Trainers Praise Lukas for Indelible Impact on the Sport
The world of Thoroughbred racing was taken by surprise June 22 with the announcement that legendary Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas would be stepping away from training after being hospitalized in Louisville, Ky.
READ: Medical Issues Force Lukas to Exit Training Career
As his peers and competitors learned the news, they were quick to their express their thoughts and prayers to Lukas and his family, as well as their gratitude for all he has done for the industry.
“He’s meant so much to so many people, to the entire industry,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who worked as an assistant for Lukas prior to taking out his own trainer’s license in 1995. “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.”
D. Wayne Lukas (on horseback) speaks with Todd Pletcher
Lukas’ enduring impact is best epitomized in the success of those he has taught. In addition to Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, and Mike Maker learned under Lukas before graduating to very successful training careers of their own.
“I think the organization that he built and his son, Jeff, was a big part of, I think that was attractive to a lot of people that wanted to work in a first-class environment with some of the world’s best horses,” Pletcher said. “We wanted to participate in that, work for them, to watch and learn. It was tremendously organized; he really ran a tight ship. The care of the horses was always of the utmost importance. You just couldn’t think of a better place to learn.”
However, it was not just the trainers that worked directly under Lukas who found themselves learning from him. He also inspired his peers and competitors.
“I don’t think there are words that can possibly describe what Wayne’s done for horse racing,” said North America’s all-time winningest trainer, Steve Asmussen. “There’s no doubt that Wayne—coming from coaching basketball and running Quarter Horses to dominating the Triple Crown and all his Breeders’ Cup and world champions—made kids from the Midwest dream. It made you realize it was possible.”
Steve Asmussen (left) and D. Wayne Lukas during morning training at Churchill Downs
“He’s a guy that I idolized and respected for decades,” said Kenny McPeek, one of a handful of living trainers to have won all three Triple Crown races. “He is very much a friend and father figure. He raised the bar as high as anybody has ever raised it. The changes he’s shown the sport, you see them today. He’s a great man.”
Lukas’ reach extended beyond trainers as he was known for giving young jockeys the opportunities to prove themselves on the big stage. One of the most recent to experience and learn from his coaching was Jaime Torres, who picked up his first career graded stakes victories and classic win with Lukas’ Seize the Grey in the 2024 Preakness Stakes (G1).
“He’s meant everything,” Torres said on Lukas’ impact on his career. “The loyalty he had to me in my first year as a journeyman means a lot. You don’t see that often in this business. He means a lot to me.”
Now that Lukas has hung up the saddle for the final time, he leaves an absence in the sport that will not easily be filled.
“I think for a lot of us trainers, this will be the first time in our careers that we won’t be competing against Wayne Lukas,” Pletcher said to put in perspective the longevity his mentor has had at the top level. “Don’t lose sight of the fact that he did that after having a Hall of Fame Quarter Horse career.”
Aside from his achievements and accolades earned on the racetrack, one of the things that will be missed most about Wayne was his presence and upbeat attitude at the barns, in the paddock, and beyond.
“To me, the amazing thing about Wayne is that at all times and at all stages, just how positive he was about what he was going to do and what he could get done,” Asmussen said.
“He’s probably the most resilient person that I’ve ever been around and certainly one of the most optimistic,” Pletcher said. “When I first saw him at the Derby this year at Churchill and went over to talk to him, in typical Wayne fashion, he was telling me how awesome his horse was doing and how he was training unbelievable coming into the race. He always bounced back and kept that positive attitude and was always thinking positively.
“That type of energy is unparalleled.”
