devastating news that the cancer had already spread to my liver. I have started down the road of chemotherapy followed hopefully by immunotherapy at a later stage. Myself and wife Gitana are facing an uncertain future not just for my personal health, but also the strain of keeping our business running with increased operational costs while I am out of action. Whilst this cancer is not curable in my case, we are hoping with effective treatments that I will enjoy many more years servicing the Harness Racing industry.

GREG ELKINS, trainer and driver, was kicked in the back by a horse on the 16th of February 2024 and rushed to Princess Alexandra hospital. His initial injuries included 3 broken ribs and a splattered spleen. After 5 days, he was moved to ICU and placed in an induced coma due to multiple complications, including blood clots in the lungs and numerous internal bleeds. Since being admitted, Greg has undergone countless life-saving operations and surgeries. He is now out of the coma but remains in ICU with a long road ahead to get back to full health.

JACK BUTLER Queensland’s 2022 Trainer of the Year is facing the challenge of his life having been diagnosed with Stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer on the 26th of February 2024. After a brief 3-day stomach illness, which Jack felt was no ordinary illness, presenting at the hospital, having a CT scan to ending up where he is today. Jack will have 6 cycles of intense chemotherapy which is administered fortnightly over 3 days, then surgery to remove the tumor and 6 cycles again after surgery.

DUDLEY WARBURTON thought his tiredness and weight loss were ‘old age’, but when high temperatures came into the equation, he would seek medical assistance, in January 2024. Blood results found Dudley admitted to hospital. After several weeks of tests and biopsies in both Caboolture Hospital and Royal Brisbane Hospital Dudley was diagnosed with T Cell Lymphoma. Three weeks ago Dudley commenced treatment for the T Cell Lymphoma. Doctors are hopeful of the treatment. The last 12+ weeks have seen Dudley’s weight drop significantly to 57kg, also contributing to a long road back to good health.

Please share on behalf of Dan, Greg, Jack and Dudley.

Kind Regards

Gayle Garrard

EMBRACING PACING – Supporting and promoting our sport Harness Racing