2025 Belmont Stakes purse: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn

The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes (G1) is taking place this Saturday at Saratoga. The third leg of the coveted Triple Crown carries a rich $2 million purse, making it one of the richest horse races in the United States.

The winning Belmont jockey earns a lucrative payday for their skill negotiating two minutes of rapid-fire racing action around the Saratoga oval. Exactly how much prize money does the winning jockey earn? Let’s find out.

How much prize money will the winning Belmont Stakes jockey earn?

The Belmont’s $2 million purse is divided among many participants. The first eight horses across the finish line all earn a portion of the purse, broken down 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

Since only eight horses have entered the 2025 Belmont, each will earn a piece of the purse.

These purse earnings are further divided among the human connections of each horse. Usually, 80% of the winning purse goes to the owner(s) of the Belmont winner, while the winning trainer and jockey split the remaining 20%. In 2025, the winning Belmont jockey will earn $120,000 (10% of $1.2 million) before taxes.

In a typical arrangement, the winning jockey then gives 25% of the $120,000 ($30,000) to his or her agent, and 5% ($6,000) to the valet who prepped the jockey’s riding gear. These distributions reduce the winning jockey’s payday to $84,000 before taxes.

The history of the Belmont Stakes purse

The purse value of the Belmont Stakes has come a long way since its inaugural running in 1867. The sporting action was every bit as exciting—the filly Ruthless battled tenaciously to win by a head in a three-horse drive to the finish line—but she earned only $1,850. Had winning jockey Gilbert Watson Patrick received 10% of the purse, he would have taken home a mere $185.

The Belmont purse has generally climbed since the mid-1930s, reaching $1 million in 1998. It climbed to $1.5 million for the first time in 2014 and elevated to a record $2 million for the 2024 edition.

Join us on June 7 for a rematch that will shake the stands. Many top Kentucky Derby contenders return for the Belmont S. (G1) to fight for the finish, including probable contender Journalism, winner of Preakness 150, and Sovereignty, winner of Derby 151. Who will stand in the winner's circle for Belmont?

Stay with us throughout Belmont Day during stakes races as we bring you the latest horse racing news, live odds, expert picks, and more. It is sure to be an exciting day of racing!

Also, come chat with our expert panel regarding Friday and Saturday racing during Saratoga's Friday card, including the Acorn Stakes!