The Belmont Gold Cup Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four years old and older held over two miles on the turf scheduled annually in early June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The event currently carries a purse of $250,000.
History
The race was inaugurated in 2014 with a stakes purse of $200,000.
In 2017 the event was classified as Grade III and was reclassified as Grade II for 2018.
The event is longest graded event in North America and attracts many entrants from Europe where long distance staying races on the turf are more numerous.
In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, NYRA did not schedule the event in their updated and shortened spring-summer meeting.
In 2024 the event was moved to Saratoga Racetrack as part of the Belmont Stakes carnival due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.. The Irish-bred winner The Grey Wizard set a new track record for the two-mile journey.
The 2025 Edition was moved the to dirt course due to weather and downgraded to Grade III due to the condition of the turf course after heavy rain. The event was held over the one and three-quarter miles distance.
Records Speed record: 3:16.68 - Loft (GER) (2022)
Largest margin of victory: lengths - Parchment Party (2025)
Most wins by a jockey: 4 – John R. Velazquez (2014, 2021, 2024, 2025)
Most wins by a trainer: No trainer has won this race more than once.
Most wins by an owner: No owner has won this race more than once.
Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Saratoga – Belmont Gold Cup Stakes2026Tawny Port7Flavien PratMiguel ClementPeachtree Stable2 miles3:17.75$250,000II2025Parchment Party4John R. VelazquezWilliam MottPin Oak Stud LLC miles2:57.86$250,000III20245Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and The Estate of Albert Frassetto2 miles3:18.35$250,000IIAt Belmont Park2023Siskany (GB)5William BuickCharles ApplebyGodolphin2 miles3:23.94$250,000II2022Loft (GER)4Andrasch StarkeMarcel WeissManfred Ostermann2 miles3:16.68$400,000II2021 Baron Samedi (GB) 4 John R. Velazquez Joseph O'Brien LECH Racing 2 miles 3:27.30 $400,000II2020Race not heldBelmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes2019Amade (IRE)5Flavien PratAlessandro BottiOTI Racing, Laurent Dassault & Elisa Berte 2 miles3:19.95$400,000II2018Call To Mind (GB)4Javier CastellanoWilliam HaggasQueen Elizabeth II2 miles3:16.78$400,000II2017Red Cardinal (IRE)5Eduardo PedrozaAndreas WohlerAustralian Bloodstock2 miles3:18.79$400,000III2016Da Big Hoss5Florent GerouxMichael J. MakerPhillips Racing Partnership2 miles3:17.29$300,000 Listed 2015Innovation Economy4Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownKlaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence2 miles3:22.17$250,000 Listed 2014Charming Kitten4John R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherKenneth and Sarah Ramsey2 miles3:21.52$200,000
Legend:
Notes:
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
References