Recently, the name Irad Ortiz Jr. has become a synonym for success with the rider claiming the top spot for three consecutive years (2018-2020) and returning in 2022 to take back his crown.
As the past 365 days drift away into the rearview, Ortiz, who ends the year with North American earnings greater than his peers by a significant margin, reflects on his stunning season and looks toward 2023 where he will have seek to break the records he set himself.
One that the jockey most recently shattered was the most single-season stakes wins (76), which was set in 2007 by late Hall of Famer Garrett Gomez. Ortiz says his agent Steve Rushing told him that he was getting close ahead of the World Championships.
"I talked to Steve before the Breeders' Cup, and he told me about the record and said, 'Irad I think we have a chance, let's push.' I said, 'Alright let's do it.' We had a good day at the Breeders' Cup, and then after that we were very close," Ortiz said.
The jockey's 'good day,' Nov. 4-5 at Keeneland, included three separate trips to the winner's circle with Todd Pletcher trainee Forte in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), First Row Partners and Team Hanley's Goodnight Olive in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and Elite Power in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) for trainer Bill Mott.
Overall, the jockey has racked up 17 first-place finishes, eight second-place scores, and five thirds since his first ride at the Breeders' Cup in 2014.
Ortiz says that he and his agent began to ramp up traveling afterward in order to find races which could steer him toward setting a new record. Eventually, during the first week of December, the jockey closed in on his goal at Aqueduct Racetrack when he rode Dr B to victory in the Go for Wand Stakes (G3).
"We were pushing; we went to Mahoning Valley and tried to get close to the record. It was exciting just to be close, and then we got it. When we broke it, it was a very special moment."
His win on Dr B was No. 77 and he finished the year with 80 in total.
"It's a dream for me. Every day I am out there, it's what I love to do, and just to be in this position. All the success I have right now, it's great," Ortiz said. "It's a dream come true for me and I want to keep doing it."
The rider also broke his own record set in 2019 for earnings in a year in North America. It was previously $34.1 million which he blew past—taking home $37,075,772 in 2022.
"It's been great, maybe the best year of my career. My agent has done such a good job. The owners and trainers support me big time. They make it possible because I need that support from them," Ortiz said.
"We never stop working... it's amazing what we did last year. I don't look too much, but when I do see what happened, all the numbers are very impressive. I'm so happy."
From a year which saw Ortiz hit the wire first 325 times from 1,363 rides, he says that his triumph in the Belmont Stakes (G1) aboard Donegal Racing and Repole Stable's Mo Donegal was one of his most treasured memories.
Ortiz was aboard the now 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo when he broke his maiden in October of his 2-year-old year at Belmont Park and returned to partner with the colt for his first graded stakes victory in the 2021 Remsen Stakes (G2) as well as a third-place effort in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park for his first start in 2022.
The ride went to Joel Rosario for the colt's next run in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), but Ortiz was back on for the Kentucky Derby (G1) in which he placed fifth. In Mo Donegal's last time out, Ortiz secured the victory in the final leg of the Triple Crown, soaring past his brother Jose aboard Nest, who took runner-up honors.
Mo Donegal's victory gave Ortiz his second win in the Belmont after Creator's success in 2016. The jockey has yet to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) or the Kentucky Derby.
"I liked my horse, I was working with him for a long time... I told Steve (Rushing), 'I think this is my Derby horse.' We ended up back on him in the Derby," Ortiz said. "We had a bit of a rough trip... But I knew what he could do and I knew how he was doing so I loved going to the Belmont Stakes and getting it done; one of my favorite moments of the year for sure."
Along with support from his agent, trainers, and owners, Ortiz says the attention he received from the public is part of what made the year remarkable. He says there was not one track he preferred over another because he felt welcomed at all venues he rode at.
"These last couple years, everywhere I go people treat me so good. I love to ride in New York but when I visit other tracks and people support me, the way they react to me," Ortiz said. "They want to be close to me to take pictures and I really enjoy that. They make me feel special and part of wherever I go."
So what does Ortiz have in store for 2023 after achieving at such a high level the past year? For him it is an uncomplicated reply— anything is possible with dedication.
"When this kind of thing happens to you, you have to do it," he said. "It's a lot of sacrifice. It's a lot of work too but I enjoy it...You never know what's going to happen. We just work hard and focus and keep going.
"I think in 2019 we had a record and we ended up breaking that this (past) year so who knows... If it's for me, it's for me, and (I) try to do the right thing. Keep learning every day. Every day we are out there, I am learning something, and I feel better and more experienced, more prepared. I'm ready."
Rounding out the top five is Flavien Prat ($29,832,252), Joel Rosario ($29,250,139), Tyler Gaffalione ($27,360,825), and Luis Saez ($24,339,905).
