Horse Trainer D. Wayne Lukas’s Unexpected Poetry and Perspective
Since I was a little kid, I’ve heard stories of the legend of horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas. My dad covered him for years as a horse racing writer at USA Today. I knew Lukas was the trainer who set the standard for a certain calibre of training environment. Getting the chance to meet him and cover him myself feels surreal knowing my dad’s history.
What I’ve learned is when speaking to Hall of Fame horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas, you expect an abundance of wisdom. What you don’t expect is poetry. Actual, self-composed poetry straight from the heart.
But that’s what makes Lukas who he is—full of quiet surprises.
In our conversation, he shared he writes poetry. That detail alone felt unexpected, especially in the middle of talking about horses, training, and competition. But the more he spoke, the more it made sense. The way he notices things and reflects. The way he slows down just enough to capture something most people might miss.
His poems touch on everything from love and loss to friendship, memory, and time. One is about a yellow dog. Another about a friend named Boomer. Each one offers a glimpse into the way he sees the world.
Because that’s what Lukas does. He pays attention. Whether it’s to a horse stepping out of the gate or to the weight of a goodbye, he doesn’t rush past it. He watches, listens, and sometimes, he writes it down.
We spend so much time chasing the big wins. But sometimes, the things that stay with you are the quiet moments in between: a song, a child’s words, a yellow dog resting his head in your lap.
A much needed reminder to appreciate the quiet moments, too.
