Irad Ortiz Jr. is a Puerto Rican professional jockey and one of the most successful riders in modern North American Thoroughbred racing. He is best known for his dominance on the New York racing circuit, multiple Breeders’ Cup victories, Belmont Stakes wins, and repeated Eclipse Award recognition.
Born on August 11, 1992, in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Ortiz rose from Puerto Rico’s jockey training system to become a leading rider in the United States. The New York Racing Association lists him as a two-time Belmont Stakes winner, a 20-time Breeders’ Cup winner, and a five-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey.
Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| Profession | Professional Horse Jockey |
| Date of Birth | August 11, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Birth Sign | Leo |
| Birthplace | Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Known For | New York racing success, Breeders’ Cup wins, Belmont Stakes victories |
| Jockey School | Escuela Vocacional Hípica |
| First Breeders’ Cup Win | Lady Eli, 2014 Juvenile Fillies Turf |
| First American Classic Win | Creator, 2016 Belmont Stakes |
| Other Belmont Stakes Win | Mo Donegal, 2022 Belmont Stakes |
| Major Awards | Five-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey |
| Brother | José Ortiz, professional jockey |
| Grandfather | Irad Ortiz, also a jockey |
| Children | Sarai, Saeli, and Salomé |
| Instagram Handle | irad_ortiz |
Early Life and Background
Irad Ortiz Jr. was born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, on August 11, 1992. He grew up in a family with strong ties to horse racing. His grandfather, also named Irad Ortiz, was a jockey, and his younger brother, José Ortiz, also became a leading professional jockey.
At age 16, Ortiz enrolled in Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocacional Hípica, a school for prospective jockeys. The New Yorker reported that he was one of 18 students selected from more than 100 applicants for the two-year program, which trains young riders in racing technique and horsemanship.
Ortiz began his professional riding career at Hipódromo Camarero in Puerto Rico on January 1, 2011. He quickly gained attention after winning 76 of 357 starts in the early months of that year. His first career win in the United States came at Belmont Park aboard Millennium Jet in June 2011.
Career and Professional Journey
Ortiz established himself in the New York racing circuit after moving into U.S. competition. By 2012, he had become a journeyman rider, and in the following years he developed into one of the most consistent jockeys in the country. The New York Racing Association notes that he won back-to-back New York riding titles in 2014 and 2015 and added another year-end crown in 2017.
His first Breeders’ Cup victory came in 2014 aboard Lady Eli in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. America’s Best Racing identifies that win as a major milestone in Ortiz’s rise, following a year in which he won 15 graded stakes races.
Ortiz earned his first American Classic win in 2016 when he rode Creator to victory in the Belmont Stakes. He later won the Belmont Stakes again in 2022 aboard Mo Donegal, giving him two victories in one of the most important races in American Thoroughbred racing.
His Breeders’ Cup record has become a central part of his career profile. NYRA lists Ortiz with 20 Breeders’ Cup wins, beginning with Lady Eli in 2014 and extending through White Abarrio in the 2023 Classic.
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Major Achievements and Recognition
Irad Ortiz Jr. has earned major recognition for both consistency and elite-race success. He is a five-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey, placing him among the top riders in North American racing.
His 2019 season was especially notable. America’s Best Racing reported that Ortiz won four Breeders’ Cup races that year, including the Classic aboard Vino Rosso, and set a North American jockey earnings record with more than $34 million. He was also honored with the 2019 Eclipse Award as Outstanding Jockey.
Ortiz has continued to set major statistical marks. America’s Best Racing reported that he finished 2025 with $40,497,847 in earnings, 351 victories, 65 stakes wins, 36 graded stakes wins, and nine Grade 1 wins, surpassing his own previous North American annual earnings record from 2023.
The Belmont Child Care Association, where Ortiz is listed as an honorary board member, states that he has won the Bill Shoemaker Award as the top jockey at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships five times and has more than 3,000 career wins.
Family and Personal Life
Ortiz comes from a racing family. His grandfather, Irad Ortiz, was a jockey, and his uncle Iván Ortiz and brother José Ortiz also became jockeys. José Ortiz has built his own successful career in New York racing, making the Ortiz brothers one of the most prominent sibling pairs in the sport.
Public profiles state that Ortiz resides on Long Island with his three daughters, Sarai, Saeli, and Salomé. Because his family life is not the main focus of his public career, reliable biographical coverage should avoid adding private details beyond what has been shared in credible public sources.
Ortiz has also publicly acknowledged the influence of Puerto Rican racing figures. In 2020, he posted a photo with Ángel Cordero Jr., one of his idols and one of the most influential Puerto Rican jockeys in American racing history.
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FAQ Section
Who is Irad Ortiz Jr.?
Irad Ortiz Jr. is a Puerto Rican professional jockey from Trujillo Alto. He is known for major success in New York racing, multiple Breeders’ Cup victories, Belmont Stakes wins, and five Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Jockey.
How old is Irad Ortiz Jr.?
Irad Ortiz Jr. was born on August 11, 1992, which makes him 33 years old. His birth sign is Leo.
Where is Irad Ortiz Jr. from?
Irad Ortiz Jr. is from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. He trained at the Escuela Vocacional Hípica before beginning his professional riding career at Hipódromo Camarero in Puerto Rico.
What major races has Irad Ortiz Jr. won?
Ortiz has won the Belmont Stakes twice, first aboard Creator in 2016 and again aboard Mo Donegal in 2022. He has also won 20 Breeders’ Cup races, including the 2014 Juvenile Fillies Turf with Lady Eli and the 2023 Classic with White Abarrio.
Is José Ortiz related to Irad Ortiz Jr.?
Yes. José Ortiz is Irad Ortiz Jr.’s younger brother. Both are Puerto Rican professional jockeys and have been leading riders in the New York racing circuit.
Conclusion
Irad Ortiz Jr. is one of the leading jockeys in contemporary Thoroughbred racing. Born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, he trained at Escuela Vocacional Hípica, began riding professionally in 2011, and quickly rose to prominence in the United States.
The key verified facts about Ortiz include his two Belmont Stakes victories, 20 Breeders’ Cup wins, five Eclipse Awards, and record-setting earnings seasons. His racing family background, including his grandfather Irad Ortiz and brother José Ortiz, also forms an important part of his biography. His career remains strongly associated with New York racing, Breeders’ Cup success, and Puerto Rico’s continued influence on elite American horse racing.