Irad Ortiz Jr. Biography: Age, Height, Career, and Major Wins

Irad Ortiz Jr. is a Puerto Rican jockey recognized for his success in American Thoroughbred horse racing. Since moving to New York in 2011, he has developed into one of the leading riders on the New York Racing Association circuit and across North America.

Ortiz has won the Belmont Stakes twice, earned more than 20 Breeders’ Cup victories, and received five Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Jockey. His major mounts have included Creator, Mo Donegal, Lady Eli, Vino Rosso, White Abarrio, Elite Power, and Goodnight Olive.

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Profile Summary

Early Life and Background

Irad Ortiz Jr. was born on August 11, 1992, in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. He grew up in a family with established connections to horse racing.

His grandfather, also named Irad Ortiz, was a jockey, as was his uncle, Iván Ortiz. His younger brother, José Ortiz, also became a prominent professional jockey. José won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2017.

Ortiz attended Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocacional Hípica, a school that trains prospective jockeys. The program helped prepare him for the physical demands, race strategy, and professional standards of Thoroughbred racing.

He began riding professionally at Hipódromo Camarero in Puerto Rico on New Year’s Day in 2011. His first recorded winner came aboard Wild Logic on January 2. Later that year, he moved to New York and began competing at Belmont Park. NYRA’s official profile records his first United States victory aboard Millennium Jet on June 24, 2011.

Relationship and Net Worth

Ortiz maintains a relatively private personal life compared with his public racing career. A profile published by the Belmont Child Care Association identifies him as the father of three daughters: Sarai, Saeli, and Salomé.

His current marital or romantic status is not consistently documented by authoritative racing organizations. Consequently, claims about a wife, marriage, or current partner should not be presented as confirmed without a direct and up-to-date statement.

There is also no independently verified figure for Irad Ortiz Jr.’s net worth. Racing databases report the purse earnings of horses ridden by a jockey, but those figures do not represent the jockey’s personal income or financial assets. Online estimates that treat total mount earnings as personal wealth are therefore misleading.

Career and Professional Journey

Beginning His Career in New York

Ortiz rode his first race at Belmont Park on June 17, 2011. He secured his first American victory one week later and quickly gained opportunities within the competitive New York jockey colony.

His first major breakthrough came in 2012 through his partnership with Questing. Ortiz guided the filly to victories in the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. The Coaching Club American Oaks was his first Grade 1 victory.

Ortiz continued advancing in 2013, winning races such as the Carter Handicap, Champagne Stakes, and King’s Bishop Stakes. He also earned his first New York riding title during Aqueduct’s 2012–13 inner-track meeting.

First Breeders’ Cup Victory

In 2014, Ortiz recorded his first Breeders’ Cup victory aboard Lady Eli in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. The result began a long period of success at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

He added two victories at the 2015 championships. Stephanie’s Kitten won the Filly & Mare Turf, while Lady Shipman captured the Turf Sprint.

Ortiz also established himself as a consistent leader in New York. He won consecutive year-end New York riding titles in 2014 and 2015 before adding another in 2017.

Belmont Stakes Wins

Ortiz earned his first victory in an American Triple Crown race when he rode Creator in the 2016 Belmont Stakes. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Creator defeated Destin in a close finish.

His second Belmont Stakes victory came in 2022 aboard Mo Donegal. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Mo Donegal moved into contention around the final turn and took the lead in the stretch. Official Belmont Stakes records confirm Ortiz as the winning jockey in both 2016 and 2022.

Eclipse Award Era

The 2018 season marked another important stage in Ortiz’s career. He led North American jockeys in both victories and mount earnings, receiving his first Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey.

At the 2018 Breeders’ Cup, he won aboard Newspaperofrecord in the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Shamrock Rose in the Filly & Mare Sprint. Those results helped him earn his first Bill Shoemaker Award as the championships’ outstanding jockey.

Ortiz delivered one of his strongest Breeders’ Cup performances in 2019, winning four races over the two-day event. His victories included the Turf aboard Bricks and Mortar and the Classic aboard Vino Rosso. He finished the season with a second consecutive Eclipse Award.

A third straight Eclipse Award followed in 2020. That season included a Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory aboard Whitmore.

Record-Setting Seasons

Ortiz produced a record-setting campaign in 2022. He registered 80 stakes victories, a North American single-season record, and established a jockey earnings record of $37,075,772. In addition to winning the Belmont Stakes on Mo Donegal, he secured three Breeders’ Cup races and received his fourth Eclipse Award.

He surpassed his own earnings record in 2023, finishing the season with $39,192,585. Ortiz also led North American riders with 366 victories.

His three Breeders’ Cup winners that year were White Abarrio in the Classic, Elite Power in the Sprint, and Goodnight Olive in the Filly & Mare Sprint. The season resulted in his fifth Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association confirmed his 2023 totals and award.

Ortiz remained successful at the highest level in 2025. He won three races at the Breeders’ Cup and received the Bill Shoemaker Award for a sixth time. He also received the 2025 Mike Venezia Memorial Award, which recognizes sportsmanship and citizenship among jockeys.

Major Achievements and Recognition

Ortiz has won five Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Jockey, receiving the honor in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. That total places him alongside Laffit Pincay Jr., while Jerry Bailey holds the category record with seven.

His six Bill Shoemaker Awards came in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2025. The award recognizes the leading jockey at each year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

Ortiz’s most important race victories include:

• Belmont Stakes with Creator in 2016
• Belmont Stakes with Mo Donegal in 2022
• Breeders’ Cup Classic with Vino Rosso in 2019
• Breeders’ Cup Classic with White Abarrio in 2023
• Breeders’ Cup Turf with Bricks and Mortar in 2019
• Breeders’ Cup Sprint with Whitmore in 2020
• Breeders’ Cup Sprint with Elite Power in 2022 and 2023
• Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint with Goodnight Olive in 2022 and 2023

His 2022 record of 80 stakes victories and his 2023 earnings total of $39,192,585 demonstrate his sustained performance across high-level races. His career has included major victories on dirt and turf, as well as repeated riding titles at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, and Saratoga.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Irad Ortiz Jr.?

Irad Ortiz Jr. is a Puerto Rican professional jockey. He is known for competing on the New York Thoroughbred racing circuit and for winning major races including the Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

How old is Irad Ortiz Jr.?

Ortiz was born on August 11, 1992. He is 33 years old as of July 2026 and will turn 34 on August 11, 2026.

How tall is Irad Ortiz Jr.?

Irad Ortiz Jr. is listed at 5 feet 3 inches, equivalent to approximately 1.60 meters. His official NYRA profile has also listed his riding weight at 112 pounds, although jockey weights can vary.

Is José Ortiz related to Irad Ortiz Jr.?

Yes. José Ortiz is Irad Ortiz Jr.’s younger brother. Both were born in Trujillo Alto, attended jockey school in Puerto Rico, and became leading riders in American Thoroughbred racing.

How many times has Irad Ortiz Jr. won the Belmont Stakes?

Ortiz has won the Belmont Stakes twice. He earned his first victory aboard Creator in 2016 and won the race again aboard Mo Donegal in 2022.

Conclusion

Irad Ortiz Jr. has built a distinguished career through sustained success in New York and at major North American racing events. Born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, he received formal jockey training before beginning his professional career in 2011.

His verified accomplishments include two Belmont Stakes victories, more than 20 Breeders’ Cup wins, five Eclipse Awards, and six Bill Shoemaker Awards. Record-setting seasons in 2022 and 2023 further established his position among the leading jockeys of his generation.