Get to know Irad Ortiz Jr’s net worth and personal life details

Fans of horse racing are familiar with the name Irad Ortiz Jr. The Puerto Rican jockey has won a slew of awards for his remarkable contributions to the sport of horse racing. Many are curious about Ortiz Jr.'s net worth because of his successful athletic career. Explore his professional life, personal life, and net worth.

Some of Ortiz Jr.'s wealth comes from his endorsement deals and business partnerships. He has earned a substantial income in the horse racing industry and beyond through his partnerships.

Profile summary

Irad Ortiz Jr's biography

With a birthday of August 11, 1992, Irad is currently 31 years old. He was born to Irad Ortiz Sr. in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Irad and Jose Ortiz, his younger brother, were born into a family of equestrians.

When he was sixteen, Irad joined the Escuela Vocacional Hípica, a school in Puerto Rico for aspiring jockeys. Like his uncle Iván, his grandpa was a jockey.

With a birthday of August 11, 1992, Irad is currently 31 years old. He was born to Irad Ortiz Sr. and Vilma Morales Adomo in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Irad and Jose Ortiz, his younger brother, were childhood friends.

When he was sixteen, Irad joined the Escuela Vocacional Hípica, a school in Puerto Rico for aspiring jockeys. Like his uncle Iván, his grandpa was a jockey.

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According to Eric Singer, the jockey's projected net worth is $20 million as of 2024. He has a prosperous career as a jockey and has won a substantial amount of money in prizes. Endorsements and partnerships also contribute to his income.

Irad Ortiz Jr's salary

In 2020, Irad rode over 1,260 horses, won about 300, and earned slightly over $21 million, making him the highest-earning jockey in the United States. With earnings of $39,192,585, he surpassed his 2022 record and was honoured as the outstanding jockey by Eclipse Award voters for the fifth year in a row.

Sources state that Ortiz deposited $37,640,792 in 2022, the previous record. With 337 victories, 65 stakes wins (40 of which were in graded company), and earnings that far surpass those of any North American horse, Ortiz is unrivalled. His career includes 3,715 victories, 596 stakes races (304 of which were graded), and over $303.5 million in purse earnings.

Irad Ortiz's career

Ortiz Jr. started riding horses professionally in Puerto Rico in 2011, winning 76 out of 357 races in January and February alone. In the same year, a friend of Irad's grandfather persuaded him to consider New York. Ortiz Jr. made his US racing debut at Belmont Park on June 17, 2011, and won his maiden race aboard Millennium Jet on June 18, 2011.

Achievements

Throughout his career, Ortiz Jr. has garnered numerous notable honours. His 2014 Breeders' Cup victory came aboard Lady Eli, and his 2016 Belmont Stakes triumph aboard Creator was his first American Classic. He won the Belmont Stakes in 2022 aboard Mo Donegal.

After leading all jockeys in wins and earnings in 2018, Ortiz was named the Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Jockey. Winners of the $4 million Turf and the $6 million Classic were among his four winners at the 2019 Breeders' Cup.

With a record-breaking $34,109,019 in earnings in a single year of North American horse racing, Ortiz reclaimed the Eclipse Award in 2019. Having topped the earnings and wins lists in 2020, he was presented with his third consecutive Eclipse Award.

Most prestigious wins

When it comes to Ortiz Jr.'s most prestigious victories in American Classics and Breeders' Cup events, he has won;

Irad Ortiz's horses

Irad is a top jockey and frequently gets the call for the best sprinters. Lady Eli, Bricks and Mortar, Vino Rosso, Creator, and Questing are among his most famous rides.

Bricks and Mortar stands out among these contenders because he was named 2019 American Horse of the Year. At the age of three, the American Thoroughbred had four victories out of six starts.

Creator, a horse that Ortiz Jr. rode to victory in the 2016 Belmont Stakes, was one of his early racing horses. Vino Rosso, a horse that has been running for a while, is one of Ortiz Jr.'s best.

Where is Irad Ortiz Jr today?

Irad took 1st place as the champion at the race in Gulfstream Park (USA) on 14 February 2024. As per Racing Post, the winner took £33,070.87.

Was Irad suspended?

Irad was not fined but suspended for three days of racing on 12, 17, and 18 November 2023, for his ride on Goodnight Olive, a horse trained by Chad Brown, in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Even though Goodnight Olive won by 2 3/4 lengths, she was corrected after straying into Society's path at the three-sixteenth pole.

Is Irad Ortiz Jr. injured?

There are no reports of recent injuries, but in 2022, Jockey Irad experienced a scary fall while racing but escaped long-term injury. In August 2023, Irad's horse, Ever Summer, sustained a catastrophic injury to her left front leg in a race and was euthanized, according to AP News.

Is Irad Ortiz Jr married?

Puerto Rico's Escuela Vocacional Hipica is where Meliza Betancourt, wife of Irad, honed her jockeying skills. In 2011, while they were both still in high school, Irad met her for the first time. For twelve years, Irad and Meliza have been in a committed relationship.

Irad Ortiz Jr's children

Sarai, Saeli, and Salome Ortiz are the children of Irad Ortiz Jr. On Irad's official Instagram account, you can see all three kids. Irad and Meliza's firstborn daughter is Sarai (born 2015).

Born 26 weeks early on November 27, 2017, Saeli is the second of the couple's daughters. As 2020 rolled around, Irad proudly shared a photo of his third daughter, Salome.

Final word

Irad Ortiz Jr's net worth has been boosted through endorsement deals and his career as a jockey, where he won many races. He takes great pride in his accomplishments while maintaining a humble and devoted family man. Given the length of his career, Irad's wealth will likely keep increasing for the foreseeable future.

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Title	Details
Full name	Irad Ortiz Jr.
Gender	Male
Date of birth	August 11, 1992
Place of birth	Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
Age	31 years old as of 2024
Nationality	Puerto Rican
Ethnicity	Mixed
Height	1.6m (5'3")
Weight	50kg (112lbs)
Marital status	Married
Wife	Melissa Betancourt
Profession	Professional jockey
Career wins	3000+ (still ongoing)
Net worth	$20 million
Social media	Instagram, X(Twitter)