The Holmes Family: Headed by Free Holmes, known as “the grand old man of trotting”, the Holmes family figured either as leading trainers or horsemen from the early 1920s onwards. In his younger days Free Holmes rode gallopers on the flat, over hurdles, and steeplechasers' and trained and owned thoroughbreds. He was immediately successful in trotting, training and driving many winners. He was the leading trainer in 1922–23. His sons, F. G., Maurice, and Alan have also distinguished themselves in the sport. F. G. was the leading horseman in 1927–28, Maurice has been a leading horseman 11 times since 1930–31 and Alan was equal leading horseman of the 1945–46 season. Alan owned, trained, and drove Gold Bar, a cup winner and one of the fastest horses to race in New Zealand. All three sons have trained many winners.

The Bryce Family: James Bryce, his wife, and five children arrived in New Zealand in 1913 from Scotland, where he had been a trainer and driver. He brought two horses with him and settled in Christchurch. Recognised as one of the greatest trainers this country has known, James Bryce trained the winners of six New Zealand Cups. When he was established he built the most modern stables in the country at that time, including a swimming pool for the horses. In all he was eight times a leading trainer. His two sons, Andrew and James, have driven many winners. Andrew was the trainer of Jewel Derby, the idol of the Alexandra Park Raceway. Jewel Derby won eight races before being sent to America.

J. S. Shaw: A leading driver and trainer both of gallopers and of trotters, J. S. Shaw was a stipendiary steward for the New Zealand Trotting Conference for nine years. He was the trainer of the champion galloper Beaumaris and made history by being the first New Zealander to take a horse and race it in America. This was the trotter Vodka, in 1956.

F. J. Smith will always be remembered as the most immaculate driver in trotting history. Born in England, he came to New Zealand in 1929 and brought with him an American-bred trotting mare. He was soon established and became a leading trainer-driver in the 1932–33 season. He had been a leading trainer in England and spent some time in America studying methods there before coming to this country. During his 18 seasons in New Zealand he was the leading trainer six times and the leading driver seven times.