One of Victorian greyhound racing’s most prolific performers from the mid-2010s was inducted into the sport’s Hall of Fame at Thursday night’s 2024 Victorian Greyhound of the Year Awards.
Up Hill Jill, winner of $884,561 in prizemoney including a Golden Easter Egg and a Topgun, joined an illustrious list of Hall of Famers on Thursday.
David and Rose Geall said they would give Jill an extra hug and a kiss when they returned home on Thursday night, after proudly receiving the induction on her behalf.
Up Hill Jill is one of Victorian greyhound racing’s most successful sprinters, having raced 85 times for a 38-28-7 record.
Her career highlights include the 2018 Golden Easter Egg when she defeated arch-rival Striker Light in the Wentworth Park feature, as well as the 2017 Topgun, and her record as a mum was also recognised.
Not many superstar performers trancend to the breeding barn with the success enjoyed by Up Hill Jill. Of her 22 pups whelped 20 won races as displayed on the table below from litters to Fernando Bale, Barcia Bale and Kinloch Brea. Her best pup 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Koblenz.
| Dog Name | Starts | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Prize Money | Win % | Sire | Whelp Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koblenz | 42 | 26 | 7 | 5 | $770,415 | 62% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Hill Top Jack | 145 | 31 | 38 | 16 | $255,305 | 21% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Jungle Panther | 69 | 27 | 11 | 10 | $166,410 | 39% | Barcia Bale | 27-03-2020 |
| Hill Top Jonnie | 88 | 27 | 19 | 11 | $92,075 | 31% | Barcia Bale | 27-03-2020 |
| Hill Top Jonah | 59 | 28 | 11 | 6 | $83,780 | 47% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Jefferson County | 99 | 18 | 15 | 15 | $65,180 | 18% | Barcia Bale | 27-03-2020 |
| Elliott Ness | 169 | 17 | 25 | 24 | $48,300 | 10% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Rosie Posie | 50 | 10 | 12 | 10 | $34,655 | 20% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Black Hawk Jet | 44 | 9 | 6 | 6 | $24,370 | 20% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Mystic Brae | 32 | 8 | 8 | 2 | $21,130 | 25% | Kinloch Brae | 02-10-2021 |
| Spitfire Striker | 41 | 4 | 9 | 7 | $13,090 | 10% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Diva Davina | 48 | 5 | 9 | 12 | $12,610 | 10% | Kinloch Brae | 02-10-2021 |
| Laser Beam | 37 | 4 | 13 | 1 | $12,525 | 11% | Kinloch Brae | 02-10-2021 |
| Kinloch Kansas | 14 | 4 | 3 | 2 | $11,715 | 29% | Kinloch Brae | 02-10-2021 |
| Thank You Jill | 31 | 4 | 4 | 9 | $10,545 | 13% | Barcia Bale | 27-03-2020 |
| Star Of Jasmine | 37 | 5 | 3 | 9 | $7,740 | 14% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Miss Blaze | 12 | 3 | 3 | 2 | $5,620 | 25% | Kinloch Brae | 02-10-2021 |
| Wild Armani | 14 | 3 | 1 | 3 | $4,900 | 21% | Kinloch Brae | 02-10-2021 |
| Miss Malfunction | 12 | 1 | 1 | 4 | $2,870 | 8% | Fernando Bale | 12-05-2019 |
| Indi Jill | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | $1,995 | 20% | Barcia Bale | 27-03-2020 |
Farewell to a Champion: Up Hill Jill Passes.
By Molly Hains GRV Website Tuesday 16th March 2026.
Victorian greyhound racing great Up Hill Jill has passed away at the age of 11 following a battle with a stomach tumour.
Owner, trainer and breeder David Geall said he and wife Rose spent time with Jill in her final moments.
“Rose and I spent about 20 minutes with her before she passed, telling her how much we loved her and talking through all the memories she shared with us,” Geall said.
“When I look back at all her wins, the Easter Egg just edges out the Topgun.”
Jill didn’t just leave a lasting mark on the track. She also helped shape the future of Victorian greyhound racing through her progeny, producing the likes of Melbourne Cup winner Koblenz, Horsham Cup winner Jungle Panther and Launceston Cup winner Hill Top Jack.
From the outside looking in, Jill and the Geall family embodied what it means to persevere in a sport that can test even the most dedicated participants.
David and Rose Geall spent many years striving to produce a greyhound like Up Hill Jill from their kennel. While many people in the sport deserve success, it doesn’t always come.
For the Geall’s, Jill changed everything.
She paved the way not only for success throughout her racing career, but also opened doors for David to train other greyhounds, bringing further success to the kennel.
Jill represented hope.
“Jill made our lives a little more financially free, but more importantly she has made our daughters’ and their children’s lives that little bit easier too – her impact is generational,” Geall said.
In her retirement, Jill lived out her final years inside the family home with David and Rose, becoming part of everyday life and family gatherings that will forever remain etched in the Geall family’s history.
Up Hill Jill passed away as a Hall of Famer, two-time Group 1 winner, mother and cherished family member.
Rest easy, Jilly
