Shirley Schvaneveldt, a driving force behind the continued success of the Schvaneveldt racing stables at Los Alamitos Race Course, passed away on Wednesday, May 13. She was 92.

© Los Alamitos

By Orlando Gutierrez

CYPRESS, CA–MAY 15, 2026– Shirley Schvaneveldt, a driving force behind the continued success of the Schvaneveldt racing stables at Los Alamitos Race Course, passed away on Wednesday, May 13. She was 92.

For nearly six decades, Shirley was a pillar of the Southern California Quarter Horse racing community at Los Alamitos Race Course. Alongside her late husband, the legendary AQHA Hall of Fame trainer Blane Schvaneveldt, she was a key figure behind the scenes in helping build the most successful training operation in Quarter Horse history. Following Blane’s passing in 2010, Shirley successfully stepped forward along with their daughters, Shonna and Brenda, to keep the family business thriving for the past 16 years.

Born in Preston, Idaho, Shirley and Blane made their way to California in 1968 looking for greater opportunities after enjoying success at tracks across the Idaho, Montana, and Pacific Northwest racing circuits. Together, the couple would build a historic racing legacy at Los Alamitos, with Shirley right next to Blane every step of the way. The Schvaneveldts stood in the winner’s circle alongside some of the greatest horses in the sport, including Refrigerator, Town Policy, Cash Rate, Tres Passes, Raise A Secret, First Sovereign, Mini Rock, and hundreds more. The iconic Schvaneveldt racing silks were carried to victory by many of those legends, and most recently graced the Los Alamitos winner’s circle after Slatedtoshine won the La Pacifica Handicap for 3-year-old fillies on May 2.

In the early days, Shirley was entirely hands-on in the barn area, helping Blane establish his outstanding racing operation in California. As Blane’s success grew, she became an active leader in helping the Los Alamitos racing community prosper. She was a foundational part of Women Behind Racing, a grassroots organization at Los Alamitos formed to promote Quarter Horse racing, support its horsemen and horsewomen, and share the joy of the sport. She was also a dedicated, long-time supporter of the Los Alamitos Division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America.

Following the passing of Blane Schvaneveldt in July of 2010, the family met to discuss the barn’s future.

“How do we keep the business going?” said Brenda Figueroa when talking about the times immediately following her dad’s passing. “We were not going to close the barn. Mom has been our biggest supporter. We couldn’t have kept the barn open without her. This is still a family business, which is the way it was with dad.”

In the years that followed, the Schvaneveldt silks continued to feature prominently in the winner’s circle, capturing the Los Alamitos Winter Derby with Jess My Kiss, and the Vandy’s Flash Handicap with multiple graded stakes-placed runner Kissed By An Eagle—both owned by Mark and Peggy Brown.

When TRACK Magazine organized an “Evening With The Legends of American Quarter Horse Racing” featuring several of the most influential women in the industry, Shirley Schvaneveldt was naturally invited to be a part of the prestigious panel.

Shirley’s son-in-law, Roman Figueroa—a former winning rider of the Champion of Champions and now a trainer at Los Alamitos—continues to operate from the very same barn the Schvaneveldts have called home for decades at the Orange County oval. He was the winning trainer of Slatedtoshine in the La Pacifica.

As an owner, Shirley remained deeply passionate and active throughout her life in racing. In partnership with her son-in-law Mark Smith, Shirley campaigned talented runners like Slatedtoshine and three-time winner Straight Tequila. Their ownership partnership enjoyed seven victories and nearly $100,000 in earnings. In partnership with owner Elvis Alvarez, Shirley also raced the juvenile Byeanose, who has already placed twice in three career starts.

“The loss of Shirley Schvaneveldt touches all of us involved with Los Alamitos Race Course,” said Dino Perez, Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association. “Her name is synonymous with great Quarter Horse racing at Los Alamitos, and she will be missed dearly. We remain deeply thankful for everything she did for this industry. Our deepest condolences go out to the Schvaneveldt family.”

In the winner’s circle following the running of the La Pacifica on May 2, Shonna Smith held the trophy tightly, her heart and thoughts resting with her parents.

“[Mom] is thrilled to have this horse," Shonna added. "It’s very exciting for her to have a horse wearing the Schvaneveldt colors and doing so well. We bought [Slatedtoshine] because she’s from dad’s family, the Blane Schvaneveldt family. Her dam, Slated, was a mare that dad had, and that’s why we wanted her. We’re so proud of her and so happy to see her wearing the Blane Schvaneveldt silks. She’s beautiful, and we love her.”

She is beautiful—just not quite as beautiful as Shirley, who will forever remain woven into the very fabric of Los Alamitos.

Shirley Schvaneveldt will be laid to rest in Idaho, next to her beloved husband, Blane.

A resident of Cypress, California, Shirley is survived by her two daughters, Shonna (Mark) Smith and Brenda (Roman) Figueroa of Cypress, California; her grandchildren, Brandi Mitchell, Brayden Figueroa, Barrett Figueroa, and Julie Burke; and three great-grandchildren, Beau, Emerson, and Avery.

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