Eclipse Awards: Bar Ortiz Bros. From Award Nominations Over Disgusting Cockfighting Video, Says PETA

For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2026

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Following the annual Eclipse Awards ceremony last night, PETA sent a letter this morning to the organization’s board, urging them to bar Irad Ortiz Jr. and José Ortiz from future “Outstanding Jockey” nominations in light of a social media video that shows the five-time Eclipse Award winner and his brother, 2017 winner José Ortiz, collecting cash bets at an illegal cockfight in Puerto Rico.

PETA points out that Ortiz Jr.—who led North American jockeys in both wins and earnings in 2025—and his brother José, who ranked third in both categories, should face investigation and potential prosecution for working the ring in the bloody spectacles, where people gamble on a bloodsport in which terrified roosters have razor-sharp blades strapped to their feet and are forced to fight to the death.

“With the horse racing industry already plagued by doping, horse deaths, and horse abuse scandals, the last thing it should celebrate is jockeys who engage in egregious cruelty to other animals in a jurisdiction where it’s illegal,” says PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. “PETA is calling on the Eclipse Awards to demonstrate a bare minimum standard for its honorees by barring Irad Ortiz Jr. and José Ortiz from future Outstanding Jockey nominations.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to the board of the Eclipse Awards follows.

January 23, 2026

Board Members:

We are writing to urge you to make Irad Ortiz, Jr., and José Ortiz ineligible for future Eclipse award nominations. While Irad Ortiz, Jr., may lead North American jockeys in both wins and earnings, with José close behind, they are trailing as representatives of the racing industry.

Video posted on X in November 2025 shows the brothers at a cockfight in Puerto Rico. The video reveals that they aren’t simply observers of this vicious spectacle—they are in the ring taking cash from the betting crowd.

As Irad Ortiz and José Ortiz surely know, cockfighting is illegal in all U.S. states and territories, including Puerto Rico. They could be investigated and possibly prosecuted for their involvement. In addition to the legal ramifications, it’s stunning that past Eclipse Award winners participated in any way in the bloody, fight-to-the-death obscenity that is cockfighting.

Their actions are without question detrimental to racing. The public already sees whipping, illegal drug use, breakdowns, and the slaughter of Thoroughbreds as abusive. In addition to dealing with these life and death issues, the racing industry must not tolerate cruelty to any species by racing licensees. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Kathy Guillermo

Senior Vice President

Equine Matters

PETA