Apprentice jockey Richie Shakes made headlines over the weekend of April 18–19, 2026, with six victories across two race days, including a career-first four-timer on Sunday.
Shakes, who began riding professionally in December 2024, started his winning streak on Saturday. He guided Adira, trained by Carlton Cunningham, to victory in the seven-furlong opener, holding off champion jockey Raddesh Roman on Another Mission. Later that day, he added a second win aboard Bubbling Warrior over the five-straight course for trainer Christopher Pearson.
Sunday brought a breakthrough. In the third race, Shakes partnered with Prince Daniel, trained by Michael Cain Jr, to a commanding 14-length win at odds of 9-1. He followed up in the sixth race with Badbadtanesha, trained by Robert Ffrench, edging Modern Monarch by a neck at 20-1.
The seventh race produced another upset when Shakes steered Slam Sharp, trained by Michael Marlowe, to victory at 34-1. He closed out the day in the eighth race with Austoa, trained by Fitznahum Williams, winning at 4-1.
In total, Shakes secured six wins over the two days, with most of his mounts starting at long odds. The achievement highlights his growing ability to deliver results on horses overlooked in the betting markets and marks a significant milestone early in his career.
Those six wins, Shakes moved to fifth place in the jockeys’ championship with 14 winners this season., from a total of 86 rides.
