Farewell to D. Wayne Lukas, the Trainer Who Forever Changed the History of Racing

An Icon of American Racing, He Was 89; Won Four Kentucky Derbys and 20 Breeders’ Cup Races; His Legacy Transcended Victories

D. Wayne Lukas Mentored a Generation of Top Trainers / KEENELAND

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- The global racing community woke up Sunday to heartbreaking news: D. Wayne Lukas, at age 89 and surrounded by his family’s love, passed away peacefully at his Kentucky home after battling a severe infection in recent days. His departure marks the end of an era—indeed, of many eras—for few figures have transformed this industry as profoundly and for as long as he did.

With four Kentucky Derby (G1) victories and 20 Breeders’ Cup trophies to his name, Lukas was far more than a winning trainer. He was a revolutionary, an indefatigable mentor of jockeys, assistants, and trainers, and a tireless ambassador for the sport, speaking with the same enthusiasm to a billionaire owner as he did to an anonymous fan leaning over the rail.

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

A Pioneer With Heart

Lukas began his Thoroughbred journey after an initial career training Quarter Horses and quickly broke the mold, becoming the first trainer to professionalize stable operations on a grand scale—methods that would be replicated by generations to come.

He was the master behind champions like Lady’s Secret (Secretariat), Winning Colors (Caro), Serena’s Song (Rahy), Timber Country (Woodman), Thunder Gulch (Gulch), Charismatic (Summer Squall), and countless others. Each of his major victories remains etched in racing’s memory, as do his words of encouragement, his unmistakable paddock presence, his ever-present sunglasses, and that signature white cowboy hat he wore walking the backstretch.

A true “trainer of trainers,” his barn shaped some of today’s leading horsemen, including Todd Pletcher, Dallas Stewart, Kiaran McLaughlin, Mike Maker, Mark Hennig, George Weaver, and Mike Marlow. On the racetrack, he provided career-defining opportunities to riders such as Pat Day, Gary Stevens, Chris Antley, Corey Nakatani, and Rafael Bejarano.

The Man Behind the Legend

Despite his immense success, Lukas remained a humble man deeply devoted to the sport. In his final days, he chose to forego aggressive treatment and instead returned home to say goodbye in peace, surrounded by his wife Laurie Lynn, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and holding close the memory of his son Jeff, whom he lost tragically and whose name remained etched on his soul forever.

“Wayne dedicated his life not only to horses but to the entire industry,” his family shared in a statement. “He developed generations of professionals and brought racing closer to thousands of people who might never have dreamed of standing in a winner’s circle. He spoke about a maiden colt as if it were the next Derby winner and always had the perfect words of advice before a big race. He embodied the heart, grace, and courage of this sport.”

An Eternal Legacy

Beyond his biological family, Lukas leaves behind a vast extended family of thousands within the racing world who admired and loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Oaklawn or Churchill Backside Chaplaincy or the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, two causes deeply aligned with his lifelong dedication to service.

A private ceremony will be held in the coming days, with a public celebration of his life to be announced at a later date, befitting a man who gave so much to the sport.

D. Wayne Lukas has left us. But his imprint runs so deep and so vivid that his legacy will forever gallop on in the heart of racing.