LEGENDARY horse trainer D Wayne Lukas has died aged 89.
His grieving family say the iconic handler is now ‘at peace’ and reunited with his beloved late son.
Lukas, who passed away surrounded by loved ones in Kentucky, US, was rushed to hospital last week with a ‘worsening’ serious illness.
He refused all treatment because he wanted to spend his final days at home.
A statement from his family read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather, D. Wayne Lukas, who left this world peacefully on Saturday evening at the age of 89, surrounded by family.
“Wayne devoted his life not only to horses but to the industry – developing generations of horsemen and horsewomen and growing the game by inviting unsuspecting fans into the winner’s circle.
“Whether he was boasting about a maiden 2-year-old as the next Kentucky Derby winner or offering quiet words of advice before a big race, Wayne brought heart, grace, and grit to every corner of the sport.
“His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family, and faith.
“As we grieve at his passing, we find peace in knowing he is now reunited with his beloved son, Jeff, whose memory he carried in his heart always.”
Jeff suffered horrendous injuries when trying to stop a loose colt at Santa Anita in December 1993.
The horse smashed into him, shattered his skull and left him in a coma for several weeks, resulting in permanent brain damage.
Although he showed enough signs of recovery to work again, it was short lived.
Jeff, who was his dad’s best mate and favourite assistant trainer over the years, passed away aged 58 in March 2016.
Lukas, 89, trained some of the biggest names in the sport including previous Horses of the Year Charismatic and Criminal Type.
He won the Kentucky Derby four times and dominated the Triple Crown races, winning six in a row in the mid-Nineties.
He shares the record alongside Aidan O’Brien for most Breeders’ Cup wins with 20.
His incredible career has seen him amass prize money earnings of £225million from a jaw-dropping 4,967 winners.
Lukas, whose first given name was Darrell, had his final at Churchill Downs, home of the Derby, earlier this month.
Lukas was pictured riding out at Belmont racetrack just last month and his rapid decline from a ‘severe infection’ shocked the sport.
The horses in his yard will now be trained by his British assistant and former Army veteran Sebastian ‘Bas’ Nicholl.
More to follow.
