Manuel "Manny" Ortiz, Jr

We honor the life of Manuel, “Manny, Jr” “Mogie” Ortiz. Born November 19, 1970 departed to heaven 01/23/2024. Survived by his mother, Gregoria “ Georgie” Ortiz, father Manny Ortiz, Sr., brother, Frank Ortiz; nephew, Isaiah Ortiz, niece Mariah; grandmother “Nana” Aurelia  Figueroa, God Parents, Lina & Eddie Portillo & cousins, aunts & uncles.  

Preceded in death by his maternal grandfather “Tata” Manuel Figueroa Sr. and his uncle Manuel Figueroa Jr., Manny Ortiz Jr. was a born jockey & carried on the family legacy proudly. At 4 months old, he sat on horse, Bar Smith, then ran that same horse down the historical Rialto River at age 5 in a parade and continued that racing legacy. In his professional career as a jockey, Manny Ortiz Jr., participated in & was highly esteemed at the Phoenix Gold Cup, Phoenix Breeders Futurity Cup, Diamond Eagle & Canterbury, to name a few,  racing Thoroughbred  & Quarter horses horses across North America from 1986-2005. 

Manny Ortiz Jr. attended Deer Valley High School. He continued to make Phoenix his home after his untimely retirement from horse racing. Once retired, his focus was on the loving and caring for animals and his family,  just as he did in his youth. His mother recalls him always having a heart for animals, whether it be horses, dogs, cats, ferrets, fish or birds; taking them in & caring for them sincerely. 

After his horse racing retirement, Manny Ortiz Jr went on to later channel his love for animals & people. He, lovingly, created a resource providing therapeutic respite by way of connecting his mini horses & persons with developmental & emotional challenges. Through this, he and his mini horses provided an unknown amount of happiness & healing to those that needed it appreciated it most, at the time. Just another way Mogie’s (Manny Jr.s) legacy lives on.

Manny Ortiz Jr is greatly loved & will be greatly missed. A soul  that loved greatly, had so much to give, and so much left to give. Yet, we should also know, & find comfort that he loved the Lord, our God & would hope, that we take this opportunity to love God as He loves us and one another.