Locals react to trainer D. Wayne Lukas' hospitalization, retirement
The beloved Hall of Famer garnered his last big win for hundreds of horse owners with Saratoga ties.
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Iconic Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training, his family told the Associated Press. The 89-year-old’s horses have been transferred to assistant trainer Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl, who has been with the beloved trainer since 2002.
“The NYRA family extends our thoughts and prayers to legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas and his family,” NYRA commented when sharing Churchill Downs’ announcement on X (formerly Twitter).
“My heart is breaking,” wrote NBC horse racing reporter Donna Brothers while sharing the same post. “Why did I think he would die with the spurs on, right there on the track doing what he loved? If only it were that easy.”
Lukas had a horse, Hill Road, in Saratoga’s 2025 Belmont Stakes but did not make the journey up from Kentucky. He did, however, spend some time in town last year. On June 10, BloodHorse reported that Lukas would not stable any horses in Saratoga this summer.
In 2024, Lukas became the oldest trainer to win a Triple Crown race, when Seize the Grey triumphed at the Preakness. The win made further headlines because the horse was owned by more than 2,500 micro-share owners via an app called MyRacehorse — hundreds of which were from or traveled to Saratoga to watch Grey train for and run in the Belmont. The sheer number of owners rooting for the horse added an extra level of excitement to The Spa’s first Belmont Stakes.
“Sending love and respect to Coach,” Saratogian Sue Jeffreys wrote on the Daily Racing Form’s Instagram announcement of Lukas’ hospitalization, using the trainer’s nickname. “Thank you for creating so many heartfelt moments with Seize the Grey. You are a legend of legends.”
Including the historic Preakness win with Seize the Grey, Lukas has a total of 15 Triple Crown victories and 20 Breeders Cup wins. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1999 in a ceremony at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion across East Avenue from the Oklahoma Training Track.
“I was very fortunate to speak with him a few times at Saratoga,” commented fan Tim Lennon on the Churchill Downs announcement. “What an awesome man. Love the coach.”
“Wayne changed so many things in NY racing when he arrived,” said retired New York Steve Schaeffer on the same post. “Biggest thing was that he dressed the stable with flowers, ran in white [bridle] and always had a pool table-level shed row.”
“Shoutout to Travis Stone with the ‘D. Wayne can still train!’ call on Oaks Day a few years ago,” remembered a user with the handle Glades Saratoga. “Prayers up.”
Lukas’ recent battle with a MRSA blood infection has caused “significant damage” to his heart and digestive system and worsened other chronic preexisting conditions, the family told the AP. The trainer has declined further treatment and instead will return home.
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