PETA Urges Eclipse Awards To Ban Ortiz Brothers In Wake of Cockfighting Video

[Wandering Eyes]

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has sent a letter to stakeholders at the Eclipse Awards asking them to bar jockeys Irad Ortiz Jr. and his brother, Jose, from future consideration for the awards after the discovery of a social media video that appears to show the brothers collecting cash in a ring at a cockfight in Puerto Rico. It is unclear when the event took place.

The 18-second video was posted on X in November, 2025 on the account of @Josmaestre131, with a caption in Spanish reading, “the horseracing cockfighters.” Two roosters appear in the center of the ring in glass cages.

In a follow-up letter to the TDN, the organization writes, “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.”

Cockfighting is illegal in the U.S. and all of its territories, including Puerto Rico. It was officially criminalized with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, and remains illegal despite local efforts by some in Puerto Rico to preserve it as a cultural tradition, prompting legal battles between the island and the U.S. federal government. The Supreme Court has since upheld the ban. While Puerto Rico formerly had local laws on the books allowing it under certain conditions, such as no interstate transport, the federal ban made all aspects of cockfighting–including training and attending–a federal crime. It is unclear if the video was taken before or after the law was passed.

Steve Rushing, the agent for the brothers, responded to the TDN via text to say that he would have no comment on the matter at this time. When asked, Rushing did not confirm or deny that the video shows Ortiz and his brother participating in the event. PETA did not respond to a query as to what they had done to verify the authenticity of the video or that it, in fact, depicted the brothers.

The Eclipse Awards are governed by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the National Turfwriters and Broadcasters Association (NTWAB), and the Daily Racing Form.

The NTRA said that they had received the letter and had forwarded it to the Eclipse Steering Committee, but that they would have further immediate comment. The NTWAB said that they did not receive the letter directly from PETA, but that they had received a copy from the NTRA midday on Friday.

Asked if the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority had any jurisdiction in the matter, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus said that because Puerto Rico does not send out its simulcast signal, it is outside of HISA's authority. “HISA regulations only cover jockey conduct on a covered racetrack or in relation to a covered horse,” Lazarus said via text. “Neither of those scenarios are at play here.”

The PETA letter reads:

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”

This story will be updated as further information becomes available.

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