He rode in more races than anyone in 2023. He won more races, finished second in more races, and finished third in more races than anyone. He broke his own record for earnings in a year and is likely to win a fifth Eclipse Award as the nation’s top jockey on Jan. 25.
Welcome to the workhorse world of Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Once again, the 31-year-old from Puerto Rico produced a record-setting season. His ambition to be the best of the best shows nearly every time he gets a leg up on a horse. Whatever unfolds when the starting gate opens, Ortiz usually finds a way into winning contention.
As friendly as any rider you’ll meet, Ortiz is one tough competitor on the track – he was suspended no less than four times in 2023 mainly for careless riding. But there’s no denying his work ethic – he shows up in the mornings to work horses and he rides all year. He’s been first in wins seven years in a row.
Nonetheless, Ortiz rode in 1,560 races, won 366, finished second in 269 and third in 248 for earnings of $39,192,585 – topping his record from 2022 by more than $2 million. Among his victories: the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) with White Abarrio, the BC Sprint (G1) for the second year in a row with Elite Powe, and the BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) with Goodnight Olive for the second year in a row.
Hall of Famer Javier Castellano had a sensational year, too, winning his first Kentucky Derby (G1) aboard Mage and his first Belmont Stakes (G1) aboard Arcangelo. A four-time Eclipse Award winner, Castellano finished sixth in earnings with almost 500 less races than Ortiz and could be an Eclipse Award finalist.
Brad Cox is leading trainer
Brad Cox led all trainers in earnings in 2023 with $30,947,677. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen was next with $27,514,712.
Cox won 12 Grade 1 races. Among them were the Personal Ensign, the Spinster and the BC Distaff (G1) with Idiomatic; the Arkansas Derby with Angel of Empire, the Pennsylvania Derby with Saudi Crown; and the Champagne with Timberlake.
Cox is a two-time Eclipse Award winner and the likely favorite to win a third.
Godolphin tops owners for fourth straight year
Another banner year for Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin, LLC.
The worldwide stable topped all owners in 2023 with earnings of $17,270,223, nearly $8 million more than second-place Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables.
Godolphin won 12 Grade 1s in 2023, including the Churchill Downs, the Metropolitan Handicap, and the BC Dirt Mile with Cody’s Wish; the Test, the Acorn, and the Kentucky Oaks with Pretty Mischievous; and the Woodbine Mile and BC Mile with Master of the Seas.
2023 North American Jockey Earnings Top 10:P
1 Irad Ortiz Jr., $39,192,585
2 Tyler Gaffalione, $29,980,952
3 Flavien Prat, $26,746,503
4 Luis Saez, $23,191,560
5 Jose L. Ortiz, $22,577,022
6 Joel Rosario, $20,918,384
7 Javier Castellano, $19,492,859
8 Florent Geroux, $18,191,379
9 Manuel Franco, $17,680,105
10 John R. Velazquez, $15,527,186
(information from Equibase)
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
