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#1
06-29-2025, 02:30 PM
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D. Wayne Lukas, 89
They say no one is bigger than the game, but it feels fair to say that Wayne Lukas was certainly as big. Deepest condolences to Laurie, his grandchildren, the legion of industry participants he trained and influenced and his countless admirers..
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984. Last edited by Kasept : Yesterday at 04:17 AM. 
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#2
06-29-2025, 02:31 PM
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Churchill Downs News Release: Legendary Hall of Fame Trainer D. Wayne Lukas Passes Away at Age 89
Jun 29, 2025 Legendary Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas passed away peacefully at his home in Louisville, Ky. on Saturday night. He was 89. The following is a statement from the Lukas family: Racing Community, It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather, D. Wayne Lukas, who left this world peacefully yesterday evening at the age of 89, surrounded by family. Wayne devoted his life not only to horses but to the industry – developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the game by inviting unsuspecting fans into the winner’s circle. Whether he was boasting about a maiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derby winner or offering quiet words of advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every corner of the sport. His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family, and faith. As we grieve at his passing, we find peace in knowing he is now reunited with his beloved son, Jeff, whose memory he carried in his heart always. 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 program. He is survived by his devoted wife, Laurie Lynn Lukas; his grandchildren, Brady Wayne Lukas (Dani) and Kelly Lukas Roy (David); his great-grandchildren, Walker Wayne Lukas, Quinn Palmer Lukas, Jonathan James Roy, and Thomas David Roy; his sister, Dauna Lukas Moths; and his brother, Lowell Lukas. He also leaves behind an extended family of horsemen and horsewomen whose lives he shaped, mentored, and inspired. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Oaklawn or Churchill Backside Chaplaincy or the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance — two causes that Wayne held close to his heart. A private service will be held with immediate family, with a larger celebration of life to follow. Details will become available at a later date. With love and gratitude, The Lukas Family  ----------------------------------------- Lukas was hospitalized last week as he battled a severe infection that worsened his condition. He declined an aggressive treatment plan and returned home earlier this week to spend his remaining time with family. “A four-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, 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,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated. “We will miss his humor, his wisdom and his unmatched capacity to thrill the fans with the performances of his horses on our sport’s biggest days.”
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984. Last edited by Kasept : Yesterday at 04:16 AM.
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#5
Yesterday, 11:57 AM
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Statement to At the Races from Brad Kelley of Calumet Farm on the passing of D. Wayne Lukas: “We feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Wayne Lukas over the last several years, without a doubt one of the greatest trainers of all time. He was also every bit a gentleman; an intense personality always filled with the positive. Every encounter was a learning experience. He will be greatly missed by all.” 
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984. Last edited by Kasept : Yesterday at 12:21 PM.
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#6
Yesterday, 02:09 PM
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I was a new fan to the game in 1989, just 18 years old, and my brother and I ran into Lukas at Santa Anita one weekday. He took the time to talk to us for about 30 minutes in the paddock. He had a horse Houston that was pointing to the Derby. He also had the 2yo filly champion Open Mind, who I like better. I had the audacity to tell Lukas that Open Mind was his better shot. He laughed and said maybe so but they had paid $2.9 million for Houston and he was the Derby horse. I'll never forget the patience he showed to a young idiot and how he took time out of his day to talk to a couple of kids. He has been my favorite person in racing ever since.
Last year, while working on the East Coast, I went to Parx for the Penn Derby and got a chance to run into him after he left the winner's circle after Seize the Grey's win. He couldn't stop and talk but I was able to say a few words as he walked. I told him that my favorite quote of all time is "the difficult I can do right away, the impossible might take me a little bit longer." He stopped and looked and smiled and said "you're quoting me". I got a few pics of him that day and just seeing the reverence and respect he got from the crowd that day, it was special to see. RIP to the greatest.
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The real horses of the year (1986-2020) Manila, Java Gold, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Go for Wand, In Excess, Paseana, Kotashaan, Holy Bull, Cigar, Alphabet Soup, Formal Gold, Skip Away, Artax, Tiznow, Point Given, Azeri, Candy Ride, Smarty Jones, Ghostzapper, Invasor, Curlin, Zenyatta, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Wise Dan, Wise Dan, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Arrogate, Gun Runner, Accelerate, Maximum Security, Gamine
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