by Brennan Ryan. 

Victorian staying star Without A Trace has capped an outstanding season by being crowned the 2025/26 GCA Australian Greyhound of the Year at the annual Greyhound Clubs Australia awards

The prestigious honour headlined the GCA Australian Greyhound of the Year Awards in Victoria, celebrating the outstanding performances, achievements and contributions made across Australian greyhound racing during the season.

Trained by Peter Presutto for owners Darren and Michael Puleio, Without A Trace produced a remarkable campaign, winning 15 of her 26 starts with four placings and $418,555 in prizemoney.

The daughter of Houdini Boy and My Reflection captured three Group 1 victories and a Group 2 title during a season that established her among the country’s elite stayers.

Without A Trace claimed the Group 2 Sydney Cup in October before completing a memorable Group 1 double the following month, taking out the Topgun Stayers and Bold Trease.

Her outstanding campaign continued into January when she produced a track-record performance to capture the Group 1 Sale Cup.

Without A Trace contested seven Group 1 finals throughout the season, finishing runner-up to Ethanol Water in the National Distance Championship at The Q and Fade To Black in the Gold Cup, while also finishing third behind Magpie Hector in the Group 1 Zoom Top.

Her performances also played a significant role in Peter Presutto being crowned the 2025/26 GCA Australian Trainer of the Year.

Presutto enjoyed an exceptional season, preparing 49 winners and 31 placings from 116 starters, with his kennel earning $991,285 in prizemoney.

Alongside Without A Trace’s four feature victories, Presutto prepared brilliant sprinter Off The Chart to victories in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, Group 2 Ballarat Cup and Group 2 Shepparton Cup.

The GCA Sire of the Year Award, officially renamed the Fernando Bale Sire of the Year in honour of the champion sprinter and sire, fittingly went to Fernando Bale for the eighth consecutive year.

The influence of Fernando Bale continued through progeny including Cumbria Jack, Dashing Slay, Accredited, He’s A Pearl, Late Night News, Fade To Black, Mailata and Colac Kid.

Foxy Bourbski was recognised with the GCA Paul Wheeler Dam of the Year Award for the outstanding performances of her progeny during the season.

Cumbria Jack’s breathtaking victory in the 2026 Group 3 The Ambrosoli at Wentworth Park was recognised as the GCA Run of the Year.

Four outstanding names were also elevated to the GCA Australian Greyhound Hall of Fame: legendary administrator Jack McKenna, champion race greyhound Dyna Double One, Tasmanian identity Richard Stamford, and the Britton family of Allan, Jeff, Linda and Robert.

McKenna’s remarkable contribution to administration spanned decades, including 35 years as secretary of the Sandown Greyhound Racing Club and his pivotal involvement in securing the land on which Sandown Park stands today.

Dyna Double One retired as one of Australian racing’s most accomplished greyhounds, winning 31 of 54 starts and more than $1.1 million in prizemoney. His four Group 1 victories included the Melbourne Cup, Brisbane Cup, Rookie Rebel and Australian Cup, while his memorable Melbourne Cup triumph over Fernando Bale remains one of the sport’s most celebrated races.

Stamford’s induction recognised more than five decades of extraordinary involvement in Tasmanian greyhound racing as an owner, breeder, rearer, trainer, studmaster and administrator. Already inducted into the Tasmanian Greyhound Hall of Fame in 2012, Stamford’s achievements include three Hobart Thousands with Double Time, Shantytown and Shantung Tiger.

The Britton family was recognised for its extraordinary contribution across generations, with Allan and his children Jeff, Linda and Robert establishing one of Australian greyhound racing’s most respected and successful training dynasties.

Tasmanian administrator Peter Hayes completed the major honours, receiving the GCA Denise Fysh Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to greyhound racing administration in Tasmania across more than two decades.

The 2025/26 awards once again celebrated not only excellence on the racetrack, but the people, families and champions whose achievements and dedication continue to shape Australian greyhound racing.