LOUISVILLE, Ky. — D. Wayne Lukas, a legendary figure in horse racing and Hall of Fame trainer, has been hospitalized and will be stepping away from training, as confirmed by Churchill Downs after discussions with his family. The 89-year-old trainer has been dealing with a severe infection that has recently worsened, leading him to decline an aggressive treatment plan in favor of returning home. His horses are now under the care of assistant trainer Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl.
Nicholl paid tribute to Lukas, stating, “Wayne built a legacy that will never be matched. Every decision I make, every horse I saddle, I’ll hear his voice in the back of my mind. This isn’t about filling his shoes — no one can. It’s about honoring everything that he’s built.”
Lukas is a prominent figure in horse racing history, with 15 Triple Crown victories, ranking second only to fellow Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. His remarkable career highlights include four Kentucky Derby wins since 1988 and a record-tying 20 Breeders Cup victories. His most recent Triple Crown success came last year when he trained Seize the Grey to victory in the Preakness, adding to his legacy of excellence.
Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson acknowledged Lukas’s monumental influence on the sport, stating, “Wayne is one of the greatest competitors and most important figures in Thoroughbred racing history. He transcended the sport of horse racing and took the industry to new levels.” He added that the impact of Lukas’s character and horsemanship will be profoundly missed during this trying time.
Lukas, known affectionately as “Coach” due to his previous career in high school basketball, maintained a hands-on approach to training, often arriving at the track early to work with his horses even as he nears his 90th birthday. His storied journey in racing began with quarter horses before transitioning to thoroughbreds in the late 1970s, with his first Preakness win coming in 1980 with Codex.
Throughout his illustrious career, Lukas has achieved 4,967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, accumulating more than $310 million in earnings from over 30,600 starts. His remarkable legacy serves as an inspiration to many within the racing community.
The news of Lukas’s hospitalization brings a sense of urgency to reflect on his contributions to the world of horse racing, and his esteemed legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence future generations of trainers and racing enthusiasts alike.