Five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. kicked off his season at Gulfstream Park with a stunning performance Thursday, securing four wins as he aims for his third consecutive and record-breaking seventh Leading Rider title at the championship meet.
At 33, Ortiz rode the popular 3-year-old colt Ripton’s Music, trained by Rohan Crichton, to victory in the six-furlong maiden claimer in 1:10.28 during Race 4. This marked Ortiz’s second time competing in that race, having previously placed second with Mi Amada. He also captured Race 5 riding Double Neat for trainer Nick Tomlinson, won Race 8 with Itza Rock under trainer Jose D’Angelo, and claimed Race 9 aboard homebred Pulstar from trainer Wesley Ward.
“It feels great to be back home. I’m happy to have some strong horses and hope for continued support,” Ortiz expressed.
Ortiz previously set a record by leading the championship rider standings six times, surpassing Hall of Famer Javier Castellano. During the 2024-2025 championship, he notched 109 wins and amassed $6.6 million in prize earnings, including a dozen stakes victories like the Pegasus World Cup (G1) and Ghost Zapper (G3) with White Avario and the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) with Mind Frame.
Ortiz has clinched the $3 million Pegasus three times and four wins in the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf, along with two Florida Derby (G1) titles. He praised Gulfstream Park as a special place, appreciating the support from its community and looking forward to another successful season.
On Friday, Ortiz is set to ride in seven races at Gulfstream and will also compete in the Cigar Mile (G2) at Aqueduct. His recent victories include races at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and Mahoning Valley, showing consistent form heading into the championship.
“We’ll go wherever necessary and strive for the best results. I’m genuinely happy to be back home,” he said.
With over 300 wins for 11 straight years and $39.1 million earned in 2023, Ortiz is also nearing a major Gulfstream milestone, sitting just four wins short of 1,000 victories at the track.
In other news, British jockey David Egan, 26, returned to Gulfstream with a win aboard Endrick in Race 6 and showed promising placements in other races. Egan, a former British champion apprentice with over 1,200 career wins, is contracted with AMO Racing through 2028.
Additionally, jockey Mia Nichols required medical attention after a fall during Race 4, though her mount Great Empire was unharmed.
Fan Take: Irad Ortiz Jr.’s remarkable start at Gulfstream reaffirms why he’s a dominant force in horse racing, inspiring fans and competitors alike. His pursuit of historic milestones adds thrilling anticipation to the season, promising an exciting future for the sport.
