Belmont Stakes

Publication date: 08 Jul 2025

About the Belmont Stakes

The Belmont Stakes is one of the three premier horse races in the United States, being the traditional last leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes is held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont Village, New York, USA on the first or second Saturday in June which is five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks after the Preakness Stakes. With a length of 2.4 km, it is the longest of the three classic Triple Crown races. This race is also called the Test of the Champion as well as, the Run for the Carnations because the winning horse is awarded a robe with white carnations on it. This prize requires 700 carnations, which are specially from Colombia.

Official website of the Belmont Stakes

2026 Belmont Stakes

In 2026, one of the most prestigious horse racing tournaments in the United States, the Belmont Stakes, will once again be held in Saratoga Springs, New York. The date has already been set — Saturday, June 6, 2026. This is the final leg of the American Triple Crown, which is watched by the whole world.

The race usually takes place at the Belmont Park racetrack on Long Island, but for the third year in a row it has been temporarily moved to Saratoga Race Course. The reason is a large-scale reconstruction of the main stadium, which will last until the fall of 2026. Saratoga hosted the races well in 2024 and 2025, and in 2026 it will again become the arena for the main June race.

Due to the peculiarities of the track in Saratoga, the race distance is slightly shortened — instead of the usual 1.5 miles, the horses will run 1¼ miles. This doesn’t diminish the significance of the event: winning the Belmont Stakes remains one of the most coveted victories for jockeys and horse owners.

The Belmont Stakes is more than just a race. It’s a show, a style, a history, and an emotion. In 2026, all of this will come to life again in the atmosphere of the resort town of Saratoga Springs.

Festival Format and Program

The Belmont Stakes is the final race of the Triple Crown of the United States. It determines the strongest three-year-old horse of the season. The main race will take place as part of the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. This jam-packed event will feature additional races, entertainment, and exclusive spectator areas.

Tickets and Spectator Opportunities

Tickets will go on sale on February 13, 2025. A variety of accommodations will be available, including VIP seating, premium packages, and access to restaurants and lounges.

The 2025 Belmont Stakes promises to be an unforgettable event for racing fans. It will combine tradition, excitement, and modern competition formats.

History of the horse races

The first horse races Belmont Stakes was held on 19 June 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx. A horse named Ruthless was the first winner of the race.  Throughout the history of these races, the Belmont location changed three times:

• 1867 to 1890 at Jerome Park;
• 1890 to 1904 at Morris Park;
• 1905 to present at Belmont Park.

Since 1926, the winner has been presented with a silver bowl called the August Belmont Trophy. The owner may keep the trophy for one year.

Previous horse races results

2027 Belmont Stakes

There is currently no information on the dates or location of the next Belmont Stakes horse race.

Keep an eye on the dates of horse races and other events in our Sports Events Calendar.