Report: Body Found In Lake Believed To Be Jockey Shawn Spikes

Officials with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office in California told KRON 4 News they believe a body found in Lake Del Valle is that of 22-year-old jockey/exercise rider Shawn Spikes. Spikes was reported missing after he went overboard during a boat trip with friends and disappeared.

Spikes was based at Golden Gate Fields, where he rode his first winner in March 2016. Spikes said he fell in love with racing after attending races with his family as a young child.

“I was going as a kid, watching the races,” he said at the time of his first win. “It was fascinating to me. The more I went, the more I wanted to ride. Once I turned 15 I went to the ranch with (trainers) Tirso Rivera and Frank Lucarelli. I was jumping horses with (riding instructor) Marguerite Barrier. The work paid off. I feel accomplished because I didn't grow up on a ranch. It's an amazing feeling to have accomplished something like this.”

Spikes had not ridden a race this year, according to Equibase. His career record included 141 starts, three wins, and earnings of $76,377.

Staff