Life Member of the Month – April – Alan Greeff
Champions Day was filled with exciting racing, thrilling finishes, and a special moment for Alan Greeff as he saddled his very first runner at Turffontein, Golden Palm, who stormed to victory in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Nursery (Gr2). The Racehorse Owners Association is thrilled to feature Alan as our Life Member of the Month.
Alan has firmly etched his name into South African horseracing, carrying forward the proud legacy of his legendary father, the late Stanley Greeff. After completing his schooling, Alan joined the army where he worked as a farrier – a fitting role that deepened his connection to horses. He then pursued his trainer’s license and stepped into the demanding yet rewarding world of professional training. After the army, Alan worked for Terence Millard during his last season as a trainer and then went on to work for Tony Millard. Thereafter, he went to America before coming home to work with his father and took over the reins in August of 1995.
Alan won the Eastern Cape Champion Trainer Award numerous times since the start of his career in 1995, he claimed the accolade at last year’s East Cape Awards and has continued with an astounding 2025 season thus far. He has shares in Luna Halo, who is a consistent filly, as well as Bournemouth who has won his last three starts, including the Glenlair Trophy (NB) earlier in April. His favorite memory is winning his first Grade 1 race, the Gold Cup at Greyville Racecourse on the 4th of August 2001 with a horse named Cereus. When asked about how he felt when Golden Palm won on Champions Day, he said: “I was over the moon that a plan has come together”.
Alan’s stable is a true family affair, with his loved ones playing an integral role in its day-to-day operations. His wife Glenifer and their daughter Cailin are both assistant trainers and maintain the administrative duties that come along with running a stable. Their other daughter Justine is a stable employee. Their support has been instrumental in maintaining the success and consistency for which the Greeff name is known.
As a Life Member of the ROA, Alan values the support and added stake bonuses offered by the Association. These incentives, he believes, play an important role in rewarding success and encouraging continued excellence in the sport. Outside of racing, Alan has a deep appreciation for South African wildlife and the Kruger National Park is one of his favorite escapes.
We wish Alan, his wife, daughters and his mom a wonderful remainder of the season and many more winners across the country!
