When it comes to the world of American horse racing, the name D. Wayne Lukas (often phonetically searched as Dewayne Lucas) doesn't just represent a person; it represents an entire era. People are constantly asking about his age because, frankly, the man seemed like he was going to live and work forever. If you’ve spent any time at the track or watching the Triple Crown, you’ve seen him—the tall, lean figure in the crisp suit and those signature aviator sunglasses.
But here is the reality: D. Wayne Lukas passed away on June 28, 2025. He was 89 years old at the time of his death.
It’s easy to see why the confusion exists. Just a year before he passed, at the age of 88, he was out there winning the Preakness Stakes with a horse named Seize the Grey. Most people are looking for a comfortable retirement at 88, but "The Coach" was still in the winner's circle, making history as the oldest trainer to ever win a Triple Crown race.
The Timeline of a Legend: From the Court to the Track
Understanding the age of D. Wayne Lukas requires looking at the sheer length of his career. Born on September 2, 1935, in Antigo, Wisconsin, he didn’t actually start out as the king of the Thoroughbred world.
He was a basketball coach first.
Honestly, that’s where the nickname "The Coach" comes from. He had a master's degree in education and spent years stalking the sidelines of high school and college gyms. It wasn't until the late 1960s that he really dove into training Quarter Horses. By the time he switched to Thoroughbreds in 1978, he was already in his 40s. While most trainers are established by that age, Lukas was basically just getting his second wind.
Why Everyone Kept Asking "How Old is Dewayne Lucas?"
There was a certain "fountain of youth" vibe around Lukas. He had this relentless, almost scary work ethic. He was famous for being the first one at the barn at 3:30 in the morning and the last one to leave. Even in his mid-80s, when his body was starting to give him trouble—we’re talking hip replacements, back issues, the whole nine yards—he would use a small stepstool to climb onto his pony so he could oversee morning workouts.
You can’t help but respect that kind of grit.
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He didn't look like a typical 89-year-old. He carried himself with a military-grade posture and a sharp tongue that never lost its edge. When he won the 2024 Preakness, the racing world was stunned. He was 88. He beat out guys half his age, proving that experience sometimes trumps everything else.
The Final Chapter and Retirement
The end came fairly quickly for the legendary trainer. In June 2025, his family made the announcement that he was officially retiring. It wasn't a choice he made because he was tired of the sport; it was a choice forced by a severe MRSA blood infection.
The infection hit his heart and digestive system hard.
Lukas, true to form, looked at the aggressive treatment plans and decided he’d rather spend his final days at home in Louisville, Kentucky, surrounded by his family. He entered hospice care on June 22 and passed away less than a week later.
A Legacy That Defies the Calendar
If you're looking for the "stats," they are staggering. Lukas didn't just participate; he dominated.
- 4 Kentucky Derby wins
- 7 Preakness Stakes wins
- 4 Belmont Stakes wins
- 20 Breeders' Cup victories (a record that stands as of early 2026)
He was the first trainer to surpass $100 million in career earnings. Then he was the first to hit $200 million. He essentially invented the "national stable" model, where a trainer has horses running in New York, California, and Kentucky all at once, shuttling them around on private jets. Before Lukas, racing was very regional. He made it a corporate, high-stakes business.
What to Take Away From the Lukas Era
If you’re wondering why people still search for his age or details about his life, it’s because he represented a bridge between the old-school horsemen and the modern era. He mentored the next generation of greats—guys like Todd Pletcher and Mike Maker—who now dominate the sport.
He showed that age is a bit of a moving target. He won his first Triple Crown race (the 1980 Preakness) at age 44 and his last one at age 88. That is a 44-year span of elite-level success.
Next Steps for Racing Fans:
If you want to truly appreciate what "The Coach" did, take a look at the 2024 Preakness Stakes replay. Watch how Seize the Grey ran that race. It was a masterclass in conditioning and strategy from a man who had seen everything the sport could throw at him. You can also visit the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, where his impact is documented more thoroughly than almost any other figure in the 20th century.
Actionable Insight: For those following current horse racing, pay close attention to the assistants who worked under Lukas. The "Lukas Coaching Tree" is still the most influential lineage in the sport today. Following their training patterns often gives you a "cheat code" for understanding how their horses will perform in big-money races.