Jose Ortiz changes agents, will be represented by Steve Rushing
In a surprise move, jockey Jose Ortiz has parted ways with his longtime agent Jimmy Riccio Jr. and has hired Steve Rushing to be his new agent effective Aug. 14, Ortiz said Tuesday. Rushing also represents Ortiz’s brother, Irad Ortiz Jr.
Jose Ortiz and Riccio were together for 9 1/2 years and in 2017 Ortiz won the Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding jockey. This year, Ortiz currently ranks fourth nationally in earnings with $13,632,382 and ninth in wins with 135, including the Preakness stakes on Early Voting.
Ortiz is tied for fifth nationally with 28 stakes wins and ranks fourth in graded stakes victories with 18.
In explaining the change, Ortiz said “I lost some business . . . everyday business and some stakes horses. I feel like it’s time to make a change. We had a great run, I have nothing bad to say about him.”
Ortiz, 28, was the leading rider on the New York Racing circuit in wins in 2020-21 as well as 2016. He is a three-time leading rider at Saratoga. At the current meet, he ranks fourth in wins (13) and in purse money won ($1,220,241).
In addition to Early Voting, Ortiz is the regular rider of Grade 1 winners Jack Christopher, Regal Glory, Obligatory, and Letruska.
Riccio said he was “shocked and heartbroken” to get the phone call on Tuesday morning from Ortiz.
“I got nothing bad to say about Jose, I appreciated the opportunity,” Riccio said. “I think I’m a very good agent and a very good person, I hope to get someone that wants to work with me so I can prove that.”
Ortiz said he sees “no problem” working with the same agent as his brother, Irad, who currently leads North American in wins and purse money won and is atop the Saratoga standings with 22 victories.
“He’s a great agent, he’s one of the best, I’m happy to make a change and happy that he’s open,” Ortiz said.