PHOENIX, Ariz. (June 21, 2023) — After decades of fighting through painful chronic pancreatitis, Chad Phillip Schvaneveldt, 59, passed away on June 12, 2023, in Phoenix, AZ. surrounded by love of his family. He was born on March 4, 1964 in Preston, Idaho to Phil Schvaneveldt and Zefa Mortensen Schvaneveldt.
Chad spent happy childhood days in Weston, ID. where he developed close relationships and deep love with maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who became close, lasting friends. His free spirit kept everyone guessing what would be next! It was in Weston that he developed a love of basketball, and his height didn’t seem to matter for the left-handed hotshot.
From childhood, Chad dreamed of being a jockey. He jumped through hoops to be able to start his career at age 17. He rode, and won, his first two horse races at Centennial Racetrack in Littleton, Colorado. Since his first race in 1981, until his last in 2011 at Golden Gate Fields in California, he rode in over seventeen thousand professional thoroughbred horse races. After 30 years of being a jockey, he spent a few years training racehorses and then continued working on the frontside at the racetrack. Racing was his passion!
One of his biggest wins came aboard the California-bred El Dorado Shooter in the Grade III Bay Meadows Breeders’ Cup Sprint Handicap in 2003.
In 1987, Chad met Jane Martin at the Pleasanton Racetrack. Both Chad and Jane had strong roots and passion in the horse racing industry. The two married on October 15, 1989. They made their home and raised their two children, Shane and Chanel, in Pleasanton, California.
While Chad spent most of his life as a jockey, he also enjoyed basketball, hunting, fishing, golfing and taking his kid’s to their soccer and 4-H activities. He also loved to have a good time with friends and family, and his fun-loving personality made him the life of almost every get-together. He was set apart from the crowd, from the way he dressed to his unique career, and all experiences in between.
His fighting spirit pulled him through many battles and years of suffering pain. He fought hard to the end. He chased his dreams, loved deeply and showed the world a new level of toughness. He will always be loved and remembered.
Chad is preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Jane Martin Schvaneveldt who passed away July 20, 2022, just eleven months earlier.
Chad is survived by his parents, Phil and Zefa Schvaneveldt; son, Shane (Christine) Schvaneveldt; daughter, Chanel (Kenny) Haworth; grandson, Jaspur Haworth; brother, Jeff Schvaneveldt; sisters, Lila (Todd) Yamamoto and Shannon (Vito) Colucci, in addition to many cousins, nieces, nephews,and friends.
The family looks forward to a Celebration of Life Service for Chad in Arizona, this November 2023 (finalized date and details to come soon).