Queensland racing industry mourns loss of Bill Elson

By Jordan Gerrans

Bill Elson is being remembered as a respected and humble industry participant, as well as a passionate advocate for the greyhound code, following his passing.

The revered Sunshine State breeder and trainer died on Sunday.

He had battled with dementia in recent years.

Bill was 77 years of age.

In the days following his passing, many industry figures have described Bill as an ‘icon’ of the sport as well as being an inspiration for many trainers and breeders.

The Elson surname has become one of the major players in the Queensland industry over the last decade on the back of Bill’s training and breeding efforts alongside his wife and training partner Cyndie.

While Cyndie is still at the top of her field when it comes to preparing regular city winners, the parents have also passed the baton to their son Travis who has developed into a leading dog man himself in recent years.

Long-serving Racing Queensland board member Dale Cartwright described Bill as a regular smiling face at the race track that loved his greyhounds.

“I think Bill and Cyndie’s contribution has been amazing,” Cartwright said.

“I was very sad to hear of his passing.

“He has been a leader for many years as a metropolitan owner and trainer.

“The thing about Bill was that he was always well-respected and was a very caring guy.

“He was always good to talk to and was never negative about the sport – they just loved their dogs and it was incredible.

“Bill was a very good family man and he was always polite to talk to me whenever I saw him at the track.”

The Elson kennel have been a major force over the last decade in Brisbane racing, making the owners and trainers' premierships at the annual end of season awards virtually their own.

The team were put up in lights at their peak when they had champion bitch Cyndie’s Magic.

Described as the darling of Queensland greyhound racing in her career that was headlined by her stunning racing style, Cyndie’s Magic would often get back to last in the run as she would rocket home to win on the line in scintillating fashion.

She also delivered as a broodbitch once her magical career came to an end on the track.

In her racing days, which wrapped up in March of 2018 following a 45-victory career, Bill Elson was her official trainer while Cyndie owned the star chaser.

In her first litter back in 2018, she produced many of the top greyhounds racing in Queensland and won the Brisbane Greyhound Club Dam Of The Year Award at the 2020 GOTY Awards.

Her litters included quality dogs such as Limited Edition and Magical Hope, among others. 

In Cyndie’s Magic’s racing career, some of her milestones included the 2017 Group 3 Queensland Cup, 2016 Rockhampton Cup, Winter Chase, Clem Jones Cup, Winged Runner Trophy, as well as being placed in five Group races and a finalist in another five.

At the height of her career, Cyndie’s Magic was regarded as one the most popular greyhounds to come out of Queensland, with her eye-catching racing style drawing in punters and fans around Australia.

Cyndie’s Magic’s mother, Regal Silver - a multiple Dam of the Year Award winner in Queensland – effectively launched the Elson’s tenure in the sport.

The family gambled on breeding a litter from Regal Silver and it virtually handed them a racing dynasty for many years to come.

“Bill was a highly respected member of the racing community alongside his wife and training partner Cyndie,” Racing Queensland’s Greyhound Operations Manager Doug Lutherborrow said.

“He was humble and polite in conversation and very passionate about his greyhounds.

“He always seemed to have a handful of city-class greyhounds racing at any one time and who could forget the amazing feats of Cyndie's Magic.

“Bill and Cyndie achieved outstanding success and laid the foundations for their son Travis to become a leading trainer in the Sunshine State today.

“The entire racing community is sad to hear of Bill’s passing and we extend our condolences to his wife Cyndie and the extended family.”

The Albion Park club recently introduced the Group 2 Cyndie’s Magic over 600 metres feature race into the winter carnival.

Travis has followed his parents' footsteps into the upper echelon of conditioners in the state.

He has tasted elite level success with high-quality chasers such as Hello Mike and Bear’s Bullet over the last few years.

As Bill has battled with his health in recent times, he did not often make the trip in from his Churchable kennel to Albion Park.

But, he made sure he was there for the Group 1 $375,000 Gold Bullion at Albion Park in February of last year.

The icon of breeding and training in Queensland was on hand to watch his son Travis grab the ultimate glory in the sport when Hello Mike saluted in the Gold Bullion.

There were emotional scenes post-race as a proud Bill embraced his son.

Bill had gifted Hello Mike to Travis not long after he was diagnosed with dementia and suggested the greyhound would eventually tackle Group events. 

The Gold Bullion of last year became Travis’ maiden Group 1 title and he has gone on to add another with Bear’s Bullet in the Ipswich Cup of 2023.

"Dad was a carpenter who dabbled in horses and dogs many years ago," Travis said following his father’s passing.

"It was a big call for him and Mum to move to Churchable when Dad was 66 and have a right go at greyhound racing.

"But, they did it and look at the success. And, it all came from one broodbitch, Regal Silver."

Cartwright watched on closely in the presentation ceremony after Hello Mike’s victory, noting it was one of the last times Bill would ever make it to the races.

“It was a brilliant night for the family,” Cartwright said.

Cartwright is also the Deputy Chair of Greyhounds Australasia as well as being a former President of the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club.

The veteran administrator in the sport believes Travis boasts the similar qualities to his late father.

“Travis is doing the same thing his parents did and it is just incredible,” Cartwright said.

“They have all been great contributors to our industry for many, many years.

“They have had very consistent dogs. I think Travis has got the same ethics that his parents have in the industry, he has a similar personality, as well.”

While Bill has struggled with his health in recent times, the kennel’s results have not dipped.

Cyndie has still churned out prolific numbers, underscored by being the reigning owner and trainer of the year in Brisbane.

“The Elsons’ domination of the owners’ and trainers’ premiership at Albion Park over the past decade speaks volumes for the quality of their kennel and the quality of their breeding and training,” long-time Albion Park club boss Luke Gatehouse said.

Racing Queensland extends its condolences to the Elson family.