---
title: "Belmont Stakes Purse Breakdown 2026: How Much Will The Winning Horse Earn?"
canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2026/06/02/belmont-stakes-purse-prize-money-breakdown/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Andy Newton"
section: "News"
published: "2026-06-02T11:22:30Z"
modified: "2026-06-02T11:23:30Z"
---

# Belmont Stakes Purse Breakdown 2026: How Much Will The Winning Horse Earn?

- Belmont Stakes purse breakdown for 2026
- The winning Belmont Stakes horse will earn $1.2m
- Belmont Stakes winning jockey to bank $84,000

**The third and final leg of the 2026 Triple Crown takes centre stage on Saturday with the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.**

The 158th running of the [Belmont Stakes](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/05/31/when-is-the-belmont-stakes-2026-date-race-time-tv-schedule/) remains one of the richest horse races in the United States.

Covering 1¼ miles around Saratoga’s historic oval, the race is over in little more than two minutes.

Yet for the jockey who steers the winner home, those fleeting moments can deliver a substantial payday.

So, exactly how much prize money will the winning rider earn in the 2026 Belmont Stakes?

## **2026 Belmont Stakes Purse Breakdown**

The Belmont Stakes purse is shared among the first eight finishers, with the lion’s share reserved for the winner at $1.2m.

With the runner-up banking $360,000 and the third $200,000.

While even the horse that finishes 8th collects $20,000 of the 2026 Belmont Stakes purse.

Here is how the $2 million prize fund breaks down:

- 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

### **Belmont Stakes Purse: What Is The Jockey, Owner and Trainer Cut?**

The winner’s share of the purse is split between the winning owner(s), trainer and jockey.

In most cases, the owner receives 80%, with the trainer and jockey each collecting 10%.

Based on that arrangement, the jockey aboard the 2026 Belmont Stakes winner would earn $120,000-10% of the $1.2 million first-place prize.

Alongside the cash reward, the winning rider also receives a trophy.

However, the full $120,000 does not stay in the jockey’s bank account.

It is customary for a jockey’s agent to receive 25% ($30,000), while the valet responsible for preparing the rider’s equipment is paid 5% ($6,000).

After those deductions, the jockey’s earnings are reduced to $84,000 before taxes.

* * *

See the [2026 Belmont Stakes runners, odds and post positions](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/06/02/belmont-stakes-post-positions-2026/) here.

* * *

### **The history of the Belmont Stakes purse**

The [Belmont Stakes](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/05/31/why-the-158th-belmont-stakes-is-being-held-at-saratoga-race-course/) was first run in 1867.

With the first winner a filly named Ruthless, who edged out her rivals in a thrilling three-horse finish, earning $1,850 for her victory.

That figure represents roughly 0.15% of the 2026 winner’s prize money.

Meaning if her jockey, Gilbert Watson, received a 10% riding fee, his share would have been $185.

Given the race’s prestige and importance on the American racing calendar, it is no surprise that the Belmont Stakes purse has increased dramatically over the past century and a half.

The purse reached $1 million for the first time in 1998, climbed to $1.5 million in 2014, and was raised to its current level of $2 million in 2024.

The Belmont Stakes purse is also the same as the Preakness Stakes, but a lot less than the Kentucky Derby.

With the Derby winner in 2026 banking $3.1m – which is $1.9m more than the Belmont Stakes.

The [2026 Kentucky Derby purse breakdown](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/05/03/kentucky-derby-purse-2026-full-churchill-downs-prize-money-breakdown/) was as follows.

- 1st: $3,100,000
- 2nd: $1,000,000
- 3rd: $500,000
- 4th: $250,000
- 5th: $150,000

*Note: All figures on this page are subject to change*