Answer first: the most recent Belmont Stakes winner
As of the latest running, the most recent winner of the Belmont Stakes is Arcangelo, who won the 2024 Belmont Stakes. He was trained by Jena Antonucci and ridden by jockey Javier Castellano, completing the 1.5-mile race in approximately 2:28.88 over a muddy track. Arcangelo is a bay colt by War Front out of Leofric. This profile explains winner details, race facts, and how to confirm the most current winner for any given year.
How to identify the Belmont Stakes winner for any year
The Belmont Stakes is the final leg of the U.S. Triple Crown and is run annually at Belmont Park (Elmont, New York), typically in early June. To identify the winner of a specific edition, consult the official Belmont Stakes or Triple Crown records, which list year-by-year results including margin, winning time, and track conditions. The following sections break down recent winners, performance context, and what to watch for in future runnings.
Recent Belmont Stakes winners and quick facts
The table below shows the most recent Belmont winners, their ages at the race, winning margins, and official times. Use this as a quick reference to identify the current or most recent winner and key performance details.
| Year | Winner | Age | Margin | Winning time (miles) | Track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Arcangelo | 3 | 3/4 length | 2:28.88 | Muddy |
| 2023 | Rumble Riot | 3 | 4 1/4 lengths | 2:28.38 | Fast |
| 2022 | Mo Donegal | 3 | 2 1/4 lengths | 2:28.28 | Fast |
| 2021 | Essential Quality | 3 | 1 length | 2:27.11 | Fast |
| 2020 | Tiz the Law | 3 | 2 lengths | 2:29.93 | Muddy |
| 2019 | Sir Winston | 3 | 2 1/4 lengths | 2:28.30 | Fast |
Profile of a Belmont Stakes winner
Belmont winners typically combine stamina, tactical speed, and the ability to handle varying track conditions. Most are 3-year-olds aiming to complete the Triple Crown, though some winners are older or compete solely in the Belmont. Key attributes include a strong aerobic system, durable tendons, and responsiveness to training and race positioning. The race at Belmont is commonly run at a moderate to fast pace early, then tests the horse’s ability to sustain effort over the final eighth mile and across the stretch.
Typical traits of successful Belmont performers
- Stayer pedigree: aptitude for 1.5 miles (12 furlongs) or longer distances
- Soundness and durability to withstand a long, demanding season
- Adaptability to wet or firm track surfaces
- Experience or training that supports late-race stamina
Context: the Belmont Stakes within the Triple Crown
Winning the Belmont Stakes completes the Triple Crown only if the same horse also won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Gaps between victories mean the Belmont often decides whether a Triple Crown is achieved or remains elusive. This makes the race pivotal not only for purse money but for legacy, influencing sire value, breeder strategy, and how the winner is remembered in racing history.
How to verify the current winner and stay accurate
Because winners can differ by year and records may be updated, rely on authoritative sources to confirm the Belmont Stakes victor. Use the official Belmont Stakes website, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame archives, or reputable bloodstock databases that maintain year-by-year results. Avoid relying on social snippets or memory alone; instead check the date, course condition, and margin to ensure you’re reading the most correct and current information.