Jose Ortiz Biography – Eclipse Award-Winning Jockey

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Jose Ortiz's Bio

Jose Ortiz is a Puerto Rican jockey. Image Source: Jose Ortiz's Instagram.

Last updated on May 22nd, 2022 at 12:07 pm

Horse racing has become one of the most-watched sports in the USA and the world itself. People involved in horse racing have become successful, with immense fame and fortune to their name. One such personality is Jose Ortiz.

Since 2012, Jose has been involved in the Thoroughbred horse racing circuit and has won many events in his career. In this Jose Ortiz’s biography, we will be learning some interesting facts regarding his family, wife, net worth, and many more.

Hails From A Family Of Jockeys

The jockey was born Jose L. Ortiz on October 2, 1993, in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. He is one of the two children of his parents. He has an elder brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., who is an Eclipse Award-winning jockey.

Jose Ortiz’s parents are Irad Ortiz and Vilma Morales Adomo. He hails from a family of jockeys as his grandfather, who is also named Irad Ortiz, was also a horse rider. So was his uncle Ivan Ortiz. As a result, he must have been interested in the sport from a very young age.

Jose went to Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocacional Hipica, which is a school for prospective jockeys.

Jose Ortiz Net Worth And Earnings

Jose has become a household name in horse racing sports. Along with the fame, he has amassed significant wealth in his professional career. Although the exact amount of his riches is yet to be revealed, it can be assumed that Jose Ortiz’s net worth is a considerable sum.

In 2012, Jose moved to the United States to join his big brother, who had already become a leading jockey. In a short time, he and his sibling made a good name for themselves. His first career win was in 2012 in Puerto Rico at Hipodromo Camarero.

Then, Ortiz’s first win in the USA was in March 2012 at Parx Casino and Racing. In his professional career, he has won many racing events, including the Belmont Derby, and became second in the Kentucky Derby.

Along with the victories, the Puerto Rican jockey has pocketed a massive amount. The table below shows some of Jose Ortiz’s earnings in his horse-riding career.

Year Starts Per Start Earnings
2012 697 $4,334 $3,020,758
2015 1,361 $12,729 $17,324,023
2018 1,513 $17,740 $26,841,159
2019 1,419 $19,400 $27,529,006
2021 1,372 $18,221 $24,999,802

Table Source: Equibase

Jose has earned $198,388,886 with 13,415 starts in his career, as per Equibase. Furthermore, he has won a number of racing awards, including the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey (2017), United States Champion Jockey by wins (2016), and many more. In May 2022, he won the $1.64 million Preakness Stakes aboard Early Voting.

Hence, looking at his earnings, Jose Ortiz’s net worth must be in multi-millions.

Also Read: Learn About Israel Adesanya

Married To A Former Jockey

How lucky is that person who gets married to someone who shares the same passion and profession? Well, the 2017 Eclipse Award-winning jockey is a lucky guy as his wife is a former jockey.

Jose Ortiz shares a blissful marital life with Taylor Rice. The couple first met in New York at Aqueduct. In June 2016, the lovebirds got engaged. He proposed to his partner on the eve of the Belmont Stakes. As per DRF, they dated for close to two and half years before he popped the question.

On December 20, 2016, the engaged duo exchanged the vows. Furthermore, Jose Ortiz’s wife, Taylor Ortiz comes from a household of jockeys as her father and aunt were jockeys. Similarly, her other aunt Linda Rice is one of the most successful NYRA trainers, and her mom manages a Thoroughbred farm.

Jose Ortiz's Wife Taylor Ortiz
Jose Ortiz got married to the former jockey Taylor Rice in 2016. Image Source: Jose Ortiz’s Instagram.

Hence, the married duo with a similar background must have found it easier to bond. Their conjugal life is still going smooth, and the pair love each other immensely.

Brian Joseph Hernandez is another jockey who has been married for many years.

Is A Doting Father Of Three Children

The jockey couple has been married for many years now. In nearly a decade of being together, Jose and his spouse grew their family from two to five.

The Thoroughbred horse racer has welcomed three children with his wife. In June 2017, Jose became a dad for the first time with the birth of his daughter Leilani Ortiz. His wife went into labor when he was at the airport waiting for a flight to Presque Isle Downs.

Jose’s second child is his son Derek Ortiz who was born in December 2018. In May 2021, he posted that they were expecting their third child, Niko Ortiz.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jose Ortiz (@joseortizjockey)

Nevertheless, Jose Ortiz’s children seem to be doing great, and they all must be having a wonderful time growing up together. He and his wife must be raising them with immense love and care.

The successful jockey seems to be living a comfortable life, all thanks to his staggering net worth. He and his brother are becoming more successful, and their parents are proud of them.

Hopefully, Jose will become more renowned in the coming days.