Steve Rushing has been a successful jockey agent for almost 40 years, and during that time, the riders he has taken the books for include Hall of Famers Edgar Prado and Ramon Dominguez as well as Rosie Napravnik and Tammi Piermarini. Currently, he represents the Eclipse Award-winning brothers Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz, who have both risen to the top of the ranks on the New York Racing Association circuit and in North America.
Rushing discussed representing the two Ortiz brothers in a discussion with the NYRA publicity department.
New York Racing Association: Is there any other single agent who simultaneously has had the books of two brothers, and moreover, brothers who are both at the top of this game?
Steve Rushing: This is probably a first. I can’t think of anyone else. To begin with, there aren’t too many brothers who are riders, and then are both at the top of the mountain, and then to be represented by the same agent. It is unique. I’ve represented some very good riders. I’ve been very fortunate to work with both Jose and Irad.
NYRA: Are the Ortiz brothers, who are recognized and respected for their work ethic as well as their immense ability in the irons, the gifts that keep on giving?
SR: They are really special. They are great, great kids. They are both outstanding jockeys and outstanding people who come from a great family. They are very special, that’s for sure. They make my job easier because they are both very professional and they do the right things. As great as they are as riders, they are even better human beings and that says a lot.
NYRA: Irad and Jose are not just brothers; they are best friends and as tight as can be. They support one another in every way. But when they are out on the track, they are known to be intensely competitive with one another. Is that a racetrack rumor or the truth?
SR: They are so competitive that it’s crazy. It really is. They are so close but so competitive, and not just when riding. Whatever they do, and it doesn’t matter what it is, they are crazy competitive. It’s great, though.
Technical Analysis, under Jose Ortiz, wins the De La Rose Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
NYRA: They are both very much in demand. How is it when they both want to be on the same superstar horse—horses like champions, back-to-back Breeders’ Cup winners, and multiple New York grade 1 stakes winners Elite Power and Goodnight Olive—and Irad gets those mounts?
SR: They both always want to be on those kinds of horses, but they both understand the game. They never question anything. They just go with the flow. I’ve told them that one week, things might work in Irad’s favor and then the next week, they’ll work in Jose’s favor. It all balances out in the end.
NYRA: The trainers and owners are the decision makers as to who rides their horses, so how important is it to maintain solid relationships with them to best benefit each brother?
SR: It’s very important. If Jose and Irad are going after the same mount, I’ll tell the trainers that both guys are available, if they are, and then let the trainer and owner decide.
Irad Ortiz Jr. celebrates a victory from White Abarrio in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park
NYRA: The job of a jockey agent is hardly an easy one. It’s demanding and extremely competitive, and at times contentious. Often it can be akin to doing a balancing act on a high wire. Are communication and honesty the biggest keys to your success?
SR: Definitely. It’s very important to be a good communicator, for sure. Being up front and straight with people is the best way to be. That’s really the only way to be. It can be with riders like Irad and Jose that if someone gives them a call and then there’s a problem, they really don’t want to give up the call. They want to honor it. It’s easy to get on the horses but sometimes it’s hard to take off the horses.
NYRA: Your job is seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. You set up the morning work schedules as well as the afternoon riding assignments for the brothers. You have to look out for potential conflicts and stay ahead of the curve. How much homework is necessary?
SR: All day you’re doing something, and it is every day. These guys ride out of town a lot so there is also a lot of traveling involved. There’s really a lot to it. For instance, Irad can be at Santa Anita the same day that Jose is at Gulfstream. They both stay very busy.
There’s a lot of handicapping the races involved and you have to be pretty good at it. But it doesn’t always come down to that. There might be a situation where this horse you think is better but your relationship with another trainer is better and he has a lot more horses. Even when you handicap, you don’t always ride the horse you think is fastest. Sometimes it comes down to relationships.
NYRA: This winter, you have to keep up to snuff on opportunities, including with Triple Crown contenders, for Irad and Jose at multiple tracks like Aqueduct, Gulfstream, Tampa Bay Downs, Santa Anita, Oaklawn, Fair Grounds, and other simultaneous race meets. The tracks and the trainers are located in different time zones. That’s a lot to manage.
SR: There’s always racing going on somewhere. It’s great, isn’t it?
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
