A glimpse into the Kentucky Derby greatness of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas

Jul 08, 2025 Sara Dacus/TwinSpires.com

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas with Lady's Secret (Photo by Horsephotos.co)

Legendary Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, one of the most significant figures in Thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years, passed away June 29. His far-reaching impact reverberates throughout the sport, including the Kentucky Derby.

Lukas' Derby history began in 1981 with third-place finisher Partez, and it concluded this year with his 51st starter, American Promise, in the 151st running. Only one person—Todd Pletcher, Lukas' former assistant—has started more horses in the race, with 65. Lukas won the classic four times, tying him with H.J. 'Dick' Thompson for the second-most Derby victories by a trainer. Only Ben Jones and Bob Baffert, with six each, have more.

HANSON: D. Wayne Lukas, a frequent history maker at Churchill Downs

Here is a closer look at Lukas' four Kentucky Derby wins:

Winning Colors, 1988

After Winning Colors won the 1988 Santa Anita Derby against males by 7 1/2 lengths, she became Lukas’s 13th Kentucky Derby starter, facing a strong field of competitors, including champion Forty Niner, co-favorite Private Terms, and Risen Star, who went on to win the Preakness and then the Belmont by 14 3/4 lengths. In the Derby, she held off a late stretch run by Forty Niner to win by a neck, becoming the third and most recent filly in history to achieve this feat (the other two won in 1914 and 1915). The victory marked the first Derby win for both Lukas and jockey Gary Stevens. Churchill Downs established the Winning Color S. (G3) in her honor.

Thunder Gulch, 1995

Thunder Gulch earned his way to Louisville with wins in the Remsen S. (G2), Fountain of Youth S. (G2), and Florida Derby (G1), but a fourth-place finish in the Blue Grass S. (G1) left him overlooked at 24-1 in the Derby, behind stablemates Timber Country and filly Serena’s Song. He defied the odds, surging clear by 2 1/4 lengths under Gary Stevens, giving both Lukas and Stevens their second Derby wins. Though Timber Country bested him in the Preakness, Thunder Gulch bounced back to win the Belmont and Travers S. (G1) and secure the Eclipse Award for champion three-year-old male.

Grindstone, 1996

Lukas made history again in 1996, becoming the first trainer to start five horses in a single Derby, a feat that has been matched by Todd Pletcher twice and Nick Zito once. In one of the closest races in Derby history, Grindstone won by a nose. Days later, a bone chip was discovered in his right knee, forcing his immediate retirement. The win made Lukas the fifth trainer to win back-to-back editions of the Derby—a distinction Bob Baffert also achieved in 1997 and 1998.

Charismatic, 1999

Originally a $62,500 claimer, Charismatic entered the Derby off a win in the Coolmore Lexington S. (G2). Sent off at 31-1, he charged to the front in the final furlong and held off Menifee to win by a neck. He repeated the feat in the Preakness and made a bid for the Triple Crown. Charismatic held the lead with a quarter to go, but he sustained a serious injury near the wire. Thanks in part to quick action by jockey Chris Antley, Charismatic survived and retired to stud, later earning Horse of the Year honors.

Lukas finished in second place in the Derby once and third place five times. He earned 15 victories in Triple Crown races, which is second only to Baffert’s 17.

Before turning to thoroughbreds, Lukas trained quarter horses, and he became the first person to enter both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. He is the only trainer in Derby history who also started a horse in Quarter Horse Racing's All-American Futurity, the sport's Kentucky Derby equivalent.

Lukas also won the Kentucky Oaks five times: with Blush With Pride (1982), Lucky Lucky Lucky (1984), Open Mind (1989), Seaside Attraction (1990), and Secret Oath (2022).

CHURCHILL DOWNS: Legendary Hall of Fame Trainer D. Wayne Lukas Hospitalized; Horses Transferred to Veteran Assistant Sebastian 'Bas' Nicholl