D. Wayne Lukas, an iconic figure in the realm of horse racing and long-time advocate for the sport, has passed away at the age of 89. His family confirmed his passing occurred on Saturday night at his residence in Louisville, Kentucky. Lukas had been grappling with a severe MRSA infection, which had significantly impacted his heart and digestive system, while exacerbating existing chronic ailments.
“Wayne’s life was dedicated not just to training horses but to nurturing the industry as a whole,” his family reflected in a statement. “He mentored numerous horsemen and horsewomen and was instrumental in widening the sport’s appeal by engaging fans. Whether heralding a maiden 2-year-old as a future Kentucky Derby champion or offering sage counsel prior to a major race, Wayne consistently embodied heart, elegance, and determination across the sport’s landscape. His final days were marked by his embrace of peace, family, and faith at home in Kentucky.”
Lukas leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having clinched 15 Triple Crown victories, including four Kentucky Derby titles. His close friend, Bob Baffert, is the only trainer to surpass him in Triple Crown triumphs. Moreover, Lukas holds a record of 20 wins in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Reflecting on the sport in May prior to his last Preakness Stakes, Lukas suggested, “The essence of this game is understanding the horse: knowing his needs and limitations. That’s the key. Everyone shares access to quality resources like blacksmiths, feed, and skilled jockeys. The differentiator is the horse and deciphering how best to guide him.”
Lukas was affectionately nicknamed “Coach” due to his background as a high school basketball coach before embarking on his illustrious horse training career. Approaching his 90th year, he maintained the routine of personally riding his pony during early morning track sessions, favoring hands-on involvement over delegating tasks to assistants.
Born Darnell Wayne Lukas on September 2, 1935, in Wisconsin, Lukas stood out in quarter horse racing before transitioning to thoroughbreds in the late 1970s, marking his initial Preakness victory with Codex in 1980. Throughout his career, he accrued 4,967 thoroughbred racing wins, with total earnings exceeding $310 million from over 30,600 starts.
Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen remarked, “Today, we’ve lost one of Churchill Downs’ legendary champions and a pivotal figure in thoroughbred racing over the past half-century. His humor, wisdom, and extraordinary ability to captivate fans with his horses’ performances on the biggest stage will be sorely missed.”
In recent years, Lukas experienced a resurgence in his career, attributed to partnering with committed owners willing to invest in promising horses. Highlighting this, he secured the Preakness with Seize the Grey last year. When asked about his enduring motivation in his late 80s, Lukas conveyed a message reminiscent of a motivational locker room speech.
“If you possess passion, excuses vanish,” Lukas affirmed. “That’s the secret. You rise early, skip meals, drive, and forego sleep—all driven by passion. Don’t succumb to the couch’s allure. When the alarm sounds and you question the day ahead, dismiss the doubt. The crucial choice you make is your attitude. Decide early and choose wisely.”