On the finish of the 12 months, it’s typical to recollect these we have now misplaced. This was a troublesome 12 months in horse racing with the lack of legendary Corridor of Fame coach D. Wayne Lukas (Sept. 2, 1935 – June 28, 2025). He was iconic in so many aspects of horse racing and such a personality who lived unapologetically with such type.
A lot has been written about his lifetime of accomplishments. An impressive piece honoring his life was written by BloodHorse editor Frank Angst (Trade-Shaping Horseman Lukas Dies at Age 89 – BloodHorse).
Past the trophies and accomplishments, there’ll all the time be extra to recollect. One in every of “the Coach’s” abilities was his potential to talk “in good sound bites.” Each Triple Crown race that had a Lukas entry instantly improved with the Coach’s opinions. If he had a Kentucky Derby entry, his barn at Churchill Downs turned the place to go to each day.
If the Coach and Bob Baffert had been each on the Preakness Stakes’ Alibi breakfast? Then it was standing room solely as everybody knew that they had been in for an actual deal with because the “boys” bantered backwards and forwards with a twinkle of their eyes.
Lukas had his rituals and his peaceable time. He owned the mornings on the monitor. Media of us needed to get there early as a way to catch him in the event that they wished to seize a fast quote. He was like clockwork climbing onto considered one of his treasured ponies as he headed onto the monitor lengthy earlier than the solar rose to observe his horses practice. He was no fair-weather flower. There are a lot of images of him alone in his rain slicker out on an empty monitor below the lights within the pouring rain.
Lukas was a superb ambassador for horse racing. He delighted the followers in 2017 when he was the visitor speaker on the Kentucky Derby Museum’s Fan Fest Day. He confirmed up in his conventional blue denims, sun shades, and black cowboy hat. Like a seasoned professional, he deftly began telling tales to the gathered followers within the grandstand. He shared his views on the horses and other people in his life. Louisville resident Jan Landeau mentioned Lukas “was fairly charming, open and only a delight.”
With a background in teaching, Wisconsin native Lukas was influenced by Inexperienced Bay Packers legend Vince Lombardi and the good Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz. In his 2018 speech on the Jockey Membership’s annual awards luncheon, he mentioned, “I actually consider that to get the place you need to go is an actual choice on decisions that you just make daily. Our successes encourage us, however our failures educate us. I believe it’s essential to not be afraid to lose. Don’t be afraid of what number of pails of milk you spill. Simply don’t lose the cow!”
Lukas added, “The racehorse enterprise is mostly a recreation the place it’s important to be not afraid to lose, however I believe there’s a solution to deal with it and that’s your perspective. It’s an important choice you make daily. Make it early and make the precise choice.”
It’s typically mentioned that the primary vacation season after shedding somebody particular is essentially the most troublesome. The vacations do appear to enlarge one’s losses from the 12 months. However for racing followers, the upcoming 12 months will maintain many moments of remembrance and private grief. There would be the unhappiness of the primary spring of not seeing Lukas on the monitor within the early morning. Followers and seasoned racetrackers will look in the direction of the “Lukas” hole and keep in mind seeing him on his pony. His wit and presence will likely be missed at press conferences. Many will point out him at Churchill Downs and different tracks the place his presence will nonetheless be felt and missed all through the upcoming 12 months.
It’s arduous to lose an icon, particularly one who has been a big think about horse racing for many years. Lukas influenced 1000’s of individuals via his dedication, drive, and willpower.
He was an energetic supporter of the Kentucky Derby Museum. He gave them his private Thoroughbred assortment which included 4 Kentucky Derby rings and trophies, his Breeders’ Cup trophies, his Eclipse awards for Excellent Coach and plenty of extra private trophies and mementos of his profitable profession. He mentioned, “Once I was contemplating a everlasting residence for my assortment, the (Derby) Museum was a great match to guard and showcase my legacy for a few years to come back.”
The Lukas exhibit on the museum fills the room together with his presence and the place he stays bigger than life. It options a few of his 1,200 trophies and awards. It’s a stunning tribute to a person who gave a lot to horse racing via an extended and engaging profession.
Corridor of Fame jockey Gary Stevens recalled that when he satisfied the museum employees to let Lukas and himself into the Nice Corridor to observe the museum’s showcase film “The Best Race.” Because the music swelled and the horses pounded to the end line in encompass sound, Lukas mentioned, “Now THAT is what we’re right here for! That’s what it’s all about!”
One in every of Lukas’s most cherished traditions on the monitor was choosing a younger baby to come back to the winner’s circle when he received. He mentioned, “You wouldn’t consider the impact it has on these younger youngsters.” He remembered telling a younger man, “Don’t guess on the horses. Purchase books!,” and years later the younger man (who turned an lawyer) returned to the monitor to thank him.
Whereas we will likely be lacking D. Wayne Lukas through the upcoming 12 months, it’s good to know that there are various recollections of him that will likely be circulating for years. Folks will cherish objects bought on the public sale from his barn. Folks will likely be telling tales for years to come back. It is just becoming {that a} remembrance of Coach ought to finish with him getting the final phrase.
“When all of the fanfare is over, they usually’re patting you on the again, and the music dies and also you go take the toast with the governor. You go to the press convention, and all of the accolades are thrown out and every thing. I believe that an important factor is whenever you go to your room that evening, within the quiet and you place the championship ring on the dresser, you already know that the trophy is as a substitute on the mantle. You ask your self quietly, ‘Did I make a distinction?’ That to me is an important factor. ‘Did I make a distinction someplace in someone’s life?’ Dwell on a regular basis prefer it’s your final and sooner or later you’ll be proper.”
All through this upcoming 12 months, his presence will likely be felt and he will likely be missed.
