Reaction from the racing world following the death of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who passed away on Saturday night (June 28). The Lukas family issued a statement on Sunday. Lukas was 89.
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“Wayne has a special aura about him. He had a knack for making others feel seen and valued. He was uniquely charming and an eternal optimist. In one of my last conversations with him, we talked about looking at the glass half full and continuing to compete in what he called the big arena. To his final days, he was a relentless competitor. He set out with ambitious goals and achieved them all. One of the things that made Wayne so special was the steadfast love and support of his wife, Laurie, an excellent horsewoman in her own right, and his grandchildren. Wayne impacted the lives of so many people in racing and raised the bar for all of us. He was the epitome of excellence, and I’ll miss him every day for the rest of my life.”
A touching moment just now at @ChurchillDowns — Outrider Greg Blasi led D. Wayne Lukas’ pony to the track in tribute to the Hall of Fame trainer pic.twitter.com/7xo2DIb8Om
— Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) June 30, 2025
“We are heart-broken but also are tremendously grateful that horse racing had Wayne for as long as we did and were able to benefit from his horsemanship, trend-setting, charismatic way of creating new fans as well as his friendship and mentorship for so many of us.”
“D. Wayne Lukas’ vision and creativity transformed horse racing forever. He achieved success on a scale without precedent and developed a generation of trainers who continue to shape the future of the sport. New York’s racing community and fans will miss Wayne, and we look forward to celebrating his life and legacy this summer at Saratoga Race Course.”
"He's meant so much to so many people, to the entire industry. He's been the face of racing for as long as I can remember. His achievements are unparalleled. To have the success that he had over the number of years he was able to compete at the highest level, and win a Preakness at age 88, it was just a phenomenal career. He had a phenomenal influence on many trainers and the breeding industry. I don't think anyone has changed the game the way that he has.”
“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.”
“... 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.” -- Tim Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association
“D. Wayne Lukas was a legend – a masterful trainer with passion, attention to detail and a tireless pursuit of success, as well as a mentor whose barn produced a number of racing’s most successful trainers. 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.
“... We are grateful for his legacy as he will always remain a cherished part of The Great Race Place. 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.’’
“The Maryland Jockey Club mourns the loss of legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a true titan of Thoroughbred racing. His unmatched accomplishments, unwavering dedication, and enduring influence on the sport have left an indelible mark on racing history. With seven (7) wins in the Preakness Stakes, D. Wayne was not only a champion on the track but a mentor and inspiration to generations of horsemen and women.”
“Beyond the victories and trophies, Mr. Lukas inspired generations with his relentless work ethic, sharp eye for talent, and unwavering belief in what was possible. His legacy lives on not only in the horses he trained and the records he broke, but also in the many horsemen and women he mentored and elevated along the way.”
“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. 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.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
