Shawn Spikes

Last updated
Shawn Spikes Jr.
Occupation Jockey
Born(1996-03-15)March 15, 1996
San Francisco, California, US
DiedJune 11, 2019(2019-06-11) (aged 23)
Lake Del Valle, California, US
Career wins3 [1]
Significant horses
Game Seeker (1st Win)

Shawn Spikes Jr. (March 15, 1996-June 11, 2019) [2] was a professional American thoroughbred jockey. [3] [4] At Golden Gate Fields, Spikes had a total of 141 starts and 3 career wins. Spikes also won a number of horse races in the California State Fair county horse racing circuit.

Contents

Career

Three years after graduating high school, on March 13, 2016, Sean Spikes won his first thoroughbred race, riding the horse 'Game Seeker' in Race 1 at Golden Gate Fields. [5] [6] [7]

Education

Sean Spikes attended Gateway High School in San Francisco, California, and graduated in 2013.

Disappearance and death

On Tuesday, June 11, 2019, Spikes was boating with friends at Lake Del Valle in unincorporated Alameda County, south of Livermore. Authorities later said it was not clear if Spikes fell, or jumped into the water. It was also not immediately clear if Spikes knew how to swim, or wore a life jacket. East Bay Regional Park District police and firefighters responded to the scene and were joined by the Alameda County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department divers to conduct a search, authorities said. Searchers used a helicopter and boats before calling off the search just after midnight. The search resumed later Wednesday morning, and Spikes’ body was found before noon in more than 40 feet of water, authorities said. Authorities said his relatives were at the lake when he was found. [8]

Legacy

Commemorating Spikes on September 22, 2021 - friend, a former Gateway High School classmate, and recording artist, Marcus Orelias [9] dedicated his third self-titled album to Spikes in an Instagram post stating in the later of the message; "R.I.P. to my brother, Shawn Spikes. This next one [album] is for you." [10]

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References

  1. "Report: Body Found In Lake Believed To Be Jockey Shawn Spikes". paulickreport.com. Paulick Report. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  2. Staff, BloodHorse. "Spikes Rides First Winner at Golden Gate". www.bloodhorse.com. Blood Horse. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. Davis, Christina. "Horse jockey talks about preparing for the horse races at the Big Fresno Fair". ABC.com. ABC 30. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  4. "Drowning Victim Identified As Local Horse Jockey". SF Gate. SF Gate. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  5. "Go Behind-The-Scenes At The Horse Races At Alameda County Fair". KPIX CBS SF Bay Area. KPIX CBS SF BAY AREA. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  6. Release, Press. "Golden Gate: Jockey Shawn Spikes Earns First Career Victory". paulicreport.com. Paulick Report. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  7. "Golden Gate Fields Final" (PDF). goldengatefields.com. Golden Gatefields. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  8. Harris, Harry. "Drowning victim from Livermore's Lake Del Valle was jockey with bright future". www.eastbaytimes.com. East Bay Times. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  9. "Google - Marcus Orelias". Google.com. Google. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  10. "Marcus Orelias - Note". Instagram.com. Retrieved 11 December 2021.