The Gath Family is undoubtedly the most famous one in Harness Racing with the first Melbourne Metropolitan win registered by George Gath behind the grey mare Edna Direct on the now defunct Richmond circuit on June 27 1927.

An inaugural Hall of Fame inductee, George was the second person to be elevated to Legend status, the first being Gordon Rothacker.

George Gath had four brothers that drove winners at Melbourne metropolitan tracks – Norman Gath, Trevor “Snowy” Gath, Peter Gath and Albert “Darkie” Gath. His sister Mabel who was a super keen follower of her brother’s fortunes on the track married Jack Aughey and her son

John Aughey, drove one country winner and later became a renowned auctioneer of yearling sale records before a stint as Secretary of the Australian and Inter Dominion Trotting Council.

George Gath’s champion trotting genes were passed on to his two Hall of Fame sons Neville and Brian, while his daughter Muriel married Julian Sampson, who became part owner of the Victoria Trotters Derby winner Rodillo Bronze, trained of course by his father-in-law George.

Neville Gath, regarded by many as the most gifted of all the Gath dynasty in the sulky, is the father of four sons who have all registered wins on

Melbourne metropolitan tracks – Philip, David, Glenn and Andy, the latter doing so solely as a trainer. Several of the Gaths have dabbled at being jockeys with minor success – George, Brian and Phillip.

Andy Gath, a multiple winner of the Melbourne Metropolitan Trainers Premiership has been able to achieve those titles thanks to the exceptional driving skills of two women he married – Kerryn Manning and later Kate Thompson.

With respect to Premierships the Gath name has an impressive CV.

Drivers Premierships have been won by George (four), Neville (three), Brian (four), Kerryn (four) and Kate (three) while Trainer Premierships have been captured by George (four), Brian (one) and Andy (four). In addition George won two Adelaide Drivers premierships and three Adelaide

Trainers Premierships and Norman was leading Adelaide trainer on three occasions. Albert “Darkie” Gath has finished in the Top 5 Melbourne Drivers List and Trevor “Snowy” Gath has a Top Five Melbourne Training credit.

Never forget either all the wives and children that figure as the breeders and/or in the ownership of Melbourne winners.

CLICK HERE for a list, in chronological order, or every winner the Gath name has been associated with as a driver and trainer up to and including August 31, 2025. The totals are stunning.

2,916 DRIVING VICTORIES – 1,755 TRAINING VICTORIES