Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a winner of 15 Triple Crown races, dies at 89
Share this @internewscast.com

D. Wayne Lukas, a Hall of Fame trainer widely recognized as one of the most successful figures in horse racing history, has passed away at the age of 89.

According to his family, Lukas died at his home in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday night. He had been suffering from a severe MRSA blood infection that severely affected his heart and digestive system while also exacerbating existing chronic conditions.

“Wayne dedicated his entire life not only to training horses but also to enhancing the industry — nurturing generations of horse enthusiasts and expanding the sport by welcoming new fans into the winner’s circle,” his family shared in a statement. “Whether he was confidently predicting a maiden 2-year-old as a potential Kentucky Derby champion or gently offering advice before major races, Wayne infused the sport with heart, humility, and resilience. His final moments were spent peacefully at his Kentucky home, surrounded by family and guided by faith.”

Lukas won 15 Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby four times. Only good friend Bob Baffert has more Triple Crown victories, and Lukas owns a record-tying 20 in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

“The whole secret of this game, I think, is being able to read the horse: Read what he needs, what he doesn’t need, what he can’t do, what he can do,” Lukas said in May before his 34th and final Preakness Stakes. “That’s the whole key. Everybody’s got the blacksmith, everybody’s got to the same bed available, the feed man. We all can hire a good jockey. We all can hire a pretty good exercise rider if we’ve got the means, so what the hell is the difference? The horse is the difference and what we do with him in reading him.”

Lukas was affectionately known around the barns and the racetrack as “Coach” because he coached high school basketball before his professional career with horses began. Even with months to go before his 90th birthday, he would get up on his pony in the early morning hours and go out to the track himself, rather than letting his assistants do the day-to-day work.

Born Darnell Wayne Lukas on Sept. 2, 1935, in Wisconsin as the second of three children, he rose to prominence in the sport with quarter horses in races that are effectively sprints. He moved into thoroughbreds in the late 1970s and won his first Preakness with Codex in 1980.

Lukas has 4,967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, with his horses earning more than $310 million from more than 30,600 starts.

“Today we lost one of the great champions of Churchill Downs and one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said. “We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport’s biggest days.”

Achieving something of a career renaissance over the past decade, one he credits to finding the right owners willing to spend money on horses, Lukas won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey. Asked what motivates him to keep doing his job well into his late 80s, he gave a pep talk fit for a locker room before a big game.

“If you have a passion, you eliminate all the excuses,” Lukas said. “That’s how it works. You get up early. You go without a meal. You drive. You go without sleep — as long as you got the passion. Don’t let that sofa pull you down. It’s a little easy when that alarm goes off to say, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know if I really want to do this today.’ Erase that. The most important decision you’ll ever make in your life is your attitude decision. Make it early, and make the right one.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Father of Fallen Soldier from October 7th Attacks Expresses Gratitude to U.S.

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Japan on the Verge of Electing Its First Female Prime Minister

TOKYO — Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the new leader of…

Illinois Basketball Hosts 2025 Media Day Event

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Illinois men’s and women’s basketball hosted its annual…

Taylor Swift is Thrilled About Her Upcoming Album

Internet Explorer 11 is not supported. For the best experience, please visit…

Nationwide Toy Recall Issued Over Lead Concerns: CPSC

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Federal officials are encouraging people to destroy a toy…

Hegseth Reports on Recent Boat Strike Near Venezuela Linked to Drug Trafficking

WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that he had…

Tyrese Gibson Arrested for Alleged Animal Cruelty

IE 11 is not supported. To get the best experience, please visit…

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Receives 50-Month Prison Sentence

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Tony Shalhoub delves into world cultures through the lens of bread in his new CNN series ‘Breaking Bread.’

NEW YORK – Making bread requires flour, water, salt, and typically a…

“12-Year-Old Boy Arrested While Cycling, Leaves Him ‘Terrified and Traumatized'”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) – A North Carolina mother says her 12-year-old son…

Job Hiring Plans Hit Their Lowest Point Since 2009, Report Reveals

(NewsNation) — In September, U.S. employers reported a decrease in job cuts,…

New Paramount Building in Nashville Set to Become Tennessee’s Tallest Tower

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Changes are on the horizon for Nashville’s skyline.…