LOUISVILLE – (Wire Service Report) – Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas died at his home on Sunday. He had been reported as “gravely ill” and was under hospice care.
The Lukas family issued a statement Sunday that said the 89-year-old had been hospitalized with a severe infection and declined to go through the “aggressive treatment plan” doctors in his hometown in Kentucky had outlined.
USA Today reported earlier in the week that Lukas has returned to his home and is under hospice care to spend his remaining days with his wife, Laurie, and their extended family.
“Wayne is one of the greatest competitors and most important figures in Thoroughbred racing history,” said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “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 horses trained by Lukas are now under the guidance of Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl via the succession plan of Lukas Enterprises Inc. Nicholl is the longtime assistant to Lukas.