Breeders' Cup returning to Belmont in 2027 after $455 million renovation

New York Post

5 days ago

The Breeders' Cup will be returning to Belmont Park, with the two-day, 14-event slate of championship races set for Oct. 29 and 30, 2027.
The announcement was made Wednesday morning by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul at a Manhattan press conference, where it was also revealed that Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., will be the 2026 host site.
'The redevelopment of Belmont Park is bringing thousands of jobs and generating $1 billion of economic activity on Long Island,' Hochul said. 'Thanks to the investments we are making at Belmont Park, the long held dream of bringing the prestigious Breeders' Cup back to New York will soon be a reality.'
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An artist rendering of what Belmont Park will look like after its $455 million renovation.
AP
Belmont Park is currently undergoing a $455 million capital construction project, which includes the building of a 300,000-square foot, five-story main building with modern amenities, renovation of the main dirt track and two turf courses, and tunnels that will allow racing fans access to the 45-acre Belmont infield for the first time.
NYRA plans to open the refurbished facility in September 2026. Before that, it will conduct the 2025 Belmont Stakes on June 7 as part of a five-day racing festival at Saratoga Race Course.
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Kentucky Derby winner Sovreignty and Preakness champ Journalism are expected to go head-to-head at the historic upstate track. NYRA has yet to announce the location of the 2026 Belmont Stakes.
Saint Liam, left, with jockey Jerry Bailey up, wins the Breeders' Cup Classic horse race at Belmont Park, on Oct. 29, 2005.
AP
Belmont Park has hosted four previous Breeders' Cups (1990, 1995, 2001 and 2005). The 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic is one of most famous races to be run at the track, as Cigar capped a 10-for-10 season.
'New York's racing fans and participants have longed to host this event since it was last held at
Belmont in 2005, and we thank the Breeders' Cup for making that a reality,' said David O'Rourke, NYRA president and CEO.
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'The return of the Breeders' Cup to New York has been years in the making, and we thank Governor Hochul for supporting a new Belmont Park and a New York Breeders' Cup,' said David Fleming, president and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. 'The reimagined Belmont Park will provide an exceptional stage for the world's greatest racehorses and participants as we welcome contenders and fans from around the globe.'
Del Mar in southern California will be the site of this year's event, with the races slated for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
Since 2008, the championships have been limited to a strict four-track rotation — Del Mar and Santa Anita in California and Churchill Downs and Keeneland in Kentucky. Prior to that, Breeders' Cup locations included Belmont and Aqueduct in New York, Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Lonestar in Texas, Arlington Park in Illinois, Gulfstream and Hollywood in Florida and Woodbine in Canada.