Titan of the Horse Racing World, Brother D. Wayne Lukas (Beta-Epsilon, University of Wisconsin-Madison, ’55) entered the Chapter Celestial on Saturday, June 28, 2025, surrounded by his family at his home.
Brother Lukas had been hospitalized last week, and we had been in close communication with his family. Coincidentally, this tragic loss occurred during our Man of the Year Banquet at Churchill Downs in Kentucky, as we were honoring Brother Lukas and his grandson, Maj. Brady W. Lukas, USAF, accepted the 2024 Kappa Sigma Man of the Year Award on the family’s behalf.
Brother Lukas was one of the greatest horse trainers the world has ever known. Recognized not only for his groundbreaking contributions to the sport but also for his unwavering passion, innovation in training methods, and success over decades of competition. He was the 91st member of Kappa Sigma to be named Kappa Sigma’s Man of the Year, which is presented annually in recognition of extraordinary professional success and societal impact.
Brother Lukas was initiated into the Beta-Epsilon Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on November 17, 1955. Initially, he pursued a career in education, earning a Master’s degree and coaching as an Assistant for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and high school basketball. However, his true passion led him to the racetrack, and in 1968, he began his training career with quarter horses.
Nicknamed “The Coach,” Lukas has had several protégés and a legacy of mentoring and inspiring generations of horsemen and horsewomen. His style was a mix of heart, grace, and grit, which he impressed on his family, racing team, and mentees.
Brother D. Wayne Lukas’ journey from a small Wisconsin farm to the pinnacle of horse racing was a testament to dedication and excellence. Lukas has had tremendous Triple Crown success, securing four Kentucky Derby wins, seven Preakness Stakes victories, including the 2024 Preakness, and four Belmont Stakes titles. He also set records with 20 Breeders’ Cup wins and was the Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer in 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1994. Lukas was also the first trainer to surpass $100 million and then $200 million in career purse earnings.
Brother Lukas was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1999, Lukas became the first person inducted into the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Halls of Fame in 2007. Through 2024, Lukas has won 4,934 races (No. 9 all-time) with purse earnings of $292,948,606 (No. 6 all-time). In May 2024, Lukas became the oldest trainer at 88 to win a Triple Crown race when Seize the Grey won the Preakness.
Kappa Sigma offers our sincerest condolences to Brother Lukas’ family and all friends and Brothers who knew and loved him.
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