D. Wayne Lukas, a Hall of Fame horse trainer renowned for his profound impact on thoroughbred racing, passed away at 89 due to complications from a severe MRSA blood infection. Over his illustrious career, Lukas won 15 Triple Crown races, including four Kentucky Derbies, and tied the record with 20 Breeders’ Cup victories. Known affectionately as “Coach” for his early career in basketball coaching, Lukas was celebrated for his deep understanding of horses and his dedication to the sport, personally overseeing training well into his late 80s.

Lukas’s legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics—4,967 wins and over $310 million in earnings—to his role in nurturing generations of horsemen and expanding the sport’s fanbase. His passion and work ethic were exemplified in his own words about the importance of attitude and reading horses, which fueled his decades-long success. Churchill Downs and the racing community mourn the loss of a transformative figure whose humor, wisdom, and competitive spirit left an indelible mark on horse racing.