Horse Racing Horse Country Connections: The Belmont Stakes June 7, 2025 From the legendary farms where many elite thoroughbreds were foaled and raised, to the world-renowned sales at Keeneland where dreams of racing glory begin, the road to the Belmont Stakes is paved through Horse Country. First, we’ll highlight the connections behind the contenders vying for glory in this year’s “Test of the Champion.” Then we’ll have a look at Belmont Champions in Horse Country, that you can connect with on a horse farm tour. Be sure to watch this incredible day of racing on Fox Sports! Fox Sports 1 will have coverage starting at 10:30am with the main Fox broadcast starting at 2:30pm. The entire day of racing is filled with the best of the best of the sport, you don’t want to miss it! Bluegrass Bloodlines Set for Belmont Stakes Showdown As the final leg of the Triple Crown unfolds today in the Belmont Stakes, the deep-rooted influence of Kentucky’s Horse Country is unmistakably present in the elite field of contenders. At the heart of the narrative is the exciting rematch between the formidable Kentucky Derby champion, Sovereignty, and the Preakness winner, Journalism, who finished second in the run for the roses. Racing today against six other contenders, the Belmont Stakes is set to be one of the most exciting races of the year. The Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, was born and bred at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm, which offers regular horse farm tours highlighting the foundation of the US racing stable. Sovereignty embodies the meticulous planning and care that are synonymous with the four-time leading owner and breeder, Godolphin. His sire, Into Mischief, stands at Spendthrift Farm, and you can see him in all his greatness on a tour of their stallion division. Did you know you? For the second year, the Belmont Stakes is being run at the historic Saratoga Racetrack in upstate New York. Renovations of Belmont Park are underway, and the race is due to return to the “Big Sandy” for 2026. In it’s temporary home, the race has to be shortened from the 1 1/2 mile test to the Derby distance of 1 1/4. While Derby runner-up and Preakness winner, Journalism, wasn’t bred on a farm you can visit, he was consigned as a yearling by Horse Country’s Denali Stud. Denali have had a hand in countless champions’ careers, connecting them to owners who will see them to winner’s circles around the world. “Saturday Afternoon Horses” is Denali’s motto, and Journalism embodies that to his core. You can visit Denali for a horse farm tour here. Once Journalism retires from racing, his future home as a stallion will be Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, where he will reside next to Belmont winners American Pharoah and Justify. Rounding out the trifecta from the 151st Kentucky Derby and with post position six in the Belmont is Baeza, a racehorse with monumental family connections. His brothers include 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, and last year’s Belmont Stakes winner, Dornoch. His mother? Puca, an unquestionable, soon-to-be Hall of Fame broodmare. There is not a family in recent history with such classic connections, and Baeza looks to be a serious contender in this year’s Belmont Stakes. He was born and raised at Horse Country’s Runnymede Farm, as were his brothers. Puca now resides at John Stewart’s Resolute Farm (where you can visit her for at least a few more weeks this summer!), after she was purchased for $2.9 million by the fledgling stable. The Horse Country Connections don’t end there, read more below about the exciting stories of this year’s Belmont Stakes and their roots in the Bluegrass state. Hill Road Sired by Lane’s End Farm’s Quality Road Sold at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale Sovereignty (2025 Kentucky Derby Winner) Sired by Spendthrift Farm stallion Into Mischief Bred, raised and owned by Godolphin (born at Gainsborough Farm!) Rodriguez Sired by Spendthrift Farm stallion Authentic Stonestreet Farm is a part-owner Uncaged Bred, raised and co-owned by WinStar Farm The other co-owner is the star from “Race for the Crown,” Mike Repole Crudo Sired by Coolmore America stallion and Belmont winner, Justify Bred and raised at Stone Farm, and co-owned by celebrity chef, Bobby Flay Baeza Sired by Gainesway Farm’s stallion McKenzie Bred and raised at Runnymede Farm Brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, who stands at Airdrie Stud Brother to 2024 Belmont winner, Dornoch, who stands at Spendthrift Farm Dam (mother) currently resides at Resolute Racing – learn more about Resolute Racing’s owner, John Stewart on “Race for the Crown“ Journalism (2025 Preakness Winner) Future Coolmore America stallion Consigned by Denali Stud as a yearling Heart of Honor (GB) Sired by Lane’s End Farm stallion Honor A.P. His dam (mother) was consigned by Denali Stud at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale with Heart of Honor in utero As the horses step onto the track for the “Test of the Champion,” it’s clear that the spirit and legacy of Kentucky’s Horse Country will be carried with them. The expert horsemanship, care for the horse, and high-stakes commerce that define the region have all converged in the race today, promising a Belmont Stakes rich with deep Bluegrass connections and the potential for another Horse Country-connected champion to be crowned. Belmont’s Best in Horse Country and how to visit them! Ten years and one day ago marked the end of a 37-year drought, as American Pharoah raced into the history books as horse racing’s 12th Triple Crown champion. That electrifying moment on June 6, 2015, cemented his legend, and today, his legacy is woven directly into the fabric of Horse Country. His Belmont victory remains a modern benchmark for greatness, and as we mark this special anniversary, it serves as a powerful starting point to explore the rich history of other legendary Belmont Stakes winners who share deep roots in the heart of Kentucky. American Pharoah at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud. 2024 Winner DORNOCH Stands at Spendthrift Farm, and you can visit him on their Stallion Tour Half brother to 2025 Belmont contender, Baeza Born and bred at Runnymede Farm Half brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, standing at Airdrie Stud Dam (mother) resides at Resolute Racing (at least for a few more weeks!) – learn more about Resolute Racing’s owner, John Stewart on “Race for the Crown“ 2023 Winner ARCANGELO Stands at Lane’s End Farm, and you can visit him on their Stallion Tour First Belmont winner to be trained by a woman, Jena Antonucci 2022 Winner MO DONEGAL Stands at Spendthrift Farm, and you can visit him on their Stallion Tour Owned and raced by the star from “Race for the Crown,” Mike Repole 2021 Winner ESSENTIAL QUALITY Bred and raised by Godolphin, and now stands as a stallion at their Jonabell Farm where you can visit him His dam (mother), Delightful Quality, is a broodmare at Godolphin’s Gainsborough Farm, where 2025 Belmont contender, Sovereignty was bred and raised 2020 Winner TIZ THE LAW Stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, please not he may not be available on their tour 2018 Winner JUSTIFY Triple Crown Winner stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, and you can visit him on their Stallion Tour Sire of 2025 contender, Crudo 2015 Winner AMERICAN PHAROAH Triple Crown Winner stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud, and you can visit him on their Stallion Tour 2014 Winner TONALIST Stands at Lane’s End Farm, and you can visit him on their Stallion Tour Trained by the late, great, Christophe Clement 2012 Winner UNION RAGS Stands at Lane’s End Farm, and you can visit him on their Stallion Tour 2011 Winner RULER ON ICE Resides at Old Friends Farm 2005 Winner AFLEET ALEX Pensioned from stud duty at Gainesway Farm 2004 Winner BIRDSTONE Resides at Old Friends Farm 2001 Winner POINT GIVEN Resides at the Kentucky Horse Park 1997 Winner TOUCH GOLD Resides at Old Friends Farm You never know what future champion you might meet in Horse Country! Check out the Mama Mares & Baby Foals page to explore how you can get up-close-and-personal with the future stars of the track. You may meet the 2028 Belmont winner – be sure to take pictures! EXPLORE Of course, not all horses go on to be classic winners or into their second career as a mom or dad. Many Thoroughbreds will go on to learn different equestrian disciplines and will be retrained right here in Horse Country. You can visit several farms who specialize in the retraining of Thoroughbreds. EXPLORE
