D. Wayne Lukas, one of the most legendary and successful horse trainers in racing history, has passed away at the age of 89.
His family shared that he died peacefully on Saturday night, June 28, at his home in Louisville, Kentucky.
Lukas had been dealing with serious health issues, including a dangerous MRSA blood infection that caused major problems with his heart and digestive system.
These complications made his already existing health conditions worse.
Known for his deep love of horses and dedication to the sport, Lukas played a major role in shaping the horse racing world.
He mentored many future trainers and helped bring new fans into the sport by making them feel like part of the action.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Laurie Lynn Lukas; his grandchildren, Brady Wayne Lukas and his wife, Dani, and Kelly Lukas Roy and her husband, David; and his great-grandchildren, Walker Wayne Lukas, Quinn Palmer Lukas, Jonathan James Roy, and Thomas David Roy.
D. Wayne Lukas’s Journey Through Five Marriages, Family Life, And The Support Of His Fifth Wife, Laurie
D. Wayne Lukas, the legendary horse trainer, was married five times throughout his life.
His first marriage was to Janet Lukas in 1957, when he was in his early twenties.
They had one child together, a son named Jeff Lukas, who was born the same year.
Sadly, Jeff suffered a life-altering injury in 1993 after being hit by a horse named Tabasco Cat. The accident caused severe brain damage, and Jeff was never able to return to work.
He passed away in 2016 at the age of 58. Wayne was deeply affected by this loss and often spoke about how much Jeff meant to him.
Wayne’s first marriage ended in 1971 after 14 years.
He married three more times after Janet, but not much has been made public about these relationships.
He admitted in interviews that his intense work schedule and dedication to racing made it difficult to maintain those marriages.
He spent much of the 1970s through the 1990s traveling constantly and working long hours.
One of Wayne’s later marriages, his fourth, was to Laura Pinelli, who was also involved in horse racing.
They got married in 1998. Laura was born in California and had loved horses since she was a teenager.
She became a respected quarter horse trainer and shared Wayne’s passion for the sport. Their wedding was straightforward as they flew to Las Vegas, got married, and returned to work the next day.
I’ll miss you, D. Wayne Lukas. To Laurie, his wife and the Lukas family, I’m so sorry for your incredible loss. I have such beautiful memories of our time together. God Bless the Coach and one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Rest in peace, my friend. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/e2XKHIXf9O
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) June 29, 2025
Laura once joked that it was the fourth marriage for both of them, so they kept things practical rather than romantic.
But despite their shared interests, the marriage didn’t last. They eventually went their separate ways, and Laura stepped away from the public eye.
Wayne’s fifth and final marriage was to Laurie Lynn Lukas, whom he married in December 2013.
Laurie was also a skilled horse trainer and had grown up with a love for horses, just like Wayne.
She was 17 years younger than Wayne, but they connected deeply through their shared understanding of the horse racing lifestyle.
She supported him through health issues, including a tough battle with COVID-19 in 2020 and his final illness in 2025.
They lived in a cozy log cabin near Churchill Downs in Kentucky and often spent quiet evenings together with their dogs.
When Wayne chose to enter hospice care in June 2025, Laurie was there with him, along with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rest in Peace, D. Wayne Lucas!
