Kentucky review of Ortiz brothers ended without racing action

Ortiz brothers Kentucky cockfighting review allegations dropped
Earlier reporting broadened the allegations
No charge or sanction emerged from the Kentucky inquiry

Kentucky racing officials reviewed allegations linking Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz to cockfighting in Puerto Rico, but documents reported by Paulick Report show the inquiry closed without any suspension or other disciplinary action.

Racing officials at Kentucky investigated jockey brothers Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz over allegations that they had participated in cockfighting in Puerto Rico, but the review ended without regulatory action.

On Wednesday May 20, the Paulick Report reported that documents obtained from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation through a public records request showed Kentucky stewards conducted an investigation in November 2025.

According to Paulick, the inquiry appears to have been triggered by a social media video alleged to show the brothers attending a cockfighting event.

The same report said chief steward Barbara Borden requested background checks before a meeting with the riders, and that investigators also reviewed the legal position around cockfighting in Puerto Rico and under U.S. law.

Paulick further reported that Kentucky ultimately chose not to suspend or otherwise sanction either jockey.

Earlier reporting broadened the Ortiz brothers Kentucky cockfighting review allegations

While the Thoroughbred Daily News had previously reported on May 14 that USA Today published material alleging the brothers’ links to cockfighting went beyond the earlier viral video.

TDN said the report pointed to social media posts and a club advertisement that appeared to present the riders as participants in Puerto Rican cockfighting events rather than as bystanders alone.

TDN also reported that PETA had asked the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to revisit Eclipse Award consideration for the brothers because of the allegations.

Neither brother nor their agent, Steve Rushing, was quoted as responding in the TDN report at the time of publication.

A Video of Kentucky Derby winning jockey, jose ortiz and his brother irad, shows them working in an illegal cockfight.#Caws @jockeyclub @hisa_us @TomRooney @RepoleStable https://t.co/5loXhEq1Zo pic.twitter.com/U87enaNSv7

— Gulf-SchemePark(Decoupling soon) (@Jackpotkimm) May 14, 2026

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No charge or sanction emerged from the Kentucky inquiry

Paulick said background checks reviewed by Kentucky officials did not identify any federal or Puerto Rico government investigation into the Ortiz brothers, with only minor traffic violations noted.

The same report said Kentucky considered rules that allow action against licensees whose conduct could discredit racing, but chief legal officer Ashleigh Bailey told USA Today that no action was taken.

That leaves the competitive picture unchanged for two of the most prominent jockeys in the sport.

With Equibase’s Kentucky Derby coverage shows Jose Ortiz won this year’s Derby aboard Golden Tempo, while Irad Ortiz Jr. finished second on Renegade in the same race – see below.