2025 Belmont Stakes purse: How much prize money the winning owner and trainer will earn

Saturday’s 157th running of the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. With a purse of $2 million up for grabs, it ranks among the richest Thoroughbred horse races in North America.

Have you ever wondered how the Belmont purse is distributed? How much of the $2 million does the winning owner take home? How about the winning trainer? We have the answers.

How the Belmont Stakes purse is paid out

The Belmont isn’t a winner-takes-all race. The purse is split among the top eight finishers. Since only eight horses have entered the 2025 Belmont, every entrant is guaranteed to win a piece of the purse.

The 2025 Belmont purse will be distributed 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 prize money will the winning Belmont Stakes owner earn in 2025?

While exact splits may vary, typically the owner of a Belmont winner receives 80% of the purse, leaving the winning trainer and jockey with 10% apiece. Under this arrangement, in 2025, the winning owner will earn $960,000 before taxes.

However, this isn’t all profit. It costs $15,000 to enter a horse in the Belmont and another $15,000 to start. Plus, there’s a Triple Crown nomination fee that costs $600 at the earliest deadline. This reduces the profits for the winning owner to $929,400 before taxes, though in 2025, entry and starting fees are waived for the winner of the Wood Memorial (G2) and the top three finishers from the Peter Pan (G3).

It should also be noted that many racehorses are owned by partnerships involving two or more people, stables, or groups. The winning purse must be split among each winning owner, depending on the details of their partnership, such as the percentage of the winning horse that each entity owns. As an example, 2024 Belmont winner Dornoch campaigned for an extensive partnership comprised of West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing, and Pin Racing Stables.

How much prize money will the winning Belmont Stakes trainer earn in 2025?

As outlined above, the trainer of the Belmont winner usually earns 10% of the purse. In 2025, this amounts to $120,000 before taxes.

In addition to purse money, the owner and trainer of the 2025 Belmont winner will each receive a trophy.

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!