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The body of missing jockey Chris Caserta is believed to have been found after he was swept out to sea during a late night swim.
Gold Coast Water Police and Search Commander Senior Sergeant Jay Notaro said the time frame for Mr Caserta's survival had elapsed after intense search efforts stretching from South Stradbroke Island to Burleigh Heads failed to find him.
'It is an absolute tragedy at any time, but particularly just before Christmas,' Sen Sgt Notatro said on Thursday.
'On behalf of the Queensland Police Service, I'd like to pass on our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the racing industry.
'We'll continue to search and our goal is to return Chris to his family.'
Mr Caserta, 26, disappeared after going swimming with a 25-year-old woman - reportedly apprentice jockey Amy Graham - at the beach off the Esplanade about 10pm on Wednesday.
Onlookers saw the couple struggling in the water and were able to help the woman to the shore.
She was reportedly in a distressed state and had swallowed sea water.
The search for jockey Chris Caserta (pictured) was reduced to a search for his body after intense efforts to locate
