The five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey faces another devastating injury setback just eight days before the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 22, 2026) — Puerto Rican jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. suffered a broken left ankle following a frightening accident during Thursday’s ninth and final race at Keeneland Race Course and will require surgery, according to the latest information provided by his agent, Steve Rushing.
Daily Racing Form journalist David Grening reported the diagnosis Thursday evening, confirming that Ortiz will be sidelined indefinitely.
The news represents a significant blow to one of Thoroughbred racing’s most accomplished riders, who had only recently returned to competition following a lengthy recovery from multiple fractures in his left foot.
The injury also rules Ortiz out of the upcoming Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled for October 30–31 at Keeneland, where he was expected to be among the leading jockeys competing on racing’s biggest international stage.
The Accident at Keeneland
The incident occurred shortly after the start of Thursday’s ninth race, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight event for 2-year-old fillies on the main track.
Ortiz was aboard She’s Good Trouble, a juvenile filly making her second career start, when the horse stumbled leaving the starting gate, unseating the 34-year-old rider and sending him to the dirt.
Ortiz remained on the track in visible discomfort as the field continued racing.
Keeneland’s University of Kentucky HealthCare medical team quickly responded, removing him from the racing surface before the horses returned to that section of the track.
He was initially evaluated in the track’s first-aid facility before being transported to a local hospital for further medical examination.
Keeneland initially reported that Ortiz was alert and being evaluated for a possible lower-extremity injury.
The filly, She’s Good Trouble, remained on her feet, continued running without her rider and was subsequently caught safely by outriders.
Agent Confirms Fracture and Surgery
The severity of the injury became clearer later Thursday when Grening provided an update based on information received from Ortiz’s agent, Steve Rushing.
According to Grening, Ortiz sustained a broken left ankle and will have to undergo surgery, with no established timetable for his return to racing.
Rushing’s update confirms that the jockey will be out indefinitely, ending any realistic possibility of participating in next week’s Breeders’ Cup Championships.
No surgical date or projected recovery period has been announced.
Second Major Injury in Less Than Three Months
Thursday’s accident is especially heartbreaking given Ortiz’s recent struggle to return to competition following an August 8 incident at Saratoga Race Course.
During that incident, his mount, And the Runner Is, became difficult to control in the post parade, pinning Ortiz’s left foot against the outside rail.
Although initial examinations did not reveal the full extent of the damage, Ortiz later disclosed that he had suffered seven small fractures in his left foot.
The injury kept him out of competition for 55 days and nearly required surgery, but he ultimately recovered sufficiently to return on October 2, Keeneland’s opening day.
On his first day back, Ortiz guided Nakatomi to victory in the Phoenix Stakes (G2), securing an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
He subsequently continued his strong performances throughout Keeneland’s Fall Meet, including a victory aboard Time to Dazzle in the Franklin Stakes (G2), earning Jockey of the Week honors for October 5–11.
Breeders’ Cup Loses One of Its Biggest Stars
With the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships just over a week away, Ortiz’s absence represents a major development for connections preparing to compete in the prestigious two-day event.
The Puerto Rican rider has established himself as one of the sport’s leading figures, with numerous Grade 1 victories and five Eclipse Awards recognizing him as North America’s Outstanding Jockey.
His absence will require connections who had planned to use him to secure replacement riders for their Breeders’ Cup contenders.
More importantly, Ortiz now faces another period of rehabilitation after overcoming a difficult injury only weeks earlier.
As of Thursday evening, there is no confirmed timetable for his surgery or return to competition.
Agentes 305 World of Racing extends its best wishes to Irad Ortiz Jr. for a successful surgery and a full recovery.
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