What is the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes?
The Belmont Gold Cup Stakes is a Grade II Thoroughbred race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Contested at 2 miles on the turf for horses aged four and older, it is the longest graded Thoroughbred race in North America and one of the most unique tests of stamina on the American racing calendar. The race was inaugurated in 2014 at Belmont Park as an invitational event, received Grade III status in 2017, and was upgraded to Grade II in 2018. The winner receives an automatic qualification to the Melbourne Cup, the most prestigious long-distance race in the world, making the Belmont Gold Cup a rare transatlantic gateway in American racing. The race has a strong tradition of attracting European-trained stayers, where long-distance turf racing is more common, and has produced winners from Ireland, Great Britain, and Germany alongside American homebreds. John Velazquez is the most successful jockey in the race's history with four wins, including The Grey Wizard (IRE) in 2024 and Parchment Party in 2025.
When is the Belmont Gold Cup Stakes in 2026?
The 2026 Belmont Gold Cup Stakes is scheduled for June at Saratoga Race Course as part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Contested at 2 miles on the turf with a purse of $250,000, the race draws the top long-distance turf horses in North America and Europe, with the winner earning an automatic berth to the Melbourne Cup.
Belmont Gold Cup Stakes History & Notable Winners
The Belmont Gold Cup has quickly established itself as the premier staying turf race in North America since its inaugural running in 2014. Parchment Party delivered the most dominant performance in the race's history in 2025, winning by 8½ lengths under John Velazquez for trainer Henk Grewe in 2:57.86 — though the race was moved to dirt and contested at 1¾ miles due to heavy rain, earning a temporary Grade III designation. The Grey Wizard (IRE) set a new stakes record of 3:18.35 on turf in 2024 under Velazquez for trainer Graham Motion. Godolphin's Siskany (GB) gave trainer Charlie Appleby a 2023 win under William Buick in 3:23.94. German-trained Loft holds the turf speed record of 3:16.68 set in 2022 under Andrasch Starke for trainer Marcel Weiss. Baron Samedi (GB) gave trainer Joseph O'Brien his first Belmont Gold Cup win in 2021 under Velazquez in 3:27.30.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Parchment Party | John Velazquez | 2:57.86* |
| 2024 | The Grey Wizard (IRE) | John Velazquez | 3:18.35 |
| 2023 | Siskany (GB) | William Buick | 3:23.94 |
| 2022 | Loft (GER) | Andrasch Starke | 3:16.68** |
| 2021 | Baron Samedi (GB) | John Velazquez | 3:27.30 |
* Run on dirt at 1¾ miles due to weather. ** Stakes record on turf.
The Belmont Gold Cup Stakes is the longest graded race in North America and a rare pathway between American racing and the Melbourne Cup, making it one of the most unique events on the annual racing calendar.
