2024 Belmont Stakes purse: How much prize money the winning owner and trainer will earn
Trainers Kenny McPeek (left) and D. Wayne Lukas (right) (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
June 3rd, 2024
The 156th running of the Belmont Stakes (G1) looks a bit different than in years past. Traditionally held over 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park, the third leg of the Triple Crown is shifting to 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga due to renovations at Belmont Park.
There’s another change in the air as well: the purse money has risen to a record $2 million, up from $1.5 million in 2023. In addition to the prestige of winning a Triple Crown race, there’s a lot of money on the line for the winning owner and trainer.
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How the Belmont Stakes purse is paid out
Although it costs $15,000 to enter the Belmont and another $15,000 to start, there’s a reasonable chance of earning back that investment thanks to the way the purse is distributed. The top six finishers receive between $1.2 million and $40,000, and even the seventh-place and eighth-place finishers earn back $20,000.
The 2024 Belmont purse will be paid out as follows:
1st: $1.2 million
2nd: $360,000
3rd: $200,000
4th: $100,000
5th: $60,000
6th: $40,000
7th: $20,000
8th: $20,000
How much will the winning owner and trainer earn?
While exact splits might vary, in a typical arrangement the owner of a Belmont winner earns 80% of the purse, while the winning trainer and jockey receive 10% apiece. Under this breakdown, in 2024 the winning owner takes home $960,000 before taxes while the winning trainer gets $120,000 before taxes.
However, owner partnerships involving two or more people, stables, or groups are increasingly common in horse racing. When Mo Donegal won the 2022 Belmont Stakes for the partnership of Donegal Racing and Repole Stable, the co-owners split the winning purse.
In addition to purse money, the Belmont Stakes conditions stipulate that the winning owner “will be presented with the August Belmont Memorial Cup to be retained for one year as well as a trophy for permanent possession.” The winning trainer, jockey, and groom likewise receive trophies.
The value of the Belmont purse has come a long way since its inaugural running in 1867, when the filly Ruthless earned $1,850 for defeating three rivals.
