For anyone with even a modicum of compassion, cockfighting is abhorrent (if unfamiliar, here’s an overview). In fact, animal fighting of any kind is so generally reviled it is banned both federally and in every U.S. state and, importantly, in all U.S. territories. Despite this, and like all criminalized activities, the fighting continues, both with dogs and roosters.
That jockeys and brothers Jose and Irad Ortiz are (or at least have been) involved in cockfighting in Puerto Rico is no secret (see our post from Jan). This photo showing the brothers holding roosters in a fighting pit was posted by an infamous fighter in Jan ’25:
Then, a video surfaced that apparently shows the brothers at a fight. Subsequent to that, the Kentucky Racing Commission supposedly investigated. In an article in yesterday’s USA Today, the chief legal officer for the Commission says, “The investigation did not result in any action being taken by [the Commission].” She adds: “We will have no further comment on this matter at this time.” But of course, for you see the Ortiz brothers are jockey royalty – with both having ridden in this year’s Derby (finishing 1st and 2nd) and both set to ride at the Preakness tomorrow. So what were the odds Kentucky, or anyone else in this rotten industry, was going to really investigate?
As for Puerto Rico itself, it is well-established that the island is a hellhole for myriad animals (regarding racehorses, see Camarero). On cockfighting, they – politicians who fought the 2019 ban, as well as many (most?) citizens – call it a “cultural tradition.” To which I say, for shame, Puerto Rico. For shame.
Appreciate all the good links Patrick. SHARK investigations documents cock fighting very well currently with his drones & video footage.
All it took for us was to see what occurs in a slaughter house on a 7th grade field trip to become vegetarian! Later after seeing all of our family members suffer greatly from cardio diseases because of heavy animal products consumption & after finding out that high cholesterol is in our family. We went all vegan in 2004. Cholesterol can be controlled without med.s! Went down from 245 to 200 & sometimes we are at 180. One of our poor relatives was a victim of poor German Shepard breeding! His dog Christian was a fabulous dog with excellent temperament. Sadly had to euthanize him at 5 because of hip problems causing much pain to a dog that loved to run. We also know of a breeder here in the NW that bred chickens for were sure the Hispanic work crew for fighting cocks! Now there all gone as has too much public exposure with the large farm.
Unfortunately, as far as the so-called horsemen are concerned, winning races is of a much higher priority than credibility. Gary Stevens, the jockey, and D. Wayne Lukas, the trainer, were at the top tier of horse racing when they were caught on undercover camera talking and laughing about the jockeys using the shocking devices in the starting gates. I didn’t know about that until years after the fact. More people need to know just how cruel these “horsemen” are to the horses and refuse to support the cruelty with their gambling money.
NBC as promoters, would ask them about the use of hidden electrical shock devices in horse racing if they had any credibility.
Absolutely, Sue. Thank you.
I am sickened by how many people think this is no big deal on social media. They use the argument that people eat chickens-so it’s not like dogfighting. Humanity is increasingly going down a nasty path where tormenting and torturing animals is ok.
These arguments are why I became vegetarian. It’s hard to defend these cruelties when someone is a meat eater.
It is quite clear, as well as extremely disgusting and disheartening, that Animal Cruelty to the point of gruesome and agonizing deaths of the animals takes priority as being part of the culture and tradition.
It is moral depravity to prioritize tradition over compassion for the animals. It’s sickening that “fame and fortune” is of a higher priority than kindness and compassion for the animals.
It is morally depraved for the racing industry to put money and people with money on a pedestal and bending the rules in favor of those who are so rich financially and so morally bankrupt that they could not care less about what is best for the animals or being kind to the animals.
This reminds me of what I read about the breed standard of the German Shepherd Dog. The whole breed standard was changed TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE BREED by a few extremely wealthy people involved in the showing and breeding of American Kennel Club registered German Shepherd Dogs as a business.
Decent, honest people who are informed and repulsed by the in-your-face cheating in the horse racing industry need to stand up to the corruption and fraud in this industry! This constant bending of the rules, blatantly breaking the rules, breaking the laws, and the cover-ups need to be exposed every day!