Born to race: The Ortiz brothers reflect on their careers ahead of 151st Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — Competing, the box is checked. Winning, checked that as well. Racing against your brother, add that to the list.
Born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Jose and Irad Ortiz Jr. did not have to look far for a racing influence.
'I grew up watching horse racing; my grandfather was a jockey, and my dad took me to the track since I was four years old,' older brother Irad said.
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So, their love for racing spans three generations.
Jose said, 'My dad always had that dream that he wanted to be a jockey, but he couldn't, so he always kind of guide us into that path.'
They learned what it took to be jockeys at the prestigious Escuela Vocacional Hípica Jockey School in Puerto Rico. Nearly 15 years later, the two are arguably the best jockeys in North America, sitting in the top three this year in jockey earnings.
They both have Eclipse Awards under their belts. Irad has five, which ties him for second all-time. To be great, you must compete; just 14 months apart in age, that is all they have ever known.
When asked if their skills have led to increased pressure to perform against one another, Jose said, 'We're just living our dream, and to be doing it together at an elite level, I think, is amazing, and, like I said before, I'm very happy for my success, very happy for his success.'
'I learned how to be his brother, and I learned how to beat him too, how to try to be better than him, how to compete against him,' said Irad. 'People are always going to say something, you know; they're going to talk about it, but I'm happy for him, and I'm happy for myself too.'
FOX 56 News asked the brothers if they could pinpoint a key opportunity for their careers.
Jose said, 'The first good horse you start riding and the owner and trainer believe in you and keep you on the horse, and I think for me, it was a horse named La Verdad.'
They encouraged others to stay on their course.
'When you have the opportunity and you can show what you can do, then people believe that you can do it. Until that opportunity comes up, it's hard for you; you just have to keep trying, keep knocking on doors, and keep going forward,' Irad said.
The way to victory is a long haul, and being in the right headspace is important. They said family time is a way to ease the day's work.
'Between races, just chill, listen to some music, and then go back out there,' Jose said.
When asked if they have a pre-race song, Irad said, 'Bad Bunny, anything Bad Bunny.' Irad responded, 'Yeah, I like Bad Bunny too, and Eladio.'
They said their main goal is to be inducted into the Kentucky Derby Hall of Fame.
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Irad has ridden in eight Kentucky Derbies; Jose has been in nine. Neither has crossed the finish line first in the Run for the Roses, but maybe this is the year.
That competitive spirit they have had since childhood will be in full display again on the first Saturday in May.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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