Albion Park photographer Dan Costello’s cancer battle casts pall over Leap To Fame’s 2025 Inter Dominion bid

Leap To Fame’s quest for a second Brisbane Inter Dominion crown has been engulfed by sadness, with popular Albion Park photographer Dan Costello revealing he is rapidly losing a battle with advanced cancer.

Albion Park photographer Dan Costello and his wife, Gitana La Marque.

Champion pacer Leap To Fame’s quest for a second Brisbane Inter Dominion crown has been engulfed by sadness.

Dan Costello, the hugely popular Albion Park photographer who has captured many of Leap To Fame’s greatest moments, has revealed he is rapidly losing a battle with advanced cancer.

The 66-year-old was back at the office taking snaps of Leap To Fame’s opening round Inter Dominion win last Saturday night, but had to leave soon after.

“They’ve told me to start planning for palliative care,” Costello said. “My main tumour has tripled in size since the last check-up and the cancer has now spread to my spine. They told me it would be two months before I’d really start to feel the full impact, but it’s already getting hard now.”

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Leap To Fame’s owner Kevin Seymour learned of Costello’s plight and – as he has done for so many – is throwing all his support behind him.

Seymour has connected Costello with a “cancer guru” at Brisbane’s Mater Hospital and will pay all his medical bills and any lost income.

“Dan’s one of nature’s gentlemen. If I was in his position and had done as much for harness racing as he has, I’d like to think someone would do this for me,” Seymour said.

“I don’t want him working, I want him seeing the best and working out the best way to fight this. We all want Dan at the 2026 and 2027 Inter Dominions here in Brisbane, not this year.

“I’ve got him to see the best specialist there is in Queensland and we’re all hoping there is a treatment plan.”

Dan Costello captured this image of Kevin Seymour accepting the winner’s trophy after Leap To Fame’s 2023 Inter Dominion victory.

An emotional Costello said he and wife, Gitana, were humbled by Seymour’s generosity and support.

“He’s given me hope when there was none … all I can ask for is hope,” he said.

“Not only is Kevin using his connections big time for me, but this costs a huge amount of money and I just don’t have it.”

Costello, who has been Albion Park’s course photographer for 14 years, was first diagnosed with bladder cancer a week after Leap To Fame won his first Inter Dominion crown at Albion Park in December, 2023.

The Champ.. Leap To Fame wins Round 1 Heat 3 @ladbrokescomau ID 25 @TheCreekAlbion for Grant & Trista Dixon pic.twitter.com/yQr8P0rMwC

— Dan Costello (@DanRacingWrap) July 5, 2025

“My world came crashing down. I was on such a high after what Leap To Fame did in that Inter Dominion. He’s the best horse I’ve photographed and it was such a huge night for Queensland harness racing,” he said.

“Then I got that diagnosis, which was really bleak. It was just a few days before Christmas, too.

“I had the tumour removed from my bladder, but they said it had spread and was aggressive. It went to my liver and is now in my spine.

“I’d pretty much run out of options, but now there’s hope Kevin’s help can at least buy me some more time.

“I’ve lost a stack of weight and get very tired. Kevin wants me fighting my battle at the moment, not working at the races. Without him I simply wouldn’t have the money to do that.”

Dan Costello's iconic image of driver Grant Dixon raising his whip as Leap To Fame wins the 2023 Inter Dominion.

Although Seymour doesn’t want Costello working at the races, he wants him trackside to cheer for Leap To Fame in Saturday week’s $1 million Ladbrokes Inter Dominion final.

“Dan doesn’t know this, but if we win it again, we’re giving the winning trophy to Dan,” Seymour said.

Leap To Fame won his first round Inter Dominion heat last Saturday night, is favourite his second heat this week and a commanding $1.25 prepost favourite to win the Grand Final on July 19.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

Originally published as Albion Park photographer Dan Costello’s cancer battle casts pall over Leap To Fame’s 2025 Inter Dominion bid