D. Wayne Lukas, a prominent horse trainer, died June 28 at age 89. Lukas had stabled on the backside of Churchill Downs since 1989.

Lukas' death came on the eve of the final day of racing for the 2025 spring meet at the legendary Louisville track. On June 29, Churchill Downs honored his career with a moment of silence.

In collaboration with the Lukas family, Churchill Downs held a Celebration of Life on Aug. 19 in honor of the legendary "coach."

For five decades, it was almost a sure bet D. Wayne Lukas would be part of the biggest race on the first Saturday in May.

The most prominent thoroughbred trainer in history trained thousands of horses, and 51 one of them ran in the famed Kentucky Derby, a race he won four times.

On Aug. 19 ― 51 days after the world found out of his passing ―

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