Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, winner of 15 Triple Crown races, dies at 89, his family says
Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, winner of 15 Triple Crown races, dies at 89, his family says. in this topic
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37 minutes ago
D. Wayne Lukas death: Horse racing pays tribute to Hall of Fame trainer
___ 'To borrow from the great writer Joe Hirsch: There once was a trainer named D. Wayne Lukas, but only once.' — Larry Collmus, race caller for NBC's Triple Crown coverage, via X. ___ 'Few people have left as profound a mark on the sport of horse racing as D. Wayne Lukas. Over nearly five decades, he shaped champions on the track and in the breeding shed — and mentored generations of horsemen and horsewomen who carry his legacy forward.' — Spendthrift Farm via X. ___ 'We are heartbroken but also are tremendously grateful that horse racing had Wayne for as long as we did and were able to benefit from his horsemanship, trendsetting, charismatic way of creating new fans as well as his friendship and mentorship for so many of us.' — Dale Romans, trainer and president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, in a statement. ___ 'Growing up, D. Wayne Lukas was a towering figure. He owned the Triple Crown series and his '99 near-miss with Charismatic remains a cherished memory. Cheering him on as the years passed and he refused to quit and seemed instead to defy time has been a joy. RIP to a true legend.' — Steve Kornacki, NBC Sports contributor, via X. 'His impact at Keeneland — where he was a presence for nearly 50 years -– is not likely to be seen again. Since buying his first horse here in 1977, he influenced yearling sales through his emphasis on conformation and body type while affecting the way horses were bred and prepped to produce yearlings that would appeal to him.' — Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland Race Course, in a statement. ___ "It is hard to imagine Thoroughbred racing without the presence of D. Wayne Lukas. His passion for the sport was unparalleled, and his legacy will live on in the Champions he trained and the numerous men and women he mentored along the way. His horsemanship reshaped the sport, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. If there's a Mount Rushmore of horse trainers, D. Wayne Lukas is on it.' — National Thoroughbred Racing Association in a statement. ___ 'Not only did Wayne leave his mark on the Breeders' Cup and the sport of Thoroughbred racing with his innovative training approach, but his legacy continues through the many horsemen who came up under his astute guidance before finding tremendous success on their own. The dedication, discipline, passion, and insight with which he ran his operation will serve as an inspiration for many generations.' — Breeders' Cup Ltd. via X. ___ 'A truly transformational figure, it is fitting that Wayne's fulltime foray into Thoroughbred racing began in 1977 with a Santa Anita Park winner named Current Concept, as his successful training concept set a course for generations of horsemen and women who sprouted from the Lukas training tree. His on-track success was such that it was easy to overlook his outstanding horsemanship that we were lucky to often witness back at his barn, away from the spotlight.' — Santa Anita Park in a statement.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Photos of cockfighting in Afghan capital show a bloody pastime thriving in the shadows
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — When a cockfight begins in Kabul, the noise is immediate. Roars of 'Hit!' and 'Kill!' erupt among spectators as two birds lunge at each other, feathers and blood flying. This centuries-old blood sport, once a common winter pastime, now takes place year-round in the Afghan capital, driven not just by tradition but by poverty, unemployment and desperation. The Taliban has outlawed cockfighting since seizing power in 2021. Yet the fights continue. Men gather in makeshift tents, gardens and back alleys clutching cash and preparing their birds like prized athletes. They cool down their roosters with scarves, even spraying water onto the creatures with their mouths to revive them. Claws are tied. Beaks are sharpened. Sometimes, the birds get energy boosters. Fights can last several rounds, with pauses to clean wounds and reset feathers. Victory is declared when one bird can no longer continue. Occasionally, the violence spills outside the ring. Disputes flare over bets, leading to physical fights. Elders, known as 'white beards,' intervene to calm tensions before the next bout. Cockfighting isn't just a game. It's a livelihood, a gamble and, for many, an obsession. Betting can leave families destitute or suddenly wealthy. Mohammad, 63, a cockfighting veteran, has seen lives transformed and destroyed over decades. He recalls how a man and his two sons died in a recent fight that turned fatal. Poor men have bought homes with their winnings and rich men have lost everything, he says. Some owners treat their birds better than their own families, spending money meant for groceries on special feed and medicine. They give the roosters warrior names and speak of them with deep affection. Despite the bloodshed and illegality, the fights endure. In a city shaped by conflict, cockfighting remains a brutal escape, a form of control and pride. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Photos of cockfighting in Afghan capital show a bloody pastime thriving in the shadows
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — When a cockfight begins in Kabul, the noise is immediate. Roars of 'Hit!' and 'Kill!' erupt among spectators as two birds lunge at each other, feathers and blood flying. This centuries-old blood sport, once a common winter pastime, now takes place year-round in the Afghan capital, driven not just by tradition but by poverty, unemployment and desperation. The Taliban has outlawed cockfighting since seizing power in 2021. Yet the fights continue. Men gather in makeshift tents, gardens and back alleys clutching cash and preparing their birds like prized athletes. They cool down their roosters with scarves, even spraying water onto the creatures with their mouths to revive them. Claws are tied. Beaks are sharpened. Sometimes, the birds get energy boosters. Fights can last several rounds, with pauses to clean wounds and reset feathers. Victory is declared when one bird can no longer continue. Occasionally, the violence spills outside the ring. Disputes flare over bets, leading to physical fights. Elders, known as 'white beards,' intervene to calm tensions before the next bout. Cockfighting isn't just a game. It's a livelihood, a gamble and, for many, an obsession. Betting can leave families destitute or suddenly wealthy. Mohammad, 63, a cockfighting veteran, has seen lives transformed and destroyed over decades. He recalls how a man and his two sons died in a recent fight that turned fatal. Poor men have bought homes with their winnings and rich men have lost everything, he says. Some owners treat their birds better than their own families, spending money meant for groceries on special feed and medicine. They give the roosters warrior names and speak of them with deep affection. Despite the bloodshed and illegality, the fights endure. In a city shaped by conflict, cockfighting remains a brutal escape, a form of control and pride. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
