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The Belmont Stakes gallops into action every June 10, marking the thrilling conclusion of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. Held at Belmont Park, this historic Grade 1 event challenges the finest three-year-olds over its demanding 1.5-mile track. Join fans in celebrating the ‘Test of the Champion’ by watching the race, learning about its rich history, and following the journey of potential Triple Crown winners.
Want to sponsor Belmont Stakes? Learn how
Expected Belmont Stakes Deals
While direct consumer deals are less common for the Belmont Stakes, appreciation for the sport and its participants takes center stage. Brands like Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Triple Crown, often release commemorative bottles or host viewing parties with special cocktails. Official partners such as Longines, the event’s official timekeeper, may offer special promotions on their luxury watches. Retailers specializing in equestrian gear or fan apparel, like Fanatics, typically feature discounts on team merchandise and event-specific attire. Horse racing tracks nationwide, including Churchill Downs and Pimlico Race Course, often host simulcast viewing events with themed food and drink specials. We will update this page with confirmed live activations as June 10 approaches.
Platform Guide for Belmont Stakes
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #BelmontStakes. Share real-time race updates, expert predictions, and reactions to the thrilling finish.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BelmontStakes. Post photos of race day fashion, vibrant track scenes, and your favorite thoroughbreds.
YouTube
Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Watch race highlights, historical features, and interviews with jockeys and trainers.
Belmont Stakes Hero
James Gordon Bennett Jr.
History of Belmont Stakes
The first Belmont Stakes was staged in the Bronx’s Jerome Park Racetrack, which was built in 1866 by stock market speculator Leonard Jerome and sponsored by August Belmont Senior, the race’s namesake. The filly Ruthless won the first race in 1867 and General Duke won the following year. The event was held at Jerome Park until 1890 when it was relocated to Morris Park Racetrack. Because of new rules prohibiting bookmaking in New York, the 1895 race was almost canceled; it was subsequently postponed to November 2.
The event was held at Morris Park Racecourse until the new Belmont Park racetrack in Elmont, New York, opened in May 1905. When Gallant Fox won the three races in 1930, the phrase “Triple Crown” was coined but it was not widely used until 1935 when his son, Omaha, duplicated the accomplishment. Sir Barton was then posthumously recognized as the first Triple Crown winner, in 1919, before the series was officially acknowledged. The great Man o’ War won the Belmont in 1920 by 20 lengths, setting new stakes and an American record while under a strong pull.
Since 1931, the Kentucky Derby has been the first race in the Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and finally the Belmont Stakes. The Belmont Stakes has been raced eleven times before the Preakness Stakes. The Kentucky Derby currently determines the dates for each event. The Belmont Stakes is one of the most well-attended races in American horse racing.
Belmont Stakes timeline
The first Belmont Stakes takes place at Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx.
The trophy is handed to the winner of the Belmont Stakes for the first time.
The Belmont Stakes celebrates 100 years of horse racing.
Almost 80,000 people attend the Belmont Stakes to cheer on Canonero II.
This year marks the 154th year of horse racing at the Belmont Stakes.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Belmont Stakes
Local businesses in the New York area and beyond can capitalize on the excitement of the Belmont Stakes. Bars and restaurants can host viewing parties, offering themed cocktails like the ‘Belmont Jewel’ and special menus featuring upscale American fare. Apparel stores might curate collections of race-day fashion, including hats and formal wear. Sports memorabilia shops can feature items related to past Triple Crown winners and legendary jockeys. Even local bakeries could create horse-themed treats or desserts for fans celebrating at home.
Belmont Stakes FAQs
When is Belmont Stakes?
Belmont Stakes 2026 takes place on Wednesday, June 10, marking the final leg of the Triple Crown. Horse racing enthusiasts will gather to see if a contender can make history.
How long is the Belmont Stakes race?
The Belmont Stakes is run over a distance of 1.5 miles (12 furlongs) on the dirt track at Belmont Park. This makes it the longest and most challenging of the three Triple Crown races, truly testing a horse’s stamina.
How many horses have won the Triple Crown?
As of 2026, only 13 horses have achieved the coveted Triple Crown, winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in the same year. This rare feat highlights the immense difficulty of the challenge.
What is the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing?
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is a series of three Grade 1 races for three-year-old thoroughbreds: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Winning all three in a single season is considered one of the greatest achievements in horse racing.
Belmont Stakes Activities
Purchase your tickets
Get your tickets to the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of thoroughbred racing's prestigious Triple Crown. If you reside outside of New York, there are Belmont Stakes travel packages that you may combine with your favorite tickets and lodgings in Manhattan for a customized Belmont experience.
Share via your socials
You don't have to be in New York to join in the celebration. You can watch videos online or share pictures from the race track and upload it to social media. Be sure to add the hashtag #Belmontstakes.
Read about the history
Join in the celebration by reading up on the origin of the Belmont Stakes. Educate yourself on its history, bidding, horse racing, and race track etiquette.
5 Fascinating Facts About The Belmont Stakes
Jockeys tie for six wins
Eddie Arcaro and Jim McLaughlin tied with six Belmont wins each for jockeys.
The first female jockey
Julie Krone made history as the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race at Belmont Park in 1993.
The fastest horse
Secretariat is the horse with the fastest splits in Belmont Stakes history.
The most-watched Belmont Stakes
The 2004 Belmont Stakes attracted 21.9 million television viewers, the highest household-watching rate since 1977.
The ‘Championship Track’
Practically every major American champion in racing history has competed on the racetrack of Belmont Park, known as the ‘Championship Track.’
Why We Love Belmont Stakes
It is a social event
Attending a horseracing event is a terrific opportunity to meet new people. People like to dress up on important racing days, which can make the occasion even more enjoyable. Even those who are unfamiliar with the sport can enjoy themselves because these activities are frequently family-friendly, allowing individuals of all ages to participate.
It's full of excitement
The thrill of being on the grounds of a race track is incredible. You won't have to wait long because there are usually several races running concurrently, so results are available quickly. The sense of adrenaline is terrific, particularly as the horses speed down the last stretch.
Horse races are reasonably priced
Horse racing tickets are extremely inexpensive when compared to other high-end sporting events. This means that practically everyone can afford to attend a live race and watch world-famous horses and jockeys up close and personal.
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