D. Wayne Lukas death: Horse racing pays tribute to Hall of Fame trainer
FILE - Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sits atop his horse as he watches morning workouts against the backdrop of a large tent set up in the infield before sunrise at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 25, 2009.
Ed Reinke/AP
FILE - American Promise trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks on prior to the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Julio Cortez/AP
FILE - Seize The Grey's trainer D. Wayne Lukas, left, shakes hands with with Bob Baffert, Imagination's trainer, after Lukas' horse won the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 18, 2024, in Baltimore.
Julia Nikhinson/AP
Notable reaction to the death of thoroughbred trainer D. Wayne Lukas:
___
'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.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
___
'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.
___
'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.
___
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
"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.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
___
AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
43 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Oliver Giroud admits he "didn't fit" LAFC, but is eager to "challenge myself one more time" at Lille
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud admits his brief tenure at Los Angeles FC was disappointing, although he will cherish the friendships and the trophy he gathered during his year in Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old striker is eager to play once again in France after 13 years away, and he confirmed Sunday night that he will join Lille to take on one more challenge in his storied career. The top goal-scorer in the history of the French national team said farewell to LAFC by going scoreless and coming off with what he called tendon pain after 60 minutes in a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Giroud had a golden opportunity to score in front of goal early in the second half, but volleyed a pass from Denis Bouanga over the bar. Giroud was still given a standing ovation by the BMO Stadium fans who stayed firmly behind him while he scored just five goals in 38 matches for their club. 'I wish I could have had a bigger impact on the team, on the results,' Giroud said. 'At the end, it was a good experience. Obviously I can't stay longer, so I need a new chapter. I need to challenge myself one more time, and when I had the opportunity to come back (to) France, I just grabbed it. I wish nothing but the best for the club. I tried hard. I tried my best.' Giroud was under contract until the end of the current MLS season, but LAFC and Giroud mutually agreed to part ways so he could leave on a free transfer. He confirmed he will soon join Lille, which finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season to earn a Europa League place. 'I think the French people are happy that Paul Pogba, myself are coming back in the French league,' Giroud said of his Monaco-bound friend and teammate on France's World Cup-winning team in 2018. 'If you would have asked me a few years before, I would have answered you that was not the plan to come back, but you never know, and never say no,' Giroud added. 'I think this club ticked a lot of boxes for me and for my family. (I) hope that I can be helpful for the team, being a leader and a link-up player on the field, but (also) off the pitch between the youngsters and the staff. I'm excited because we also play Europa League. It's very positive. It's a big club in France, Lille. Top five.' Giroud hasn't played in Ligue 1 since 2012, when he left Montpellier for the start of his famed six-year tenure at Arsenal. He subsequently won the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea before winning Serie A with AC Milan. Giroud moved to LAFC in July 2024, but he now acknowledges he never fit into the system played by LAFC and its championship-winning coach, Steve Cherundolo — who is also leaving the club this fall. 'If you know football, you understand that in one sense, yeah, I didn't really fit to maybe the game style, I would say,' Giroud said. 'Just being honest. I try to adapt. I try my best one more time, but I can't do something I'm not used to (doing) and I don't know how to do.' Cherundolo favors a transition game emphasizing counterattacks and play up the sides, which doesn't mesh with Giroud's 38-year-old pace up the middle. In a scenario familiar across MLS, LAFC struggled to find a playmaker capable of providing service to an elite goal-scorer like Giroud, who excels on crosses in the box. Giroud was relegated to a substitute role in most matches despite wearing the No. 9 shirt, and he made a major impact in only a handful of outings — most memorably his goal in LAFC's victory in the U.S. Open Cup final last year. 'We did not use the cross a lot, which is my main strength in the box,' Giroud said. 'And yeah, I had the feeling that we would play a lot in transition, so it's not the best for me. ... I know what I can bring to the team, but I know what I can't do also. I think it's time to say goodbye now, and one more time to wish all the best to the boys because I love them. I will miss LA, but on the other hand, I'm really excited to have another challenge.' ___
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Oliver Giroud admits he 'didn't fit' LAFC, but is eager to 'challenge myself one more time' at Lille
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud admits his brief tenure at Los Angeles FC was disappointing, although he will cherish the friendships and the trophy he gathered during his year in Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old striker is eager to play once again in France after 13 years away, and he confirmed Sunday night that he will join Lille to take on one more challenge in his storied career. The top goal-scorer in the history of the French national team said farewell to LAFC by going scoreless and coming off with what he called tendon pain after 60 minutes in a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps . Giroud had a golden opportunity to score in front of goal early in the second half, but volleyed a pass from Denis Bouanga over the bar. Giroud was still given a standing ovation by the BMO Stadium fans who stayed firmly behind him while he scored just five goals in 38 matches for their club. 'I wish I could have had a bigger impact on the team, on the results,' Giroud said. 'At the end, it was a good experience. Obviously I can't stay longer, so I need a new chapter. I need to challenge myself one more time, and when I had the opportunity to come back (to) France, I just grabbed it. I wish nothing but the best for the club. I tried hard. I tried my best.' Giroud was under contract until the end of the current MLS season, but LAFC and Giroud mutually agreed to part ways so he could leave on a free transfer. He confirmed he will soon join Lille, which finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season to earn a Europa League place. 'I think the French people are happy that Paul Pogba, myself are coming back in the French league,' Giroud said of his Monaco-bound friend and teammate on France's World Cup-winning team in 2018. 'If you would have asked me a few years before, I would have answered you that was not the plan to come back, but you never know, and never say no,' Giroud added. 'I think this club ticked a lot of boxes for me and for my family. (I) hope that I can be helpful for the team, being a leader and a link-up player on the field, but (also) off the pitch between the youngsters and the staff. I'm excited because we also play Europa League. It's very positive. It's a big club in France, Lille. Top five.' Giroud hasn't played in Ligue 1 since 2012, when he left Montpellier for the start of his famed six-year tenure at Arsenal. He subsequently won the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea before winning Serie A with AC Milan. Giroud moved to LAFC in July 2024, but he now acknowledges he never fit into the system played by LAFC and its championship-winning coach, Steve Cherundolo — who is also leaving the club this fall. 'If you know football, you understand that in one sense, yeah, I didn't really fit to maybe the game style, I would say,' Giroud said. 'Just being honest. I try to adapt. I try my best one more time, but I can't do something I'm not used to (doing) and I don't know how to do.' Cherundolo favors a transition game emphasizing counterattacks and play up the sides, which doesn't mesh with Giroud's 38-year-old pace up the middle. In a scenario familiar across MLS, LAFC struggled to find a playmaker capable of providing service to an elite goal-scorer like Giroud, who excels on crosses in the box. Giroud was relegated to a substitute role in most matches despite wearing the No. 9 shirt, and he made a major impact in only a handful of outings — most memorably his goal in LAFC's victory in the U.S. Open Cup final last year. 'We did not use the cross a lot, which is my main strength in the box,' Giroud said. 'And yeah, I had the feeling that we would play a lot in transition, so it's not the best for me. ... I know what I can bring to the team, but I know what I can't do also. I think it's time to say goodbye now, and one more time to wish all the best to the boys because I love them. I will miss LA, but on the other hand, I'm really excited to have another challenge.' ___ AP soccer:
an hour 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.
