Harness racing is mourning the passing of Greg Norman, who lost his 15-month battle with cancer on Tuesday at the age of 61.
A third-generation member of the Norman family steeped in tradition, Greg was the son of accomplished trainer Rex and grandson of Reg, who put the polish on the 1960 South Australian Cup winner and champion sire, Aachen.
The Group 1-winning horseman trained and drove his first winner Abenteuer at Gawler in 1985, leading into a total of 577 victories as a trainer.
The South Australian-born Norman enjoyed two stints in Victoria.
The first was as private trainer for Jim Amalfi where he prepared Tsonga to win the Breeders Crown 4YO Trotters Final.
In 2019, Norman relocated to the Charlton Training Centre before returning home to South Australia in January last year following his cancer diagnosis.
Norman enjoyed success working for prominent South Australian breeders and owners, the Cormack family.
Adam Cormack recalls his friendship with Norman.
“We had a lot of fun with our association with Greg,” Cormack said.
“He trained big race winners for us including Blue Coman, Aladdin, Belladonna Girl and Apieceoflou.
“He won many of the Sires and Southern Cross finals here in Adelaide.”
Cormack said he had been in regular contact with Norman during the past 12 months.
“We would speak every second day, and I went into to see him in hospital on Tuesday and sadly he passed away that night with his wife Lisa by his side,” he said.
“He was an outstanding horseman and a great bloke.”
Harness Racing Victoria Chairman Bernard Saundry, on behalf of the entire industry, extends his sincere condolences to Norman’s family and friends.
