D. Wayne Lukas’ Training Career is Over

One of the most influential figures in Thoroughbred racing, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, has been hospitalized in Louisville, Kentucky, and will not be returning to training, reports bloodhorse.com. The 89-year-old, who has battled a severe infection, has declined further aggressive treatment and is preparing to return home to spend his remaining days with his wife Laurie, grandchildren Brady Wayne Lukas (Dani) and Kelly Roy (David), and great-grandchildren Johnny Roy, Thomas Roy, Walker Wayne Lukas, and Quinn Palmer Lukas. The Lukas family has asked for privacy during what is a challenging time. Lukas’ horses have already transitioned into the care of his trusted longtime assistant Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl, following a well-prepared succession plan by Lukas Enterprises Inc. Nicholl, a former British Army captain and Gulf War veteran, has been a key figure in Lukas' operation since 2002. "Wayne built a legacy that will never be matched," Nicholl said. "Every decision I make, every horse I saddle, I'll hear his voice in the back of my mind. This isn't about filling his shoes – no one can – it's about honouring everything that he's built." Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, Lukas reshaped the sport over a career that spanned six decades. A pioneer of the modern training stable, he won 4,967 races and over $301 million in earnings, with 1,105 stakes wins, 637 of them graded. His record includes 15 wins in US 3YO Triple Crown races, 20 Breeders’ Cup victories (a record he shares), and 26 Eclipse Award champions, including three Horses of the Year. He captured the Kentucky Derby four times and the Kentucky Oaks five times. Just last year, Seize The Grey gave him one final classic triumph in the Preakness Stakes (see below). His last win came earlier this month with Tour Player, a horse transferred to him by close friend Bob Baffert. Tributes have poured in from across the industry. “Wayne is one of the greatest competitors and most important figures in Thoroughbred racing history,” said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs. “He transcended the sport of horse racing and took the industry to new levels. The lasting impact of his character and wisdom, from his acute horsemanship to his unmatched attention to detail, will be truly missed.” From his early days at Santa Anita in the late 1970s, where his immaculate barn setups became a signature, to revolutionising coast-to-coast campaigning with his elite satellite stables, Lukas’ legacy is as enduring as it is unmatched. Perhaps his most enduring quip remains why, when asked by a reporter why he didn’t have a catalogue when inspecting yearlings, he replied that, as it was an elite sale, he assumed that all the youngsters were well bred.