Golden Tempo won the 2026 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, securing the third and final leg of the Triple Crown [1].
The victory marks a rare feat in thoroughbred racing, as the horse has now won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes in a single campaign. This achievement cements the horse's place in sporting history and validates the training regimen of Cherie DeVaux.
The race took place at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York [2]. This event marked the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes [3]. Golden Tempo entered the race having already won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness earlier this year, meaning the horse was two-for-two in the Triple Crown series leading up to the finale [4].
The stakes for the race were high, with a purse of $2 million [5]. The victory provides a significant financial windfall for the owners and training team. The event drew a large crowd to the New York track, continuing the tradition of high attendance for the Triple Crown's concluding leg.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux managed the horse's preparation for the grueling distance of the Belmont Stakes. The horse's ability to maintain peak performance across three different tracks and distances is the defining characteristic of this season's campaign. By winning at Saratoga, Golden Tempo has successfully navigated the most demanding schedule in North American flat racing.
The horse's path to the Triple Crown began with the Kentucky Derby victory and continued through the Preakness. Saturday's win at Saratoga completes the set, ensuring that Golden Tempo is the first horse in recent years to sweep all three major events [1].
“Golden Tempo won the 2026 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, securing the third and final leg of the Triple Crown.”
The completion of the Triple Crown is one of the rarest achievements in sports due to the physical toll and varying track conditions of the three races. Golden Tempo's victory at the 158th Belmont Stakes demonstrates an elite level of versatility and endurance, significantly increasing the horse's future value for breeding and elevating the professional profile of trainer Cherie DeVaux.
