VALE PETER EUSTACE

Monday, 18 Mar, 2024,
by Peter Quilty

VALE PETER EUSTACE

The Victorian racing fraternity has been saddened by the passing last Friday of iconic racecaller Peter Eustace.

Described as the “Voice of Gippsland Racing”, Eustace called more than 50,000 greyhound, thoroughbred and harness races in an impressive career spanning 51 years.

The legendary veteran racecaller hung up the binoculars and retired from the microphone on May 21, 2017.

Eustace’s years of dedication in promoting Gippsland greyhound racing – he also trained greyhounds – was recognised with induction into Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Hall of Fame.

Eustace will also be remembered for his calling of a triple dead-heat at Stony Creek gallops in 1987 – only the second triple dead-heat to ever occur in Victoria.

Another renowned racecaller, Ron Hawkswell, paid tribute to a colleague.

“Peter was just an absolute gentleman, and a great racecaller. I never heard anyone say a bad word about him.

“He was the ‘voice of Gippsland’ as far as racing was concerned. I remember him calling at Sale, Warragul and Traralgon greyhound meetings, and occasionally he did Cranbourne.

WATCH: Peter Eustace following his induction into the Victorian greyhound racing Hall of Fame.

“Peter also called at Bairnsdale, Traralgon, Sale and Stony Creek thoroughbred fixtures. He also was occasionally ‘behind the mic’ at Warragul and Traralgon harness meetings.

“And he did some radio on Gippsland ABC (as a newsreader, producer and presenter) and 3TR.

“He was never derogatory about any greyhounds or horses and their owners and trainers. He had a great respect for the racing industry.”

Sale GRC manager Peter Johnston spoke of Eustace’s legacy and large contribution to the racing community and Gippsland community as well on ABC Gippsland.

“He absolutely adored greyhounds and horses. His enthusiasm and passion led him to 51 years of racecalling. He was an absolute legend of the industry.

Eustace’s induction into the GRV Hall of Fame was an “absolute honour”, according to Johnston.

“I don’t think we’ll see another Peter.”

FUNERAL DETAILS:

The funeral service for Mr Peter Robert Eustace will be held at:
Sale Baptist Church
Princes Highway, Sale
Friday 22 March at 11am

The burial will follow at the Sale Lawn Cemetery.

Peter Quilty

Peter Quilty has more than three decades of experience as assistant editor of Victorian Greyhound Weekly. He was editor of GRV monthly magazine The Adviser (2001-09) and owner/publisher of Australian Greyhound Monthly. He also served on the selection panel for the inaugural GRV ‘Hall of Fame’ inductees and for several years was an adjudicator on the Victorian GOTY. He’s also published greyhound racing yearbooks and wrote the ‘Bold Trease’ video script.