DeVaux Honored to Follow Lukas at Spa Barn

Statements from Eric Hamelback, Dale Romans

(Photo: D. Wayne Lukas with a young fan at a public Q&A session at Ellis Park in 2021. Gwen Davis/Davis Innovation)

The following statement is from National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback on the passing of D. Wayne Lukas:

“No one will match what D. Wayne Lukas did in horse racing. Others — and a few already have — may win more Triple Crown races, more Breeders’ Cup races, train more champions, win more Grade 1 races or seasonal earnings. But no one is going to surpass The Coach’s intangibles: mentoring not only those who worked for him but many others who didn’t, providing wise counsel for generations of horsemen. It’s unfathomable that anyone will ever match Wayne’s “training tree” for assistants who went on to be nationally prominent horsemen, who in turn are producing assistants who go on to prominence. He made white bridles a fashion statement. He understood that mainstream media might not understand the intricacies of horse racing, but they would understand analogies to other sports and their star athletes. Wayne also did other things we all should try to replicate. He took the time and effort to interact with the fans, turning those who happened to be at the races into committed racing enthusiasts. Wayne is in a better place now, with his beloved son Jeff. We can best honor his memory by trying to do a fraction of what The Coach contributed to horse racing beyond his horses on the racetrack.”

The following is a statement from trainer Dale Romans, president of the Kentucky HBPA:

“We are heart-broken but also are tremendously grateful that horse racing had Wayne for as long as we did and were able to benefit from his horsemanship, trend-setting, charismatic way of creating new fans as well as his friendship and mentorship for so many of us.”