Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas retires due to serious health issues, according to his family.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is retiring from horse racing amid serious health issues.
The family of Lukas said he has been hospitalized and will not return to racing.
The 89-year-old has been battling a severe infection that has worsened his condition. Lukas has declined an aggressive treatment plan and will return home to spend the remaining time with his family.
The family is asking for privacy at this time.
Lukas has been an influential figure in the horse racing world, capturing the Kentucky Derby four times and the Kentucky Oaks five times.
He also holds 4,967 thoroughbred wins with his horses earning more than $301 million from 30,607 starts including 1,105 stakes wins – 637 of those were of the graded stakes variety.
Lukas was inducted into horse racing’s Hall of Fame in 1999.
Lukas last won at Churchill Downs on June 12 with 4-year-old cold Tour Player.
“Wayne is one of the greatest competitors and most important figures in Thoroughbred racing history,” Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack, said in a statement. “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. The enormity of this news is immense, and our prayers are with his family and friends around the world during this difficult time.”
The 11-time champion trainer ranks third in career victories, fifth in career earnings and sixth in total wins.
Churchill Downs says the horses in Lukas’ care have been transferred to his veteran assistant Sebastian Nicholl.
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