Legendary trainer Lukas dies at 89

New Paper

01-07-2025

LOUISVILLE - American Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who saddled four Kentucky Derby winners among his 15 winners of US Triple Crown races, has died at the age of 89, his family said on June 29.
In a statement released through Churchill Downs, the family said Lukas died at home on June 28 night, a week after a blood infection had sent him to hospital and he decided not to pursue aggressive treatment.
"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from all corners of the racing community - from racetracks across the country to lifelong friends and respected rivals, and from fans who never missed a post parade when 'Lukas' was listed in the programme," the family said.
Lukas was one of the most accomplished trainers in US racing history. His 15 Triple Crown victories are second only to Bob Baffert's 17 and he is tied with Ireland's Aidan O'Brien for most Breeders' Cup wins for a trainer with 20.
He saddled his most recent Triple Crown race winner in 2024 with Seize The Grey in the Preakness Stakes - his seventh Preakness triumph.
"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," Bill Carstanjen, chief executive of Churchill Downs Incorporated, said in a statement.
"We will miss his humour, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport's biggest days."
The Breeders' Cup issued a statement hailing Lukas' innovative training approach and a legacy that "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."
National Thoroughbred Racing Association president Tom Rooney said it was "hard to imagine" racing without Lukas.
"His horsemanship reshaped the sport," said Rooney. "If there's a Mount Rushmore of trainers, D. Wayne Lukas is on it."
Churchill Downs had confirmed last week that the horses in Lukas' care had been transferred to his veteran assistant of over 20 years, Sebastian "Bas" Nicholl.
In a career spanning six decades, Lukas amassed 4,967 documented thoroughbred wins, and more than US$310 million (S$395 million) from more than 30,600 starters. He trained 26 Eclipse Award winners, including three that were named Horse of the Year.
By coincidence, on the same day, another legendary trainer died on the other side of the Atlantic, Englishman Barry Hills, aged 88.
The Lambourn-based trainer chalked up more than 3,200 wins during a career lasting over 40 years, including majors both at home and overseas.
Hills won 10 British and Irish classics, including the 2,000 Guineas with Tap On Wood in 1979 and the 1,000 Guineas with Ghanaati in 2009, but probably achieved his career highlight in France with Rheingold in the 1973 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
His son Charlie took over his Faringdon Place stables when he retired in 2011 - he overcame serious illnesses and throat cancer to carry on training - but he temporarily returned when his other son John - ex-Kranji trainer James Peters' former boss - died in 2014.
His two twin sons Michael and Richard were both successful jockeys, but do not train.
AFP