Highly respected Victorian Greyhound participant Cesare Costa passed away on July 2nd 2024. Our member Shane Hookey posted a fitting tribute to his long time friend and many of his friends made comments and sent condolences to Cesare’s family.
Shane Hookey wrote the following and posted this photo – So sad to hear of the passing of our great friend Cesare Costa yesterday,through a very long and painful illness,his daughter contacted me today,will always cherish the memories we all had,on Sunday afternoons at Cesare and Margaret’s property at Devon Meadows,everyone was welcome, and the Costa family loved it and revelled in it,Cesare was a generous person,who befriended everyone,he had great success on the track,and through his great social persona,you will be sorely missed Cesare,my good friend !! (Photo of Bright Judge and La Verita).
The GRV posted the following tribute on their website.
Family, friends and the greyhound racing family are mourning the death of 1986 Australian Cup-winning trainer Cesare Costa, who passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer, aged 78.
“The late Cesare Costa commenced training greyhounds back in the late 60s from his property in Devon Meadows he was later to take over a property in Tooradin originally set up by Rex Hurst,” historian Neil Brown said.
“Cesare made this a very successful venture including a trial track and operated the business for many years.
“A much-loved figure in the sport he gave a great deal of his time and understanding to help many greyhound training aspirants who frequented his training establishment at Tooradin.
“Cesare has been remembered this week by his many greyhound friends who enjoyed his company and the knowledge and help he offered whenever asked.”
Costa’s career highlight came in 1986 when he won the $100,000 Australian Cup with Bright Judge.
Costa originally owned the speedster, but sold him to first-time owners Gwen Rimes and Charles Burnip for more than $10,000, a month out from the Australian Cup, on the proviso he remained the greyhound’s trainer.
Bright Judge triumphed from box eight, with his little sister La Verita – also trained by Costa – finishing fourth.
As a sire Bright Judge produced 194 offspring from 72 litters his best pups were Melbourne Cup winner Fire Sentence plus Black Ricochet, His Excellence, Legal Verdict and Unleaded.
Here is a short video of me talking to the late Cesare Costa about Bright Judge.