Jose Ortiz won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, narrowly defeating his brother Irad Ortiz. Riding Golden Tempo, Jose secured victory over Irad's horse Renegade by a nose.
Key points
Jose Ortiz won the 152nd Kentucky Derby
He defeated his brother Irad Ortiz
Jose rode Golden Tempo, a 23-1 longshot
The brothers finished first and second
Both have multiple prestigious racing awards
Mentioned in this story
Jose OrtizIrad OrtizTrujillo AltoPuerto Rico
Kentucky Derby
They grew up in the same house in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. They learned to ride from the same family members, mentored by the same Hall of Fame jockey and have been pushed by the same sibling rivalry. Saturday, that all played out on the biggest stage in American racing as Jose Ortiz, 32, edged out his older brother Irad, 33, to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
Down the stretch, Jose, aboard 23-1 longshot Golden Tempo, outdueled Irad, who was riding the 5-1 favorite Renegade. Golden Tempo, who started at the back of the pack, edged Renegade by a nose at the finish line.
The brothers finished first and second.
“I want him to win the Derby, of course,” Jose said after the win. “I know it’s his dreams as well. But it happened that way. I think he should be happy. His horse ran a very good race. Today’s my day and Golden Tempo’s day.”
It was Jose’s 11th try at the Derby. It was Irad’s 10th. Between them, they have five Eclipse Awards, thousands of Grade 1 victories, two Belmont Stakes wins and a Preakness Stakes win. The Kentucky Derby was the one race that eluded both.
Their grandfather, also named Irad Ortiz, was a jockey. So was their uncle Ivan. They both attended Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocacional Hipica, a school for prospective jockeys, and were mentored by Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero Jr. They both arrived in New York and became premier jockeys.
The sibling rivalry never stopped.
“That’s just what we do,” Jose said in an interview with America’s Best Racing. “We’ve always competed, trying to beat each other. It’s still fun. We’re still very close.”
Derby Day has arrived, and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
How did Jose Ortiz win the Kentucky Derby against his brother Irad?
Jose Ortiz won by riding Golden Tempo, a 23-1 longshot, and edged out Irad's horse Renegade by a nose.
What is the significance of the Ortiz brothers finishing first and second in the Kentucky Derby?
It marks a historic moment as both brothers, who have been rivals and mentored by the same family, achieved this feat in one of horse racing's biggest events.
How many times have Jose and Irad Ortiz competed in the Kentucky Derby?
Jose Ortiz has competed in the Kentucky Derby 11 times, while Irad Ortiz has participated 10 times.
What awards and achievements do the Ortiz brothers have in horse racing?
Together, they have five Eclipse Awards, multiple Grade 1 victories, two Belmont Stakes wins, and a Preakness Stakes win.
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Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday,
May 1, 2026.
Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
1 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Derby Day has arrived, and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
4 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday,
May 1, 2026.
5 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
6 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
7 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
8 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
9 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
10 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
11 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
12 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
13 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
14 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Saturday, that played out at Churchill Downs with most of America's sports fans watching. It came at the end of a weekend that put Jose in rare company even before the Derby started.
On Friday night, he won the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always a Runner for trainer Chad Brown. With Saturday’s Derby win, Jose became the ninth jockey in history to sweep both races in the same year. The last to do it was Brian Hernandez Jr. in 2024. Before that, it was Calvin Borel in 2009.
How much does the Kentucky Derby winning jockey win?
Jose’s money reflects how rare the weekend was. The Kentucky Derby carries a $5 million purse with $3.1 million going to the winner. Ortiz’s standard 10 percent jockey share comes to $310,000. That’s before his agent and valet take their shares.
Jose Ortiz on Golden Tempo during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Jose Ortiz on Golden Tempo during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY. May 2, 2026
Winning the Oaks added another $90,000 to his gross pay for the weekend.
Jose came into Saturday with more than $307 million in career earnings across nearly 19,000 starts. He had won the Belmont and the Preakness, but the Derby was the one thing missing from his resume.
Irad still doesn’t have it in 10 tries. He most likely will be back next year. They both will, once again playing out their lifelong rivalry in the biggest stage for American racing.
