Even successful people have faced failure in their lives quite a few times. Oh, and let’s not forget about Bob Baffert too. The trainer’s season has definitely had its fair share of highs and lows, but he recently shared something pretty unique. So, what was it? A job rejection from Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
During an interiew, as shown on NBC Sports X profile, Baffert recalled, stating, “I called him. It was like 1970. I wrote all the things down where I was going to ask him. I was so nervous. Called him like at one in the afternoon. He’s probably taking a nap or whatever, you know? But I called him. And he was so gracious. Told him my resume real quick. And he said, you know what? You would have been perfect, but I just hired somebody just a week ago.”
That’s really tough to hear! Back in the 1970s, a young and a bit anxious Baffert decided to reach out to Lukas, looking to become part of his team. Baffert looks back on the interaction with a smile, highlighting how gracious Lukas was during their chat, even though he was turned down. This early meeting was more than just a chance that slipped by; it kicked off a relationship that grew from admiration to mentorship and, in time, blossomed into a close friendship.
Baffert and Lukas both kicked off their careers in quarter horse racing before making the switch to thoroughbreds, and they really hit it big there. Lukas, who really changed the game with his training methods, had a big impact on how Baffert approached horse racing.
Even though he got rejected, young Bob didn’t hold any grudge against Lukas. He said, “But I remember he was just so great and gracious to me that when I hung up the phone, I go, man, that guy’s great.” This impression would turn out to be really important.
Two legends. Two different styles.
Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas look back at their accomplishments, their friendship and all the memories along the way. #Preakness150 pic.twitter.com/re2v25kU6G
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 17, 2025
Even though that chance slipped away, Baffert always held a deep respect for Lukas. He ended up carving out his own journey, kicking things off with success in quarter horse racing. Then he made the switch to thoroughbreds and, in 2009, reached Hall of Fame status, just like the guy who had once turned him down. So, here’s the thing? Baffert has recognized Lukas’ greatness before, and this isn’t the first time he’s done so.
Bob Baffert goes candid about his relationship with D Wayne Lukas
Bob Baffert really looked up to D. Wayne Lukas, and it all goes back to a key moment from his younger days. Growing up in Arizona, Baffert remembers the excitement he felt when Lukas showed up at a small local track with a fantastic setup and a lineup of winning horses.
“That was the first time I saw Wayne. I grew up in Arizona and he came in this little track we used to run at, and he came in there with these fancy trailers and these horses and won all these races, and you know, it was just a tiny track in the middle of nowhere,” said the 72-year-old trainer. This meeting really stuck with Baffert, sparking his desire to follow in Lukas’s footsteps in the world of horse racing.
Over the years, they kept running into each other, moving from being rivals to becoming close companions. You could really feel the respect Baffert has for Lukas when he was spotted kneeling in front of him just before the Kentucky Derby. This gesture was more than just a formality; it really captured years of respect, mentorship, and a shared history.
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