Jos Ortiz and his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., have come under the spotlight over their alleged involvement in illegal cockfighting rings.
José Ortiz has recently come under attention for a fresh controversy. Instead of any new wins or interviews, the jockey and his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., have been allegedly linked to an illegal cockfighting ring in Puerto Rico. These claims have come to the fore just a few weeks after José celebrated his win at the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Some videos and promotional materials have allegedly linked the brothers to underground cockfighting events on the island. Amid the growing scrutiny of José, let's learn more about his wife, Taylor Rice Ortiz.
José Ortiz's wife, Taylor Rice Ortiz, is a former professional jockey and a member of the famous Rice horse racing family. She is the granddaughter of Clyde Rice, a well-known personality in the racing world. Meanwhile, her aunt, Linda Rice, has been one of the most successful female horse trainers in the United States. In fact, Taylor's father, Wayne Rice and brothers, Kevin and Adam, are a part of the facing industry. Most riders began their professional careers in their teenage years. But, Taylor first completed her education and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in International Affairs.
Later, she pursued horse racing professionally and got her official riding license in 2013. According to racing reports, she even won her first professional race aboard. Taylor has competed mainly in the New York and Chicago racing circuits before leaving competitive riding in October 2016. Even after her retirement as a jockey, Taylor has been connected to the sport. She spends summers working with horses at Saratoga and also owns racehorses. At present, the couple reportedly live on a farm in Kentucky with their three children.
José Ortiz and Taylor Rice Ortiz's relationship allegedly began due to a casual setup by her aunt, Linda Rice. According to some reports, José was at Linda's office on a non-racing day when she gave him Taylor's phone number so she could complete her work. José texted Taylor on the same day, and the couple met at a shopping mall for their first date. Soon their bond became serious, and after dating for some time, they got married on December 20, 2016.
Eventually, in 2017, they welcomed their first daughter, Leilani, before welcoming their three children. Since then, she has supported José in his professional raiding career. She is still involved in thoroughbred racing while José is building his career as one of the most elite Jockeys in America. Their shared love for horses has been central to their marriage and bond.
José Ortiz has recently made headlines after a USA TODAY Sports investigation allegedly linked him and his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., to cockfighting activities in Puerto Rico. According to reports, some viral videos from late 2025 have linked the brothers to a cockfighting arena where bets were collected. At the same time, its promotional material listed them as participants in a tournament. For those unaware, cockfighting has been federally banned in Puerto Rico since 2019. However, despite the backlash, no formal changes have been filed against them.
On the other hand, José Ortiz has recorded more than 3,500 career wins. In turn, he earned more than USD 311 million in prize money. Recently, in 2026, he won the prestigious Kentucky Derby, defeating his brother, Irad, in a dramatic finish. He has also won major honours, including the 2017 Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Jockey and multiple Breeders' Cup races.
What do you think about Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr.'s latest cockfighting scandal?
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