It seems impossible that the phrase can be used so many times for one individual, but Irad Ortiz Jr.’s 2023 Eclipse Award-winning season was again record-breaking.

This is the fifth Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey received by Ortiz in the past six seasons. The 31-year-old won his first in 2018 and has won every year since except for 2021 when he finished second behind Joel Rosario in voting. By winning a fifth championship, Ortiz ties Hall of Famer Laffit Pincay Jr. for second-most all-time. He is two away from Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey, who won the award a record seven times (1995-97, 2000-03).

In a season in which he rode the second-highest number of horses in his career (1,560), Ortiz won at a 23% rate and 57% of his mounts finished in the money. He led North America in wins for a seventh straight season and his 366 total is a personal best.

Ortiz’s year was highlighted by sensational horses such as Breeders’ Cup winners White Abarrio , Elite Power  , and Goodnight Olive . He also rode Up to the Mark   in two grade 1 victories on the turf. Ortiz won 69 stakes races, 42 of which were graded and 15 at the grade 1 level, leading all jockeys in each category.