Louisville, Ky. (AP) – Hall of Fame Horse Racing Trainer D. Wayne Lukas was admitted to hospital and will not return to training again, his family and Churchill Downs announced Sunday.

Luke’s family said the 89-year-old man struggled a serious MRSA blood infection that caused his heart and digestive system significant damage and exacerbated the existing chronic conditions. The family said Luke rejected an aggressive treatment plan that doctors suggested to involve multiple operations in the coming months and 24/7, but rather decided to return home.

His horses were transferred to assistant coach Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl, who has been part of Luke’s team since 2002.

“Wayne has built a legacy that never matches,” Nicholl said. “Every decision I make, every horse I saddle, I will hear his voice in my mind. It’s not about filling his shoes – no one can. It’s about everything he built. ‘

Luke is one of the most competent people in the history of the sport. His 15 Triple Crown victories are second just for good friend Bob Baffert, and Lukas has a record-20 in the Breeders Cup.

He has won the Kentucky Derby four times since 1988. His most recent victory in the Triple Crown came last year with the gray gray In The Preakness, his seventh – one short of Baffert’s record.

“Wayne is one of the biggest competitors and most important figures in full -blooded history,” said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs. “He surpassed the sport of horse racing and took the industry to new levels. The lasting impact of his character and wisdom, from his acute horse rash to his unparalleled attention to detail, will truly be missed. The scope of this news is tremendous, and our prayers are with his family and friends around the world during this difficult time. ‘

Luke is lovingly known about the barns and the racetrack as ‘coach’ because he started horses before his professional career. Even with just months before his 90th birthday, he would get up on his pony in the early hours of the morning and go to the track himself, rather than having his assistants doing the daily work.

Darnell Wayne Lukas born on September 2, 1935 in Wisconsin as the second of three children, he came to a prominence in the sport with quarter horses in racing that are effective sprints. He moved into full blood in the late 1970s and won his first Preakness with Codex in 1980.

Luke has 4.967 documented victories in thoroughbred racing, with its horses earning more than $ 310 million from more than 30,600.

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AP Horse Racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing