From Hall of Fame pioneer Ángel Cordero Jr. to John Velazquez and brothers Irad and José Ortiz, Puerto Rican jockeys have established an extraordinary legacy at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
LEXINGTON, Kentucky — October 2026 — The Breeders’ Cup has provided a stage for some of the greatest jockeys in Thoroughbred racing history.
Since the championships began in 1984, riders from around the world have traveled to compete for victories in the sport’s most prestigious races.
Among those who have left an exceptional mark are the jockeys of Puerto Rico.
For generations, the island has produced talented riders who have established themselves among the leading professionals in North American Thoroughbred racing.
Their achievements extend from the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown races to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, where they have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to succeed at the highest level.
Four prominent Puerto Rican jockeys — Ángel Cordero Jr., John Velazquez, Irad Ortiz Jr., and José Ortiz — have combined for 54 Breeders’ Cup victories through 2025.
Their accomplishments represent different generations of excellence and an important chapter in the history of Hispanic participation in American racing.
Ángel Cordero Jr.: The Pioneer Who Opened Doors
Long before Puerto Rican jockeys became familiar names throughout North American racing, Ángel Cordero Jr. helped establish the island’s reputation for producing exceptional riding talent.
Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Cordero began his career in the 1960s before becoming one of the most successful and influential jockeys of his generation.
His aggressive riding style, competitive determination, and remarkable achievements made him a leading figure in American racing.
Cordero won three Kentucky Derbies and earned two Eclipse Awards as North America’s outstanding jockey.
He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1988.
Cordero also made his mark on the Breeders’ Cup.
His first championship victory came aboard Life’s Magic in the 1985 Distaff at Aqueduct.
Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Life’s Magic delivered a dominant performance, winning by 6½ lengths.
In 1988, Cordero added two more Breeders’ Cup victories at Churchill Downs.
He captured the Juvenile Fillies aboard Open Mind and the Sprint with Gulch.
The following year, he returned to win the 1989 Sprint aboard Dancing Spree.
Cordero completed his Breeders’ Cup riding career with four championship victories.
But his influence extended far beyond those results.
After retiring from riding, Cordero became an important mentor and racing agent, helping guide the careers of other jockeys, including John Velazquez.
His career created a foundation for future generations of Puerto Rican riders seeking opportunities in American Thoroughbred racing.
John Velazquez: A Hall of Fame Career Built on Excellence
John Velazquez represents one of the most successful careers ever achieved by a Puerto Rican jockey.
Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Velazquez developed his riding skills on the island before relocating to New York in 1990.
With the guidance of Ángel Cordero Jr., he steadily established himself among the leading jockeys on the competitive New York racing circuit.
His career eventually developed into one of the most accomplished in North American Thoroughbred racing.
Velazquez has won multiple Triple Crown races, major Grade 1 championships, and two Eclipse Awards as outstanding jockey.
He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.
At the Breeders’ Cup, Velazquez has been particularly successful.
Through the 2025 championships, he has recorded 21 victories, placing him among the most accomplished jockeys in the event’s history.
His first Breeders’ Cup victory came aboard Da Hoss in the 1998 Mile at Churchill Downs.
It was a memorable occasion, as Da Hoss returned from a lengthy absence from racing to defeat elite international competition.
Over the following decades, Velazquez continued to build an extraordinary Breeders’ Cup record.
His victories include the 2004 Distaff aboard Ashado, the 2007 Turf with English Channel, the 2012 Mile aboard Wise Dan, and the 2022 Distaff aboard Malathaat.
One of his greatest achievements came in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.
Riding Kentucky Derby winner Authentic for trainer Bob Baffert, Velazquez guided the colt to a decisive victory in the championship’s premier race.
That performance secured Authentic’s place among the leading horses of his generation and added another major milestone to Velazquez’s career.
His most recent Breeders’ Cup victory came in the 2024 Sprint aboard Straight No Chaser.
Beyond his individual achievements, Velazquez has also become an influential figure in American racing, serving as a respected leader and advocate for jockeys.
His success reflects both exceptional longevity and the continuing importance of Puerto Rican riding talent within the sport.
Irad Ortiz Jr.: A Modern Breeders’ Cup Powerhouse
Few jockeys have dominated the Breeders’ Cup in recent years quite like Irad Ortiz Jr.
Born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Ortiz arrived in the United States in 2011 and quickly established himself as one of the country’s most successful riders.
His remarkable consistency, tactical versatility, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations have helped him achieve extraordinary results.
Ortiz earned multiple Eclipse Awards as outstanding jockey and established himself among the leaders in North American racing earnings.
At the Breeders’ Cup, his record is exceptional.
Through the 2025 championships, Ortiz has won 23 Breeders’ Cup races.
His first championship victory came in 2014 aboard Lady Eli in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.
He followed with another important victory in 2015 aboard Stephanie’s Kitten in the Filly & Mare Turf.
His success accelerated in subsequent years.
In 2019, Ortiz produced a remarkable Breeders’ Cup performance at Santa Anita, winning four championship races.
Those victories included the Classic aboard Vino Rosso, the Turf with Bricks and Mortar, the Dirt Mile aboard Spun to Run, and the Juvenile Turf Sprint with Four Wheel Drive.
The achievement confirmed his status among the most effective championship riders in the sport.
In 2023, Ortiz captured another Breeders’ Cup Classic aboard White Abarrio at Santa Anita.
That victory demonstrated his ability to deliver on the championship’s biggest stage.
His accomplishments have also extended across multiple racing surfaces and divisions.
Ortiz has won championship races with elite dirt sprinters, turf runners, juveniles, and Classic contenders.
His success continued at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar, where he won three races.
He captured the Sprint aboard Bentornato, the Turf Sprint with Shisospicy, and the Juvenile Turf Sprint aboard Cy Fair.
Those results increased his career Breeders’ Cup total to 23 victories and further strengthened his place among the most successful jockeys in championship history.
José Ortiz: Establishing His Own Championship Legacy
While Irad Ortiz Jr. has built an extraordinary Breeders’ Cup record, his younger brother José Ortiz has established an impressive championship career of his own.
Born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, José began riding professionally in Puerto Rico before relocating to New York in 2012.
He quickly demonstrated the ability to compete against the country’s leading riders.
José won the Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey in 2017 and has continued to achieve success in major races throughout North America.
His first Breeders’ Cup victory came in 2016 aboard Oscar Performance in the Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.
The following year, he captured the Juvenile aboard Good Magic at Del Mar.
In 2019, José added another Juvenile Turf victory aboard Structor.
One of his most memorable Breeders’ Cup performances came in 2021, when he won the Sprint aboard Aloha West and the Juvenile Fillies Turf with Pizza Bianca.
He added his sixth championship victory in 2024 aboard More Than Looks in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Those achievements demonstrate his ability to succeed in a wide range of racing divisions, from elite dirt sprinters to international turf competition.
Together, the Ortiz brothers represent one of the most successful sibling combinations in modern American Thoroughbred racing.
Their rise has also helped maintain Puerto Rico’s prominent role among the leading jockey colonies in the United States.
Four Jockeys, 54 Breeders’ Cup Victories
The achievements of Cordero, Velazquez, and the Ortiz brothers provide a remarkable illustration of Puerto Rico’s influence on the championships.
Their combined 54 victories span different generations, racing surfaces, distances, and championship divisions.
They have won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Turf, Sprint, Mile, Distaff, and several juvenile championships.
Perhaps even more impressive is the continuity between their careers.
Cordero helped establish Puerto Rico’s reputation among North America’s leading jockeys.
Velazquez followed that example and developed into one of the sport’s most accomplished Hall of Fame riders.
The Ortiz brothers have carried that legacy forward, becoming major figures in contemporary American racing.
The success of these jockeys has also increased the visibility of Puerto Rican athletes in one of the world’s most competitive professional sporting environments.
Puerto Rico’s Contribution Goes Beyond the Winners’ Circle
The success of Puerto Rican jockeys cannot be separated from the island’s racing traditions.
Puerto Rico has a long history of Thoroughbred racing and a professional development system that has prepared jockeys for careers in North America.
Many riders begin their careers at local racetracks before seeking opportunities in the United States.
For some, the transition requires adapting to a new racing environment, different competition, and the demanding schedules of major American racing circuits.
The achievements of Cordero, Velazquez, and the Ortiz brothers demonstrate the possibilities available to riders who successfully make that transition.
Their careers have also helped inspire younger generations of Puerto Rican jockeys.
The connection extends beyond individual victories.
Puerto Rican racing professionals contribute to major American stables, racetracks, breeding operations, and racing organizations in numerous capacities.
At the Breeders’ Cup, their participation is part of the broader Hispanic and Latin American presence that continues to shape the sport.
The Legacy Continues at Keeneland 2026
As Keeneland prepares to host the 2026 Breeders’ Cup on October 30–31, Puerto Rican jockeys remain important figures in the American racing landscape.
Their achievements offer an important perspective on the international character of the championships.
Although the Breeders’ Cup was created in the United States, its history has been shaped by riders and racing professionals from around the world.
Puerto Rico has made a particularly significant contribution.
From Ángel Cordero Jr.’s pioneering victories to John Velazquez’s Hall of Fame accomplishments and the continuing success of Irad and José Ortiz, the island has produced generations of championship-winning jockeys.
Their legacy is measured not only by the races they have won, but also by their influence on the sport and the opportunities they have helped create for future generations.
At the Breeders’ Cup, where the world’s finest horses and racing professionals meet, Puerto Rican jockeys have repeatedly demonstrated that they belong among the very best.
Coming Next: Invasor: From Uruguay’s Triple Crown to Breeders’ Cup Classic Glory.
Agentes 305 — Covering Racing Worldwide.
Part 5 of the special series “Breeders’ Cup: A Legacy of Champions.”
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