Ellouise Maguire has always been in a rush to be part of the greyhound racing scene.
The fifth-generation participant from the Hunter region applied for her trainer’s license as soon as she turned 18 in January.
She was one of the first in the state to gain her junior attendants permit which allowed her to catch greyhounds at trials.
Heck, Ellouise was so desperate to get into the sport, she had her first day at a racetrack just days after she was born.
"Mum [Rachael Maguire] gave birth to me on a Wednesday and I was at The Gardens for the races two days later on a Friday…so the dogs have literally always been part of my life," she laughed.
The Williamstown-based youngster notching up her first winner as a trainer last week after Gretzky claimed a heat of ‘The Cheeto’ at The Gardens.
“It was a bit surreal because just before his race, I was watching an old replay from a start he had at The Gardens with [former trainer] Joe Mcfadyen,” she added.
“He had the same Box 1 draw from the 400m start and he came out and flew to win that race…not long after watching that replay, he did the same thing for me.”
Gretzky scoring Maguire’s maiden race victory by ¾ of a length in 22.57 and running roughly half of a length off his PB at track and trip.
A dream result for a combination brought together by Mcfadyen and the generous, Gerard Daffy.
“I used to help Joe out with his dogs and Gretzky was always one dog I loved being around,” Maguire said.
“I asked Joe one day if Gerard would be interested in selling him to me. Joe asked and Gerard said “if you know he’ll go to a good home, Ellouise can have him for free.”
Gretzky is a litter brother to reigning 715 winner, Autumn Storm
The win also bringing mixed emotions for Maguire who sadly lost her nan and prominent greyhound figure, Eileen Robertson, to illness in 2024.
“It’s been a pretty challenging period,” she said.
“My pop [Gary] came to the track to watch Gretzky in the heat and he said to me afterwards, “I just want to call Nan and tell her you got your first winner and you made the final”. We all miss her everyday.”
“Every time I went to nan and pops as a kid, I’d help out with the dogs and that’s what got me into the sport. Nan and pop taught me everything I know, I was always watching and learning different things.”
Eileen Robertson (right) with Ellouise (left) after a winner at The Gardens in 2023
Maguire and her family then dealt another cruel blow with her step dad, Robert Groizard, passing away in July last year.
“He had emphysema and other lung issues from when he was a builder growing up,” she said.
“He would occasionally get these breathing flare ups so we thought it might have been one of those but he said something was really wrong and asked mum to call and ambulance. Once the ambulance officers got here, he had a big heart attack. He was in intensive care for a week but there was nothing they could do.”
“I always used to joke with dad that I would become a better trainer than him and there are moments I want to talk to him and Nan and tell them what’s been happening.”
“I know they’d both be looking down proudly though.”
Maguire and Gretzky sure to be the sentimental favourites for Saturday night’s ‘The Cheeto’ final, even if a wide draw makes winning a difficult proposition.
“Box 8 is not really what I was hoping for but Nan and Pop were mates with Ken Cheetham growing up so it would be pretty special to win,” she added.
“I think Tony Forbes’ dog [Quick Thinkin’] is the one to beat. I’m hoping ‘Landon’ (Gretzky’s kennel name) can do it but the box might be against us this time.”
‘The Cheeto’ final is Race 8 on The Gardens program on Saturday night at 9:35pm.
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