D. Wayne Lukas, Legendary Trainer, Dies at 89

D. Wayne Lukas, the Hall‑of‑Fame trainer behind 15 Triple Crown victories, has passed away at age 89. His family confirmed he died Saturday at his home in Louisville after choosing to spend his final days surrounded by loved ones following a severe MRSA infection.

Lukas revolutionized American horse racing over a career spanning seven decades. He won four Kentucky Derbys, seven Preakness Stakes—that includes Seize the Grey in 2024, making him the oldest trainer ever to win a Triple Crown race—and four Belmont Stakes, totaling 15 Triple Crown victories.

He also matched the record for Breeders’ Cup victories with 20, and was a four-time Eclipse Award winner. His career earnings topped $300 million, with nearly 5,000 thoroughbred wins from over 30,000 starts.

Originally a high school basketball coach in Wisconsin, Lukas transitioned to Quarter Horse training in the late 1960s before moving into Thoroughbreds in 1977. His early success with horses like Winning Colors and Thunder Gulch cemented his reputation.

Known for his rigorous approach—traveling by private jet, helicopter, and car—he became America’s first “national trainer,” with operations from coast to coast. His management style revolutionized stable operations, earning praise for its professionalism and precision.

A respected mentor, Lukas helped launch the careers of trainers such as Todd Pletcher and Kiaran McLaughlin. Even into his late 80s, he remained hands‑on at the barn, up early each morning to saddle and work his horses.

The horse racing world responded with tributes, including calling Lukas “a magician” and a cornerstone of Churchill Downs. “If there’s a Mount Rushmore of horse trainers, D. Wayne Lukas is on it,” stated the NTRA.

Funeral arrangements are pending; a public tribute will be announced shortly.