‘Outstanding Jockey’ Award Winners Caught at Illegal Cockfighting Ring

After two former winners of “Outstanding Jockey” awards, Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz, were spotted collecting cash bets at an illegal cockfight in Puerto Rico, PETA is demanding action. 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 animals like cockfighting.

Jockeys Must Face Consequences for Participating in Illegal Cockfighting

PETA is calling on The Eclipse Awards to bar Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz from future “Outstanding Jockey” nominations in light of the social media video that appears to show the five-time Eclipse Award winner and his brother, 2017 winner Jose Ortiz, at the illegal cockfighting ring.

Ortiz Jr.—who led North American jockeys in both wins and earnings in 2025—and his brother Jose, who ranked third in both categories, should also face investigation and potential prosecution for working the ring where people gamble on a bloodsport.

Cockfighting rings are often linked to crimes like illegal gambling, prostitution, robbery, murder, and drug trafficking. The fight doesn’t end until one rooster is dead or nearly dead, and common injuries include punctured lungs, pierced eyes, and broken bones. The losing bird is often discarded into a barrel or trash can near the fight pit, even if he’s still alive. The winning rooster’s wounds are typically crudely stitched up with no veterinary treatment.

Cockfights—much like illegal horse bushtrack races—only take place because organizers and gamblers make money betting on the animals’ lives.

After PETA submitted damning evidence documenting jockey Jose Nicasio racing in dozens of illegal bush races—where horses are routinely injected with cocaine and methamphetamine—showing Nicasio repeatedly using an electric shock device on horses, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) banned him for life.

How You Can Help Animals Exploited for Human Entertainment

Every week, an average of 24 horses experience fatal breakdowns at racetracks across the country, and this number continues to rise. If you work at a racetrack, a horse training or breeding facility, a veterinary office, or any other business affiliated with or adjacent to the horse racing industry—whether you’re a vet tech, groom, exercise rider, hot walker, or a timer in morning training—you may have seen something that needs to be reported. If you see anyone abusing horses used for racing, let us know. PETA will take your request for anonymity seriously.